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…
By Prof. Samitha Hettige Balthasar Bekker (1634 – 1698) was a Dutch politician & a theological author known for opposing superstition & ending witchcraft in early modern Europe. Among his famous work is ‘The World Bewitched (1695)’. New mayor Ms. Balthazaar is expected end corruption & wrong doings in the Colombo Municipal Council during her term. One…
Fitch Ratings has adjusted its outlooks for the banking sectors in South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam to reflect weaker prospects for banks in 2025 amid exposures related to US trade policies, though the overall banking sector outlook for APAC remains ‘neutral’. We maintain the ‘deteriorating’ outlook on China’s banking sector, reflecting persistent challenges for…
How Financial Strategy Can Turn Sri Lanka from a Perpetual Borrower into an Economic Fortress—and End Its Exclusion from the Global Wealth Club By Jithendra Antonio In the sterile corridors of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, where foreign reserve monitors once displayed catastrophic readings of $50 million in 2022—a 99% collapse from $7.6 billion…
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