By Devin Jayasundera Siedles (Pvt) Ltd. in its attempt to expand the Sony customer base in Sri Lanka and to provide a world class service to its cutomers launched a state-of-the-art Sony showroom at 150/3, Ward Place, Colombo 7 last week. The flagship Sony showroom equipped with the latest modern designs and sleek interior is ...

All of the Commonwealth will today focus on the crucial vote for the host of 2018 Commonwealth Games with Sri Lankan contingent publicly and personally upbeat about candidate city Hambantota’s chances. Sri Lanka’s spirited southern port city Hambantota and Australia’s Gold Coast need minimum 36 votes out of 71 Commonwealth Games Associations at the CGF ...

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

nUNP, TNA express opposition; Govt. to go ahead by tabling the Bill in Parliament next week The contentious Takeover Bill on underperforming State enterprises and underutilised assets had come under fire by the Opposition at the Party Leaders meeting yesterday in Parliament. At the meeting, representatives of the UNP and TNA have vehemently opposed the ...

UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, activist Chandra Jayaratne express concern; other analysts welcome Bill Colombo Hilton owning firm Hotel Developers sole enterprise; rest all lands majority of which are of defunct BOI-approved enterprises; listed Pelwatte Sugar Industries land inclusion a surprise Criticism is mounting over the urgent bill on takeover of underperforming enterprises and ...

I still remember the thoughts that crossed my mind on the day that Harvard University announced the top 50 candidates for the 2011 Global Leaders in Development forum. The excitement was high, but then again the commitment to me personally in Sri Lanka made it a catch 22 decision. The decision was tougher, given that ...

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 ...

Analysts upbeat new valuation will spur fresh buyingProving Daily FT’s concerns right, the Colombo stock market yesterday crashed to its lowest level in 2011, but a chorus is growing that new valuation will spur a fresh round of buying with some already collecting available quantities

Ganesan calls for grand opposition alliance Leader of the Democratic People’s Front (DPF) Mano Ganesan is once again in the limelight of country’s political scene, following his impressive performance at the recently-concluded local authority elections. Ganesan told the Daily FT

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

By Chamitha Kuruppu The much-awaited final phase of the local government elections will be held today, with greater focus on the ultimate victor of the contest for the Colombo Municipality. As per official records, 6,488 candidates will contest for 420 positions in 23 local government bodies including 17 Municipal Councils, five Pradeshiya Sabhas and one ...

For representing some of his victimised members at a media briefing on Wednesday the chief of the Eksath Velanda Sangamaya of the Nugegoda Janatha Pola has been mercilessly and undemocratically shut out from his livelihood. UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday alleged that the head of the traders’ union P.W. Pathirana had originally received ...

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

By Uditha Jayasinghe Brewed by external demand reductions and local policies, Sri Lanka’s value-added tea exports are declining while bulk shipments are increasing, resulting in a possible drop in earnings, industry experts warned yesterday.  Terming the reduction in value-added tea as a “disturbing trend,” Asia Siyaka Commodities said in a review report that Sri Lanka’...

By Cheranka Mendis People’s Leasing, the undisputed market leader in the industry for nine years, is going for a record profit this year having achieved a profit of Rs. 2.2 billion within the first five months of the year. CEO of People’s Leasing D.P. Kumarage told the Daily FT

By Uditha Jayasinghe Reeled by the overall crisis in the Middle East, the country’s tea industry has got a fresh jolt with Syria banning imports in value added form though the Government is cautioning undue panic was unwarranted. As part of a national policy Syria has banned all imports carrying a tariff of over 5% ...

United National Party mayoral candidate A.J.M. Muzammil speaks to the Daily FT, predicting his victory at the forthcoming elections. Pointing out that if elected his opponent Milinda Moragoda will have no power to run the council, Muzammil says Moragoda is only the horse and the jockey is Gotabaya

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 ...

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,” ...

CSE cancels full day trading on technical glitch but regains position as Asia’s best Irate brokers fault bourse Trading to resume today In an eventful day, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) for the first time ever cancelled trading yesterday over a technical glitch, but regained its position as the best bourse in Asia.  CSE cancelled ...

The Sri Lanka Private Sector Assessment of the Report to the United Nations Secretary General by the Panel of Experts on accountability in Sri Lanka was released on Thursday. The private sector critique is a compilation of views raised by a private sector group in Sri Lanka who are concerned about the content of the ...

CAA rejects cement price hike plea By Dinali Goonewardene The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), which has conducted 800 raids on cement outlets in the last 12 days, said it had no plans to increase cement prices despite illegal price hikes on cement. CAA Chairman Rumy Marzook told the Daily FT