Category: Special Reports

Mar 18 (LBO) – Energy consultant Thilak Siyambalapitiya joins in the lively debate on the link between electricity usage and Sri Lanka’s decision to turn back the clock after ten-years. Hence the reasons to retain the present timing at GMT+6 are very strong indeed. There is absolutely no truth in the reported claim that school […]

Feb 18, (LBO) – Due ignorance about basic economics, the poor in South Asia are seeing economy-wide price rises, and resources that could be used to lift them out of poverty in the long term being squandered on consumption subsidies. In 2005 for example, the Sri Lanka’s largest petroleum utility, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation is […]

Chief Financial Officers or CFOs are in the dog house after the spectacular collapse of large US and European corporations in recent years.CFO�s have been hauled before courts to face criminal charges for falsifying financial statement. Jeremy Hope, a financial expert who addressed CIMA members in Colombo said CFO�s are seen as the last line […]

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 […]