Category: Featured
‘s battle against malnutrition amidst COVID
Priyanka Jayawardena Although, Sri Lanka performs well in most health indicators, child nutrition remains a major issue. According to the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2016, in Sri Lanka, more than 20% of children under five years are underweight. Unsurprisingly, malnutrition is especially prevalent among poor households. Successive governments have implemented several programmes to improve […]
Economic Zone:A catalyst for modern services in Sri Lanka
Jun 03, 2020 (LBO) – The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI), is set to discuss the topic of “Port City Special Economic Zone– A Catalyst for Modern Services in Sri Lanka” on Thursday, 04 June 2020, during a webinar titled “Colombo Port City: Potential growth impact for Sri Lanka” hosted […]
‘s construction projects expected to pickup and stick to timelines:ICRA
Jun 3, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s construction sector is expected to demonstrate resilience compared to other economic sectors, a new report said. The construction projects are expected to gradually pickup pace and broadly stay within the original timelines, ICRA Lanka said. “Current domestic raw material production level and inventories are expected to sustain ongoing […]
National tea sales average up in May 2020
Jun 03, 2020 (LBO) – National average for the month of May 2020 totalled Rs. 697.57, the highest ever recorded for a calendar month surpassing the previous best of Rs. 689.18 recorded in April 2020, a new report says. In comparison to May 2019 average of Rs. 539.55, shows a significant increase of Rs. 158.02 YOY, Forbes and […]
Criminal operations by underworld drug mafia from prisons must end: President
Jun 02, 2020 (LBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has emphasized that crimes operated by underworld kingpins and drug mafia from prisons must be put to an end without delay. Specific information relating to criminal activities and drug peddling operated from prisons have been received. The general public is appalled by this situation, President said. “This […]
PM MR sworn in as Minister of Community Empowerment, Estate Infrastructure Development
Jun 01, 2020 (LBO) – Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the new Cabinet Minister of Community Empowerment and Estate Infrastructure Development before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat, today (01). With the demise of Minister Arumugam Thondaman, the ministerial portfolio fell vacant. Secretary to the President, P.B. Jayasundera was also present […]
ComBank raises another Rs.10Bn to support COVID-19 affected SME exporters
Jun 01, 2020 (LBO) – The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced the commitment of approximately Rs 10 billion to a Bank-funded COVID-19 Support Loan Scheme to assist affected SME enterprises. This assistance would be in addition to the working capital loans scheme implemented under a credit line provided by the Central Bank of Sri […]
PUCSL to resolve consumer complaints and address lube and electricity industry inquiries online
Jun 01, 2020 (LBO) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the electricity sector regulator and the shadow regulator of the lubricant industry is all set to resolve the electricity consumer complaints and address stakeholder issues via online and request the public and the stakeholders to use the online platforms to be connected […]
Dialog Axiata gifts fully-functional ICU at Negombo General Hospital to public
Jun 01, 2020 (LBO) – Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, in less than a month, concluded the immediate civil reconstruction and provision of equipment to establish a fully functional Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Negombo District General Hospital. This concludes the first step taken in the pledged Rs. 200 Million towards the urgently required […]
Reducing health costs and increasing Government revenue beyond COVID-19: Raising cigarette taxes
Harini Weerasekera and Chamini Thilanka The susceptibility of smokers to contract COVID-19 has been recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other medical authorities. In Sri Lanka, concerned parties have called for a temporary ban of cigarette sales as a measure to contain the spread of the virus – a commendable move. However, beyond […]
Opinion: Building a resilient food system in Sri Lanka in an age of pandemic
Manoj Thibbotuwawa COVID-19 is dealing an unprecedented blow to economies around the globe and the health risk is only the tip of the iceberg. Among the many impending crises resulting from the pandemic, rising food insecurity due to lockdown measures is one of the most critical. The 2020 Global Report on Food Crises highlights that […]
COVID-19: Human development on course to decline this year for first time since 1990
May 21, 2020 (LBO) – Global human development – which can be measured as a combination of the world’s education, health and living standards – could decline this year for the first time since the concept was introduced in 1990, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said recently. “The world has seen many crises over […]