Analysis

Ranil should get Mazu’s blessings as well for SL! – By Prof. Samitha Hettige

UNESCO intangible global cultural heritage program recognizes ‘Mazu’ or ‘Matsu’ as the most influential goddess of the sea in China. The Chinese sea goddess is influential in countries & regions along the Maritime Silk Road. Before typhoons, sailors would claim to see the bright red robes of the goddess on the water signaling the arrival of the…

(0)Comments | July 24, 2023 9:05 am

The significance of the sword – By Prof. Samitha Hettige

The Longquan sword invented approx 2600 ago by master sword smith Ou Yezi is the most famous sword in China. Named after Longquan city in East China it is considered a symbolic step towards weapon development in Great China & the world. Master sword smith Ou Yezi has made three high quality valuable swords (Longquan,…

(0)Comments | July 18, 2023 12:10 pm

Kung Fu of Governance! – By Prof. Samitha Hettige

Jacques Vidal used the term “brain-computer interface” in a paper titled “Toward Direct Brain-Computer Communication.” in 1973. He was referring to the direct link between a human/ animal brain & an external device with computing abilities which allowed information exchange between the brain & the device. Over the years technology developed & is now known…

(0)Comments | July 10, 2023 1:19 pm

The Chinese Emperor & Prime Minister Gunawardena – By Prof. Samitha Hettige

UNESCO recognized SL history chronicle “Mahavamsa” as a world heritage. It records island’s path as per the memories/ views of respective editors. Mahavansa describes in approx. half a paragraph about the services of King “Mahasen” who still is venerated by the masses as “God Mahasen”. The ‘Abayagiriya’ sthupa which is bigger than the ‘Ruvanweliseya’ is…

(0)Comments | July 6, 2023 4:44 pm

Fitch Downgrades Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Local-Currency IDR to ‘C’

Fitch Ratings has downgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Local-Currency (LTLC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘C’ from ‘CC’. The issue ratings on local-currency bonds have also been downgraded to ‘C’ from ‘CC’. The Long-Term Foreign-Currency (LTFC) IDR has been affirmed at ‘RD’ (Restricted Default) and the Country Ceiling at ‘B-‘. A full list of rating actions is…

(0)Comments | July 6, 2023 8:35 am

Sri Lanka’s Domestic Debt Plan a Significant Step for Resolving Bank Uncertainty

Fitch Ratings-Colombo/Hong Kong/Singapore-04 July 2023: The Sri Lankan government’s proposal for treatment of domestic debt marks a significant step towards resolving uncertainties around the impact of the sovereign’s debt restructuring on the local banking sector, but complications may arise from a number of factors, says Fitch Ratings. The proposal excludes banks’ holdings of Sri Lankan…

(0)Comments | July 4, 2023 4:31 pm

Business Sentiment – Index Settles In a No-Go Zone

Biz confidence remains muted as the pros and cons on the economic front even out Could there be a silver lining for Sri Lanka Inc. following the gradual fall in inflation? The answer hangs in the balance despite a notable decline in the Colombo Consumers Price Index (CCPI) to 25.2 percent in May – from…

(0)Comments | June 30, 2023 10:29 am

Analysis: Dollar drought haunts frontier economies

Reuters – As Pakistan spiralled into crisis this year, Wilson Muthaura pressed its government to put the tea Kenya’s KTDA co-operative produces 3,400 miles away on a list of essentials that would grant importers access to precious U.S. dollars. His urgent lobbying reflects anxiety about a scarcity of dollars – the lifeblood of global trade…

(0)Comments | June 29, 2023 3:54 pm

Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increase on MoM basis in May 2023

Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increased by 16.6 % to US$ 989.7 Million in May 2023 compared to April 2023. However, it is a 5.59 % decrease when compared to May 2022. Declining trend in merchandise exports further continues due to the negative trends shown in major export products specially in Apparel & Textiles and Coconut…

(0)Comments | June 28, 2023 4:17 pm

Communist youth – deep they should dive! – By Prof. Samitha Hettige

The ‘Titan’ submersible was destroyed during an expedition to view the sunken ‘Titanic’ with five rich tourists. As per its operator OceanGate, Titan which destroyed at approx 1.5KM was capable of diving approx 4KM comfortably. The deep sea trip seems to have been a site seeing tour & not a data collection mission for scientific developments for…

(0)Comments | June 28, 2023 10:00 am