Category: Special Reports

Businesses are going online to deliver customer needs round the clock. While 24-hour accessibility has opened up new opportunities there is also the added responsibility of being operational all the time. For every time the system goes offline the company loses business and credibility. rn rnA concept known as Managed Availability is fast catching on […]

The Central Bank says consumerism contributed significantly to last years economic revival. Economists pointed out that the country is showing the early signs of a consumer demand driven growth.Economists say a fledging peace process created higher than expected demand for goods and services last year.rn rnldblquote In the past we looked at growth only from […]

As a British colony, Ceylon was favoured for sourcing raw material and other commodities to satisfy the boundless tastes of the English. From its teas to exotic spices all exports went out in raw commodity form.Over half a century after independence, things have changed very little.rnSome of the countrys top exports still go out in […]

Ambitious plans for double-digit GDP growth is at the back of the governments mind in a post-war era. More importantly, economic growth must benefit the man on the street. While experts say that GDP growth in the open market era has widened the rich and poor divide, economists point out that while the rich-poor gap […]

Super markets are a big hit in Colombo. Most of them now try to entice the middle-income earners to the concept of everything under one roof from the mom-and-pop corner shops that have been around for decades.rnThe new Elephant House Super Pola is using the concept to grab the average corner store customer.rn rnIt attempts […]

Every day for twenty-five years Louisa Nona has been coming to the pavement of the Pettah private bus stand with a load of betel leaves to sell.Often she returns home with more left over betel leaves than she could carry.rn rnThings are different these days.rn rnThis has nothing to do with her appearance but everything […]

Prime government land could soon be released for development to the private sector under a new plan to put them to more productive use. The government, which is the largest landowner in the country, plans to implement the scheme with donor support.rnA top investment bank has already been given the mandate to come up with […]

The government is planning to make the process of radio spectrum allocation to telecom firms more transparent in future. With the fast growth in wireless telecoms, some sectors are running out of spectrum space.rnAt one time however government had a policy of not charging high fees for spectrum, based on the principle that high start […]

Sri Lanka has always been a hot spot for beach lovers. But the trend is changing. Niche tourism markets are starting to make a mark with first signs of the country emerging as a popular eco, adventure and Ayurvedic holiday destination. rnIn the last of a series on the travel and leisure industry, we look […]

The country is readying it self for record tourist arrivals this year with the industry being the first to benefit from the peace dividend. Tour operators are also looking for a large part of that growth to come from the Asian region and also from the big neighbour India.rnHowever, the industry is also concerned about […]

Peoples Bank however says the Value Added Tax on banks introduced in the budget for this year will add up to over Rs. 600 mn during this financial year.rn rnPeoples Bank posted its highest net profit last year despite providing over Rs. 1.3 bn for possible loan losses.rn rnThe bank said aggressive deposit mobilisation and […]

Telecom regulators are proposing a new numbering plan for telephones, which they say, will aid growth in the industry.If implemented the plan will change the countrys phone numbers for the first time in decades.Phone numbers are also a scarce resource the telecom regulator has to manage together with ldblquote rights of way dblquote and the […]