By Cassandra Mascarenhas Exploring opportunities for trade, technology transfer and alliances with local companies, a delegation of business leaders from Northern Ireland was present in Sri Lanka earlier this week to meet with prospective partners to initiate further business relationships. Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI), an initiative of UK regional business development agency, with the ...

With reference to the Daily FT 14 November 2011 article ‘Basil bats for revival bill,’ Colombo Hilton promoter and former Chairman of Hotel Developers Lanka Plc Cornel Perera has sent the following rebuttal:The article contained the full speech by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa

President Mahinda Rajapaksa presents development-oriented fiscal programme for 2012 and medium-term policy framework with support for almost all key segments of society and economy In their initial takes, overall welcome tone from private sector, though a few express concerns on select proposals President and Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday presented what the Government described as ....

Following are the brief key suggestions that came out at the groundbreaking pre-Budget 2012 brainstorming session held recently under a joint initiative by the Daily FT and the MBA Alumni Association of University of Colombo with Secretary to the Treasury Dr. P.B. Jayasundera as the Chief Guest

UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva fired a fresh salvo at Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal for moving away from his statutory role of being monetary policy-centric and making strong statements concerning fiscal policy which is the job of Finance Ministry. Dr. de Silva was responding to some of the recent statements by Cabraal about ...

This is the eighth article in the Daily FT’s fortnightly series titled ‘Business of Sports,’ focusing on the back office of the various sports administered and played in this country. Readers are invited to share their views and express their opinion via email to editor@ft.lk

The Institute of Chartered Corporate Secretaries of Sri Lanka in partnership with the Daily FT organised a seminar titled ‘Share Market Volatility – Causes and Remedies,’ last week which brought to the table many issues concerning the Colombo stock market

By Cheranka Mendis Chairman and founding member of CSR Asia, Richard Welford was in Sri Lanka for a hands on two day training course titled ‘Embedding global compact and sustainability in to your organisation’. Organised by UN ESCAP, Global Compact Network Ceylon and The Global Compact Regional Support Centre Asia Pacific, the course was taken ...

Deepal V. Perera reporting from St. Kitts Hambantota Bid Co-Chairman Ajith N. Cabraal is cautiously optimistic that delegates of the Commonwealth Games Federation annual assembly will vote through Sri Lanka to host 2018 contest in Hambantota. Hambantota Bid Co-Chairman Ajith N. Cabraal with CEO Nalin Attygalle at a briefing. Pic by Deepal V Perera He ...

The Institute of Chartered Corporate Secretaries of Sri Lanka and the Daily FT have brought together an expert panel of speakers to examine the state of the share market. Aptly titled ‘Share market volatility – Causes and Remedies’ the power-packed seminar will be held

The Institute of Chartered Corporate Secretaries of Sri Lanka and the Daily FT have brought together an expert panel of speakers to examine the state of the share market. Aptly titled ‘Share market volatility – Causes and Remedies’ the power-packed seminar will be held tomorrow

The American Center in Colombo held its ‘Open Mike Competitive Poetry Slam’ at the American Center Auditorium on 27 October. Introduced for the first time in Sri Lanka, the ‘Poetry Slam’ called out to poets, spoken word stars, rappers and performance artistes. With an award for the best performer and free entrance, the event drew ...

This is the seventh article in the Daily FT’s fortnightly series titled ‘Business of Sports,’ focusing on the back office of the various sports administered and played in this country. Readers are invited to share their views and express their opinion via email to editor@ft.lk

The courage the Government has demonstrated in cancelling the CATIC deal and yet feeling secure, rather than embarrassed by it, must be recognised. It is a responsible step, a prudent decision, which will have enduring benefit both in terms of national policy and FDI strategy. This step will also earn the respect of the indigenous ...

