Category: Other
Please Intervene
The mother of one of the three Sri Lankans facing execution in Saudi Arabia has appealed to the newly elected Sri Lankan President to intervene to obtain clemency, after learning that the sentences may be carried out at any time.The mother of one of the three Sri Lankans facing execution in Saudi Arabia has appealed […]
Help the Farmer
Freer trade is increasingly seen as a means of achieving economic growth and alleviating poverty.But liberalizing agriculture is difficult in regions like South Asia where around 70 percent of its population depend on it for a living.Freer trade is increasingly seen as a means of achieving economic growth and alleviating poverty. But liberalizing agriculture is […]
Bring Home the Bacon
A former employee of the Irish Industrial Development Agency (IDA), Aidan Walsh says a country’s investment promotion agency should be independent of politics and need only consult them when budget allocations are affected by an investment decision.A former employee of the Irish Industrial Development Agency (IDA), Aidan Walsh says a country’s investment promotion agency should […]
Hidden Agenda
The plan to break the ceasefire and return to hostilities had been formed by LTTE in 2004, before the tsunami.The plan to break the ceasefire and return to hostilities had been formed by LTTE in 2004, before the tsunami. It is clear from the LTTE leader (VP)’s statement “….faced with the meaningless absurdity of living […]
Living It Up
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court Friday questioned the “excessively high” budget of former president amid allegations that large sums of state funds had been misappropriated just before her retirement.Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court Friday questioned the “excessively high” budget of former president amid allegations that large sums of state funds had been misappropriated just before her retirement. […]
The tea industry could start off the new year on a low price branch
The tea industry could start off the new year on a low price branch, with the current wet weather weighing down on quality and as a result on auction prices.The weekly sales average is already on a down trend at Rs.193.51 this week, down from Rs. 196.70 in early November trading and Rs.207.69 in 2004. […]
Don’t Kill
Amnesty International has renewed an appeal to grant clemency to three Sri Lankans who are under imminent threat of execution in Saudi Arabia.Amnesty International has renewed an appeal to grant clemency to three Sri Lankans who are under imminent threat of execution in Saudi Arabia. Amnesty International has renewed an appeal to grant clemency to […]
Ageing Process
Ceylon tea was renowned for its quality. Ceylon tea was renowned for its quality. But supplies exceeding demand, higher cost of production and middlemen margins have forced the tea industry to compete on price rather than on quality. Consumers preferring flavored and instant teas are also not helping the local tea industry that produces old […]
Revving Up
Sri Lanka’s new president demanded Friday the launch of a fresh peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels in the ethnically troubled island and “transparent” monitoring of a Norwegian-brokered truce.Sri Lanka’s new president demanded Friday the launch of a fresh peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels in the ethnically troubled island and “transparent” monitoring of a […]
New Motherboard
Sri Lanka will bring in new laws next year to set up a new Reconstruction and Development Authority to speed up rebuilding efforts in tsunami-hit areas, officials said.Sri Lanka will bring in new laws next year to set up a new Reconstruction and Development Authority to speed up rebuilding efforts in tsunami-hit areas, officials said. […]
Left Turn
Sri Lanka will start a march towards big government under a new left leaning president soon.Sri Lanka will start a march towards big government under a new left leaning president soon. More state jobs and higher investment to undercapitalised business ventures will add to fiscal pressure. Similar circumstances forced the government to print money last […]
Plantation workers are the poorest segment, despite steady flow of tea dollars
Plantation workers are the poorest segment in the country despite tea being an export crop and heavy private sector involvement in its trade. Government divested ownership in plantation companies in the early 1990’s which led to productivity gains and some improvement in living conditions of workers. But incidence of poverty in estates increased during the […]