to the article above in yesterday’s Daily FT by the Pathfinder Foundation – in which there a...

Yet again proving its resilience amidst global shocks and the recession in the West, the country’s economy in the third quarter has grown by 8.4%, a rate viewed by analysts as faster than expected. The high 8.4% growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was above the 8% achieved in the corresponding period of last year. ...

By Cheranka Mendis Dismissing claims that the merger of Dialog and Suntel has created the second largest fixed line provider, the rightful owner of the title Lanka Bell is now on the go to rectify the wrongful claims. Lanka Bell Managing Director Prasad Samarasinghe told the Daily FT yesterday

The right to privacy is our right to keep a domain around us, which includes all those things that are part of us, such as our body, home, thoughts, feelings, secrets and identity. The right to privacy gives us the ability to choose which parts in this domain can be accessed by others, and to ...

By Dinali Goonewardene The private sector yesterday welcomed the relaxation of rules for foreign investment in debentures and overseas borrowings by Sri Lankan firms. The Central Bank yesterday announced it was relaxing regulations for foreign investment in corporate debentures of Sri Lankan firms and foreign borrowings by local firms. In the case of corporate debentures ...

Daily FT Editor Nisthar Cassim was among 40 top individuals apart from 60 institutions from private and public sectors picked last night for Global Commerce Excellence by the Shippers Academy Colombo, with support from the Central Bank, Export Development Board, Sri Lanka Ports Authority

Following is a response from Hotel Developers (Lanka) Limited to the article titled ‘Cornel Perera rebuts Basil’ published in the Daily FT of 24 November 2011 We give below a fair summary of the background of establishment of Hilton Hotel Colombo given by the well-respected Attorney

By Cheranka Mendis Sunquick Sri Lanka, the much loved super concentrated fruit quash will today bring home the prestigious Co-Ro Best country award also known as the Global Sunquick best awards. The award is an annual presentation by the brand owners of Sunquick, Co-Ro Food A/S, a Danish Company awarded for the country that marks ...

By Marianne David Triumph International Lanka unveiled a revolutionary innovation in shapewear with the launch of its all-new ‘Shape Sensation’ collection last evening at its Majestic City Triumph Store. The company’s General Manager Shalindra Fernando presented the first set of the ‘Shape Sensation’ series to former Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe Aruni Rajapaksha a...

Midst gloomy market conditions, the two IPOs worth Rs. 478.5 million of new hotel companies linked to high networth investor Dilith Jayaweera had been oversubscribed on their opening day itself yesterday. Kalpitiya Beach Resort Ltd., offered 16.2 million shares at Rs. 17.50 each raising Rs. 283.5 million and Waskaduwa Beach Resort’s issue was 15.6 million ...

With the world’s largest and most prestigious professional body for marketing, the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) celebrating its centenary this year, CIM Chairman Chris Lenton spent a couple of days in Sri Lanka to be part of the celebrations in the country earlier this week and to speak to the marketing community here to ...

By Cheranka Mendis Sri Lanka got its fair share of Formula 1 racing yesterday as duty free operator Autogrill Lanka Ltd unveiled the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 racing car used by former World Champions Lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button at the Bandaranaike International Airport. F1 car first, next Grand Prix? Airport and Aviation Services Chairman ...

 Mahinda urges brokers to venture overseas, market post-warSri Lanka among foreigners;  reach out and educate rural investors Cautions against pump and dump, thereby avoid sharp pricefluctuations endangering innocent investors Brokers say ASI dropping 2,000 points, PE down to 13 times from 26 create conducive environment for relaxed rules President Mahinda Rajapaksa stresses a point duri...

No unanimity on exchange rate movement A front page headline news item in this paper on last Saturday had reported on an apparent division of opinion between the two top policy makers of the country, namely the Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and the Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, on the depreciation of the ...

