Sri Lankans have re-evaluated priorities amidst COVID-19 outbreak: Will brands follow suit?

Kantar recently unveiled the COVID-19 Barometer for Sri Lanka through a virtual webinar. The study covers the sentiments of both urban and rural households across all socio-economic groups and age segments.

Managing business through COVID-19 pandemic to transform from a global to a local economy

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many countries having lockdowns, mainly to control the spread of the coronavirus. This pandemic, which started in Wuhan, China, has now spread worldwide, with Europe and America experiencing a major impact and huge loss of lives.

COVID-19 and road ahead for Sri Lanka’s three-wheeler industry

Sri Lanka has been under curfew since mid-March to contain the spread of COVID-19. As a result, economic activities throughout the country have stalled. A recent Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) blog identified that non-agricultural, informal workers were highly affected by this pandemic.

Response to COVID-19 should also be a response to climate crisis

Now is the time to ramp up actions on resilience so that society can beat the COVID-19 crisis while reducing the impact of climate threats.

Post COVID operations of wildlife parks in Sri Lanka – A new start?

The current ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought tourism and leisure travel to its knees. With extended curfews and strict restrictions of movement, almost all establishments have been shut.

Retraining for growth

The purpose of this article is to suggest how Sri Lanka can benefit from the obvious need for social support in the context of ‘COVID-19’.

Managing labour crisis post- COVID 19

The economic and labour crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic has increased global unemployment by almost 25 million, according to a new assessment by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

‘Ten new realities’ and opportunities in Sri Lanka as a result of COVID-19

Over the last few weeks, there have been many discussions, ideas and content on the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and the economy in particular.

Global growth impact of COVID-19 outbreak

No data yet, apart from the distressing data on the escalating infections and deaths caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The economic shock is yet to be seen.

COVID-19 and foreign exchange woes: Can Sri Lanka find a way out?

The growing pressure on Sri Lanka’s scarce foreign exchange resources, due to the wide spread of COVID-19 across the globe, is now more real than ever before. To ease this pressure, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has taken many measures to attract as well as retain more foreign exchange in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s economic recovery from coronavirus

The purpose of this article is to suggest how Sri Lanka can undertake significant structural reforms in the aftermath of this global pandemic and place herself in a position of increased economic strength.

ICC’s crusade to safeguard future functioning of global economy

International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL) Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody speaks about the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) global response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) to provide businesses with hope during these challenging times.

Smoking cessation in Sri Lanka: A silver lining in COVID-19 crisis?

As the deadly COVID-19 pandemic threatens the entire world, claiming thousands of lives and disrupting economic activities, it would be wise to look at the role smoking cessation could play in the response.

COVID-19 and Sri Lanka’s tourism industry

After the April 2019 terrorist attack in Sri Lanka, the Market Development Facility (MDF), an Australian multi-country initiative, launched a series of informative seminars across the country to help the smaller scale hotel companies understand how they could manage the crisis. These programmes were very well received by the SMEs.

Impact of internal and external shocks on Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange earnings

Sri Lanka, as a developing country, is highly sensitive to both internal and external shocks. Today, Sri Lanka is facing a big challenge of controlling the spread of COVID-19, which is a global pandemic. Even though Sri Lanka is far better than other developed countries in terms of controlling the spread of this decease, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) warns that the situation will worsen in the month of April.

Curfew, lockdown and economic livelihoods amid corona crisis

National policymakers have been grappling on the right balance between lockdowns (total or partial) and maintaining a functioning economy to safeguard the livelihood of its citizens and viability of its corporate sector. Whilst no solution seems optimal, the need for a well-orchestrated recovery strategy is central to avoid a pro-longedsupply and demand led economic recession.

Amid COVID-19, the time to act now to protect food security

With the impacts of the pandemic on food and nutrition being felt around the region, planning is needed to avoid higher food prices, decreased nutrition and reduced food security.

Why strangle economy to combat coronavirus?

As of April 6, 2020, there are 177 confirmed cases and five deaths attributed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Sri Lanka. These are impressive statistics relative to those in many other countries affected by COVID-19. Physical distancing is the key to controlling the spread of the COVID-19 infection and accordingly, the island has been in curfew mode since March 20.

Why strangle economy to combat coronavirus?

As of April 6, 2020, there are 177 confirmed cases and five deaths attributed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Sri Lanka. These are impressive statistics relative to those in many other countries affected by COVID-19. Physical distancing is the key to controlling the spread of the COVID-19 infection and accordingly, the island has been in curfew mode since March 20.

Significant disruptive potential of coronavirus

According to CNN, the coronavirus (COVID-19) is now in 85 countries. This is despite four countries still accounting for 97 percent of COVID-19 cases. The COVID-19 epidemic has now forced nearly one-third of the world’s population into lockdown. It is a fight that many countries will face all the same.

Is downsizing right thing? NCE probes into pros and cons of laying off employees

The fact that we live in a truly global economy is impelled every time the world is confronted with a significant disaster affecting millions of lives and world economies. In 2002, when a lethal pneumonia-like virus known as SARS emerged in China, it generated a near catastrophic spillover effect on global trade.

Pathfinder Foundation’s 10 basic principles for achieving economic recovery

Continued enforcement of social distancing, including the lockdown of hotspots, to ensure that the number of infections does not exceed the capacity of the health system.

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Releasing funds from EPF; is it the last resort?

Economic implications of the coronavirus are long-term and more severe than health implications, because people fear of hunger more than dying from the virus.

COVID-19 and SMEs: Five important areas to focus on during tough times

It is evident that the COVID-19 pandemic would create a significant economic impact globally. Whilst it is rather premature to predict the overall impact, one can safely conclude that the impact will last for a number of months (best-case scenario) post COVID-19.

COVID-19: Economic impacts on Sri Lanka

COVID-19 has been rapidly outreaching across the globe, taking thousands of lives and pausing hundreds of economies. Its initial impact on China’s economy is pathetic and China’s slowdown may have adverse economic impacts on the rest of the world as well.

How can Asia avoid fallout if COVID-19 triggers a debt crunch?

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic raises the spectre of another global debt crisis.

Economy faces COVID-19 challenge

Sri Lanka is battling to control the coronavirus by getting the critical government machinery into full gear to put an end to the crisis and has set an example in taking preventive measures to gain control over the epidemic.

COVID-19 – Nature’s wake up call to mankind?

Today, mankind has enabled technological and scientific progress to eradicate diseases, helped increase life expectancy, reduced starvation and extreme poverty, revolutionised transport and communications, explored other worlds in the universe and made this generation the most successful one in history. But at what cost to nature and the environment?

‘A brewing storm’: Economic impact of COVID-19 on Sri Lanka

Over a quarter of the world’s population is currently under movement restrictions. For the first time in recent human history, coronavirus has shattered the myth that the economy must come first. While public health concerns, undoubtedly, should take precedence over all other considerations when dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be unwise to ignore the economic costs of the current situation.