An inspiring journey

THE Daily FT is celebrating its third anniversary today. The journey for Sri Lanka’s first and only national business newspaper so far has been very challenging, yet equally inspiring too.

Launching a few months after the near 30-year war on terror ended, the entry of the Daily FT to some was ahead of the need curve. Initial doubts whether a standalone business paper would work were understandable given the trying times for the media industry in particular and the country in general.

Nevertheless, the end of the debilitating armed conflict did usher in a new hope for Sri Lanka, along with expectations of unprecedented opportunities to boost socioeconomic prosperity in a land of peace and stability.

Inspired by the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of the management of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd., the Daily FT was launched with the future in mind. Sri Lanka, being a strategically-located island in the Indian Ocean, has a rich history of trade and commerce as well as entrepreneurship. If not for the conflict, the country would have seen the debut of a national business daily much earlier because Sri Lanka liberalised its economy and embraced a private sector-led development thrust in 1977.

The fact that Sri Lanka has one of the highest literacy rates is well known, but in comparison to its Asian peers, the country was lagging in terms of financial literacy. In the post-war Sri Lanka and in an era of desired rapid socioeconomic development, the people and new businesses would seek as well as stand to benefit from higher financial literacy and coverage of relevant issues, respectively.

We believe going forward with improving per capita and disposable income in Sri Lanka, an average person will talk or focus more on economics, businesses, brands, technology, innovation, management, marketing, stock market, interest rates, etc. Three years ago we started to serve this future need.   

Positioning as the ideal paper for the new post-war Sri Lanka and the economy in particular, the Daily FT has endeavoured to add value to its direct stakeholders – the readers. In essence the unique value proposition was ‘Be empowered’.

Admitting journalists are not experts at everything, the Daily FT reached out to professionals and created a new breed of regular and guest columnists to share their expertise and insights. These columns, as well as extensive coverage of key economic sectors and timely issues, have made the Daily FT a must-read today for not only businesses, but a wider segment of society. The Daily FT Forums, especially several firsts in the media industry such as pre-Budget and post-Budget, and others done in partnership with professional institutions, have made the Daily FT stand out and go beyond the traditional role of newspapers.

Three years on, the Daily FT is still evolving and the success so far has been inspired by valuable feedback from our readers.

On a host of critical issues, the  Daily FT has taken a firm stand, drawing both bouquets and brickbats. This is whilst providing a platform for different and alternate views from our readers. Believing in offering choice to readers, the Daily FT has been objective, irrespective of those with vested interests unnecessarily aligning us with one group or another, both in politics and business. This has only further strengthened our resolve to remain professional. Three years on, the Daily FT hasn’t shrunk – instead it has embraced more readers, given its growing relevance and influence to highlight issues and shape policy.

As a progressive paper in a country that is yet to get its act together, the Daily FT is conscious of its responsibilities and growing expectations. We will endeavour to fulfil them, while pursuing continuous improvement and best practices, seeking greater excellence, and empowering the people, economy, and the country, in the firm belief and resolve that a peaceful and resilient Sri Lanka can succeed.