Recently the Daily FT reported that the Board of Blue Diamonds Jewellery Worldwide Plc was getting richer with Managing Directors and if that wasn’t enough, the company last week announced more additions – bringing the total number of Directors to a high 15. The latest appointments

Amidst woes in US and European markets, Sri Lanka’s apparel sector has survived to grow with the outlook for the next few quarters remaining positive, industry sources told the Daily FT yesterday. Whilst July saw earnings from textiles and garments increase year on year by 5% to US$ 385

Despite being a regional leader in enforcing standards, Sri Lanka still has a long way to go before reaping the full benefits of having its exports globally accepted. Studies have shown that a country can add as much as 1% to its GDP by proscribing to international standards. Daily FT met

Growth assets are a good investment in the current climate Felix Stephen is the Manager Investment Strategy and Research at Advance Asset Management Ltd., Sydney, aapart of Westpac, which is one of the big four banks in Australia. He spoke to the Daily FT about the global economy and investment

Way to wow the world? Issuer of Rs. 7 b biggest post-war IPO People’s Leasing confident of success midst challenges Says pricing attractive with good upside, robust leasing industry growing at double digit Preferential allocation for foreigners; strong appetite following road shows in Singapore, Hong Kong; next stop is three cities in India; managers believe ...

NIMS University India has launched its MBA in Sri Lanka following the establishment of its Sri Lanka Campus in July 2011. It is an MBA conforming to international standards with 18 taught modules over a two year period. It is delivered by an unmatched panel of lecturers including both academics and industry practitioners. This quality ...

By Cheranka Mendis Classic Travel (Pvt) Limited early this week partnered with the holiday division of Thai Airways International, Royal Orchid Holidays who promises to ‘provide unmatched experiences to the Sri Lankan holiday maker.’ The agreement appoints Classic Travel as an agent for Royal Orchid Holidays. Chief Executive Officer Classic Travel Suresh Mendis speaking to ...

This is the fifth article in the Daily FT’s fortnightly series titled ‘Business of Sports,’ focusing on the back office of the various sports administered and played in this country. Readers are invited to share their views and express their opinion via email to editor@ft.lk

of the municipality on an election extravaganza. In a candid interview with the Daily FT, the ...

IOS says that SL can take local benchmarks to the world to grow exportsBy Uditha Jayasinghe Sri Lanka’s attempt to broaden its presence in international markets must be led with its adherence to international standards and best practices, says an international expert. The International Organisation for Standardisation (IOS) Secretary General Rob Steele told the Daily ...

By Cassandra Mascarenhas Professional Edge Consulting, a Canadian company based in Ottawa headed by young Sri Lankan entrepreneur Praveeni Perera is set to commence its entry onto a global platform in Sri Lanka with the launch of ‘Manners in Management’, a two-day conference in business etiquette to be held in March 2012. The company offers ...

President seeks legal advice; Major General has 21 days to respond By Nisthar Cassim in New York Sri Lanka’s Deputy Permanent Representative in the United Nations Major General Shavendra Silva yesterday said he was prepared to face any international court for the sake of Sri Lanka and defend the country. He had been served summons ...

Says business environment needs to improve, seventh review to be concluded in December By Deepal V. Perera in Washington DC The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday stated that in the face of the global downturn, the performance of the Sri Lankan economy has been impressive. “The Sri Lankan economy suffered a lot during the conflict ...

By Nisthar Cassim in New York President Mahinda Rajapaksa described his engagement with the United Nations member countries last week as very successful for him personally and Sri Lanka at large. “I am very happy with the visit as it was very productive and through our discussions we were able to portray the true picture,” ...

Buoyant on a lucrative trend, Sri Lankan rubber manufacturers have requested the Trade Ministry to double the cess on raw rubber exports, creating the stage for a clash with producers. Sri Lanka, the seventh largest natural rubber exporter in the world, has decided to increase taxes to reduce raw rubber exports, the Trade Ministry stated ...

John Keells Holdings Plc is empowering its leisure group staff with training from the world-renowned Jumeirah Group-linked Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM) in Dubai. The company said yesterday that over 500 leisure sector employees have so far undergone training and exposure on both practical and theoretical aspects of hospitality and service excellence as part ...