By Samitha Hettige The 11th ‘Nishan’ forum (named after the ‘Nishan’ mountain) on world civilizations under the theme ‘Beauty in Diversity’ was held in Qufu, Shandong (Eastern China) last week. It is the birth place of Chinese philosopher Confucius. Scholars from more than 70 countries explored the interactions between cultural diversity & modernization with special…
Interview with Sundaresan Narayanan, Managing Director – Commercial HVAC Carrier Airconditioning & Refrigeration (Carrier India & Sri Lanka) Q: TO BEGIN WITH, PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR ROLE IN CARRIER AND YOUR BACKGROUND IN THE HVAC INDUSTRY? ALSO, IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME IN COLOMBO? A: I have had the pleasure of visiting Colombo…
Independent Growth Study Group unveils critical strategies for sustained and transformative growth in 2025-2030 A new report launched today offers a bold roadmap for Sri Lanka to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth over the coming five years. Sustaining Transformative Growth in Sri Lanka 2025–2030, authored by an Independent Growth Study Group under the auspices of ODI…
Thousands of parcels ordered by Sri Lankans from popular e-commerce platforms like TEMU, AliExpress, and eBay are now stuck at customs, caught in a legal grey zone that’s choking the flow of goods. Advocata Institute warns ensuring consumer choice through a competitive market is key to delivering reasonable prices and better quality for Sri Lankans….
Sri Lanka’s export industries – especially the apparel sector, have long depended on efficient tax mechanisms to remain competitive in global markets. But one persistent bottleneck has threatened that edge for years: the country’s complex and delayed VAT refund process. This challenge is not new. In the early 2000s, a major VAT fraud case shook…
The barometer of business confidence rises sharply to set a bold new benchmark The country is grappling with a multifaceted public health crisis, battling simultaneous outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya (CHIKV) and a new strain of the coronavirus with a majority of affected individuals reported in the Western Province. Amid these health challenges, the country’s fiscal…
The recent de-escalation in US-China trade tensions has led Fitch Ratings to make broad-based upward revisions to its global growth forecasts compared to the previous Global Economic Outlook (GEO) published in mid-April. But the world economy still faces a sharp slowdown induced by the most severe trade war since the 1930s, says Fitch in its June 2025…
By Dr. Pulasthi Amarasinghe In April this year, the Cabinet approved the expansion and extension of Aswesuma. This is timely, as strengthening social protection remains a critical priority as Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the aftermath of its economic crisis. However, Aswesuma’s effectiveness, especially in terms of its impact on household welfare, will depend…
Rising Veganism, Health Consciousness, and Plant-Based Diet Trends Drive 9% CAGR Growth Across Food, Beverage, and Personal Care Applications Globally The global coconut milk powder market is experiencing remarkable expansion, with market valuation projected to surge from USD 224.2 million in 2025 to USD 409.9 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 9% during the 2025-2032 forecast period. This substantial…
The Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka announced an increased inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the country in comparison to the previous year, consolidating the stable and investor-friendly economic environment. The BOI highlighted that the renewed confidence of international investors has resulted in the receipt of new investment proposals given the government’s…
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