Category: Special Reports

Top bureaucrats were frantically trying to secure a deal with the LTTE for relief to reach thousands affected by the Tsunami in areas under their control. Top bureaucrats were frantically trying to secure a deal with the LTTE for relief to reach thousands affected by the Tsunami in areas under their control. Government still has […]

Farmers’ contribution to the economy has been falling as industries and service sector businesses take over. Farmers’ contribution to the economy has been falling as industries and service sector businesses take over. Agriculture accounts for one fifth of the economy despite half the population depending on it for a living.Farmers are poor because they can’t […]

A top CitiGroup executive said adapting to and leveraging technology is the biggest challenge facing banks around the world. A top CitiGroup executive said adapting to and leveraging technology is the biggest challenge facing banks around the world. Victor Menezes a Senior Vice Chairman of Citi Group told LBR that banks in the sub continent […]

Who’s complaining when you can build a house for just Rs.150,000? A 580 sq. ft. house with two verandas, a bedroom, a hall and a kitchen costs only Rs. 150 000. Who’s complaining when you can build a house for just Rs. 150,000? A 580 sq. ft. house with two verandas, a bedroom, a hall […]

Government holdings of Treasury bills have touched Rs.70 billion from around Rs. 10 billion at the start of the year. Government holdings of Treasury bills have touched Rs. 70 billion from around Rs. 10 billion at the start of the year. Former Central Bank Governor A S Jayawardena told LBR that the chief monetary authority’s […]

A spate of floods and drought affected the agriculture sector output in the last few years.A spate of floods and drought affected the agriculture sector output in the last few years. The sector is expected to record negative growth this year according to the Finance Ministry. Farmers who depend on rain to grow their crops […]

Former Central Bank Governor A S Jayawardena said achieving revenue targets will be crucial for the success of the budget in a wide ranging interview with LBR about budgeting and Monterey Policy.Former Central Bank Governor A S Jayawardena said achieving revenue targets will be crucial for the success of the budget in a wide ranging […]

A spate of floods and drought affected the agriculture sector output in the last few years.A spate of floods and drought affected the agriculture sector output in the last few years. The sector is expected to record negative growth this year according to the Finance Ministry. Farmers who depend on rain to grow their crops […]

The Finance Minister has proposed import substitution to ease pressure on the exchange rate and inflation.Left leaning economic policies that advocate a similar interventionist role for the government however can scare investors.The Finance Minister has proposed import substitution to ease pressure on the exchange rate and inflation. Left leaning economic policies that advocate a similar […]

Economists say the centralist oriented government budget will benefit the poor faster if the government can achieve the revenue targets. Economists say the centralist oriented government budget will benefit the poor faster if the government can achieve the revenue targets. Head of a local economic think tank Dr. Saman Kelegama told LBR the UPFA government […]

Making a budget for a poor country with a mountain of debt, low investment, a large public service and high defense expenditure is no easy task. Making a budget for a poor country with a mountain of debt, low investment, a large public service and high defense expenditure is no easy task. But this is […]

The Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama told Lanka Business Report (LBR) that he is counting on the rural sector to contribute to productivity improvement and help drive economic growth. The Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama told Lanka Business Report (LBR) that he is counting on the rural sector to contribute to productivity improvement and help drive economic […]