By Cheranka Mendis NDB Group yesterday introduced full service investment banking operations with the re-launch of Capital Development and Investment Company (CDIC) under a new corporate identity as NDB Capital Holdings Plc. NDB Capital Holdings CEO and Director Vajira Kulatilaka (second from left) addresses the media yesterday. Others from left are NDB Capital Holdings Chief ...

Brand Finance CEO/Founder David Haigh will deliver the keynote address at the fourth session on ‘Branding Sri Lanka’ at the Sri Lanka Economic Summit to be held from 10 to 12 July. Being a developing country with a small domestic market of 20 million people, it is imperative for Sri Lanka to look towards exports ...

The Oxford Dictionary definition of ‘inept’ is ‘acting or done with no skill’. An ineptitude results is such behaviour being manifested An ‘Inept’ocracy’ has been defined in the Urban Dictionary as ‘a system of government, where the least capable to lead are elected, by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society ...

All newspapers carried headlines a few days ago stating that May 2012 tourist arrivals have increased by 17.5% from last year. It is reported that the May arrivals of 57,506, was higher than even that of April, which showed only a 9% increase YOY. So far, total arrivals for 2012 up to end May is ...

Peter Kropotkin is a Russian revolutionist who has commented in his book ‘The Conquest of Bread’ what he considers to be the weaknesses of the economic systems of capitalism and how poverty and scarcity thrives on. However, Kropotkin did not believe in the theory of state and is known as an anarchist. The issue of ...

Creating opportunities to enhance diplomatic ties in promoting the destination, Sri Lanka Tourism promotion Bureau received a five member delegation from the Consular Corps of London at the Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday 11 June for a familiarisation tour in Sri Lanka. The executive Committee members delegation will be touring in Sri Lanka from 11 to ...

With highest-ever top and bottom line performance premier blue chip JKH says knowing exactly who were are, what we stand for and where we are headed makes all the differenceI am pleased to present the Integrated Annual Report, and the Statement of Accounts, for the Financial Year ended 31 March 2012. The Report encapsulates the ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

SL well placed to develop all classes of Marinas known to the shipping and boating world -Int’l Marina Specialist Simon Arrol SL also a natural hub for world cruising yachts   Colombo’s Marina potential packs strong worldwide free publicity potential essential for a fast growing tourist destination   Sri Lanka is a natural hub for ...

Boating industry thanks Industry Minister for strong support Sri Lanka enters prestigious International Boating Industry Magazine rankings Sri Lanka’s commercial boat sub-sector reporting stronger international orders from Asia, Africa and ME Introducing a much-sought-after measure of relief to Sri Lanka’s boating industry, the country will now introduce tax on boat imports that are la...

Thailand’s new Ambassador to Sri Lanka Poldej Worachat yesterday paid a courtesy call on Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa to discuss issues of bilateral interest. At the outset of the meeting Rajapaksa thanked the Thailand for the assistance given by its government recently at various international forums, specially at the recently concluded UNCHR meeting. Longstanding ...

John Keells Hotels Group announced the certification of ‘Green Globe Awards’ to five of its resorts and hotels for sustainable tourism. The certifications were received by Chaaya Village Habarana, Chaaya Blu Trincomalee and Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo – Maldives, properties which fall under Chaaya Hotels and Resorts, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana of the Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts ...