Category: Other
Warm Cup
Despite torrential rains and heavy flooding on some estates, tea crop intakes in April have reached record levels at 29.38 mn kilos. This is 7.8 percent up on last years record figure of 27.27 mn kilos, Asia Siyaka Tea brokers say. All three elevations e improved on last years levels, most significantly the Low Grown […]
One Taste
Ceylon tea just got better. An industry long built on a tradition of quality, will have its official stamp of approval, when quality standards for made tea are rolled out at factory level. Led by the Tea Association (TASL), a gold, silver and bronze standard have been laid out, that will revamp factories and certify […]
Disclosure
The Central Bank has adopted International Accounting Standards in a bid to improve transparency and governance in the institution. The move is part of a larger donor funded plan to modernize Central Bank operations. rnrnThe Central Bank, which holds and manages the countrys official reserves, has been preparing its Annual Accounts to meet requirements of […]
Road To Development
A case in point, Baseline road, is probably Colombos only super highway. But it took a while for the road to get to where it is today. And there is still more to go.rn rnThe delays were due to problems ranging from land acquisitions to contractor delays. Delays in large infrastructure projects like the baseline […]
Pirates Ahoy
Parliament is expected to push through the long over due Intellectual Property Act by mid June.Parliament gave the Act a preliminary hearing on May 22 with officials now expecting the Prime Ministers interest in the new legislation to accelerate the process.rn rnAn out of court dispute resolution mechanism is among the highlights in the new […]
Green Blues
Lawmakers are starting to take the mushrooming finance and investment companies seriously.A high-powered committee looking at financial sector reforms is now trying to widen the regulatory net to cover all companies collecting public funds. While most of these operate beyond the scope of regulators some are using loopholes in the law the to avoid regulation […]
Wider Definition
The countrys banking laws will be amended this year to regulate dozens of unlicensed deposit taking companies.Authorities are considering Amendments to the Banking Act with a fresh definition of what constitutes a lquote Deposit.rn rnExperts say the Amendments will prevent unregulated Limited Liability Companies from taking public deposits unless they come under the Banking Act.rn […]
Changing Gears
The brands owner Watawala Plantations Ltd., the biggest exporter of Ceylon Tea to Malaysia, has held detailed discussions with Sri Lankas High Commissioner designate to that country and former Mrs. World Rosy Senanayake on this initiative. Plans announced this week by Watawala include the setting up of Zesta shops modeled on the prototype at Colombos […]
Making Of A King
Consumer protection has been a concern of every administration but analysts say that Sri Lankan consumers are far from being kings. A new Act is trying to put the consumer on top, suing professionals and traders in the process.But analysts warn that over-regulation may put off the private sector and worse still, potential foreign investors.rn […]
Acting Against Pirates
A new Act to strengthen Property Rights covering all areas in Intellectual Property from patent rights to trade marks is coming into force this month. Hundreds of retail outlets selling pirated computer software and music could disappear overnight if the full force of the law is used.rn rnToday from adventures in cyberspace at the click […]
Gassed!
The Court of Appeal issued an interim order on Friday stating a Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) direction allowing all LP Gas traders to refill and sell LPG in any cylinder given to them.The court order was made following a writ filed by Shell Gas Lanka Limited (SGLL) against the Consumer Affairs Authority and two other […]
IDD Crunch
International call charges are expected to fall further, when a new system of short codes that will allow customers to access an external gateway of their choice comes operational.rn rnExperts say that the move also cements could help reestablish the island as a regional leader in telecom regulation. rn rnInternational call costs fell by over […]