Category: Special Reports

The countrys largest city is running short of water as the state looks to the private sector to bridge a widening gap in supply to Greater Colombo.A privately operated and managed 40 MGD endash Million Gallons per Day (185,000 cubic metre) treatment plant is to take off on the right bank of the Kelani River.rn […]

Local investor confidence was shaken recently first when a licensed savings bank collapsed and then as the securities regulator commenced an insider dealing investigation against its own chairman.However, the crises had little effect on the stock market.Banking stocks in fact gained in anticipation of good earnings reports while Aitken Spence stocks, at the heart of […]

Local telephone companies have been connecting subscribers at almost record pace over the last few years. The telecom industry was the only one that put in double-digit growth rates even while the rest of the economy was in a slump. rnWith the EGO and the smart subsidies things will get even better. rnAn astounding 20 […]

The last time Iraq was attacked, over ten years ago, oil prices reached record levels of over US$ 45 a barrel.Analysts expect prices to go the same way if US and British threats actually lead to a war. The hardest hit next to Iraq will be developing countries that depend on oil imports.rn rnSri Lanka […]

Government announced plans to launch unemployment insurance as key labour legislation went through parliament recently.The safety or dole would be initially paid to employees who are displaced.rnDisplaced employees would also be able to access an employment database run together with the private sector.rnOfficials say the Jobs database and dole would eventually cover all unemployed individuals […]

Conglomerates around the world have been favorites with investors as long-term investments. A recent worldwide study found that of the top 35 companies that delivered the most shareholder value 20 were conglomerates.rnEven locally, a few dominant business groups have played a key role in the development of the economy.rnThis week we take a look at […]

Its back to the lquote nuts and bolts this year, says Board of Investment chief, with plans for 2003 aimed at getting development of a much-needed highway network, off ground.In an interview with Lanka Business Online, BOI Chief Arjuna Mahendran mapped out a game plan for the year, with the list trimmed down to getting […]

Electronic commerce is making a splash in the apparel sector. Modern garment factories are sharing a lot of data with their suppliers and customers.Whats different is that there is very little human interaction in the whole process. E-commerce is also doing a lot more than simply saving money for these businesses.rn rnIt has become something […]

The authors, Dr. Anila Dias Bandaranaike, D Wasantha and T M Z Mustaliph of the Central Banks Statistics Dept. have developed a methodology to compile provincial GDP numbers at current factor cost prices from 1996-2000. The present estimates are compiled with a one-year lag.rn rnProvincial shares of national GDP are important yardsticks to measure the […]

The government will shortly send a call out for a chief executive officer to head a newly created office on Pension Reforms.Spearheaded by the Superannuation Reforms Taskforce under the Financial Sector Reforms Committee, the new pensions office will suggests methods to steer the reform programme through.rn rnThe mandate covers an entire gamut of reforms including […]

Talk about beauty culture and you think of stuff like hair dos and make up. That is pretty much all that most salons in the city offer anyway.But a few are breaking this convention, giving some really wild and wacky offerings.They are also managing to draw in a whole new set of clients who are […]