Celebrating ties between China and Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka-China Journalists Forum in collaboration with Embassy of China will present China Nanjing Little Red Flowers Children’s Art Troupe for the first time in Sri Lanka as ‘Red Flowers on Stage’ on 30 September and 1 October at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre. The exclusive ...

The WTO in its annual World Trade Report for 2012, in addition to analysing world trade, has dealt in detail on Non Tariff Measures (NTMs), which has gained an important place in international trade today. In a world of trade liberalisation and free trade agreements which deal mainly with tariff reductions, which are clearly spelt ...

A number of articles which appeared in print media in the recent past signify the volatility in the economy. High volatility leads to vulnerability. Volatility and vulnerability are reflections of the haphazard nature of the economic policies and poor economic governance in a country. What is volatility? Volatility is the severity and the frequency with ...

Reuters: A deeply divided and unproductive Congress wrapped up its final business before November’s elections early on Saturday as the US Senate passed a stopgap measure to fund federal programs and avoid an 1 government shutdown. The 62-30 vote on the funding bill, which now moves to President Barack Obama’s desk to be signed into ...

Previously observed proceedings of Sri Lanka’s Fonseka and Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim   Here to observe proceedings re Rishad Bathiudeen M.P. Acted as Counsel on world’s longest sea chase incident FV Viarsa 1 The Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) observer, Australian Queen’s Counsel Mark Trowell has arrived in Sri Lanka today morning. “I am here on behalf ...

Commendable achievements Over the years Sri Lanka has gained a considerable reputation for its achievements in social development. It punches above its weight on the UNDP’s Human Development Index. It has also performed very well in meeting the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which focus on indicators related to poverty, health, education and gender ...

It is with great sacrifices that Sri Lanka brought about a victory against ruthless terrorism, which is certainly a feather in the cap of Rajapaksa family. No one can dispute the fact that President Rajapaksa provided the political leadership and ensured that the LTTE was decimated at any cost. The Tamil diaspora and the pro-separatist ...

The place isn’t a paradise for minorities but the economy is recovering By Sam Baker Asuasentinel.com: The Government of Mahinda Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka has probably botched its dealings with the United States, the European Union and the United Nations. Still, the disenchantment with Colombo may be overblown three years after the end of the ...

By Saman Gunadasa World Socialist Web Site: A scandal over the manipulation of shares on the Colombo Stock Exchange has erupted in recent weeks, after former Sri Lankan Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Thilak Karunaratne accused Government ministers of acting in league with speculators. Karunaratne was pressured by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to quit his position, ...

The global escalation of commodity prices in the latter part of last decade impacted Sri Lanka’s rice market, with retail prices showing sharp increases for the consumer. The regulatory forces with a ceiling on consumer prices and guaranteed price for paddy did alleviate this problem to some extent. Today it has taken a different turn ...

On Friday (7) afternoon, the eve of provincial council elections in three provinces, a certain gathering took place at 101, Rosmead Place, which houses the corporate offices of Democratic National Alliance (DNA) National List Parliamentarian, Tiran Alles. Consultations that lasted for hours, took place between Alles and UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and a few ...

It is unfortunate that today many impressions of Sri Lanka in foreign countries are based on unverified facts, and wrong or deliberately manipulated disinformation, carried out by those who once supported the forces of terror. These same elements continue to sow the seeds of division and separatism through various media, and also influence politicians in ...

The first Prime Minister of independent India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, wrote 75 years ago: “It would be absurd to say that the profit motive does not appeal to the average Indian, but it is nevertheless true that there is no such admiration for it in India as there is in the west. The possessor of ...

By Devin Jayasundera Former Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Chief Tilak Karunaratne on Tuesday rebuked allegations of over regulation and ad hoc measures as having impacted the stock market during his tenure and noted that the SEC Act should be strengthened further to punish manipulators. “What some of the crony brokers and dishonest investors try to ...

By Devin Jayasundera Former Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Chief Tilak Karunaratne yesterday rebuked allegations of over regulation and ad hoc measures as having impacted the stock market during his tenure and noted that the SEC Act should be strengthened further to punish manipulators. “What some of the crony brokers and dishonest investors try to project ...

Government agencies are among the most complex organisations in nearly every country in the world. They often are large, have multiple objectives, and face increasing demands to deliver more services at a lower cost. As a result of this complexity, a government is faced with many organisational issues, including: redesigning their organisations and their interaction ...

All Sri Lankan universities except for the medical faculties have been closed down, but for most citizens, who have observed crisis after crisis in the education sector, this latest development is nothing new. The big difference is currently it is the university teachers who are on strike, not the students. The teachers’ main demands are: ...

Placed amidst of wave of opportunity, today Sri Lanka is poised for exponential growth and sustainable economic development. In this context of emerging national prosperity, exports irrefutably play a pivotal role in driving the much anticipated economic progress. Exports are the main foreign exchange earners for the country and present many prospects for growth and ...

Human rights Human rights are on the top of agenda today. Nations accuse each other of violations of human rights of themselves and others. Rights are generally violated during conflicts and wars as the strength of the weapon supersedes peace over and stability and rule of law. There is no shortage of conflicts in most ...

24th August 2012 Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance & Planning The Secretariat, Colombo 1. Dear Dr. Jayasundera, Establishment of a Financial Services Authority and a Banking and Finance Commission I suggest for your consideration that you duly evaluate the long-term national economic benefits of enhancing effective fiscal management capability ...

Given first half performance, believes several 2012 Roadmap targets will be missed UNP MP and its chief spokesman on the economy Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday claimed that most of the Central Bank’s 2012 Roadmap targets were likely to be missed, based on below par performance on the external trade front during the first half. ...

By Shanuka Tissera Leading bankers were given the opportunity to discuss the method of approvals of OPIC funding and political risk insurance, facilitated by the International Executive Service Corps (IESC) and the American Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (AMCHAM) for US equity sponsored projects. The keynote address was delivered by the Governor of the Central ...

Good governance activist and former Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Chandra Jayaratne has called for an Ethics Guide for Public Service. This suggestion has been shared with several professional organisations such as the Organisation of Professional Associations, Sri Lanka Economic Association, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and Bankers ...

Indo-Lanka relations Indo-Lanka relations have been cordial ever since the two countries gained independence. The most notable act of magnanimity on the part of India was to cede the Island of Katchchathivu to Sri Lanka through an agreement between the two countries. Relations have intermittently been strained due to domestic ethnic issue having had a ...

Recognises Sugathadasa and Karunaratne as people of integrity; says didn’t call for their resignations but faults the regulatory system and officers within Disassociates with investor mafia if such exists; admits receipt of five letters of inquiry from SEC Says his presentation at President’s Forum was on behalf of like-minded investors Reiterates over-regulation and fear psychosis ...