Shoot Out

State officials and peace brokers search for fresh avenues to drive through a lasting peace settlement with the separatist Tamil rebel faction holding on to most of the North and East of the island. rn rnAs another day ends without significant progress with the peace process, Sri Lanka prepares for another battle endash the fight […]

Lacy Trimmings

When the mighty forces join hands, the results are potent. The House of MAS Holdings and The House of Noyon Dentelle de Calais of France have teamed up. The holy alliance will strengthen Sri Lankas position as a global centre for intimate wear apparel endash a far cry from King Kashyapas time when the comely […]

Bush Tourism

The tea plantation industry has identified 20 estate bungalows as potential sites for boutique tourist retreats. Mooted in conjunction with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, the project is also encouraging other plantation companies to diversify into tourism under an Asian Development Bank project that is looking to spread the risk and increase the profit centres […]

Gloom Over Glitter

Jewelry Industry is banding together in an effort to add value to products while capitalizing on the image of the Ceylon Sapphire.rnWhile the country has a reputation for top quality sapphires very few of them get set into jewelry here. Even fewer go out with local branding.rn rnDiamonds are a girls best friend-add a bit […]

’85its floating. Really!

The rupees recent rally against the US dollar is the strongest evidence since April 2002 that Sri Lankas currency is really floating, though reassuring noises are coming from Central Bank that the rupee is not likely to appreciate further.rnrnrnrnrnrnrnFrom January 2002 the Euro rose nearly 35rn rnrnrnrnrn From January 2002 the Euro rose nearly rn35% […]

Shh’85its floating. Really!

The rupees recent rally against the US dollar is the strongest evidence since April 2002 that Sri Lankas currency is really floating, though reassuring noises are coming from Central Bank that the rupee is not likely to appreciate further.rnrnrnrnrnrnrnFrom January 2002 the Euro rose nearly 35rn rnrnrnrnrn From January 2002 the Euro rose nearly rn35% […]

Health Check

The insurance regulator is studying the possibility of setting up a National Health Insurance scheme that could cover the islands entire population.The Insurance Board of Sri Lanka (IBSL) is in the process of studying the possibilities of setting up such a nationwide insurance scheme.rn rnThe government through budget allocations, funds most of the countrys health […]

Open Sesame

Want to avoid being hit by the next big virus thats going to hit a PC near you?rnSwitch to open source.rnSoftware like the Linux operating system is usually never the target of computer viruses. Hackers mostly hit at computers with Microsoft operating systems.rnOpen source software developed by groups of tech enthusiasts in their spare time […]

Spruced Up

The governments privatisation arm is streamlining its internal processes and plans to list more state corporations on the Colombo bourse to spur capital market development.A quotation on the Colombo Stock Exchange infuses financial discipline, corporate governance and adds value to the transaction, says Manjula de Silva, Director General of the Public Enterprise Reform Commission.rn rn”It […]

Dream Homes

Its fashionable to have an address at one of Colombos plush apartments these days. The government has fuelled the apartment craze by pushing lending institutions to offer cheap credit to meet the shortage of houses. As a result, price to rent ratios for apartments are currently topping 21 times. The sky-high rents are expected to […]

Road To Tooting

Colombos congested roads are not getting a break, with 3,000 new vehicles hitting the streets every month. Most of it is in the capital. Tax and excise on vehicle imports is a top revenue generator for the government. But critics say the countrys road infrastructure could soon start bursting at the seams if the current […]

Hot Teas

Ceylon Tea Services is calling on the government to support a common brand name for the tea trade, through a package of incentives similar to the early 1980s offer.The Dilmah brand rode off the support given in the 1980s programme, today to become a leading international brand. Company officials say it is still not too […]

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