With 3Cs in place what more does private sector want from President Rajapaksa, asks Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera at Daily FT-Colombo Uni. MBA Alumni Association post-Budget seminar Urges business leaders to make best use of Budget 2012 aided by peaceful and sound macroeconomic

By Cassandra Mascarenhas Exploring opportunities for trade, technology transfer and alliances with local companies, a delegation of business leaders from Northern Ireland was present in Sri Lanka earlier this week to meet with prospective partners to initiate further business relationships. Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI), an initiative of UK regional business development agency, with the ...

With reference to the Daily FT 14 November 2011 article ‘Basil bats for revival bill,’ Colombo Hilton promoter and former Chairman of Hotel Developers Lanka Plc Cornel Perera has sent the following rebuttal:The article contained the full speech by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa

President Mahinda Rajapaksa presents development-oriented fiscal programme for 2012 and medium-term policy framework with support for almost all key segments of society and economy In their initial takes, overall welcome tone from private sector, though a few express concerns on select proposals President and Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday presented what the Government described as ....

Following are the brief key suggestions that came out at the groundbreaking pre-Budget 2012 brainstorming session held recently under a joint initiative by the Daily FT and the MBA Alumni Association of University of Colombo with Secretary to the Treasury Dr. P.B. Jayasundera as the Chief Guest

UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva fired a fresh salvo at Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal for moving away from his statutory role of being monetary policy-centric and making strong statements concerning fiscal policy which is the job of Finance Ministry. Dr. de Silva was responding to some of the recent statements by Cabraal about ...

This is the eighth article in the Daily FT’s fortnightly series titled ‘Business of Sports,’ focusing on the back office of the various sports administered and played in this country. Readers are invited to share their views and express their opinion via email to editor@ft.lk

The Institute of Chartered Corporate Secretaries of Sri Lanka in partnership with the Daily FT organised a seminar titled ‘Share Market Volatility – Causes and Remedies,’ last week which brought to the table many issues concerning the Colombo stock market

By Cheranka Mendis Chairman and founding member of CSR Asia, Richard Welford was in Sri Lanka for a hands on two day training course titled ‘Embedding global compact and sustainability in to your organisation’. Organised by UN ESCAP, Global Compact Network Ceylon and The Global Compact Regional Support Centre Asia Pacific, the course was taken ...

Deepal V. Perera reporting from St. Kitts Hambantota Bid Co-Chairman Ajith N. Cabraal is cautiously optimistic that delegates of the Commonwealth Games Federation annual assembly will vote through Sri Lanka to host 2018 contest in Hambantota. Hambantota Bid Co-Chairman Ajith N. Cabraal with CEO Nalin Attygalle at a briefing. Pic by Deepal V Perera He ...

The Institute of Chartered Corporate Secretaries of Sri Lanka and the Daily FT have brought together an expert panel of speakers to examine the state of the share market. Aptly titled ‘Share market volatility – Causes and Remedies’ the power-packed seminar will be held

The Institute of Chartered Corporate Secretaries of Sri Lanka and the Daily FT have brought together an expert panel of speakers to examine the state of the share market. Aptly titled ‘Share market volatility – Causes and Remedies’ the power-packed seminar will be held tomorrow

The American Center in Colombo held its ‘Open Mike Competitive Poetry Slam’ at the American Center Auditorium on 27 October. Introduced for the first time in Sri Lanka, the ‘Poetry Slam’ called out to poets, spoken word stars, rappers and performance artistes. With an award for the best performer and free entrance, the event drew ...

This is the seventh article in the Daily FT’s fortnightly series titled ‘Business of Sports,’ focusing on the back office of the various sports administered and played in this country. Readers are invited to share their views and express their opinion via email to editor@ft.lk

The courage the Government has demonstrated in cancelling the CATIC deal and yet feeling secure, rather than embarrassed by it, must be recognised. It is a responsible step, a prudent decision, which will have enduring benefit both in terms of national policy and FDI strategy. This step will also earn the respect of the indigenous ...

Recently the Daily FT reported that the Board of Blue Diamonds Jewellery Worldwide Plc was getting richer with Managing Directors and if that wasn’t enough, the company last week announced more additions – bringing the total number of Directors to a high 15. The latest appointments