UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday charged that the Government and the Central Bank seriously lacked credibility, whilst the people were being taken for a ride with falsehood. He alleged that a few months ago the Government, especially the Central Bank, was hoodwinking the masses saying the economy was robust and fiscal and monetary ...

COLOMBO (Reuters): Sri Lanka’s central bank will have room to raise interest rates by at least another 50 basis points if April trade and inflation data show signs of stabilizing, the treasury secretary said on Wednesday. “Since we have already raised policy rates by half a percent (in February), maybe another 50 basis points upward ...

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Sri Lanka Telecom PLC’s (SLT) Long-Term Foreign-Currency (FC) and Local-Currency (LC) Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at ‘BB-’, respectively, as well as its National Long-Term rating at ‘AAA(lka)’. The Outlook is Stable. SLT’s IDRs are constrained by the respective sovereign IDRs of ‘BB-’. This is principally due to the Gover...

$ 427 m released to boost reserves bringing total to $ 2.13 b under $ 2.6 b SBA; balance likely in mid-July Emphasises Govt. has taken several positive measures to stem current account deficit, reserve loss and bolster fiscal performance Says recent tax hike on vehicles “unexpected” but shows Govt.’s seriousness in dealing with Balance ...

SINGAPORE (Reuters): Lanka IOC Plc, the Sri Lankan arm of India’s state petroleum company Indian Oil Corp Ltd, is seeking more than 70,000 tonnes of gasoil and gasoline for delivery in May, after skipping April imports, traders said on Monday. The company is seeking a combination cargo of 19,000 tonnes of 0.25 percent sulphur gasoil ...

While the government is fully capable of dealing with any pressures that come from Geneva, New York or Washington, it is the public servants and heads of corporations who should ensure good governance to improve the image of the country internationally, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Addressing a gathering of public servants, heads of state corporations, ...

Sri Lanka is to get a $ 400 million lifeline following what is anticipated as a favourable decision on the part of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF Board was scheduled to meet Monday evening Washington Time, and its Resident Representative Koshy Mathai is scheduled to hold a briefing today in Colombo at 2.00 ...

Sri Lanka’s top tyre manufacturer CEAT Kelani Holdings has celebrated the achievement of domestic sales exceeding Rs. 6.2 billion in 2010-11 in the face of many challenges, with a gala felicitation of top dealers. Best-performing dealers and their families were treated to a fun and entertainment filled weekend at Heritance Kandalama and Amaya Lake for ...

IPS: Most things in Sri Lanka are becoming expensive these days. In early February fuel prices were increased by margins ranging from eight to 49 per cent, with the all-important diesel, used widely in commercial transport and power generation, going up by 36 per cent. The Sri Lankan rupee that was trading at 107 rupees ...

Lanka Business Link who owns and manages the popular daily deals site www.lancoupon.lkhas tied  up with Vindy Trading (Pvt) Limited, sole agent in Sri Lanka for Luyuan Electric Vehicle Company of China to promote Vindy Trading’s latest offering into the Sri Lankan market, the ALFA Plus 110 Hybrid Scooter. www.lancoupon.lk with its ever growing popularity ...

Denying accusations that the Ceylon Electricity Board is a burden on the national economy, Minister of Power and Energy Champika Ranawaka points out its contribution towards the country’s development and claims the staggering loss of $ 42 billion predicted for 2012 was mainly due to the fuel price hike and rupee depreciation. Following are excerpts ...

With the recent relaxing of the rupee exchange rate and subsequent increase in fuel prices, trade unions and the opposition parties are conducting protest campaigns against the Government, demanding a reduction in oil prices and the cost of living. This article investigates the living conditions of citizens in the recent past and present, quality and ...

The UN Human Rights Council resolution is still making headlines and likely to do so for many weeks to come. There is graffiti screaming “Obama is mad” scrawled on Colombo’s walls and politicians as well as other stakeholders continue to express their displeasure of the US Therefore, holding the largest trade exhibition in nearly two ...

By Cheranka Mendis The volatility in Middle Eastern markets, coupled with the increasing issue of low quality due to competition and increasing costs, has placed the local tea industry in a big fix, which could, if unattended, immediately mark the end of a Sri Lankan legacy in four to five years. Despite Sri Lankan tea ...

