Rohantha AthukoralaCan SL drive for inclusive growth?
The Davos Economic Summit intrigues me every year not because of the eminent personalities that attend it, but more for the ground breaking reflections that are made.
My pick from this year’s summit were the argument that if the black money in circulation can be attracted to India, it can amount to more than the annual FDIs of the last five years and the importance of a government in power instilling inclusive growth in a country.
Ceramics industry in a catch-22?
Last week when the Sri Lanka Ceramics Council invited me to be a speaker at the Ceramics Symposium 2011, I never envisaged that this task would be so challenging. The reason being that the industry players who are reliant on the global market are not only having issues on the demand side of the business, with the GSP+ for example, but also from the supply chain end which is intermingled to the political economy at play.
Sri Lanka best for wildlife in Asia?
Wildlife tourism worth 12 million trips a year
I would do anything to watch an elephant cross the road, be it near the ‘devala’ in Habarana, on route to the Patanangala bungalow in Yala or in the thekkawatte at Udawalawe Game Park. I guess this trait goes back to times when I used to accompany my parents to watch game in Yala when I was schooling.
IPL 2011 kicks off with $ 42 million
At a recent CEO forum that I attended, the President of Four Seasons hotel commented that the real test of success is when a business continues to perform once a leader has left the organisation. Given that I am a fan of IPL more from a brand marketing perspective than it being cricket, my mind reflected on the IPL brand architect Lalith Modi’s leadership.
Soccer can teach Lankan economy many lessons
The first week of 2011 was charged up for Sri Lanka. The stock market surge. A local company being able to attract a top business professional who worked for a global multinational in Sri Lanka. A local lubricant company tying up with an Indian giant conglomerate Bharat Petroleum. The launch of the IPO by a local tea manufacturer who intends to enter the global beverage business by acquiring a global brand – another first for our island nation. All this indicates the optimism that we are to see this year.
Is Sri Lanka ready for a high growth agenda?
Driving back after Midnight Mass, I could not believe my eyes and ears, given the fire crackers on the streets of Colombo on New Year’s Eve.
I guess 2010 was a year where people got the freedom to do what their hearts desired rather than what their rational mind echoed. Some ventured into new businesses and went on to make supernatural profits.
2010 – The year Sri Lanka captured world attention
My karate sensei who has been trained in the famous Shaolin Temple mentors us once a week and the theme last time was ‘Talent is not Enough’. The underlining ethos was that if one is brought up in a competitive sporting landscape, then when life throws that usual wicked blow, all that is required is to pick the pieces and start and go after the challenge once again with more passion and drive.
Sri Lanka must not be blind to global realities
The other day I was sharing with a close friend on how a group of us used to teach English at the Blind School in Ratmalana and how a kid one day asked: “If God has created us equal, why are we blind?” to which I did not know the answer.
Private sector must invest in intangible asset building
Last week I had an invite to address a Rotary Club that consists of a fair cross section of the private sector and I thought of highlighting the importance of investing in intangible assets in a company, given that the private sector has to date made a profit in excess of 250% in the last financial year.
Sri Lanka: An F&B transitional hub?
Last week Sri Lanka saw the launch of the ‘Pro Foods/Pro Pack 2011 International Exhibition’ organised by the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association in partnership with the Ministry of Industry.
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