Category: Featured
Regulating prices: From price mandates to more competition
Regulating prices: from price mandates to more competition The government recently removed the maximum retail price (MRP) on rice with a decision to import a buffer stock of rice to prevent any shortages. This is an important step in the right direction. Opening up the market for more competition will reduce the market power of […]
Opinion: Navigating through high maritime freight rates
By Imesha Dissanayake Maritime Freight rates have been on an upward trend since the second half of 2020. The Drewry’s composite World Container Index (WCI) as at 30th September 2021 increased to USD 10,361 per 40ft container, which is 292% higher than the same period in 2020. The average composite index of the WCI (Drewry), […]
Sri Lanka projected to grow by 3.3-pct : Shifting gears to services-led growth can help build back better
Sri Lanka’s economy is projected to grow by 3.3 percent in 2021, but the medium-term outlook is clouded by pre-existing macroeconomic weaknesses and the economic scarring from the COVID-19 pandemic. A gradual recovery will likely lead to corresponding improvements in labor market conditions. Most countries in South Asia are far from pre-pandemic trend levels, says […]
PUCSL launch second phase of electrician licensing program
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the electricity sector regulator, commences the second phase of awarding free National Vocational Qualification Level 3 (NVQ 3) Program for Electricians tomorrow. The PUCSL launched this programme March last year and more than 2000 electricians have obtained NVQ3 under the programme and qualified for the electrician license. […]
“Immediate investigation into Sri Lankans revealed in Pandora papers” President
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to launch an immediate investigation into the Sri Lankans and the related transactions revealed in the Pandora Papers and submit a report in a month. It was published in the media that according to the papers, information has come to light […]
“Our Goal is one million Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka” Dr. Palitha Kohona
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China Dr. Palitha Kohona speaking at the Innovation and Development of Cities Summit, attended by many Chinese tour operators and environmental NGOs, encouraged Chinese tour groups to direct at least a million tourists to Sri Lanka. The Ambassador elaborated on Sri Lanka’s green credentials, including its vast forest cover, the 7000 odd […]
Women in Management, IFC launch 11th Professional and Career Women Awards
Marking its 11th year of honoring inspiring Sri Lankan women, Women in Management (WIM), in collaboration with Women in Work, a partnership between IFC and the government of Australia, today opened nominations for the ‘Top 50’ Professional and Career Women Awards 2021. This will be IFC’s seventh consecutive year – fourth under the IFC-DFAT Women […]
INSEE cement commits to Environment with new mangrove restoration project
Continuing with its efforts to protect and restore our environment, INSEE Cement, Sri Lanka’s only fully-integrated cement manufacturer, recently kicked of its latest Mangrove Restoration Project. This new initiative will work to restore 1 hectare of natural mangrove forest in the vicinity of the Searakkuliya Lagoon, Aruvakkaru, in the Puttalam District. Adding to INSEEs ongoing […]
Sri Lanka promotes products and tourism at Chinese international exposition
Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Exposition 2021 was held from 24-26 September at the Canton Fair complex, in Guangzhou, organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee and Department of Commerce of Guangdong. The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Guangzhou, participated with a country pavilion, consisting of 36 […]
MoU between Kaduwela Municipal and UNDP to expand waste to energy plant signed
Sri Lanka is in the process of transforming its current development trajectory into a green and low carbon pathway, with a concerted push towards a green economy and green development. Particularly, the recognition of progress made towards the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the necessity of increasing the contribution of renewable energy […]
WB supports safe, climate-resilient transport connectivity to strengthen agricultural supply chains
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved $500 million in financing for Sri Lanka to provide safe, climate-resilient roads to connect agricultural supply chains through the Inclusive Connectivity and Development Project. This project is expected to benefit around 16 million people living in rural communities in selected districts of Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, […]
SL must increase its efforts to protect and promote human capital of elderly :World Bank
In Sri Lanka, 12.3% of the population is aged 60 or older, making it the country with the highest proportion of older adults in South Asia. The Western province has the highest percentage of the country’s elderly at 31.7%, while the Northern Province has the least at 4.8%. In just 15 years, more than one in […]