With several free trade agreements (FTAs) in place, Sri Lanka is exploring options for new trade deals and seeking to upgrade at least one existing one. It is also working together with international groupings and is seeking to regain preferential status with the EU. In part, this trend is the result of the change in government and the return to more balanced relationships, while it is also simply…
The election of President Maithripala Sirisena in January 2015 signified an historic shift in Sri Lanka’s trajectory. With the former administration having often been accused of nepotism and political appointments to key roles, the team of the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has signalled a move towards liberalisation, transparency and more merit-based leadership. Challenges remain in making…
An ideal entrepôt and with productive agricultural lands, Sri Lanka has nonetheless experienced persistent trade deficits that have had a significant impact on the currency and the economy. A number of options have been suggested in recent years. One solution is to retain additional value in-country by encouraging more domestic value-adding activities and processing. The government wants Sri Lanka…
With several free trade agreements (FTAs) in place, Sri Lanka is exploring options for new trade deals and seeking to upgrade at least one existing one. It is also working together with international groupings and is seeking to regain preferential status with the EU. In part, this trend is the result of the change in government and the return to more balanced relationships, while it is also simply…
The election of President Maithripala Sirisena in January 2015 signified an historic shift in Sri Lanka’s trajectory. With the former administration having often been accused of nepotism and political appointments to key roles, the team of the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has signalled a move towards liberalisation, transparency and more merit-based leadership. Challenges remain in making…
An ideal entrepôt and with productive agricultural lands, Sri Lanka has nonetheless experienced persistent trade deficits that have had a significant impact on the currency and the economy. A number of options have been suggested in recent years. One solution is to retain additional value in-country by encouraging more domestic value-adding activities and processing. The government wants Sri Lanka…
Sri Lanka is well situated for trade and an attractive target for international investment. Lying on major shipping and air routes, it is close to the markets of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Moreover, the country has a literate workforce, good infrastructure, healthy population and relatively low wages. Since the 2009 cessation of a long-running civil war, Sri Lanka has become one of the region’s…
Sri Lanka is well situated for trade and an attractive target for international investment. Lying on major shipping and air routes, it is close to the markets of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Moreover, the country has a literate workforce, good infrastructure, healthy population and relatively low wages. Since the 2009 cessation of a long-running civil war, Sri Lanka has become one of the region’s…
Interview:Upul Jayasuriya What are the key constraints Sri Lanka faces in attracting foreign direct investments (FDI)? UPUL JAYASURIYA: Overall Sri Lanka is in an advantageous position to attract FDI. Doing business here is much easier than in any other country in South Asia. Our labour force is skilled, efficient and friendly. Infrastructural facilities have been improving year after year.…
Interview:Ugo Astuto How would you rate Sri Lanka’s progress on human rights following its decades-long civil war? UGO ASTUTO: The progress has been remarkable. Sri Lanka co-sponsored a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council in September 2015. This is only the starting point for what needs to be a sustained path of reconciliation. There must be concerted action to address the root causes…
