Indunil Hewage

Commercial banks given nod to finance fuel purchases

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has reached an agreement with licenced commercial banks, allowing them to bear the financing of essential import bills for fuel...

Govt urges Hungary’s support for FTA with EU

The government would be elated if Hungary supported the EU to consider commencing discussions with Sri Lanka leading to a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in the...
Good ‘connectivity sector’ will deliver 2 to 3% to GDP

A well structured and sustainable ‘connectivity sector’ will deliver a direct 2 to 3% contribution to the GDP. However indirect contribution can be much higher, said Axiata...
Domestic workers’ unions call for ratification of Int’l Conventions

To make decent work a reality for domestic workers in Sri Lanka, The Centre for Working Women (CWW) together with the National Workers Congress and Protect Union and other...
Construction of N’ Eliya, Kandy and Habarana techno parks to start by 2Q-2022

Sri Lanka as part of its ambitious target of transforming Sri Lanka as a technological hub will establish techno parks in five different areas.To this end, construction work...

Nod for 5G spectrum auction in 1Q -2022

The much awaited and long overdue Sri Lanka’s 5G spectrum auction is billed to be carried out in the first quarter of 2022.According to Information and Communication Technology Authority (ICTA)...
Expert committee to recommend fintech’s future road map

Minister of Youth and Sports and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development Namal Rajapaksa has appointed an expert committee to recommend fintech’s future road map as a nation....
“Unleashing potential in informal sector vital for growth targets”

Sri Lanka’s biggest inefficiency is the distinction between formal and informal sector, World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia Hans Timmer said.Noting that it’s not only imperative to focus on big...
“SL needs to increase GDP growth”

World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia Hans Timmer says it is imperative for Sri Lanka to maximize debt service, with least resources possible.“Sri Lanka at the moment is in a difficult situation...
Flexicare invest USD 15 mn. in modern manufacturing facility in Bandaragama

General Manager of Flexicare Lanka Sanjeeva Jayasinghe, Chairman of Flexicare Dr. Ghassem Poormand, Chairman of Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Sanjaya Mohottala and Managing Director of Flexicare...
Several budget proposals come under praise at forum

The Government needs to engage the finance and banking industry, make them partners to work on Government’s development and investment areas at a balance sheet level and not merely at the bottom line...
‘South Asia should devise policies to create energy efficiency’

South Asian countries need to put in place policies that can create energy efficiency as the region is grappling with rising energy and food prices mainly due to COVID 19 pandemic.“Energy has to be...
‘Building trust and confidence in digital banking vital’

Sri Lankan banks would be able to offer very low interest rates to consumers in particular SMEs, MSMEs to help them develop their businesses, add more value to the economy if banks could bring at...
Govt. to develop new tourism zones

Sri Lankan government has decided to develop new tourism zones to boost the local tourism industry and the process of establishing those new tourism zones is currently underway.According to Ministry...
Measures to facilitate inclusive digital economy

In order to facilitate an inclusive digital economy, it is important to create seamless transactions and interoperability of all components that allow connectivity of different users, solutions and...
‘Adani Group’s deal for WCT development, positive move’

India’s Adani Group’s recent West Container Terminal (WCT ) development deal at the Colombo port is a positive move for Sri Lanka’s economic growth, says veteran maritime expert Rohan Masakorala who...
More opportunities for the offshore sector in Sri Lanka

Exploration and production of natural gas in Mannar Cauvery and Eastern blocks in Sri Lanka would generate potential opportunities for the offshore sector in Sri Lanka.“Proposed LNG related floating...
Global banking sector facing huge challenges during lockdown - Alles

Covid -19 pandemic is damaging economies across the world including financial markets, institutions in all possible dimensions. For banks in particular the pandemic generates multifaceted crises...
Real estate market to boom in next few years

The real estate market is expected to boom in the next few years as land and building are considered as a good hedge against rising inflation.While the current forecast remains muted for land and...
‘Govt should pursue phased approach to organic fertilizer transition’

Asia Siyaka Commodities says that the government should pursue a phased approach to transitioning to organic fertilizer, thereby mitigating the inevitable adverse impacts across the entire tea value...