OPINION100 years after the Titanic disaster
REUTERS: As the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic nears next month the public’s interest in the tragedy has not diminished.
On 10 April 1912, the Titanic set sail on its maiden voyage, traveling from Southampton, England, to New York. It was nicknamed the “Millionaire’s Special”.
Titanic tragedy still fascinates 100 years later
Reuters: Shipwrecks and maritime disasters have always captivated the public imagination and none more so than the luxury liner RMS Titanic, which sank on her maiden voyage one hundred years ago this year.
Deadly asbestos not banned in Asia yet
BANGKOK (IRIN): Even though public health experts recognise how deadly asbestos can be, its use is on the rise in the construction industry throughout Asia, according to the US Geological Survey.
Sri Lanka unfazed by UN Rights Resolution
By Amantha Perera
IPS: As the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) voted in, Thursday, a resolution asking Colombo to act on recommendations made by its own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), Buddhist prayers reverberated through the Sri Lankan capital.
US move: “Misconceived, unwarranted and ill-timed” – Minister Samarasinghe
Madam President, thank you for this opportunity, as the country concerned, to outline our position in respect of the draft resolution before the Council.
Many in this Council would agree that Sri Lanka has been a role model of, consistently and unambiguously, engaging with everyone in the Council; not just on this occasion but over the years. This engagement has been voluntary and was not restricted to a period in the aftermath of the conflict, but occurred even during the height of the long-drawn-out armed conflict, against one of the worst manifestations of terrorism.
Impact of media on world opinion
During his recent visit to Sri Lanka, MTI’s Bahrain-based CEO Hilmy Cader, as part of MTI’s ‘Think Tank’ initiative, shared their learnings on the impact of media on world opinion and what governments around the world can learn from businesses.
Big positive shift in Asia Q1 Business Sentiment Index
Reuters: Business sentiment among Asia’s top companies improved dramatically in the first quarter following three straight quarterly declines, buoyed by signs of recovery in the United States and some steadying of Europe’s debt crisis.
But concerns persist over rising costs and the state of the global economy.
Productivity or protection?
By Joshua Nicholas
Should Sri Lankan labour laws focus on productivity or protection? This was the question addressed by a prestigious panel at the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) last week.
The discussion, moderated by Postgraduate Institute of Management Senior Consultant, Dr. Wickreme Weerasooria, included a keynote address by Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka Suresh Chandra.
Thought prisoners
A conventional prisoner is one who is confined to a limited physical space.
In today’s highly-automated, process-driven and activity-addicted business world, many ‘knowledge workers’ have become ‘thought prisoners’. They spend very little time on fundamental thinking and challenging conventional wisdom (at least in one’s own mind) and consequently resort to ‘play safe behaviour’. This stunts their ability to think strategically and outside the box. Time to break free, at least in one’s own mind!
Turning point in the currency war
Reuters: A counteroffensive of sorts may be underway this year in what has seemed like a one-sided “global currency war” as developing economies slow, western money-printing pauses and the heat comes out of pumped-up emerging market currencies.
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