Category: Other
Naked Truth
Sri Lanka’s securities regulator is in the spotlight for excessively compounding too many cases without allowing the judicial system to voice its opinion. Sri Lanka’s securities regulator is in the spotlight for excessively compounding too many cases without allowing the judicial system to voice its opinion. Compounding, is something like seeking a plea bargain, where […]
Buying Time
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court Wednesday ordered the suspension of a criminal investigation into the prime minister’s handling of tsunami aid following allegations of corruption. Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court Wednesday ordered the suspension of a criminal investigation into the prime minister’s handling of tsunami aid following allegations of corruption. Chief justice Sarath Silva asked the police […]
Crash Bang
A new capital requirement is shaking up Sri Lanka’s fragmented banking industry, encouraging mergers of small banks and forcing all to make more efficient use of their funds, analysts say. In April, the central bank said all banks must have at least Rs.2.5 billion ( million) in Tier 1 capital by the end of 2007, […]
What Next?
Governments loosen the fiscal purse strings when elections are around the corner. Higher spending to create more jobs and raise salaries is common in the run up to elections. Governments loosen the fiscal purse strings when elections are around the corner. Higher spending to create more jobs and raise salaries is common in the run […]
Ghostbusters
Sri Lanka on Friday announced measures to prevent voters impersonating the tsunami dead as well as special arrangements for those displaced by the calamity to vote in November’s presidential elections. Sri Lanka on Friday announced measures to prevent voters impersonating the tsunami dead as well as special arrangements for those displaced by the calamity to […]
Showtime for Sri Lanka’s century old tea industry
A renovated old tea factory is now housing the one of the most unique industry related museums for tea close to the Kandy town.The venture is supported by all tea related industry associations with some of them extending even financial support. Its promoters say the museum is part of efforts to lift the industry image […]
Close Watch
Transparency International is urging stricter controls to prevent political appointments to top public sector posts if a new President is elected this year.Transparency International is urging stricter controls to prevent political appointments to top public sector posts if a new President is elected this year. Sri Lanka’s public sector and diplomatic corps, at least since […]
Who Did It?
A Sri Lankan magistrate Thursday gave police permission to examine three private bank accounts amid allegations that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse helped himself to foreign aid meant for tsunami survivors.A Sri Lankan magistrate Thursday gave police permission to examine three private bank accounts amid allegations that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse helped himself to foreign aid […]
Tea prices expected to grow
Weekly tea prices are slowly edging up, with this weeks auction pushing the monthly average to Rs. 188.43, up from Rs. 181.24 in late August. The annual average however is only some 45 cents higher from late August at Rs. 180.45. Industry watchers say prices will improve further in the coming weeks, especially with the […]
Fashionable Economics
It was only last week that I wrote in these columns that we will soon be entertained by election time economic theories of the soon to be formed alliance between the JVP and the Honorable Prime Minister (Mahinda).It was only last week that I wrote in these columns that we will soon be entertained by […]
Standing Tall
Increasing land prices and demand for houses are pushing developers to launch taller building projects and even larger suburban housing projects. Increasing land prices and demand for houses are pushing developers to launch taller building projects and even larger suburban housing projects. Sri Lankans living abroad and falling interest rates have helped drive property prices […]
Pot Hole Ahead
George Bush is at fault I guarantee that the Mahinda Rajapakse (and perhaps Wimal Weerawansa) campaign will come up with some colourful economics arguments blaming everyone but themselves for the economic mess we are in today with inflation running almost at 15% as opposed to 1% in March 2004. George Bush is at fault I […]