NDB‘s contribution to infrastructure development has been substantial during the last three decades. Having garnered the experience and expertise to cater towards the development process in Sri Lanka, NDB continues to focus on this vital component providing the necessary support that will help towards economic development in the country. NDB CEO Russell de Mel says, ...

AFTER much bad news, there is a sign of relief on the oil issue. Even though it was feared that Sri Lanka would lose around 90 per cent of its fuel due to US sanctions on Iran that will come into effect from June, the latest news that only 15 per cent will be reduced ...

Titan Fleet Management, France a specialist yacht management company places confidence in Colombo for their repair requirements on super luxury yacht Lauren L. This seven star category 90 meter long yacht called in for repairs on 1 February. The luxury yacht called in for her 10 year class survey repairs coupled with hull surface preparation ...

Sri Lanka, affected by the sanctions imposed by the United States on Iranian oil, has entered into an agreement with Oman to buy oil from that country ahead of the US deadline. Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Chairman Dayananda Vidanagama Arachchi on behalf of Sri Lanka and Oman Oil Corporation Chairman Nasheer Al Jasmi inked the agreement ...

Says reserves depletion has been arrested Expects US Dollar exchange rate to settle down to below Rs. 125 Emphasises correction in rupee’s value after 'external shock' is positive all round with considerable savings and boost for local producers Claims future of IMF support is not a major concern but will be a bonus Likens affordable ...

Suren Rajanathan is Vice President of 3M Sri Lanka, an innovation-based company which boasts a catalog of over 1,000 products sold in Sri Lanka that span 25 different business categories. 3M has an income internationally of $30 billion in sales, employs about 84,000 people worldwide, and has operations in more than 65 countries with products ...

By Joshua Nicholas Prestige Automobile (Pvt) Ltd. (PA) yesterday announced the arrival of the all new BMW 3 series. The sixth generation of the world’s best-selling premium car will be available in two variants; BMW 320i and BMW 328i. Since its launch in 1975, every third car sold by BMW has been a 3 series. ...

By Cheranka Mendis Dubai’s low cost airline, flydubai yesterday announced the increase of frequencies to Sri Lanka, going from five to seven weekly flights since 11 March following a surge in passenger numbers. flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith noted that with the changes in flight timing by moving on from four flights a week during ...

Mackwoods Energy said yesterday it was presently in the process of finalising a feasibility for establishment of a 1 MW grid connected solar power plant located on an existing property of the company. The move is part of Mackwoods Energy’s diversification plans to provide solar and wind  power  solutions to  customers  for  both  grid  and  ...

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) spokesman and parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayaka in an interview with the Daily FT critiques the on-going sessions of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the state of bad governance, deteriorating law and order and the economic crisis in the country.  Following are excerpts from the interview.   Q;  What are your ...

The STING Corporate Accountability Index is an independently researched analysis of the standing of corporate Sri Lanka against a model of responsible business practices. It is published in order to encourage more companies to adopt a holistic system of corporate responsibility. The adoption of such a system and making this the usual way of operating, ...

The country’s forex market encompassing highly dependent importers and key source exporters was yesterday rocked by what analysts described as the sharpest day gain in the US dollar exchange rate. Before mid-day the Rupee touched a new low of Rs. 127 and then on to Rs. 128 prompting many to assume the rate had bottomed ...

Parent Company – The Mackwoods Group (ML) Possessing a history of over 170 years, Mackwoods Group the parent company of Mackwoods Energy Limited has a diverse portfolio of businesses consisting power and energy, healthcare, agri business and plantations, industry, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), hotels and leisure, infrastructure development, real estate and financial service...

Loss-making State-owned enterprises are nothing new in Sri Lanka. One of the better known ones is SriLankan Airlines, which was given to Emirates due to its inability to breakeven but was retaken by the present Government. Pros and cons of this move is history but cash-strapped and a midst losses, it appears that the Government ...

The National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) affiliated to Sri Lanka’s Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has in writing requested the Public Administration Minister John Seneviratne to make necessary provisions to increase the festival allowance paid to the public sector employees. NTUC Head K.D. Lalkantha has asked Minister Seneviratne to increase the current festival advance ...

Industry calls for higher productivity, new market development to ride out uncertainties Tea industry stakeholders say the industry needs to urgently improve productivity and generate new markets, as volatility in major Middle Eastern markets continue to dampen tea export earnings.   While there is strong demand for tea in global markets, price increases for Ceylon ...