Paves way for new talent in Tennis to be highlighted among juniors Leading finance solutions company, Bartleet Finance has stepped into the arena of tennis for a second consecutive year to sponsor the Junior Tennis Initiative Program in Sri Lanka (Tennis 10s & Performance Tennis). The Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) programme is an endeavor successfully ...

$ 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 ...

The CBSL’s directive issued last year, which takes into account credit, market, operational and liquidity risk, is very much in line with the recommendations of the Bank of International Settlements (BIS), which recommends in particular capital adequacy for government banks, said internationally-renowned risk consultant and CEO/Principal of Independent Global Research Ltd. David Roden. Addre...

Following is the text of the Letter of Intent signed by Deputy Finance Minister Gitanjana Gunawardena and Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal and dated 15 March 2012 sent to IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde in connection to fresh support under the Stand By Arrangement. This letter supplements the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies of ...

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday had said the rupee would stabilise once the IMF money came into the country’s $ 59 billion economy. “Some people are holding dollar conversions and I think they will bring them when they see the stability. The stability level

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 ...

Relevance to microfinance and total financial inclusion Section 10 (2) of the Finance Business Act No. 42 of 2011, provides that: no other person other than a finance company and an institution specified under s. 10 (6), shall use the words ‘finance,’ ‘financing,’ or ‘financial’ as a part of its name or description, except with ...

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 ...

The UNHRC resolution was very unfortunate. This is the first time our country has been subject to this kind of scrutiny. As a fan of the President, it is very unfair that he has been subject to such humiliation. The President has been let down by his advisors. In the recent weeks we have seen ...

Reuters: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will consider making a $ 400 million loan disbursement to Sri Lanka at a 2 April meeting and the final $ 400 million tranche of a $ 2.6 billion loan a few months later, the global lender said on Friday. The IMF has withheld the loan tranche since September ...

By Cheranka Mendis Even if the status of the world economy seems to have found a rather fragile equilibrium with Europe over the past six weeks, the world is no closer to being immune from the risks that have cropped up as a result of the European and USA led recession and changes in world ...

By Cassandra Mascarenhas Sri Lanka is ripe for investment and should exploit its strategic location to attract more foreign investment, while not losing focus on its traditional markets were the general views expressed at the Expo 2012 Symposium on Trade, Investment and Tourism. Held yesterday, the symposium featured a line-up of representatives of many sectors, ...

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 ...

 Following are excerpts of an interview with NSB GM/CEO H.M. Hennayake Badara, the new President of the Association of Professional Bankers (APB) Q: What is APB and its role in the banking industry? A: Association of Professional Bankers – Sri Lanka is the premier professional body for career bankers and it was established in July ...

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, ...

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 ...

The Central Bank yesterday was emphatic that much needed dollars are coming to Sri Lanka and the foreign exchange market, reassuring that stability was on course. In an apparent reaction to widespread criticism including that of UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva’s claim that the robust inflows projected under the Central Bank’s 2012 and beyond ...

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 entry in to Sri Lanka by Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Berhad via John Keells Holdings (JKH) is being hailed as a all round boost for the country, the Colombo stock market as well as the premier blue chip. JKH which has many first to its credit is also the first stock on ...

Today is 19 March 2012. The day and the month of March are significant in the lives of many people – some celebrating birthdays, some wedding anniversaries, while others nurse what is yet left over from the hangover of the three day drawn encounter that we experienced a week ago or the limited over Royal ...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) jointly hosted the launch of a book by Hyun Hwa Son of the ADB and published by Routledge, New York, titled ‘Equity and Well-Being: Measurement and Policy Practice’ on 13 March at the IPS Auditorium. Following is the address delivered by ...

By Joshua Nicholas Keeping with its brand promise of ‘Here for good,’ Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) yesterday announced an expansion of its offerings for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). According to SCB Sri Lanka General Manager for SME Banking and Consumer Banking Market Sales Chaya Jayawardena, SCB defines an SME as any enterprise with an ...

The Central Bank yesterday downgraded Sri Lanka’s 2012 growth forecast to 7.2% from 8%, but in a move that was unexpected by the market, kept its policy rates unchanged. The new projections come at the time when the rupee has hit record lows and the Central Bank is struggling to maintain high reserves. The statement ...

Is the consumer the king? Today the consumer is celebrating World Consumer Day, organised by Consumer International, to show power and strength by flexing muscles of worldwide consumer organisations. People say the consumer is powerful and he is the king and kingmaker. Traders say the consumer is always right. It may be so in other ...

CONCERN over the controversial Channel 4 documentary has reached a fever pitch. In fact it is so high that it is causing some politicians to talk deliriously and call for local consumers to boycott US products such as Pepsi and Coca Cola or return to the days of snail mail by forgoing Gmail. Even though ...

Having successfully defeated terrorism, ended years of civil war, ushered an era of peace and prosperity to the country, initiated resoundingly successful development initiatives in the north and the east, the Government of Sri Lanka needs to be applauded for consolidating a unified national identity; an identity that only occasionally reared its head at cricket ...

Preamble State ownership of public utilities dates back to the colonial period. The early post-independent years saw the State establish public enterprises that were involved in the production and distribution of key goods and services. The share of State ownership in the economy expanded steadily

The responsibilities of a manger are the obligation to accomplish the goals related to the position and the organisation. Managers, no matter what level of the organisation, typically have the same basic responsibilities when it comes to managing the work force: Direct employees toward objectives, oversee the work effort of employees, deal with immediate problems, ...

Exploiters or providers of a vital financial service?Those who lend money are unpopular. They are seen as the exploiters of the common man. They range from the most sophisticated international finance houses like UBS of Zurich or Goldman Sachs of New York or Barclays of London to the common or garden village moneylender, referred to ...

As the world decides vote on Sri Lanka on the methods used on the eradication of terrorism in the country, my mind goes back to the December 2008 when three of us were organising the staging of the first Industrial Exhibition in Jaffna so that the north gets connected to south on an economic front. ...