Category: Featured
Opinion: Sri Lanka needs GSP+ now more than ever
By Felix Fernando Much has been said of the potential economic costs to Sri Lanka, of losing the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus trade concessions to the European Union (EU). While these costs will be high, the social and human costs are likely to be even greater. Considering official statistics for 2021, available up […]
“Opposition calls on Govt for urgent dialogue with them,” MP Harsha
Opposition parliamentarians have urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to initiate a dialogue with them to better understand the current economic issues facing the nation and find solutions together. “We are all in this together,” Dr. Harsha De Silva, an opposition member of parliament said addressing a media briefing yesterday. “The Governor of the Central Bank reiterates […]
“Growing sense of insecurity among people despite years of development growth,” UN report
Global development progress does not automatically lead to a greater sense of security, according to a new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report on human security released Thursday. New data and analysis in the report, New Threats to Human Security in the Anthropocene, shows that people’s sense of safety and security is at a low […]
Mitigating COVID impacts on child development outcomes in SL: World Bank
By Chiyo Kanda , World Bank Country Manager for Maldives and Sri Lanka COVID-19 has resulted in the worst health, social and economic crisis of our time. From the loss of life and its impact on communities, to the widespread economic instability and job loss, the devastating impacts of the pandemic are being felt across […]
SL aims to establish FTAs with most Southeast Asian countries, Min Balasuriya
Significant strides in establishing Free Trade Agreements with Bangladesh and the Maldives, together with existing FTAs will pave the way to initiate FTAs with most Southeast Asian countries by next year, enhancing Sri Lanka’s position as an attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment, State Minister of Regional Cooperation, Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya stated recently. Speaking at […]
Hemas Group revenue up by 21.9-pct over last year
Hemas Holdings PLC (HHL) recorded a Group revenue of Rs.57.7 billion, an increase of 20.5 percent over last year. The underlying cumulative operating profit of Rs.4.9 billion, excluding all disposed entities, reported an increase of 4.3 percent over last year in spite of profitability pressure experienced across most parts of the business due to input […]
”; Outlook negative
Fitch Ratings has downgraded Singer Finance (Lanka) PLC’s (SFL) National Long-Term Rating to ‘A(lka)’ from ‘A+(lka)’. The Outlook is Negative. The agency has also downgraded SFL’s outstanding senior unsecured debt to ‘A(lka)’ from ‘A+(lka)’, and its outstanding subordinated unsecured debentures to ‘BBB+(lka)’ from ‘A-(lka)’. KEY RATING DRIVERS NATIONAL RATING The downgrade on SFL’s rating is […]
Q3 performance at JKH Group sees turnaround in Leisure business
Summarised below are the key operational and financial highlights of our performance during the quarter under review: • Group EBITDA recorded a significant increase of 126 per cent to Rs.9.53 billion during the quarter under review against the comparative period [2020/21 Q3: Rs.4.21 billion]. • The Group’s businesses recorded strong growth in profitability compared to […]
Renewable energy can be a solution to SL’s energy crisis
Sri Lanka is currently facing an acute energy crisis, primarily due to the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuel. The solution to this is for the country to move on to more renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar, bio-gas, biomass and hydro power. Renewable energy also presents a host of other benefits both […]
Indonesia pledges to strengthen palm oil smallholders
A special meeting was held on the 11th of January 2022 between the Palm Oil Association of Sri Lanka (POIASL) and Her Excellency, Dewi Gustina Tobing, Indonesia’s recently-appointed Ambassador to Sri Lanka. The present role of, and challenges faced by, the oil palm industry in Sri Lanka were discussed at the meeting, with the intention […]
Foreign Minister discusses range of projects with Korean Speaker
Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris hosted a Lunch on 20 January, 2022 in honour of the visiting Korean Delegation headed by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, Park Byeong-Seug. During the lunch, the two sides held detailed discussions on ways and means to further enhance bilateral cooperation between Korea and Sri Lanka. Extending the Government’s deep appreciation […]
Opinion: Special goods and services tax, Issues and concerns
Dr Roshan Perera & Naqiya Shiraz Background The new bill titled ‘Special Goods and Services Tax’ was published by gazette dated 07 January 2022.[1] The Special Goods and Services Tax (SGST) was originally proposed in Budget speech 2021 but was not implemented. It has once again been presented in Budget 2022. The SGST aims to […]