During the key note address at the ‘YPO Colombo Experience: Rediscover the Pearl’ conference held on Saturday (18) at the Shangri La hotel Colombo, President Ranil Wickremesinghe revealed his vision for transforming the economic landscape of the region. The President, who held discussions with the new Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Friday (17), had […]

Budget highlights Following are the highlights of Budget proposals made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament yesterday: New economic and political system The President said in order not to fall back into a crisis, the economic and political system of Sri Lanka must be created anew.  He said that a new social consensus should be […]

* Tax revenue to be raised by 47.1% in 2024 * Rs 10,000 increase for public sector workers * Pensioners to get Rs 2,500 allowance * Rs. 450 bn reserved for bank recapitalization * Four new universities to be established * 20% of state banks to be given off by Saman Indrajith President Ranil Wickremesinghe, […]

Cassandra is sick to her innermost core seeing on TV daily, multiple protests of motley crowds toting banners and marching all across roads and in many instances being tear gassed and water cannoned. She is sure that like her, five sixths of adult citizens in this doomed and gloomed land are sick of these protests. […]

By Shamindra Ferdinando Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, MP, has stressed the pivotal importance of public protests against waste, corruption, irregularities and mismanagement.Alleging that those who had been entrusted with the task of governing the country have instead ruined it, Chairman of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Fonseka, on Thursday, said that every citizen should bear […]

Addressing the Special General Convention of the United National Party (UNP) held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo on Saturday (21)., President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized his commitment to bolstering the country’s economy by positioning Sri Lanka as a smart nation. The President

Output growth of South Asian countries, except Sri Lanka, is projected to remain stronger than in other regions of the world in the coming years, as per the World Bank’s latest South Asia Development Update, ‘Toward Faster, Cleaner Growth’. Growth in the region is stronger than elsewhere in the world, but it is nonetheless not […]

Australia is seeking trade and investment framework arrangement with Sri Lanka. Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts, MP, who is in Colombo for the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers said that their growing economic ties with Sri Lanka would be enhanced through the signing of a renewed Trade and Investment […]

World Tourism Day, celebrated globally on September 27th, serves as a reminder of the pivotal role tourism plays in fostering economic growth, cultural exchange and environmental preservation. In commemoration of World Tourism Day, Browns Hotels & Resorts, a leading name in Sri Lankan hospitality, hosted a thought-provoking forum at their renowned coastal retreat, Thaala Bentota. […]

The World Bank revised up its forecasts for Sri Lanka s economy on Tuesday, noting the crisis-hit nation had made strides in reducing inflation and had benefited from tourism revenue as well as an appreciation in its currency.

Over 200 corporate leaders attended the second Economic Forum sponsored by HSBC recently which was to discuss and share insights into the latest global trends and opportunities emerging for economic growth in Sri Lanka. Frederic Neumann, HSBC’s Chief Asia Economist and Co-Head of Global Research for HSBC Asia along with Aayushi Chaudhary, HSBC Economist for […]

Acting Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya during a press conference held today (21) at the Presidential Media Center, focusing on the theme of ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ said that over the past year, the government successfully increased the country’s foreign reserves from 1.8 billion dollars to 3.8 billion dollars. He added that in August […]

Piyumi Ranadewa is a Research Assistant working on migration and urbanisation policy research at IPS. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture, specialising in Agriculture Economics and Business (First Class) from Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, graduating with Dean’s Honours. She also holds a Master of Agri-Enterprise and Technology Management from Wayamba University of Sri […]

A proposal, set to take effect from October 1, 2023, stipulates rates of USD 130 for 5-star hotels, USD 100 for 4-star hotels, and USD 80 for 3-star hotels within the city of Colombo. While the authorities argue that this measure aims to counter underpricing by higher-tier hotels, this policy threatens to undermine the growth […]

By Shamindra Ferdinando Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, declared in Parliament that the winners of LPL (Lanka Premier League) 2023 B-Love Kandy had been sponsored by an enterprise that was banned in the country. The statement was made in Parliament on 24th August. The one-time President of the Bar Association found fault with SLC […]