A friend of mine works for a company that sells imported equipment, inter alia. Once his boss had what he thought a bright idea – import self-help home repair equipment kits for Sri Lankan households.

The current global outbreak of COVID-19 that has already disrupted the lives of the people would further entrench the existing gender inequalities in many ways. In most contexts, women and girls are disproportionately impacted due to their relatively

Consequent to the second wave of COVID-19 infections, apparel companies have been working to the guidelines issued by the Environment, Occupational Health and Food Safety Directorate under the Health Ministry, which set out in detail the steps to be

The Central Bank, at its recent monthly monetary review meeting, decided to continue its accommodative monetary policy stance to boost economic growth while recognising the absence of demand-driven inflationary pressures. Accordingly, the Central Ban

Way back in 1945, renowned author Kumarathunga Munidasa wrote in ‘Virith Vekiya’: “A nation that does not invent and produce new things will not thrive.” The visionary Munidasa clearly understood the importance of innovation for economic and

At last, the rubber price is improving; the event we have long waited for but we do not know for how long it will last. The growers had to undergo a long frustrating period with rubber, as far as the price is concerned and therefore, it is not unreas

The 2021 Budget Speech delivered recently in Parliament by Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister cum Finance Minister outlines a development strategy, couched in the rubric ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’, for elevating a COVID-19 shattered economy.

Multiple proposals of ‘Vision 2024 for ICTA: A digitally transformed Sri Lanka’ were echoed in the Budget 2021 proposals, the maiden of the present government, it was observed.

Budget Speech 2021 was presented at a time when the country is being severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. GDP growth is projected to be down to negative 2 percent this year. Despite this economic setback, the government envisages to maintain an inc

The banking sector has successfully navigated the immediate pressures of the COVID-19 crisis. As thoughts turn to a new world beyond the immediate crisis, a strong financial sector will be needed for a strong recovery.

Increasing female labour force participation has been a challenge for the country. These challenges are even greater for night-work and shift-work (hence referred to as non-standard work).

Sri Lanka is experiencing a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and cities and urban centres have become the hotspots of vulnerability. With their relatively favourable economic conditions and extensive transport networks, cities attract migrants fr

The Export Development Board (EDB) is pleased to see an export-focused budget, which will support strong export growth, led by investment, value addition and maximising our Sri Lankan natural resources. This is a pivotal change in Sri Lanka’s growt

Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa presented the following Budget for 2021 in Parliament yesterday, considered as the 75th budget report of the country.

Sri Lanka is identified as one of the most vulnerable middle-income countries to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The present global pandemic has accelerated the actions of more people using computers and telecommunication-linked facilities for purposes of commercial and domestic communication.

On average, a tobacco-user household spends nearly Rs.2000 per month on tobacco, constituting 4 percent of the household budget. Spending on tobacco can drive out other critical expenditures, including basic needs. This crowd-out effect would be grea

This concept termed ‘new international economic order’ is not a new one – it’s a 50-year-old concept to promote the interests of developing countries vis-à-vis developed countries in early 70s. This is relevant now because the international

Amidst the severe disruptions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for economies to formulate and implement effective policies to mitigate the negative impacts induced by the crisis. As noted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), t

Now that the executive and legislature have all that they asked for it is time to get down to the most critical aspect of business – meaningful action!

Savings itself is an education. A person who has practised saving will develop many virtues, such as patience, thrift, financial discipline, order, planning, self-control, etc. without much effort. Spending less or being thrifty is not a mere concept

Urbanisation has intensified many of the most pressing global challengesover the last few decades. Today, responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has become top priority for the vast majority of towns and cities across the world, which account for over 9

The Prime Minister’s proposal to ban cattle slaughter has been apparently endorsed by the government MPs. Have they considered in depth its consequences on animal and milk production? Moreover, the self-deceptive and ridiculous rule of banning sell

In recent times, a great deal of ink has been spilled over the sport of identifying problems in Sri Lanka’s plantations sector, assigning blame. This is an approach that does little to solve the real underlying challenges that have held our industr

Global poverty is expected to increase for the first time in over 20 years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Up to 115 million people worldwide will fall into extreme poverty this year.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread with over one million lives tragically lost so far. Living with the novel coronavirus has been a challenge like no other but the world is adapting.

Financial Inclusion is essential for continuous and sustainable economic development, according to IFC. This is no exception for Sri Lanka despite showing strong numbers in bank penetration.

DFCC Bank is renowned as a national icon, with a legacy of over 65 years of contributing to the nation. With DFCC it is not just about banking but it believe in partnerships and it is most heartening to note that these relationships have lasted throu

The Sri Lankan economy is likely to face a contraction in 2020, as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic but there is potential for this to be followed by a sharp V-shaped economic recovery.