Category: Other
State Freeze
The President on Wednesday declared a State of Emergency, a day after she sacked three key ministers and suspended Parliament. President Kumaratunga used her executive powers to declare a State of Emergency for a period of ten days, the maximum possible without Parliamentary sanction.rn rnThe powers give security forces sweeping authority to arrest and detain […]
Higher Warnings
The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the President enjoys supreme, inalienable powers relating to defence of the country. rnThe ruling comes one day after President Kumaratunga sacked three key ministers and took over the portfolios of Defence, Interior and Media.rn rnldblquote The plenary Executive power including the Defence of Sri Lanka is vested and […]
Uphill Battle
Despite a recent economic upturn, Sri Lankas somewhat under developed capital market are yet to pose a serious competition to the local banking sector. The commercial banking sector accounts for 64 percent of the total assets in the Sri Lankan financial system.rn rnIn terms of size, most of the banks are relatively small and undercapitalised […]
Blooming
Like most couples planning to take the plunge Deepali and Nishan wanted everything to be perfect on their wedding day.Deepali was especially keen to have the most gorgeous bouquet possible – a far cry from when flowers were mostly used as offerings at temples.rn rnFlorists say that demand in the local market for flowers for […]
Under Audit
An international governance watchdog Transparency International has asked the government to carefully study the proposed establishment of an Audit Commission to assure the independence of the Auditor General. It however says there is no doubt that Sri Lankas auditing framework needs improvements.rn rnTransparency, which fights corruption, says that stakeholders should be consulted before major changes […]
Green Tea
September Customs data indicates that US dollar value of tea exports was US$ 504.9 mn, up form the US$ 499.95 mn posted in 02. Commodity brokers credited the increase to a rise in imported tea blending activities, boosting revenues from the category up US$ 6 mn to US$ 20 mn.Dollar earnings for pure Ceylon tea […]
Major League
US President George Bush has called on the United States Senate for its lquote advice and consent on amending its legislation for avoiding double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with Sri Lanka. The amendments are sought for the convention between the US and Sri Lanka ldblquote for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and […]
First Blood
The Attorney General told the Appeal Court on Wednesday that the government would not go ahead and recruit a Chief Executive Officer to head the upcoming Revenue Authority of Sri Lanka.The AGs statement follows a petition filed by the Customs Superintendents Union against the Finance Minister and Treasury Secretary, to stop the respondents from recruiting […]
Sticky Situation
The Appeal Court on Monday threw out the governments tax amnesty law, saying it lacked legal teeth to become enforceable.Under the present Constitution, once parliament endorses a legislative amendment, it has to be endorsed by the Speaker.rn rnPetitioner Nihal Sri Ameresekera, a Chartered Accountant and Business Consultant says, the Speaker had not certified the Inland […]
Requesting Permission
Sub-continental air traffic could get a boost if a bold proposal to let private airlines fly international routes gets off the ground.The economic cooperation deal between India and Sri Lanka is seeking to open up routes to private airlines to fly to big cities and tourist destinations.rn rnSmall locally owned airlines are clamoring to get […]
Study Buddy
The Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has asked Sri Lanka to join India or Kenya, if it plans to study the unique variances between tea growing elevations. Sri Lanka called on the FAO to fund the research project at the Inter-Governmental Group (IGG) meeting on tea earlier this year. Tea industry officials say FAO has […]
Grand Slam
Hotel Services Ltd., the owners of the Continental Hotel in downtown Colombo, has won US$ 2.5 mn from an arbitration case initiated by Intercontinental Hotels Corp of USA.Hotel Services sought legal recourse on four counts through the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, after the US hotel chain cancelled its 30-year […]