Category: Special Reports

The Land & Property sectors has been a top favourite of local punters, but stockbrokers LOLC Securities says investors should take a closer look at the valuation of these shares. The Land & Property sectors has been a top favourite of local punters, but stockbrokers LOLC Securities says investors should take a closer look at […]

The role faith plays in generating pro poor growth is difficult to measure but most agree such a connection exists as religions promote the highest of human values, reject violence and direct followers to create a just world. In a multi cultural and multi religious society like Sri Lanka however, interfaith harmony is needed for […]

Moving the accounting records from books to computers happened over the last two decades for most companies. Moving the accounting records from books to computers happened over the last two decades for most companies. The challenge of auditing these computer based accounting records was not anticipated at that time and the accounting profession is just […]

Governments depended on tough legislation and regulation to make sure companies don’t damage the environment or exploit labour. Governments depended on tough legislation and regulation to make sure companies don’t damage the environment or exploit labour. But globalization and the resulting open market economies are bringing the same pressures on companies minus the legal action. […]

Haycarb, the 68 percent owned subsidiary of the conglomerate Hayleys Group, plans to set up shop in Indonesia, while a surge in world gold prices swells its bottomline.Haycarb, the 68 percent owned subsidiary of the conglomerate Hayleys Group, plans to set up shop in Indonesia, while a surge in world gold prices swells its bottomline. […]

Labour law critics say the existing framework undermines worker productivity, forcing companies to treat employees as a cost and not a resource that needs to be developed. rnSlimline, part of one of the countrys biggest apparel groups, employs more than 3500 people at their Pannala factory. rn rnIts CEO Dayan Gomez likes to walk around […]

Given the recent yo-yo mood swings in the equities market, stockbrokers Asia Securities says punters should now focus on a companys cash reserves as a litmus test before investing.The market is presently highly volatile, low priced endash in absolute terms endash shares, with at times questionable earnings quality and balance sheet strength, and in view […]

Stockbrokers Asia Securities has downgraded Asian Hotels & Properties (AHPL) to hold, based on its poor short-medium term earnings prospects and an uncertain investment climate.rnrn Asian Hotels rnlong-term growth potential critically depends on the success of its new rnapartment complex endash The Monarch endash and the ability of its new management to add rnvalue to […]

Companies are paying more attention to the effect of their operations on stakeholders besides their owners. Although not regulated, businesses take the environment and other social concerns in to account because they think being accountable to the public is in their long-term interest.The Pelwatte sugar plantation is a popular spot for hungry elephants from the […]

Health institutions may soon be classified according to their service standards as private sector health care is coming to the forefront with the failure of state system to meet patient needs and regular trade union actions. Health institutions may soon be classified according to their service standards as private sector health care is coming to […]

The government has scrapped reform plans for utilities like electricity, petroleum and water.rnA donor funded government agency Public Interest Program Unit (PIPU) setup to speed up reforms will be wound-up at the end of the month.rn rnThe agency helped set up the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), a multi sector regulator that is ready to regulate […]

Sri Lankas commercial banks are in for a rough ride this year with the bond markets falling on top of increased taxes.The banking sectors 2004 first quarter interim results saw commercial banks significantly under-performing the broader market.rn rnSector profits fell over 30 percent year on year and share prices fell on average by 30.8 percent […]