Category:
Up for What?
Colombos benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) shot up about 100 points on the back of more reports of a breakthrough in the political deadlock. However, stockbrokers say the actual ground situation on the political front has not changed significantly from two months ago.rn rnThe only positive reports to come out of the political arena […]
Port of Call
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has set sail a proposal that will allow it to operate ports in foreign shores.SLPA Chairman, Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake told Lanka Business Online on Monday that the Prime Minister had approved the proposal by its management.rn rnThe proposal seeks to expand its services to operate overseas ports as part […]
Soothing Balm
Finance Minister K N Choksy has appointed a committee to look into raising salaries of the Police force.Salaries of the armed forces and the police, were revised upwards from January, as part of an overall increment for government employees.rn rnBut the police force is not too happy with the 10 percent or Rs. 1,250 increment. […]
Open Arms
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will dismantle all non-tariff barriers blocking trade between the countries, as a first step to a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). ldblquote The two countries decided last week in Dhaka, to dismantle all non tariff barriers with immediate effect, dblquote said Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Harsha Wickramasinghe.rn rnThe identification and removal of […]
Pls Comply
The telecom watchdog has asked the Treasury to remove Sri Lanka Telecom chief, who has been charged for breaking immigration laws to help an alleged underworld figure.Thilak Ranavirajah, Telecommunications Ministry Secretary and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Chairman, has written to Treasury Secretary Charitha Ratwatte seeking SLT Chairmans removal.rn rnState-run news channels said Ranavirajah has sought […]
Aid Ok
The international community will detach part of the US$ 4.5 billion in aid committed to rebuild Sri Lanka from progress with the peace process.Japanese special Envoy, Yasushi Akashi on Sunday said that donors were split over the decision to release aid, with some opting to hold back for a change in the current political impasse.rn […]
Religion and Economics
Economists who measure and comment on growth generally ignore the political and social forces that have a heavy bearing on the economy. A century ago Max Weber, a founder of sociology observed that the ldblquote Protestant work ethic dblquote was what made northern Europe and America rich.rn rnThe Protestant work ethic emphasized thrift and willingness […]
Road Show
The Supreme Court made history this week, rapping the Road Development Authority (RDA) for deviating from its original route for the Southern highway, bypassing laws protecting the environment.rnrnThis was the first time the Sri Lankan law has brought to book a state firm for violation of environmental laws. rn rnThe RDA was taken to courts […]
Alternate Landings
The Board of Investment will call for bids to develop the countrys first alternate airport on a lquote Design Build Turnkey model, in two weeks.A pre-feasibility has been done, but the new developer will be responsible for detailed designs, procurement and building of the airport.rn rnIn building jargon, the owners, in this case the Sri […]
Making Love
Politics came to a head last week with a signing of a key alliance deal between the SLFP and the JVP. But commentators said cohabitation still remained the best available option. The SLFP-JVP alliance was quick to criticize the government but had little to offer in terms of alternative proposals.rn rnThe alliance remains sharply divided […]
See Me
Dialog GSM says it is planning to create competition in international submarine bandwidth. Last Friday the IFC gave US$ 50 million in loan funding to the fast expanding mobile operator.rn Dialogs parent, Malaysia Telecom, a shareholder of the SEA-ME-WE 3 cable, initially invested US$ 140 million and has committed a further US$ 90 million.rn rnIFCs […]
Route Re-Shuffle
SriLankan Airlines will scale back its flights on a once lucrative Middle East run, as it fights for space with other no-frills carriers that have begun to ply the route.Carrying mainly labour traffic, the Middle East is among the Airlines top destinations, since it began flying the route some ten years ago.rn rnThe steady stream […]