Category: General Services
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 […]
Sri Lanka export earning drop 42.3-pct in Mar 2020
Jun 02, 2020 (LBO) – The deficit in the trade account narrowed in March 2020 to US dollars 549 million, from US dollars 592 million in March 2019, as the decline in imports in value terms exceeded the decline in exports, the Central Bank said. However, on a cumulative basis, the trade deficit widened to […]
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 […]
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 […]
Thailand Prime Minister leads National committee to promote 5G development
May 26, 2020 (LBO) – A 26-member National 5G Committee has been formed with Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as chairman to coordinate the 5G development and boost the digital economy in the country. The committee is also tasked with mitigating obstacles regarding the recall of unused spectrum, from state agencies for the National Broadcasting […]
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 […]
John Keells Holdings net profit down by 34-pct
May 21, 2020 (LBO) – The profit after tax attributable to equity holders of the parent for the financial year ended 31 March 2020 has been decreased by 34 percent to Rs.9.41 billion, annual report of the diversified conglomerate John Keells Holdings showed. Profit, however, has been adjusted for two one-off impacts thus recurring adjustments […]
Opinion: Sri Lanka’s IT-BPM industry resilient in the face of COVID-19
SLASSCOM “Drifting the curve” is the SLASSCOM industry strategy for building momentum to come out of the “corner” (current situation) stronger. When race car drivers approach a bend on the track, unlike ordinary drivers who slow down, they accelerate. This is known as “drifting the curve.” It’s all about how much momentum you have when […]
Sri Lanka official reserves at USD 7.9Bn at end Feb 2020
May 18, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves stood at 7.9 billion dollars at end February 2020, equivalent to 4.7 months of imports, the Central Bank said. Total foreign assets, which consist of gross official reserves and foreign assets of the banking sector, amounted to 10.9 billion dollars at end February 2020, equivalent […]
Sri Lanka trade deficit shrinks in Feb 2020
May 18, 2020 (LBO) – The deficit in Sri Lanka’s trade account widened in February 2020 to 574 million dollars, from 451 million dollars in February 2019, as the increase in imports surpassed the increase in exports. However, on a month on month basis, the trade deficit in February 2020 recorded a contraction. On a […]
Repatriation and replacement of lost foreign jobs: Handling labour migration during COVID-19
Bilesha Weeraratne Sri Lanka, which has been sending workers abroad for employment for decades, is now faced with the formidable challenge of repatriating large numbers of migrant workers affected by COVID-19. Having successfully brought back students from China, UK, Australia, and South Asia and pilgrims from India, the authorities are now making plans to repatriate […]