Clash of two titans: What next?

The ideologies of the United National Party (UNP) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party have shaped the political experience of both Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremasinghe. These ideologies, experiences and struggles for dominance over the other have been the root cause of these recent confrontations.

Investors may be underestimating the political turbulence in Sri Lanka

CNBC: What might seem as a crisis averted in Sri Lanka — is actually far from being over and investors could potentially be underestimating the level of uncertainty in the country, an expert told CNBC.  

Everything you need to know when obtaining a patent

In the rapidly developing world, inventions are like mushrooms blooming overnight in the fields of science and technology. An invention is a practical solution to a problem on the field of technology and it could be in form of a process or a product. Hence, without doubt, it is important that the inventor has his rights in relation to his invention protected from the competitors. So, it is very useful to learn the importance of a patent.  &n

Automating loan recoveries: A top priority for banks

Many argue that performance of banks is more market-driven. Better performance is no more a choice and it has become mandatory to sustain competiveness by satisfying diverse interests of stakeholders. Lending is a key function of banks and non-bank financial institutions which directly affects performance.   

More than just green bonds – the next leap

As we get into the final lap of bond issuances for the year, it is helpful to take stock of where the green bond markets are and what we could look forward to in 2019 and beyond.   

UNF govt. should not squander this last opportunity

President Maithripala Sirisena appointed a 29-member Cabinet last week after two months of political turmoil. It was reported that the United National Party (UNP) has sent in 36 names to the president to be appointed as ministers and that Sirisena had struck off eight of them.   

Sending Sri Lankans and receiving Chinese workers: Emerging trend of labour migration in Sri Lanka

Kamal, a construction labourer living on-site in Colombo, finds it difficult to make ends meet with his daily wage of Rs.1,500. On the other hand, Hong Chua, a Chinese construction worker in Colombo, who works 10 hours a day, says, “We are paid a daily wage of Rs.1,000 and food. Accommodation is provided free of charge. So, we are okay.”   

LNG, renewable and coal mix way forward to lower energy cost

A customer likes to view, feel, look for alternatives, check the prices and at times bargain before buying a product. Sadly not so, when we buy utility services, particularly electricity and water supply. These, as the economists call, are ‘natural monopolies’.  

President Sirisena, City of God and The Prince

“It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.” -Niccolo Machiavelli, Prince 1532 St. Augustine’s ‘City of God’ was perhaps the book Maithripala Sirisena was following since the beginning of his presidency in 2015. A kind and calm leader from humble beginnings was seen trying to be righteous yet appeared cornered, isolated and perhaps pushed to the wall by his coalition partners. 

The other power struggle

The biggest challenge the power sector is facing today is that there hasn’t been a single new power plant commissioned since 2014. Meanwhile, there have been issues in the form of delays in the generation plan approval, the Kerawalapitiya liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant tender award is in the midst of legal proceedings and the Sampur coal power plant was cancelled in 2016. All these factors affect the consumer, who must bear the ult

Cyber insurance: Creating a culture of risk management

In today’s interconnected financial system, it is impossible to remain isolated from online communications and commerce or immune from network outages and data breaches. Cyber risks exist everywhere.  

this former immigrant from sri lanka just made india’s most expensive movie

FORBES.COM: The man who bankrolled the science-fiction film 2.0, India’s costliest movie, is a former immigrant from Sri Lanka who is now running his family’s telecom, healthcare, financial services, media and entertainment conglomerate in the U.K.  

Sri Lanka provides right ground for implementing ‘China-India Plus’ plan

Sri Lanka’s recent political crisis has attracted global attention with the appointment of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister. Many observers link the leadership change to the contest for influence in South Asia between China and India and there have even been doubts about the fate of Chinese investments in Sri Lanka in recent years.

Why imposing trade tariffs backfires in an interconnected world

The ongoing trade conflict between the US and People’s Republic of China (PRC) was supposed to be a way of protecting domestic industries. But it is backfiring in large part because of the vast global interconnections in production and trade.  

