Fuel hike fires up fresh crisis Unprecedented rise to rocket cost of living; Opposition says hike anti-poor; subsidy scheme impractical Import bill in 2011 first 11 months at $ 4.1 b far above 2010 full year figure of $ 3 b Experts urge country to go back to automatic monthly price revision Hike likely to ...

UNP MP and its chief spokesman on the economy Dr. Harsha de Silva is expected to ask in Parliament today the Government stand on the remaining tranche worth US$ 800 million of the IMF assistance via its Stand-By-Arrangement (SBA). There hasn’t been a clear stand on the part of the Government during and following the ...

This is the 14th 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

By Dinali Goonewardene Sri Lanka is in talks with Oman and plans to engage in discussion with Saudi Arabia for the supply of oil following US influence to curb imports from Iran, the country’s main supplier accounting for 93% of imports. The European Union and the US have imposed sanctions on Iran and given other ...

UNP MP and party’s Chief Spokesman on the economy Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday sent the following statement in reference to Daily FT’s article titled “Basil blasts Harsha over China ‘Hit Man’ Charge” published yesterday. “I completely reject the vicious

Unveils new Valentine’s Day promotion  By Cheranka Mendis Oriflame Sri Lanka will introduce 200 new products to the local market in 2012 targeting a 25% growth by the end of the year. The brand, which has had a market presence for 15 years in the country, has experienced steady growth over the period and is ...

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa is charging that UNP MP and its Chief Economic Spokesman Dr. Harsha de Silva’s outburst and criticism over growing economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and China was in bad taste and made with dangerous political twist. “He (de Silva) is trying to pit China against Sri Lanka’s friendly nations such ...

Hon. D.E.W. Gunasekera Chairman, Committee on Public          Enterprises (COPE) Parliament of Sri Lanka Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Dear Chairman, Action on COPE and other reports? Reference the aforementioned, I attach the following: 1.Daily Mirror front page News Report of Saturday, 21.1.2012 headlined ‘Bribery, CID Officers to be summoned by COPE. D...

After statements to the contrary by Governor over applicable interest rate and on which loan amount, monetary authority issues clarification For few days, the not so ‘whole truth’ was out in the market, but perhaps due to the Opposition’s fire and realising the blunder and implications, a better-late-than-never conspicuous correction termed “clarification” has finally...

Veteran automobile engineer, Dr. Lawrence Perera will make his venture to be the first corporate to herald a new phase in public transportation with the launch of Micro bus service next month. The Company has already imported eight low-floor air-conditioned buses to be deployed on the popular routes identified as the six main corridors to ...

Country records second successive year of over 20% growth in exports; 2011 full year value tops $ 10 b; when ICT exports included total figure to rise to $ 11 bConfirming resilience and an   improved competitive mindset amidst global and local difficulties, Sri Lanka’s exports sector has concluded its second year of over 20% growth. ...

Responding to the article published in the Daily FT on 26 January, titled ‘Sri Lanka: Tea rich but nutrient poor,’ the Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) says estate communities in Regional Plantation Company (RPC) estates have seen significant quality of life improvements

told the Daily FT that the company would work towards achieving “high double-digit growth,R...

Thanks to interest in premier blue chip John Keells Holdings (JKH), the Colombo stock market for the first time since end 2009 achieved a year-to-date (YTD) net foreign inflow. Though 2012 is only 26 days old and the value is only Rs. 908 million, the net inflow on a ‘YTD basis’ is significant as it ...

COLOMBO: Legendary Sri Lankan cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga on Thursday slammed his country’s sacking of Australian coach Geoff Marsh as “disgraceful” and “unprofessional”. Marsh was this week replaced by South African Graham Ford. Former cricket captain Tillakaratne Dilshan (L) shakes hands with newly appointed national cricket team captain Mahela Jayawardene afte...

