All Blogs
Upside Down
The government is taking a second look at the labour retrenchment package due to stiff opposition from unions and employers, a top minister said.The previous government pushed through a labour retrenchment formula together with an insurance scheme in the guise of an 18-month dole.rn rnIn the run up to Aprils polls, the former Labour Minister […]
Breaking The Ban
Sri Lankas Tamil Tigers have asked India to reconsider its extension of a ban on the rebels imposed over the assassination of former premier Rajiv Gandhi.The Tamil National Alliance, the rebels proxies in parliament, said the ban raised the concern of the islands minority Tamils about Indias commitment to ending the three decades of bloodshed […]
Steady Walk
A growth in fee-based income and faster recoveries helped the Bank of Ceylon double its bottomline for the quarter ending March 31, 2004.The state-run banks net profits jumped 109.6 percent to Rs. 371 mn, over Rs. 177 mn reported during the corresponding period 2003.rn rnBut the banks revenue was flat during the year at Rs. […]
Fly Away Peter’85
Colombo is unusual for a capital city in having a large number of wetlands.rnAround Kotte for example a number of wetlands still remain.rnBut these natural assets are deteriorating by the day. rnWhile in developed countries billions are being spent on re-creating nature reserves to enhance the quality of life of city dwellers, Sri Lankans are […]
Sampath Fortune
Sampath Bank plans to raise Rs. 1.5 billion by issuing debentures to strengthen its capital base and make long-term money available for lending.The issue which will open later this month will initially target to raise Rs. 1billion with an option to raise a further half a billion in case of an over subscription.rn rnThe five-year […]
Shuffling The Pack
SriLankan Airlines is pushing to expand its portfolio through fifth freedom rights to Nepal and Bangladesh, while keeping a close tab on rising jet fuel prices, which may put a drag on its balance sheet this year.rnrnFifth freedom or lquote beyond rights, refers to the right of an airline from one country to land in […]
’85
Colombo is unusual for a capital city in having a large number of wetlands.rnAround Kotte for example a number of wetlands still remain.rnBut these natural assets are deteriorating by the day. rnWhile in developed countries billions are being spent on re-creating nature reserves to enhance the quality of life of city dwellers, Sri Lankans are […]
Sams View
India and Pakistan were the main beneficiaries in moves by the United Sates to have South Asian allies after the events on September 11. International affairs experts say that smaller but more open Sri Lanka is also seeing some spin-off effects of US moves to push its agenda.The United States is the largest donor in […]
Staying On Top
Management experts say the rapidly changing business environment is pushing organizations to constantly restructure to stay ahead.Companies in Sri Lanka they say need to focus more on the special skills of people to be competitive in the global economy.rn rnldblquote Leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship are the areas we need to improve ourselves in. Historically we […]
Aid Direct
The World Bank handed out Rs. 4 million of grant money directly to eight non-governmental organizations recently.This model of directly supporting community-based work is a new concept promoted by the World Bank who in the past has only directly lent to governments.rn rnThe bank says there were over 300 applications of which they chose 8 […]