Category: Special Reports

A chat with a peace advocate on what the current wave of attacks could mean for the peace process. A chat with a peace advocate on what the current wave of attacks could mean for the peace process. Thirty five people were killed in violence in two weeks in a serious undermining of the peace […]

Freer trade is increasingly seen as a means of achieving economic growth and alleviating poverty.But liberalizing agriculture is difficult in regions like South Asia where around 70 percent of its population depend on it for a living.Freer trade is increasingly seen as a means of achieving economic growth and alleviating poverty. But liberalizing agriculture is […]

A former employee of the Irish Industrial Development Agency (IDA), Aidan Walsh says a country’s investment promotion agency should be independent of politics and need only consult them when budget allocations are affected by an investment decision.A former employee of the Irish Industrial Development Agency (IDA), Aidan Walsh says a country’s investment promotion agency should […]

The plan to break the ceasefire and return to hostilities had been formed by LTTE in 2004, before the tsunami.The plan to break the ceasefire and return to hostilities had been formed by LTTE in 2004, before the tsunami. It is clear from the LTTE leader (VP)’s statement “….faced with the meaningless absurdity of living […]

Ceylon tea was renowned for its quality. Ceylon tea was renowned for its quality. But supplies exceeding demand, higher cost of production and middlemen margins have forced the tea industry to compete on price rather than on quality. Consumers preferring flavored and instant teas are also not helping the local tea industry that produces old […]

Sri Lanka will start a march towards big government under a new left leaning president soon.Sri Lanka will start a march towards big government under a new left leaning president soon. More state jobs and higher investment to undercapitalised business ventures will add to fiscal pressure. Similar circumstances forced the government to print money last […]

Sri Lankans may have to call on seers for help, as neither presidential candidate in Thursday’s poll, is clear on how they will pay for subsidies or tackle painful economic reforms, analysts said.Sri Lankans may have to call on seers for help, as neither presidential candidate in Thursday’s poll, is clear on how they will […]

Sri Lanka is just recovering from a bad bout of inflation. But inflation actually helps the Treasury balance its books, by boosting nominal revenues, and imposing cuts in wages and other expenditure in real terms. Sri Lanka is just recovering from a bad bout of inflation. But inflation actually helps the Treasury balance its books, […]

Top economic advisor to the Prime Minister Ajith Nivard Cabral says big government is possible despite the lack of Fiscal space.Top economic advisor to the Prime Minister Ajith Nivard Cabral says big government is possible despite the lack of Fiscal space. Mr. Cabral, an accountant, used to be a member of the capitalist UNP.The Prime […]

The analysis appearing below is a sequel to the previous three scenario analysis. A re-cap of the three scenarios analyzed previously is as follows.The analysis appearing below is a sequel to the previous three scenario analysis. A re-cap of the three scenarios analyzed previously is as follows. Notation : UNP Candidate = RW                 UPFA […]

The presidential election has cast a cloud over the budget making it less important to investors and the private sector in general. The presidential election has cast a cloud over the budget making it less important to investors and the private sector in general. Uncertainty as to what policies may be implemented or amended after […]

Sri Lankan politicians love to hold Singapore up as a role model for economic prosperity.But come Nov. 17, politicians will have something to crow about, when campaigning for this month’s presidential poll – though the subject matter is esoteric, like cheque truncation.Sri Lankan politicians love to hold Singapore up as a role model for economic […]