Effects first major move to become a self-made entrepreneur; his new venture N Capital acquires 70% stake Aspires to make iconic 35-room resort luxurious with Rs. 500 m investment to add 50 more rooms under a new wing and plush refurbishment Says deep south will be centre of economic, tourism and recreation boom with air ...

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is optimistic on Sri Lanka given the strong post-war upside for the economy and capital markets and is urging the country and companies to harness the global giant’s strengths and reach to grow better. “Following the end of the conflict, Sri Lanka has evolved with an attractive and strong growth ...

Confirming the Daily FT’s exclusive expose on 11 January, Aitken Spence Plc yesterday officially announced in a filing to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) it was selling its 30% stake in the venture to build the Colombo South Container Terminal. Via the announcement Spence said its associated

The world famous London Stock Exchange Group (LSE), whose origins could be traced back to 300 years, will hold its first-ever Board of Directors meeting in Colombo today. LSE Chief Executive Officer Xavier Rolet confirmed to the Daily FT yesterday that though the organisation has held Board

Several leading experts will deal with different policy conflicts in capital markets on Friday at a top seminar organised by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Sri Lanka (ICCS) in partnership with the Daily FT. Colombo Stock Exchange Chairman Krishan Balendra, Heraymila Securities CO Ravi

Last year when I got the opportunity of attending the summer programme at Harvard, one of the sessions that really got my attention was a session titled ‘Corporate Athleticism’. Coming back to Sri Lanka I was eager to bring to life this new theory called ‘Corporate Athleticism,’ which in actual fact was practiced by many ...

Global brand Porsche has raced to record sales in Sri Lanka, its local agents Eurocars Ltd told the Daily FT. “2011 has been an exciting year for Eurocars Ltd, Porsche Centre Sri Lanka. Based on the year end closing figures taken from 1 January to 31 December 2011, Eurocars has set

Ariyaseela Wickramanayake renews call for greater import substitution on food items Warns country is sinking owing to rising import bill of products which can be locally sourced Business leader Ariyaseela Wickramanayake is renewing his call for greater import substitution of food items by slapping higher levies on foreign products, thereby boosting local supplies. He said ...

Part 4 – ‘Entertainment of a doubt’ deemed the Bill to be inconsistent with the Constitution – Petitioner’s stake in HDL greater than the Government’s   In the public interest to create awareness of the issues involved, the FT will continue to publish extracts adapted from the Petition filed by public interest activist Nihal Sri ...

MP Namal Rajapaksa last week assured that the private sector shouldn’t have the misconception that they need to be connected to the first family or their immediate circles to do business or invest in Hambantota or anywhere else in the country. “It is unfortunate that such thinking is prevailing. This could be a legacy from ...

by Nisthar Cassim Youthful MP Namal Rajapaksa is reiterating that mega developments in Hambantota which are having benefits to the rest of the country were taking shape and urged the private sector to cash in early with a mindset of “positivism.”  “We are going ahead with our plans and efforts as we firmly believe in ...

Part 3: Inalienable power is in the people, exercised in trust by the organs – the legislature, executive and judiciary – and prohibits transfer of power from one organ to anotherIn the public interest to create awareness of the issues involved, the FT will continue to publish extracts adapted from the Petition filed by public ...

Renowned expert Dr. Howard Nicholas will share some key insights to the current status of global economy at a seminar on 20 January organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Daily FT as print media sponsor. Dr. Howard Nicholas is known for his early warnings on the Asian

EFC says if the Govt. is serious about fund returns to employees, it should be exempted; urges holistic look at pension funds and calls for better governance  By Uditha Jayasinghe As opposition political parties ready to do battle over the proposed amendments to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) that will be presented in Parliament today, ...

Perhaps exposing brokers and investors who campaigned heavily for relaxed credit rules for their lack of judgment, the Colombo stock market yesterday failed to close on the up, despite enjoying a big burst in early morning trading. Opening with boosted confidence following the SEC’s relaxed credit rule announcement, the bourse gained sharply by 1.8% or ...