Category: General Services

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) says patents won’t block access to cheap medicines but local experts are not convinced.The World Trade Organisation (WTO) says patents won’t block access to cheap medicines but local experts are not convinced. “A certain amount of confusion exists about the TRIPS Agreement’s provisions and compulsory licensing for medicines,” said a […]

ADB will help develop more highly skilled workers in Sri Lanka through a new US million loan to improve technical education and vocational training (TEVT) in the country.ADB will help develop more highly skilled workers in Sri Lanka through a new US$20 million loan to improve technical education and vocational training (TEVT) in the country. […]

Odel, a leading up market retailer, says sales are lower this year compared to last year.Odel, a leading up market retailer, says sales are lower this year compared to last year. Retail sales are closely linked to inflation and shoppers perceptions about the way the economy is doing.Odel also depends on tourists for extra sales. […]

Sri Lanka brings out national action plan to get in on the US$ 2 trillion global trade in services. Sri Lanka brings out national action plan to get in on the US$ 2 trillion global trade in services. Services account for well over half of Sri Lanka’s GDP but local systems are yet to wake […]

Health sector trade unions will call off their strike tomorrow (Saturday) but are threatening another disruption from November 9, if demands are not met.Health sector trade unions will call off their strike tomorrow (Saturday) but are threatening another disruption from November 9, if demands are not met. “We will stop the strike tomorrow at 7.00 […]

Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry allocates Rs 250 million as initial funding for bird-flue prevention programme. Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry allocates Rs 250 million as initial funding for bird-flue prevention programme. “The prevention programme will increase our capabilities to detect bird flue by increasing laboratory facilities and testing facilities,” said Director General of the Department of […]

Sri Lanka among Asian countries most affected by brain drain, says World Bank study.Sri Lanka among Asian countries most affected by brain drain, says World Bank study. Sri Lanka among countries that see a relatively large proportion of educated people migrating in search of greener pastures, says latest World Bank study on international migration. Although […]

EU election monitors in Sri Lanka to keep an eye on November Presidential elections.EU election monitors in Sri Lanka to keep an eye on November Presidential elections. “The European Commission is deploying an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the presidential election scheduled to take place on 17 November following an invitation from the Government […]

The UN tells IMF, World Bank and World Trade Organisation to respect human rights, instead of only focussing on money. The UN tells IMF, World Bank and World Trade Organisation to respect human rights, instead of only focussing on money. Such international bodies as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World […]

The EU is considering pushing for stronger intellectual property rights laws at world trade talks.The EU is considering pushing for stronger intellectual property rights laws at world trade talks. The EU says counterfeiting is now a global criminal racket operating with organised crime rings in arms, drugs and cigarettes. Copycat products that are flooding European […]

Sri Lanka is firmly on Indian giant TATA’s radar screen for investment, but a top official said Sri Lanka needs to leverage its strengths and implement its open policies to keep investors coming in.Sri Lanka is firmly on Indian giant TATA’s radar screen for investment, but a top official said Sri Lanka needs to leverage […]

Sri Lankan trade negotiators are bargaining for stronger safety nets to protect domestic interests at the latest round of world trade talks.Sri Lankan trade negotiators are bargaining for stronger safety nets to protect domestic interests at the latest round of world trade talks. Current trade talks in Geneva, will lead to a new set of […]