Category: Special Reports

Studies indicate that people around the world are having more sex, but with lower physical output – baby production is on the decline.Along with many other consequences like a fast ageing population, a number of industries depending on kids, are also set to suffer.rn rnThe global toy trade is among them. rn rnIn Sri Lanka, […]

A US based IT company with a large software development center in Colombo says it plans to hire 250 more software developers for their Colombo development center as a result of significant business growth over the last two years.Surviving has been tough for most software firms with competition and a slump in IT spending eating […]

The spurt in the economy has fuelled a renewed demand for credit from the financial sector. Some of the quickest credit providers in the market, the leasing companies, have seen growth rates that have comfortably outstripped the double digit growth rates in the financial sector. But the face of leasing is also fast changing with […]

The Treasury, with donor support is trying to improve public finances and accountability in the Government sector. A recent study on financial accountability in the public sector done with World Bank support showed there is a long way to go.rnrnIn an effort to push up the standards the government recently asked ministries to adopt Zero […]

A new wireless way to connect to the Internet is taking the world by storm because access is cheap and fast. The standard popular in the US, connects computers to networks over short distances using radio waves.Experts say the standard commonly known, as Wi-fi will do to the Internet what notebook PCs did to computers.rnThe […]

Shamindra Kulamannage speaks to Bradman Weerakoon, Secretary to the Prime Minister on Sri Lankas aid utilisation. Weerakoon says the government is looking at setting up a powerful Tennesee Valley type authority to cut through red tape in implementing large development projects in the country.LBR: The big question in everybodys mind is that is the government […]

Sri Lankas latest hydro power station is due to be commissioned later this month.Despite a small sluice gate and several working days being swept away, the project managers are confident of keeping to the original schedule.rn rnThe Kukule Ganga is only a tributary of the Kalu Ganga. The riverbanks have been washed away after the […]

Technology is offering opportunities to add value and new services to the local banks both foreign and local banks have started offering Internet banking which they hope will also bring down their operating costs. During a typical mid day in Colombo the traffic comes to a stand still.It is not the time to be running […]

The Central Bank has adopted International Accounting Standards in a bid to improve transparency and governance in the institution. The move is part of a larger donor funded plan to modernize Central Bank operations. rnrnThe Central Bank, which holds and manages the countrys official reserves, has been preparing its Annual Accounts to meet requirements of […]

A case in point, Baseline road, is probably Colombos only super highway. But it took a while for the road to get to where it is today. And there is still more to go.rn rnThe delays were due to problems ranging from land acquisitions to contractor delays. Delays in large infrastructure projects like the baseline […]

Lawmakers are starting to take the mushrooming finance and investment companies seriously.A high-powered committee looking at financial sector reforms is now trying to widen the regulatory net to cover all companies collecting public funds. While most of these operate beyond the scope of regulators some are using loopholes in the law the to avoid regulation […]

International call charges are expected to fall further, when a new system of short codes that will allow customers to access an external gateway of their choice comes operational.rn rnExperts say that the move also cements could help reestablish the island as a regional leader in telecom regulation. rn rnInternational call costs fell by over […]