Author: LBO
Sri Lanka’s Competitive Edge: Intellectual Property Rights and the Power of Geographical Indications
By Dilani Hirimuthugodage, Research Economist, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) With Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness steadily declining in major destination markets amid global economic uncertainty, the need to explore innovative tools for sustaining export growth has become urgent. Improving export competitiveness is essential for robust growth. One powerful, yet often underutilised, tool […]
European Union Mobilises 2.6 Million Euro to Strengthen Civil Society in Sri Lanka
The European Union (EU)-funded “Together We Rise” initiative, implemented by World Vision and SAFE Foundation in Sri Lanka, is a €2.6 million project designed to strengthen civil society and promote human rights, inclusion and accountable governance. Over three years, the project will support 50 civil society organisations (CSOs) by providing targeted training and resources, while also engaging […]
President of the Maldives Mohammed Muizzu to undertake a State Visit to Sri Lanka
President of the Republic of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu will undertake a State Visit to Sri Lanka from 4–5 May 2026, on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This marks President Muizzu’s first visit to Sri Lanka since assuming office in 2023. During the visit, he is expected to hold bilateral talks with […]
JXG Debuts on CSE’s Main Board
Janashakthi Limited operating as JXG (Janashakthi Group) marked the debut trading of its 500,000,000 ordinary voting shares (Symbol: JXG.N0000) on The Main Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday (29th April 2026) by way of ringing the ceremonial market opening bell on the trading floor of CSE. The Initial Public Offer (IPO), which took […]
FAO Delivers Fertilizer Support to Cyclone-Affected Paddy Farmers in Anuradhapura
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a fertilizer support programme to assist smallholder paddy farmers in the Anuradhapura District whose fields were damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, helping them recover production in time for the upcoming Yala cultivation season in Sri Lanka. Through a voucher scheme valued at USD 300,000, […]
VIDEO: Why Critical Thinking Is Disappearing – The Rise of Collective Stupidity
In a world overflowing with opinions, algorithms, and noise — why is clear thinking vanishing? This video uncovers the uncomfortable truth behind the disappearance of critical thinking and the rise of what philosophers now call collective stupidity — a condition where we stop questioning, start conforming, and lose our capacity for truth without even realizing […]
CICT Achieves Record Throughput with MSC INGY Call
Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) has recorded its highest-ever single-vessel performance, handling 10,407 container moves, equivalent to 15,113 TEUs, during the recent call of MSC INGY, marking a new operational milestone for the terminal. The vessel, operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), represents one of the larger container ships calling at Colombo, reflecting the terminal’s […]
Sri Lanka’s real estate leaders to chart a 10-year vision at RIUNIT forum
What does the next decade hold for Sri Lanka’s real estate market? That’s exactly the question a room full of industry leaders will be sitting down to answer next month. The Research Intelligence Unit (RIUNIT) who initiated this effort is hosting Driving Growth Through Real Estate: 10 Year Plan — a high-level forum bringing together […]
Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC appoints Sarmad Abbasi to the helm
Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC) today announced the appointment of Sarmad Abbasi as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective from 1st May 2026. Mr. Sarmad Abbasi takes on the role from Ms. Fariyha Subhani who served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since April 2024, continuing the company’s legacy […]
Emerald Clothing Steps into Acquiring Selected HelaFactories, Safeguarding Jobs and Sri Lanka’s Export Base
Emerald Clothing (Pvt) Ltd has stepped in to secure the continuity of key operations previously run by Hela Clothing (Private) Limited, in a move aimed at stabilizing exports and safeguarding employment. The intervention comes as Hela faces liquidity constraints. Emerald Clothing said it has implemented an operational transition to ensure that manufacturing output and selected […]
ADB Fact-Finding Mission Visits EDB to Review Progress of National Export Development Plan
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is making significant progress in the formulation of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for the period 2026–2030. This strategic initiative is designed to position Sri Lanka on a path of sustained export-led economic growth, aligned with the Government’s national […]
Emerging Asia Could Face Increased Food-Cost Pressures: Fitch Ratings
Emerging markets in Asia would see rising cost pressure across agribusiness and food supply chains if a prolonged US-Iran war pushes fertiliser supply disruption deeper into the planting season, Fitch Ratings says. For these sectors, reduced fertiliser availability and higher prices would raise production costs, discourage application rates and weaken crop yields, which would lead […]