With the end of the war, there was a desire throughout the country for a peace dividend. Over the 30 years of the conflict, pent-up demand had built up both for consumption and investment expenditure. The authorities were under intense political pressure to create an environment that was conducive to finance imports of consumption goods, ...

ANC Education, the premier international higher education provider in the country, launched its first-ever School of Postgraduate Education on Tuesday to mark its 10th anniversary. The ANC School of Postgraduate Education was launched in collaboration with the University of West London, UK (UWL). “This is a significant milestone in our journey of ten years. ANC ...

‘The Business of Sports,’ the fortnightly column that appears every other Thursday returns after a festive break. This is Feature #22, continuing to seek a greater public engagement in our national sports and a sporting surveillance on what goes on away from the arenas and behind the scenes. Readers are invited to share their views ...

Sri Lanka has successfully showcased its latest investment opportunities to keen global investors who visited the world’s ninth largest economy to gauge the future of US manufacturing and global economic outlook. The Sri Lankan pavilion at the ‘International Trade Outlook 2012’ event held in California, the biggest economy in US and the ninth largest in ...

Fresh push to woo Chinese tourists and tap greater share of two-way traffic, including to Maldives Upgrade brings total flights to four cities in China including Hong Kong to 21 per week By Nisthar Cassim in Beijing, China In a fresh push to woo more Chinese tourists as well as cater to growing two-way traffic, ...

Minister of Justice and SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem met the President of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ali M. Thunaian Al-Ghanim at the Kuwait Chamber headquarters recently during his visit. Hakeem briefed Al-Ghanim on the advantageous of investing in Sri Lanka in the post conflict situation and urged the Kuwait business leaders to ...

One of the most powerful personalities in the World’s Sporting Arena is expected to visit Sri Lanka next week. Member of Kuwaiti Royal Family Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah will arrive in Sri Lanka in his private Jet on 13 June 2012 and will call on the President of Sri Lanka to deliberate matters of mutual interest. ...

A doubting Thomas sent an email about last week’s piece; “A minister and IGP stuck in traffic!!!” he exclaimed. “In Sri Lanka?” another heaped sarcasm. Ok, I made that bit up! IGP called this morning; said that he would fix it. I made that up too. Here’s a cracker! The first ‘Ball Guard’ was used ...

Sri Lanka actively seeks trade and investment partners from its second largest international trade partner, People’s Republic of China. And the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) has given Sri Lanka a framework to expand bilateral trade. “There are many opportunities and areas that we can exploit for mutual benefit. As our international investment profile improves, ...

Following are excerpts of an interview with SLAITO Executive Committee Member and Walkers Tours Limited Chief Executive Officer Michael Elias: Q: Is Sri Lanka becoming too expensive? Why must Sri Lanka be competitive in order to attract tourists? Surely we offer the visitor a unique mix that is not repeated anywhere else in the world! ...

A document named ‘Growing Together’ prepared by UNESCAP for the sixty sixth session of ESCAP states that the realisation of what is termed as the ‘Asia Pacific century’ will depend on the region’s ability to harness the potential of regional economic integration. A shared history and culture, complementarities arising from their very different levels of ...

By Damien The Secretary to the treasury Dr. P.B Jayasundera recently made statement that the country is wasting the foreign currency on things that can be made in this country. I would like to add to this by stating that as a country we should have clear targets and policies that are aimed at both ...

SL: Cleanest country in South Asia As we celebrate World Environment Day today, it is important to acknowledge that the Sri Lankan economy has experienced accelerated growth from a 20 billion dollar economy in the 1990s to be a 59 billion rupee economy as at end 2011. However a point to note is that whilst ...

Trip Advisor, the world’s largest travel site, has awarded the prestigious Certificate of Excellence 2012 to Eden Resort and Spa. This award honours hospitality excellence and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on their website. By winning this accolade, Eden Resort and Spa has entered into the prestigious category in ...

Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka demonstrated its commitment to the local foodservice industry earlier this month by announcing its sponsorship of the Sri Lankan 2012 World Culinary Olympics team. More than 300 chefs participated at the event held at Chaaya Tranz, Hikkaduwa. Fonterra’s support will help send six of Sri Lanka’s top chefs to compete against ...

 Sino-Lanka bilateral trade cooperation in a new historic high China grants permanent and free of charge display centre for Lankan gem and jewels on Rishad’s request Strong investment delegation from Yunnan arriving in Sri Lankan shores soon China-Sri Lanka bilateral cooperation advanced to a new level on 4 June as Yunnan, the third leading international ...

The focus in the bilateral discussions, which took place on Wednesday between External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris and Mr. K. Shanmugam, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore at the Ministry of External Affairs in Colombo was on the expanded trade and economic relationship between the two countries. Minister Peiris recalled the State Visit to ...

A high powered delegation from the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) has been exploring investment opportunities in Hambantota. One of the key aims of their visit on 28 May was for delegates to establish mutually beneficial relationships with key Government officials, as well as with the local business community. The Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) ...

By Shanuka Tissera The private sector of Sri Lanka and Singapore yesterday in Colombo spearheaded a fresh deal to boost bilateral business on the sidelines of a visit by the city-state’s Foreign Minister. The Singapore Business Federation (SBF), which has brought down a delegation, and the Sri Lanka Singapore Business Council (SLSBC) affiliated to the ...

With a stellar performance from its tourism sector, Aitken Spence PLC has reported its highest-ever profit before tax of Rs. 5.5 billion for 2011/12. The company posted a consolidated profit after tax of Rs. 4.7 billion for the year financial year ended 31 March 2012, Aitken Spence said in a statement. The blue chip showed ...

Key insights to state of the economy and market and future prospects from NDB Stockbrokers’ latest Sri Lanka Equities report Uncertainty in the macro environment The robust economic growth and steep rise in global crude oil prices increased Sri Lanka’s import bill by 51% in 2011. As a result the trade deficit widened, putting the ...

Wide publicity has been given to the events unfolding at the Sri Lanka Tourism regarding the resignation of the Chairman from Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management and Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and the performance of the Board of Investment. The media reports have given the impression that ...

International arrivals into Asia/Pacific1 destinations grew by a collective 7% year-on-year during the first two months of 2012, according to preliminary data released by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) last week. At this point Southeast Asia is the fastest growing destination, followed by South Asia, however, both sub-regions generated somewhat slower growth than last ...

Expolanka Holdings Plc said yesterday it has sustained its consolidated net profit after tax for the FY 2011/12 at Rs. 1.23 billion with a consolidated net profit before tax at Rs. 1.68 billion. The Q4 recorded a year on year growth of 21% in top line, 33% growth in gross profit and 22% growth in ...

After the LTTE was defeated, a campaign designed to promote Sri Lanka as a leisure and investment destination labelled ‘The Small Miracle’ was shot down, ostensibly on the ground that the miracle was in no way ‘small’. The marketing value in Sri Lanka’s compact size, our rich biodiversity, the diversity of leisure locations and physical ...