Scary, threat or progress?
Chinese robotics researchers have created humanoid robots which can move their arms, make different facial expressions, and respond to human conversation. (pix courtesy – https://newatlas.com/robotics/chinese-humanoid-robots-realistic)
Sri Lanka to abolish entertainment tax across the board
Sri Lanka’s film production, distribution and screening at cinema halls will be given an official recognition as an industry by overhauling and modernising the outdated national film corporation, Finance Ministry sources divulged. It has been revealed that cabinet approval is essential, and will be sought, to abolish the entertainment levy imposed in accordance with archaic [...]
Sri Lanka‘s external debt volume increases in rupee fluctuations
Sri Lanka’s present foreign currency-denominated debt volume has increased as a result of rupee fluctuations despite the suspension of all external debt repayments, Finance Ministry sources spelled out. According to the ministry’s quarterly debt report 2024, Sri Lanka’s government debt has increased by US$ 4 billion to $100 billion as at end March 2024 from [...]
IMF tranche validates current reforms
With time running out to close the deal with international sovereign bondholders (ISBs), on debt restructuring, economists say Sri Lanka may agree to whatever is presented to them by the creditors. If a suggested haircut is low, they said those who bought the ISBs at a deep discount stand to gain huge capital gains. “It [...]
No one has money to pay workers for a cuppa
Wages in Sri Lanka has become a simmering topic as the country goes to the polls later this year and the estate sector is no different with the government insisting on a 70 per cent wage hike that even the state run plantations can ill afford to pay and are found draining the public coffers [...]
Tax evasion to be made a predicate offence under ML
Tax evasion will be a predicate offence under the money laundering offences going forward, a top official said. They said that discussions about this are already ongoing with the top authorities such as the Financial Action Task Force, the global standard-setting authority and the Ministry of Finance. Now, law enforcement agencies do not have the [...]
Missing the bus once again!
Coming down the lane was Aldoris, the choon paan karaya, in his mobile tuk-tuk bakery, with the popular Desmond De Silva hit, ‘Sumihiri Pane’ blaring from the loud speakers. As he stopped at the gate where the trio had gathered, he handed over ‘kimbula bunis’ and Chinese rolls and tried to engage the trio in [...]
Flowers from China
In my neighbourhood in Colombo, there was an artificial floral shop. It specialised in selling artificial flowers, plants, foliage, greeneries, trees and similar decorative items made of plastic or polyester materials. Amazingly, they all looked so real to anyone that it was hard to distinguish them from their natural equals. It’s not a surprise that [...]
Trust in tax-related institutions low among the public in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s first ‘Taxpayer Perception Survey’ conducted by the UNDP in Sri Lanka and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce reveals that trust in tax-related institutions is low in general. As the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) are widely considered to be responsible for formulating tax policy, citizens’ trust is highest [...]
Unilever Sri Lanka’s new Solar Power Project at Horana Factory
Unilever Sri Lanka recently unveiled a new 2.33 MW solar power project at its Horana factory, partnering with Abans Electricals PLC for project execution. This significant step forward in Unilever’s commitment to sustainability and renewable energy represents a total investment of 1.3 million Euros. The project aligns with Unilever’s Global Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP) [...]
Cinnamon Bey Beruwala installs Ocean Strainer in the Kalutara district
Cinnamon Bey Beruwala has announced the launch of a significant environmental initiative as part of the Clean Water Project by John Keells Holdings (JKH). Coinciding with the World Environment Day and World Ocean Day celebrations, the first ever ocean strainer was installed in the Beruwala canal, marking a pivotal step towards improving water quality and [...]
Nyne Hotels recognised with National Sustainable Tourism Certification
Nyne Hotels has been recognised by the National Sustainable Tourism Certification Scheme (NSTCS) for its outstanding sustainability initiatives. This prestigious certification, awarded by the NSTCS in collaboration with the UNDP and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Tourism, acknowledges Nyne Hotels’ commitment to promoting sustainable practices within the tourism industry, the company said in a media [...]
Evolza appoints Thareendra D. Kalpage as Non-Executive Chairman
Evolza, a trailblazing company behind the CGASS AI Platform, a top-tier AI-powered enterprise software generation platform, has announced Thareendra D. Kalpage as the new Non-Executive Chairman of its Board of Directors. Mr. Kalpage brings extensive experience and a proven track record in the technology sector. With decades of leadership, he has consistently driven organisations toward [...]
Ethics and standards called for in SL’s advertising and marketing
Sri Lanka needs to put together a cohesive and comprehensive set of regulations and standards when it comes to advertising, marketing and communications and this should be done in consultation with various stakeholders in the industry, says Thanzyl Thajudeen, the country representative of the Public Relations & Communications Association (PRCA), the world’s largest and influential [...]