Data lakes – Take the plunge knowingly

Data and information is the life blood of organisations and businesses as it provides vital information for operational, tactical and strategic decisions. Storage for this vital information scales from a simple spreadsheet, to traditional databases and data ware houses and most recently to data lakes.

Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria – Trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s legal and banking education is no more

Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria, fondly known as Wickrema, was first my guru, mentor and role model but later became a fan of mine, admiring my work immensely. That was a rare display of humbleness, which only a good teacher would extend toward his students. Wickrema belonged to this rare category. 

Promoting WTO reform to keep pace with times - Common expectation of China and SL

At the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) that was just concluded, President Xi Jinping pointed out that holding the CIIE is “China’s major initiative to still widen market access to the rest of the world” and that it “demonstrates China’s consistent position of supporting the multilateral trading system and promoting free trade”.  

Good governance key to sustainability

To begin, after the financial crisis, the regulators and funds came up with a new bunch of new governance structures and rules that they wanted their companies to practice and adopt. This new governance regime brought about new challenges for the chairman, the conscience keeper in a business. 

Quality assurance and traceability at the heart of Fonterra’s transformation

New Zealand’s Fonterra Co-operative Group — for us Sri Lankans, the Anchor company — has gone through a remarkable transformational change in the face of certain issues they faced in some of the markets they operated several years ago. At the heart of this transformation is the Kiwi dairy giant’s unwavering focus to ensure quality and safety of its products and their traceability. Mirror Business met with the key man headi

MS, RW and MR must put country first

The events that unfolded on October 26 have led the country towards an unprecedented chaos. Almost a month later, we are still awaiting a firm interpretation of the decisions and the credibility of actions while pondering if all the sudden changes have been made in the best interest of the country and people. 

Is BIMSTEC remodelling for a bigger role?

The BIMSTEC, officially known as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, held its first-ever military exercise in September 2018, in Pune, India. The transnational exercise aimed to boost inter-operability among forces and exchange best practices in counter-terrorism.

Six ways developing Asia can meet its clean energy goals

As countries in developing Asia work to meet their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, governments must figure out how to come up with the money to fund their commitments.   

China’s BRI: A sustainable partnership for Sri Lanka?

Over the last few years, both economic and historical ties between Sri Lanka and China have grown with China becoming a significant economic partner of Sri Lanka. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is at the centre of this. The Chinese government has invested large sums to develop infrastructure and trade routes for what it believes is a mutually beneficial programme.  

The West is upset about Sri Lanka’s sacked PM, but it’s not about democracy

On the night of October 26, most Sri Lankans were taken by surprise when President Maithripala Sirisena named his former leader and later political foe Mahinda Rajapakse as Prime Minister.   

Weathering the storm: Improving disaster resilience of Sri Lanka’s rural workers

Droughts, floods, landslides, and cyclones have frequented the Sri Lankan newspapers in 2018.   

Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean and new era of great power competition

“We must not return to the age of great power rivalries. Asia in rivalry will hold us back; Asia in cooperation will shape the century,” said Deputy National Security Adviser of India Pankaj Saran, at The Indian Ocean: Defining our Future Conference in Colombo (2018).   

CB highlights recent economic developments, prospects for 2019

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka this week released its half yearly publication titeld: “Recent Economic Developments: Highlights of 2018 and Prospects for 2019”.    

Arguments from both sides follow flawed patterns of reasoning; go for parliamentary election

By According to Article 3 of our Constitution, sovereignty is in the people. In terms of Article 30(2) of the 19th Amendment, the president is elected by the people of the entire country. The president is the Head of the state, head of the government, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and even the head of the Cabinet of Ministers (vide Article 42(3).   

Economic aspects of aging population

The great achievements of the 20th century in the demographic sector are increment of longevity, reducing infant mortality, an increment of life expectancy and decreased fertility rates, through medical science. However, this has caused to make an imbalance in the population pyramid and put more weight on the population seesaw by the rapidly aging population.  

Liberalization of shipping sector – Fact or fiction?

Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera wrapped up the 2018 budget debate promising to end the country’s ‘nanny state’ approach and expressed his determination to press ahead with radical liberalization.