Analysis

Progress unknown of budget proposals which account for 89% of allocated funds: Verité Research

The 25 highest-value expenditure proposals in the budget speech for 2023 had a total allocation of LKR 49.3 billion. But for proposals to the value of 43.8 billion (89%) the government was not able to provide information on progress, according to the annual evaluation done by Verité Research. The state of Information In 2022, progress…

(0)Comments | June 13, 2024 1:08 pm

Sri Lanka’s IMF programme was supposed to succeed by improving governance. Will it?

On June 12, the IMF board will sign off on Sri Lanka’s third disbursement under the current programme. But Sri Lanka is still failing on the governance improvements that are foundational for its economic recovery. According to the latest update of the ‘IMF Tracker’ by Verité Research, Sri Lanka verifiably failed to meet 25% of…

(0)Comments | June 10, 2024 11:24 am

Musk or Sandalwood, fragrance illiteracy shouldn’t block development!

By Prof. Samitha Hettige President JRJ as Minister of State consulted Indian Economist B.R. Shenoy to know the best economic policy for SL in 1966. His advice to reverse the nationalizing trend started in 1956 wasn’t taken seriously but China observed all trends & liberalized its economy in 1979. Today  China is world’s 2nd largest…

(0)Comments | June 10, 2024 11:16 am

Sri Lanka needs to pivot to Renewable Energy for long term sustainability

By Jithendra Antonio Fossil fuels, which primarily have been cornerstone of industrial development and modern society for over a century, is well on its way to become the very reason for its eventual downfall. The environmental and economic costs associated with these fuels are alarming. Fossil fuels emit Greenhouse Gases which trap heat, leading to…

(0)Comments | June 7, 2024 2:24 pm

Sri Lanka Leads the Region in Recruiting More Women in the Banking Industry but Barriers Remain for Progression: IFC Report

A new International Finance Corporation (IFC) report reveals that Sri Lanka surpasses regional counterparts in recruiting women at the entry-level in the banking sector, with women comprising 46 percent of new recruits. The report, supported by the Women in Work program—a partnership between IFC and the Australian government—also highlights Sri Lanka’s leadership in board-level gender…

(0)Comments | June 3, 2024 1:36 pm

Can Education promote rights to usher development? – By Prof. Samitha Hettige

Ex President Trump was found guilty in a criminal trial last week. At the same time Human Rights Violations in USA during 2023 was published by the State Council Information Office of China on May 29th (Ref. Media). Some points from the 31 page report are below; According to the 2023 ‘Candidate Interview Experience’ report…

(0)Comments | June 3, 2024 5:22 am

Business Sentiment: Index Climbs to an 11 Month High

Business confidence spikes for a third consecutive month to nearly three digits Sri Lanka’s internal affairs are heating up with critical agreements pending regarding debt restructuring. The government however, is confident that the process will be completed in time for the release of the third IMF tranche in June. President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that the…

(0)Comments | May 31, 2024 4:22 pm

Land Prices Bounce Back to Growth in the Latest Land Price Index by LankaPropertyWeb

Land prices bounce back to growth in the latest Land Price Index by LankaPropertyWeb. The overall land prices in the Western Province increased by 7.8% compared to the previous year, according to the 2024 Western Province Land Price Index (LPI), developed by LankaPropertyWeb (LPW). The Land Price Index (LPI), updated annually, monitors the trends in…

(0)Comments | May 28, 2024 3:27 pm

Driving Growth through Listings and Diversifying Revenue Streams at the Colombo Stock Exchange

Ms. Punyamali Saparamadu, Senior Vice President of the CSE Commercial Division, providing a detailed overview on the strategies adopted by CSE to stimulate growth and broaden its revenue sources. Her insights also highlight the new product portfolio as well as issuer relations initiatives of the Colombo Stock Exchange. Can you talk about the role your…

(0)Comments | May 28, 2024 9:47 am

Did Diana Gamage play the wrong tourism tune? – By Prof. Samitha Hettige

People of various origins from all corners of the globe inhabited Sri Lanka long before ‘paper’ was invented by the Chinese. When British introduced democratic governance on a ‘paper’ Sri Lankans started editing it in 1948 calling it their constitution. Constitution helps to prevent conflicts but Sri Lankans were conflicting & ended in an economic…

(0)Comments | May 28, 2024 9:40 am