Who will from ‘We Generation’ be next Zuckerberg?

That’s the question most ask – ever since the Facebook founder gave the world its most popular...

Getting away with misleading and deceptive advertising

Have you purchased anything that did not correspond to what had been advertised or promised? Many of us, at some time or another have been persuaded to purchase something, only to discover that we were misled by false or deceptive statements.

China’s new ‘Blue-Book’ for the Indian Ocean

Since it was released on June 8, China’s first ever “blue book” on the Indian Ocean has generated a lot of interest in strategy circles. Unveiled with some fanfare in the Chinese city of....

Ending poverty includes tackling climate change

Over the last 20 years, the World Bank Group has helped countries lift 663 million people out of poverty. In the next 20, we believe it is possible to end extreme poverty. This goal is within our grasp.

African renaissance: Opportunities for Sri Lankan companies

Sub-Saharan Africa has become one of the fastest growing regions in the world. The 1990’s was seen as the “lost decade” for the continent and Africa was written off as a basket case.

The economy is growing, but where are the jobs?

The Sri Lankan economy is reported to have grown by 6.4 percent in 2012. This was less than what was hoped, but still a robust level of growth. In 2010 and 2011 growth was an extremely healthy 8 percent and 8.2 percent.

Environment issues hitting the economy

A ‘global’ debate is in full swing over what should replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) once they expire in 2015. For Asia, this discussion could not have come too soon, as all evidence suggests that it will take a significant reordering of priorities for the region’s high economic growth to continue.

As Asia embraces casinos, India hedges its bets

REUTERS: Like many visitors to the Casino Royale Goa on a rainy Saturday night, Salim Budhwani said he does not gamble but also had no objection to the betting at the busy tables downstairs.

The bullish case for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is not often considered a viable option by investors. However, with previous geopolitical tensions settled, things are changing to the upside. Due to a peace dividend from ending 30 years of civil war, Sri Lanka’s emergence as a.....

Meeting increasing global demand for natural rubber

The global scenario for natural rubber appears to be increasing demand till the year 2020 and possibly beyond. There are indications that the natural rubber (NR) share of the total elastomers consumed globally will increase from its present level of 40 percent.

How well do we know Sri Lankan female consumer of today?

You see the world of advertising and marketing communications lay the world at her feet. The promises...

Doubling hotel room capacity by 2016

The bulldozers are working and a construction crane is being erected on that vacant lot you pass each day going to and from home. The sign on the fence states that a new 150 room 3-star hotel is being built with a planned opening date of mid -2014.

Trade agreements that don’t deliver the goods

A previous Verité Insight found that bi-lateral and regional trade agreements were proliferating, especially in Asia, but Sri Lanka was missing out. Despite once being a regional pioneer in trade agreements, Sri Lanka has not signed a major agreement in almost seven years.

Developing knowledge management systems in plantations

A rapid development in information technology (IT) has enabled firms in manufacturing, agro-based and food-based industries improve their knowledge management systems (KMS) initiatives to produce more value-added products.

Collaborating with India to forecast it right!

In my previous article in Mirror Business on June 11, 2013, the activities of the Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) were summarized and also highlighted the lack of coordination within ministries and related government institutions in Sri Lanka, related to weather forecasting and disaster management.

Do you want to be a smart investor?

During the past few weeks our readers were educated on the performance of the Colombo stock market by emphasizing on the untapped opportunities it offers to investors. Further on, we have disseminated guidelines on the requirements in entering the market, investing and managing one’s portfolio.

From crisis to sustenance : Leadership is everyone’s business: Creating a leadership commitment

Leadership doesn’t just happen. Leaders are made, not born. Leadership is a set of skills and abilities that anyone can learn.  Those skills can be strengthened, honed and enhanced.

The changing face at the top

Globally, in the last two years, women have made great strides in closing the gap for C-suite jobs. In fact, women now are better educated than ever, are stepping into high profile roles and are also outnumbering men as the primary breadwinners in their households.

Are we mentoring daughters right?

We all know what a little girl’s world consists of – Barbies, Angelina Ballerinas, soft pink dresses and dainty little...

SEC Chief explains capital markets turnaround strategy

At the 66th CFA Institute Annual Conference held in Singapore in May, I had the honour and pleasure of interviewing Nalaka Godahewa, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Sri Lanka, on the development of the country’s capital markets.

Escalating tensions in the Palk Bay area

An escalation of fisheries related incidents in the Palk Bay area is threatening to undermine the bilateral Indo-Sri Lanka relations. It is important that this matter is given urgent attention.

Post-2015 agenda for Asia

With the Millennium Development Goals expiring in 2015, a global debate is underway for a new development agenda to replace them. For Asia, the agenda must in part tackle the unfinished task of poverty reduction under the MDGs

J’pura University to offer Masters in Entrepreneurship next year

The University of Sri Jayawardenepura’s Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce announced the establishment of a Masters in Entrepreneurship qualification from January 2014.

Are bottlenecks choking country’s potential?

Much has been said about Sri Lanka’s potential for growth, and indeed there are many national and corporate plans being rolled out towards this end. There is high focus on several key areas of improvement, such as Infrastructure, policy frameworks, citizen services, education and so on.

Natural Rubber industry challenges

The global rubber industry has always been concerned over the fluctuating supply and spiralling prices of natural rubber (NR). Natural rubber is a highly valuable biomaterial in contrast with other bio-polymers and it cannot be replaced by other synthetic materials for many vital applications like heavy-duty truck/bus

Weather advisories and disaster management in Sri Lanka

It was  most timely that  Razik Zarook ,Chairman ,Bank of Ceylon ,Former Chairman NARA and co- Chair of Our Nations and the Sea (ONS)  in his address at the World Ocean Day on  June 7 (2013) at the BMICH  highlighted  the....

Gaming: Case for hard headed realism Vs moral hypocrisy

The recent decision to authorize the development of integrated tourism resorts, including gaming, has stirred up much controversy. It is an issue that needs to be examined in a hard headed and rational manner, devoid of emotion, hypocrisy and opportunism.

Market fluctuations: A friend or an enemy?

The stock market has outdone many financial instruments in the recent past due to the high return yielded. The market has grown by nearly 33 percent since June 2012 and has already experienced a growth of around 14 percent for the current year. Further on, it has outdone regional markets such as..............

From crisis to sustenance : Encouraging the heart - Rewarding and recognizing others

Imagine for a moment that you work in a cherished company and your team shared a common goal or standard for excellence in your work. Imagine your leader believed your team could and would be able to be ‘the best’ at what you do.

Doubling hotel room capacity by 2016…

The bulldozers are working and a construction crane is being erected on that vacant lot you pass each day going to and from home. The sign on the fence states that a new 150 room 3-star hotel is being built with a planned opening date of mid -2014. If you have ever wondered just how that hotel was created