Category: Other
PM MR sworn in as Minister of Community Empowerment, Estate Infrastructure Development
Jun 01, 2020 (LBO) – Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the new Cabinet Minister of Community Empowerment and Estate Infrastructure Development before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat, today (01). With the demise of Minister Arumugam Thondaman, the ministerial portfolio fell vacant. Secretary to the President, P.B. Jayasundera was also present […]
Reducing health costs and increasing Government revenue beyond COVID-19: Raising cigarette taxes
Harini Weerasekera and Chamini Thilanka The susceptibility of smokers to contract COVID-19 has been recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other medical authorities. In Sri Lanka, concerned parties have called for a temporary ban of cigarette sales as a measure to contain the spread of the virus – a commendable move. However, beyond […]
World Vision launches USD2.3mn COVID-19 Response Phase II
World Vision Lanka has launched its second phase of the COVID-19 Emergency Response that amounts to USD 2.3 million. The second phase will focus on food security and livelihood, health and hygiene, and child protection and education of the most vulnerable families in 16 districts. “COVID-19, we fear, will have a huge impact on the […]
CA Sri Lanka signs MoU with People’s Bank for COVID-19 loan scheme for members
May 27, 2020 (LBO) – The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with People’s Bank this week to facilitate members of the Institute to obtain a special loan of up to Rs. 20 million. The loan scheme is available for members who have been […]
Seylan Bank records Rs.902Mn profit-after-tax in Q1
Seylan Bank recorded a Profit after Tax of Rs. 902 Million in Q1 despite challenging market conditions. Net interest income increased by 7.28% during the 1Q 2020 while net fee and commission income from core banking activities witnessed an increase of 2% to reach Rs. 986 Million in 1Q 2020 as compared to Rs. 966 […]
Seychelles HC clarifies on the arrival of 35 Seychelles nationals to Sri Lanka
STATEMENT from SEYCHELLES HIGH COMMISSION On behalf of the Government of Seychelles, we wish to place on record our gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health, for enabling the visit of a group of 35 citizens of Seychelles, 24 of whom require urgent medical care, of […]
Opinion: Building a resilient food system in Sri Lanka in an age of pandemic
Manoj Thibbotuwawa COVID-19 is dealing an unprecedented blow to economies around the globe and the health risk is only the tip of the iceberg. Among the many impending crises resulting from the pandemic, rising food insecurity due to lockdown measures is one of the most critical. The 2020 Global Report on Food Crises highlights that […]
John Keells Holdings net profit down by 34-pct
May 21, 2020 (LBO) – The profit after tax attributable to equity holders of the parent for the financial year ended 31 March 2020 has been decreased by 34 percent to Rs.9.41 billion, annual report of the diversified conglomerate John Keells Holdings showed. Profit, however, has been adjusted for two one-off impacts thus recurring adjustments […]
COVID-19: Human development on course to decline this year for first time since 1990
May 21, 2020 (LBO) – Global human development – which can be measured as a combination of the world’s education, health and living standards – could decline this year for the first time since the concept was introduced in 1990, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said recently. “The world has seen many crises over […]
Ad agency’s utilise modern business model geared for ‘Work From Home’ to share cost-benefit with clients
News Publisher and Quire Sri Lanka, Business models geared towards managing agile working staff better equipped to manage COVID-19 lockdown For most Sri Lankans, since March 2020 the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a large-scale effort to promote “work-from-home” (WFH) along with the categorization of “essential workers”. Leaving several industries, including […]
Over 38,000 Sri Lankans in 143 countries seek to return home
May 18, 2020 (LBO) – Over 38,983 Overseas Sri Lankans (OSLs) in 143 countries at present seek to return home, based on information gathered mainly through the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ Web Portal of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. This comprises 3,078 students, 4,040 short term visa holders, 27,854 Migrant workers, 3527 dependents and 484 duel […]
Local epidemiology should guide focused action in ‘new normal’ COVID-19 world: WHO
May 15, 2020 (LBO) – Amid rising cases of COVID-19 and as countries in WHO South-East Asia Region ease lockdowns in a graded manner, WHO today said careful assessment of local epidemiology should guide future actions to combat the virus. “Countries in the Region must continue to take evidence-informed action and conduct careful risk assessments […]