Empowerment

FOR two years, the Daily FT team has worked to empower the people through dispensing knowledge of the emerging economy of Sri Lanka.

Our belief is simple but pervasive. Since the end of a brutal three-decade conflict in 2009, Sri Lankans have been steadfast in their single-minded ambition to create a developed and unified nation. For this, the people need information – knowledge is the new language of power. Those who know how the private sector is growing, what policy decisions are taken by the Central Bank or  projects implemented by the Government, are on the cutting edge of taking these developments still further and providing a catalyst for growth.

Daily FT broke the narrow mould of business reporting in this country in several ways. One was to anticipate the need of economic knowledge and seek through its pages to make the populace more economically literate. Daily FT came to the market before people were even aware of the need for an exclusive business newspaper, but not only has that need been proven, it has also been fulfilled.

Secondly, Daily FT has not limited itself to the traditional modes of financial reporting. This newspaper has taken a holistic view of its journalism and understood the need for all dimensions of society to mirror the changing landscape of the economy. Child soldiers, war widows, differently-abled people, gypsies, HIV/AIDS victims – in short all vulnerable groups of society were also highlighted as essential components in the march towards development. No one should be left behind and the Daily FT has proactively raised awareness and found solutions by engaging with the business community as well as politicians.

Top conferences and meetings both here and at a range of locations abroad were brought to the readers hands with insightful and on-the-spot reporting. Daily FT played the unique role of linking communities, businesses, challenges and politics together to make a cohesive whole for the greater empowerment of our readers.

As a country facing a myriad of development challenges, it is clear that ‘business as usual’ will not be enough. Daily FT has fuelled a ‘can-do’ attitude with its value proposition as the newspaper for the new economy.  Likewise, the broader private sector and the Government and country collectively need to be proactive and take risks with conviction of the future potential of Sri Lanka and the dynamism of its people. Going forward in the same manner as for the country, the future is ours to make it and the Daily FT will remain committed to empowering people with the required economic and financial literacy to be a socioeconomically strong global citizen.

In the world of business, knowledge is power. Daily FT has during its two years endeavoured to provide clear and unbiased facts at a time when the right to information is not always promoted. Utmost efforts have always been made to give impartial, balanced and multidimensional views of issues and discuss with all stakeholders in an open and mutually-positive manner. The newspaper has consistently stood for the liberal economic rights of the individual and is respectful of the inclusive as well as sustainable nature of true development.

Inspired by reader feedback and backed by an able and dedicated team, including astute columnists, judicious reporters, accurate sub editors, perceptive photographers and a creative layout team, the Daily FT grows from strength to strength in its goal to disseminate relevant, accurate, factual and balanced views.

On its second anniversary, Daily FT renews its pledge to remain objective, professional, seek continuous improvements and passionately add value to all our readers and the country to empower the nation to succeed in the new economy and society of post-war Sri Lanka.