Mc Currie expands reach with two more showrooms
Lanka Spices Pvt Ltd recently inaugurated its 6th and 7th Mc Currie Showrooms in Nawala, Colombo, and Katugastota, Kandy. Operated under Mc Currie Franchise Pvt Ltd, these new additions exemplify the brand’s commitment to enhancing accessibility and serving diverse customer segments across the country, the company said in a media release. The newly opened showrooms, [...]
Asia Logistics Forum 2024 discusses future of logistics
The Asia Logistics Forum (ALF) 2024 takes place on June 27 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka. ALF is supported by Gensoft as the Gold sponsor, Hayleys Advantis and Iconiq Capital as the Silver sponsors and Wijeya Newspapers as the Exclusive Print Partner. This marquee event, organised by Iconiq Events in collaboration [...]
Dialog Enterprise hosts Enterprise Day 2024
Dialog Enterprise, the corporate ICT solutions arm of Dialog Axiata PLC, recently hosted Enterprise Day 2024, an interactive product and solutions experience session for the industry’s leading executives and entrepreneurs. Held under the theme of ‘Growth, Digitisation & Efficiency’ at the Dialog Head Office, the event was a one-stop experience for enterprise clientele to engage [...]
International Gem and jewellery exhibition in Ratnapura for the first time
While Ratnapura is well-known for gem mining in Sri Lanka and for the precious blue and padparadscha sapphires, the International Gem and Jewellery exhibition 2024 will be held in the city for the first time. The National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) has taken the initiative to hold the exhibition from June 29 to July [...]
IMF respects democratic process during elections
The International Monetary Fund says sustaining the reform momentum is critical to safeguarding the hard-earned gain upto now, at a time where Sri Lanka is facing considerable uncertainties associated with the upcoming presidential elections and ongoing debt restructuring. The IMF executive board completed the 2024 Article IV Consultation and Second Review under the 48-month Extended [...]
Willingness to pay taxes only if used positively
While Sri Lanka’s tax revenue is far behind the ambitious targets stipulated by the International Monetary Fund for the year 2024, Sri Lanka’s first taxpayer perception study points out that people are willing to pay taxes only as long as they value what they gain from it. This underscores the importance of addressing perceptions, structural [...]
Sri Lanka railways on a transformational journey with modern facilities
Sri Lanka railways is to embark on a transformational journey of modernisation, upgrading stations and enhancing services with public private partnerships amidst current financial constraints, Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana said. The 159 year-old railway department has to be revitalised in accordance with modern needs overcoming financial difficulties operational losses and a lack of investments to [...]
Global spike in freight rates; Sri Lanka yet to witness major challenges
Ocean freight container shipping spot rates are expected to reach the levels that were seen during the COVID-19 crisis when the latest round of increases in the market become effective by mid-June, especially from Far-East China to USA and Europe trade lanes and later to the Indian Subcontinent, according to a logistics expert. Nilud Fernando, [...]
Bogawantalawa Tea sets global benchmarks in sustainable plantations
Amid the rolling green hills of Sri Lanka’s “Golden Valley of Tea” in the island’s central highlands, a revolution in sustainability is brewing at the heart of Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC (BTE). As the world marked Environment Day 2024, BTE stands at the forefront of a global mission to drive meaningful action on environmental sustainability, [...]
Sri Lanka Coffee Festival returns for an exciting round three
The Lanka Coffee Association (LCA), in partnership with Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) and Jetwing Hotels, successfully hosted the third-annual Sri Lanka Coffee Festival on June 6 at Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle. The finals of the LCA Barista Championship were held alongside the festival activities. Sri Lanka’s first-ever study on the impact of climate change on [...]
DIMO Healthcare equips Lanka Hospitals
DIMO Healthcare, the healthcare arm of DIMO and the exclusive partner for Siemens Healthineers in Sri Lanka, has further elevated the technological prowess of Lanka Hospitals, a premier private hospital in the country through installing state-of-the-art Siemens Healthineers Symbia Evo Excel Gamma camera taking early diagnosis to new heights. The Siemens Healthineers Symbia Evo Excel [...]
Siddhalepa enters Gulf with Sri Lankan herbal remedies
The first ever promotion of Sri Lankan Indigenous medical system, `Hela Wedakama-Ayurveda` was launched in the United Arab Emirates by leading Sri Lankan traditional Ayurveda company, Siddhalepa Ayurveda at Novotel Hotel, World Trade Centre, Dubai at the Arab Travel Mart 2024. The launch was initiated by Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort as the kick-off session of [...]