“Whereas in furtherance of the development policies being promoted by the Government in the backdrop of a globally integrated environment, it is deemed expedient and necessary to ensure the prudent use of land which is a limited resource, in a manner that preserves the national interest” This is the opening section of the new Land (Restrictions on […]
Author’s note: This article originally appears in the Daily Mirror (Business section) of 29th April 2015. Subsequent to this article appearing, the National Chamber of Commerce took an unusual decision to remove me as the moderator for today’s forum on ‘CEPA and It’s Implications for the Sri Lankan Economy’. The reason, I was told, was […]
It is truly mind boggling how much of a big deal today’s Floyd Mayweather Manny Pacquiao fight was, globally. And it wasn’t just for its great boxing entertainment, but because of the money involved. The two boxers earned between US$ 10 and US$ 15 million per round this morning. Why is this match so expensive? […]
It’s extremely encouraging and exciting that thanks to technology, viral videos, and social media ‘clicktivism’, the American ALS Association has been able to collect US$ 13.3 million in donations since July 29, from 260,000 new donors. This will surely help the 30,000+ Americans who have ALS, and boost the chances of a long-term cure. The […]
This is the 13th article in the ‘Smart Future’ series, appearing originally in print in the Daily Mirror Business of 27th May 2015. Last week, Sri Lanka marked the six-year anniversary since the end of the armed conflict in May 2009. In the aftermath of the war, there was an impressive reconstruction and public infrastructure […]
The Pathfinder Foundation held an interesting discussion last Friday (27th) on Sri Lanka’s ‘Government Enterprises’ as they called it, and what needs to be done about them. I chaired the session, and delivered some concluding remarks. Let me recap some of those views here. ‘Government’ enterprises are called different things at different times – State-owned […] ...
The Sunday Leader of 18th January 2015 has published a startling revelation on the extent to which Air Force flights paid for by public money has been abused by the first family and associates, during the height of the Presidential Elections season. According to the news report, these flights have cost a staggering Rs 30.485 million. […]
Sri Lanka has the potential to be India’s strongest economic partner in this region, asserted visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a special speech to a packed audience comprising of the Indian and Sri Lankan private sector in Colombo on Friday. He opened by remarking that “no matter how far back our relationship dates, […]
This is the 4th article in the ‘Smart Future’ column originally published in the Daily Mirror Business on Wednesdays. Sri Lanka has struggled with engaging its diaspora. The protracted conflict polarized diaspora communities abroad and created negative perceptions at home. Yet, a conference held last week attempted to reverse this. Titled ‘Our Sri Lanka: Engaging Persons of […]
Today (11th Feb), I’ve launched a new column titled ‘Smart Future’ in the Daily Mirror Business section, which will come out every Wednesday. The column will be short opinion pieces, on contemporary economic issues. My aim is to widen the debate to reach a larger readership, and advance ideas on economic reforms, innovation, and private […]
Just read about a fantastic programme of The White House called ‘Presidential Innovation Fellows’ which brings together folks from the technology entrepreneurship and ‘start-up’ community to address national issues and improving people’s interaction with government. Although I just stumbled upon it, it seems to be running for the 3rd consecutive year. As noted in this article about the Fellowship programme, ...
Soon after the ICC World Twenty20 last year I wrote this post about the economics of cricket, particularly major sporting events. The CHOGM 2013, one of the biggest and most high-profile events Sri Lanka has held since the Non-Alligned Movement Summit in 1976, made me think once again along similar lines – the economics of major international summits could be ...
In my latest podcast, I talk about tea and hoppers; two of my favourite food items, and indeed of most Sri Lankans. But the government now dictates how much shops can charge me for these – and its a pretty fantastic, lower price than ever before – milk tea at Rs 25, plain tea at Rs. […]
At the time of writing, “frankenstorm” Sandy is about to hit the North East coast of the USA with storm surges and gale force winds already hitting the cities of New York, Philly, DC, etc. Meanwhile, mini-cyclonic conditions are also hitting the North and East coast of Sri Lanka, with heavy rains and winds lashing Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trinco, and ...
Driving through the Nepali capital Kathmandu is an open exhibit of what happens when there is a failure of governance. Endless stretches of city roads broken up for repair but stalled for years, kids stepping over overflowing sewers as they walk back home from school, canals brimming with waste winding through residential neighbourhoods, vans and […]
In recent years, much of our foreign policy has been preoccupied with managing international relations related to the end of the war, human rights and governance issues. But as a country seeking to be a serious regional economic player, attracting foreign investment, and boosting prosperity for its citizens, it was high time we reoriented this. Our […]
I arrived 3 hours early at the finals of the ICC World Twenty20 to avoid the rush and grab decent seats. Although the Women’s Final was going on (and it was suitably interesting), my mind had time to wander, and I began thinking how great it must be to work for the ICC, FIA, FIFA or a mega sports body like it ...
Invitation to a military parade taking place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 18th May 2013 marking the fourth anniversary since the defeat of the LTTE by the country’s security forces “This development is not ours, they just come in and do as they please, and we stand by and watch”. “What are they complaining about so much? We won the ...
Today marks the first ever International Day of the Girl, being celebrated the world over as well as here in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has made impressive achievements, over its peers in the developing world, in ensuring greater gender equity in development. With a track record of strong social sector investments, Sri Lanka’s performance on the Gender Inequality Index (GII) of ...
