All Blogs
Oven Fresh
In 1912, one man with a life savings of 75 cents turned a tea kiosk into one of the largest biscuit manufacturers in the country. With a third generation at the helm, Maliban talks of going public as it charts a course of new growth.Exports are expected to lead that drive, with new markets mapped […]
Trouble?
Tamil Tiger guerrillas have begun pouring fighters along a district border in northeastern Sri Lanka, heightening fears of a showdown with renegades, the rival faction said.rnThe main Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has built up its strength to about 400 fighters by deploying an additional 85 cadres since Sunday along the banks of the […]
Unfinished Business
The United National Party says it is seeking a 130-seat majority in parliament to continue its program based on a strong peace platform.UNP says its work program, released on Monday in place of the traditional manifesto, will create 8 per cent growth and three million jobs.rn rnComparing the government to a farmer UNP leader and […]
Second Airport
More than 30 international airport developers have shown initial interest in building and perhaps taking a stake in a new international airport in the south of the country.Secretary to the Aviation Ministry said some global players have also shown interest to build the airport at Wellawaya.rn rnldblquote To date 30 parties have taken documents pertaining […]
Baddegama II
Last year alone, severe drought and floods hit the Southern Sri Lanka alternatively leaving many families homeless and poor.rnBut for the villages in the Hambantota district these conditions are a part of their lives.rnThe district has to also deal with issues like economic migration, malnutrition, unemployment and diseases, a direct result of the arid weather.rn […]
Say Watt?
As the drought, dubbed as the worst in the last fifty years, drained the hydro reservoirs making it hard for the electricity utility to meet peak consumer demand, the government stepped in saying it would pump in Rs. 3 billion to secure emergency power to shore up the national power grid.Water inflows to the hydro […]
IMF Oomph
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has told the government to build on the progress made so far to reactivate a low interest long-term loan while a policy shift will mean the loan will have to be renegotiated.The funds country representative Jeremy Carter told LBR that the IMF board is willing to consider the economic policies […]
Too Vague
The Freedom Alliance unveiled its manifesto promising to stop the tide of privatisations most of which were initiated by the previous PA administration, a party to the alliance.The UPFA says road, rail, petroleum, electricity, ports and airports, water and state banks will not be privatised.rn rnThe party says instead they will strengthen the governments role […]
Bouncing Up
With court room and board room battles firmly behind, the diversified Richard Pieris Group made it to the news this week to pick up two plantation companies. The acquisition is the latest, after picking up Sathosa and getting a tentative foot into financial sector through Pramuka Bank.Its been a while since the once family controlled […]
Political Chessboard
Politicians of all hues and sizes have thrown their hat into the ring for next months snap poll. But smaller parties championing the Sinhala Buddhist, Tamil and Muslim votes are jostling to play the trump card in Sri Lankas next parliament. rnrn Inrnthe second in a series of political updates, Vajira Premawardhana ManagerrnResearch at Lanka […]