Category: Featured
Luxury SUVs for MPs while imports for doctors, general public held indefinitely: CMTA
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) has expressed its concerns on the decision the Government has taken to import 400 vehicles – including 227 luxury SUVs – to a value of Rs. 3.7 billion through the Bank of Ceylon. The Government reversed its earlier decision to cancel the order, citing the fact that the Letters […]
Opinion: Moving business and human rights agenda forward in SL in crisis times
By Myanthi Peiris, Business and Human Rights Specialist, UNDP Sri Lanka The COVID-19 pandemic brought about unprecedented social and economic challenges, and behind staggering data of contracting economies, people’s lives and livelihoods are on the line. According to the World Bank, in Sri Lanka over 500,000 people are expected to have fallen into poverty as […]
SL is a strategically located strong economy with access to emerging and established markets : BOI Chief
Sri Lanka is a skills powerhouse, with the best living environment in South Asia, a senior official said. Additionally, Sri Lanka is the place to work, live and enjoy life, Sanjaya Mohottala, chairman of the Board of Investment tolad a forum Wednesday. “We have an extremely educated, trainable and capable workforce,” “Digital literacy is close […]
New sticker system for vehicles entering Colombo from today
The Sri Lanka Police will from today introduce a more efficient sticker system to ensure those carrying out essential services can enter Colombo City amidst travel restrictions. Police spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana says 11 stickers have been introduced for specific sectors, with green for health services, light blue for tri-forces and police, purple for private […]
No disruptions to daily lives: Extend assistance to maintain industries and development: President
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says that the Governors and District Secretaries should personally intervene to maintain essential services and prevent any disruption to the lives of the people. The President said that despite the current situation, the country’s economy could not be allowed to collapse and that the contribution of all stakeholders was needed to overcome […]
President instructs to tow ‘X-PRESS PEARL’ vessel into deep seas
Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed officials a short while ago to tow the X-PRESS PEARL container ship into deep seas off the Colombo Harbour. The decision comes following a meeting with high level officials and the President. Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena Tuesday informed the President of all details surrounding the […]
Govt and ADB sign USD200Mn loan agreement for rural road development
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Sri Lanka recently signed a $200 million loan agreement for the Second Integrated Road Investment Program Tranche 3 to continue ADB’s assistance to upgrade Sri Lanka’s rural road network connecting vast rural populations to jobs and services. “Economic growth is hindered by poor transport infrastructure, particularly […]
Second stock of Sinopharm added to vaccination drive from today
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed that the second stock of 500,000 Sinopharm vaccine doses received as a gift from the Chinese Government, be used in the vaccination drive from today (26). Accordingly, plans have been made to distribute the vaccines among several districts based on priorities recommended by the health sector. The SriLankan Airlines flight […]
JKH group revenue up by 17-pct excluding Leisure in Q4
• The Group witnessed a faster than anticipated recovery momentum with the performance of most businesses reaching pre COVID-19 levels with business activity and consumer trends being near normal by the end of the financial year. • Excluding Leisure, Group revenue increased by 17% to Rs.36.15 billion in Q4; up 1% to Rs.122.32 billion in […]
Travel restrictions extended until June 7; temporary relaxations on May 25, 31 & June 4
The government has decided to extend the travel restrictions until the 07th of June to contain the current Covid situation. The decision was taken at a meeting with the Special Committee on COVID-19 chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (24). Travel restrictions will be relaxed from 4.00 am to 11.00 […]
‘s economy collapse due to lockdown?
By Charith Isuru The answer is a BIG NO….. What are possible scenarios that can cause a possible economic collapse in Sri Lanka during this Covid pandemic? 1. Substantial downturn in exports. 2. Sizable loss in foreign worker remittances. 3. Unexpected surge in imports to an unbearable level. 4. Lack of foreign currency inflows to […]
Port City Colombo opens gates for investment
Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka’s brand-new reclaimed land, slated as the “Gateway to South Asia”, now officially becomes the country’s first service oriented Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The Sri Lankan Parliament, today (20th), adopted a powerful Bill enabling a giant step in Port City Colombo becoming a pivotal global financial and services hub for South […]