SL capital markets showcased to intl. fund managers

Sri Lanka’s capital markets open for business: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Director General Malik Cader, SEC Capital Market Development Director Vajira Wijegunawardene, LSE Global Development Director Tony Weerasinghe, Senior Minister of International Cooperation Dr. Sarath Amunugama and SEC Chairperson Indrani Sugathadasa applaud at the event in London organised by the London Stock Exchange – Pic by Nimal Navaratne

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I have fallen in love with Sri Lanka – Kotler

World’s marketing guru Dr. Philip Kotler last night confessed that he has fallen in love with Sri Lanka, a remark which is likely to be a big boost for the post-war prospects for the country’s tourism industry.
“I have fallen in love with Sri Lanka already,” Kotler declared on stage at the beginning of a talk before a packed Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM)-organised CEOs Forum at the Water’s Edge.

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Govt. in business suits?

Marketing Guru Philip Kotler is all for Government adopting a business strategy

By Cheranka Mendis
Why should a government adopt marketing strategies and does a government even need to outfit itself in business suits? The answer is yes, says world’s marketing guru Professor Philip Kotler.
Governments, contrary to what many may think, should behave more like a business – maybe not a profit making one, but one that is customer driven and citizen centric, he asserted.

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Sri Lanka, Japan talk of FTA

Prospect for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Sri Lanka and Japan has come under discussion at bilateral level.

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Sticks storm streets

A large group of politically backed people armed with rods converged near a VIP politico's office in Town Hall allegedly to scare away protestors, separately backed by JVP, at Lipton Circus agitating against the proposed private pension scheme. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi           

Softlogic says Rs. 4b IPO an opportunity not to be missed

Positioning itself as a platinum conglomerate with a value story Softlogic Holdings Ltd., yesterday described its Rs. 4 billion IPO now open for subscription as an opportunity not to be missed.
“Ours is a value story. As we have proven and delivered in a short span, we are determined to a continuous process of further strategic value creation,” Softlogic Chairman and Managing Director Ashok Pathirage yesterday told a packed launch of the Company’s IPO, the biggest in six years.

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How much is this?

Is Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa testing the mathematical skill of former LTTE big wig-turned Eastern Province Chief Minister TMVP leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan?

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Pension mayhem

Katunayake Free Trade Zone closed today; Several thousand free trade zone workers aided by JVP clash with police over proposed Private Sector Pension Bill ; Nine police officers and around 40 workers injured; Live bullets and tear gas used; Govt. says garment workers exempt from Bill; Trade unions vow to continue until it’s withdrawn

Following protests by Trade Unions and a clash between the Katunayake Free Trade Zone (KFTZ) workers and the police, the SLFP Central Committee last evening decided to temporarily suspend the Private Sector Pension scheme.

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Holding firm for cruising speed

With boom in tourist arrivals in peaceful post-war Sri Lanka the unique Pigeon Island marine national park in Trincomalee was opened for foreign and domestic tourists over the weekend.  Visitors can see rare coral reefs, as well as the characteristic species of Sri Lankan birds and, many varieties of migrating birds visiting this historical island. Pigeon Island National Park, one of the two marine national parks in Sri Lanka is a tourist hot spot. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, ……….

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Mahinda might!