Investing in the Secondary Market: Common mistakes

In a previous article we highlighted some common mistakes investors make when investing in the primary market (when applying for shares from an Initial Public Offering). This article will mainly focus on mistakes made by investors

Women in Olympics – the tears, the thrills, the victories…

Tomorrow there will probably be women runners, or even women football players? If such sports are played by women, would they constitute a proper...

Sustainability issues in monocultural farming systems

Monocultures are large areas of land cultivated with a single crop, using methods that imply a high use of inputs such as agro chemicals and machinery.

Workplace bureaucracy in need of new thinking

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”

Debate brewing over Sri Lanka tea blending plans

AFP: Sri Lanka’s tea industry is deeply divided over plans to boost earnings by importing cheaper leaves for blending and re-export, over fears the changes could water down the ‘Pure Ceylon’ brand.

Is today’s office safe for women?

It seems our paradise nation has become an active haven for sexual perverts and rapists – not a day goes by without having to stomach a yet another unpalatable story of a rape or a sexual... 

Being good corporate citizen in worst of times

The recent murder of a seven-year-old little girl in the Kirulapone area shocked and shook up our little world.   The brutality of this act is inconceivable to many, especially since it was...

Pathum Vimana – country’s biggest deposit draw scheme: HNB AGM

R. M. P. Dayawansa, Assistant General Manager (AGM) – Personal Financial Services, Hatton National Bank, in an interview with Daily Mirror, talks about Sri Lanka’s biggest and most popular deposit draw scheme, Pathum Vimana. Excerpts:

Dialog TV launches Sri Lanka’s first HD broadcast

Dialog Television (DTV), Sri Lanka’s leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) Digital Satellite TV service recently announced the introduction of the country’s first HD (High Definition) broadcast, leading Sri Lanka into the era of advance digital media.

Microsoft Sri Lanka-ICTA partner for FutureGov SAARC Summit 2012

Microsoft Sri Lanka has been selected by ICTA as the event partner for FutureGov SAARC Summit 2012, which will be held on July 18 and 19, at Cinnamon Grand Hotel.

Eco-friendly NR plantations can tap vast global funding

Climate change is considered one of the most serious threats to the global environment. Increasing concentrations in the atmosphere of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as methane, nitrous oxide, hydro fluorocarbons, per-fluorocarbons, sulphur hexafluoride and most importantly, carbon dioxide have been implicated to be the primary reason for global climate change. International concern about this problem led to the establishment of the Inter-governmen

Mobius upbeat on eurozone prospects

In 1987, Mark Mobius told his would-be employers Franklin Templeton that he will head their emerging markets equity fund provided they open their first office in an emerging market country. The group assented to this request and an office in Hong Kong was quickly opened followed by offices in India and other countries in the 1990s. Today, those investments and focus on emerging markets have paid off handsomely for Templeton.

Managing change without pain

What is change management? This is a question you may have heard from colleagues or co-workers in passing or in formal presentations. While many of us ‘know’ intuitively what change management is,...

Common mistakes made when investing in the Primary Market

The Primary Market, also called the New Issue Market, is the market for issuing new securities. The Colombo Stock Market witnessed 18 new share issues last year and four new share issues during the first quarter of 2012.

Is the American Dream dying?

According to the CEO of Starbucks, it is.  Howard Schultz chose July 4, the American Independence Day, to put his thoughts...

Sampath excels at World Finance Awards

Sampath Bank earned yet another accolade in its 25th year by being honored as the Best Banking Group in Sri Lanka at the World Finance Awards held recently. World Finance is a critically acclaimed bi-monthly magazine and website providing in-depth coverage of the financial industry and global economy. Launched in 2007, the World Finance Awards recognize industry leaders in different sectors based on nominations and votes from its readership.

SLI declares staggering Rs. 4 bn Life Insurance bonus to customers

Sri Lanka Insurance declared a Rs4 billion in Life Insurance Bonus  for its policy holders this year endorsing 50 years of trust placed on the Company by the Sri Lankan people. The declaration comes breaking the company’s own record of the highest bonus declared in the industry last year of 3.4 Billion.

Potential of Intermediate Zone for growing rubber

Rubber has been grown traditionally in the Low Country Wet Zone covering the Southwestern, Southern and Central parts of Sri Lanka, though the low and mid elevations in the Intermediate and Dry Zones are also being explored now with varying degrees of success. This tract is however, now reaching a level of saturation for rubber cultivation and the scope of further expansion is very much limited. Therefore, it has become necessary to look for new

When workplace bullying goes too far…

Do you think you work with a bully? Do you regularly feel intimidated, dread to work near a particular co-worker or you’re yelled at, insulted and put down? Does a co-worker talk over you at meetings, criticize you or steal credit for your work?

Are you an investor? Think about these points

Before an investor buys or sells shares, he needs to contact a stockbroker, licensed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) to carry out the transactions on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

New Chinese Ambassador makes courtesy call at SLPA

The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka Wu Jianghao made a courtesy visit at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) recently. The Ambassador was received by Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama - Chairman of the SLPA. The ambassador also made a special inspection tour at the ongoing Colombo Port Expansion Project (CPEP).

Are women’s rights coming of age in rest of the world?

It’s official – Saudi Arabian women can take part in the London Olympics. Although the Saudi government will not officially endorse the move, women’s rights activists believe the step is in the right direction for the desert kingdom that does not allow women to drive or open bank accounts without endorsement from a male relative. One small step for women on the whole but for the Saudi women, a giant leap.

World Finance recognizes NDB’s performance

The UK based World Finance magazine rated NDB as the ‘Best Commercial Bank’ in Sri Lanka. World Finance is a highly acclaimed international business journal that is renowned globally for its accuracy, credibility and wide readership. The prestigious accolade was awarded in recognition of the Bank’s commitment to continued excellence and superior service to its customers.

JKH renews CA Sri Lanka sponsorship for 2012

The country’s foremost accounting organisation, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) received a tremendous boost recently when Sri Lanka’s leading conglomerate, John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) joined hands once again to renew its sponsorship for the year 2012.

Understanding Standard & Poor’s BICRA Assessment of Sri Lanka

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services recently assigned Sri Lanka to its Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment (BICRA) group ‘8’. This is our first assessment of Sri Lanka’s banking industry under our BICRA methodology. This article addresses questions investors and market participants may have about rationale for assigning Sri Lanka to BICRA group ‘8’. The FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) also assess what

Essential lessons for investment success

Here are some important investment techniques in a simple question-and-answer format, for those who may be first-time investors getting their feet wet, and to improve the performance of those who may have been playing the market for some time. Learn commonsense strategies, know when to buy and sell at the right time, and successfully manage your own portfolio.

What happens next after Rio+20?

A U.N. development summit ended last Friday with an agreement that put off the implementation of many proposals on protecting the world’s natural resources from climate change and globalization, leaving many attendees asking the question, “What next?”

Rubber in new location needs new thinking

In the early 1950s, China decided that in order to secure its economic development, it needed to produce its own natural rubber. The Chinese government subsequently invested heavily in research on growing rubber in marginal environments and eventually established state rubber plantations in Hainan and Yunnan provinces, areas that lie as far north as 22° north latitude.

Employee orientation: Keeping new employees on board

Orienting employees to their workplaces and their jobs is one of the most neglected functions in many organisations. An employee handbook and piles of paperwork are not sufficient anymore when it comes to welcoming a new employee to your organisation.

Aung San Suu Kyi - A quiet but determined journey

She is considered easily Asia’s best-known woman, a figure that commands tremendous respect and even reverence for the quiet struggle she has led on behalf of her people.