Daily FT - April 30, 2025
Daily FT - April 30, 2025
Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Read Daily FT along with 9,000+ other magazines & newspapers with just one subscription View catalog
1 Month $14.99
1 Year$149.99 $74.99
$6/month
Subscribe only to Daily FT
1 Year $17.99
Buy this issue $0.99
In this issue
April 30, 2025
Emirates deepens strategic partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau
Airline and tourism authority to continue collaborating to enhance in-bound tourism EMIRATES and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) have renewed their partnership aimed at further developing the country's tourism and trade industries.
2 mins
Colombo Port welcomes largest container vessel MSC MARIELLA
MARKING a historic milestone for Sri Lanka's maritime industry, the ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) MSC MARIELLA, one of the largest container vessels in the world and the largest in the MSC fleet, made its maiden call at the Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT) of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) at the Port of Colombo (POC).
1 min
Cabinet approves overhaul of plantation sector laws to align with 2025 policy priorities
Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa says move will see introduction of new laws and amendment of existing Acts
1 min
SL opens international bidding to build 18 grid substations to buy 152 MW solar power
THE Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved allocating a solar generation capacity of 152 MW spread across 18 grid substations for development exclusively through international competitive bidding.
1 min
Govt. moves to restructure SOEs with new bill, special committee
TAKING a decisive step to overhaul the country's loss-making State-owned enterprises (SOEs), the Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday gave the green light to appoint a special committee and a landmark draft bill, aiming to restructure and professionalise Government-owned business enterprises long criticised for inefficiency and political meddling.
1 min
Govt. to conduct Economic Census in two stages
THE Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved conducting an Economic Census in two stages, covering the years 2025 and 2026.
1 min
IGT 1 on-boards at The Business Centre at Port City Colombo
■ Venture is a subsidiary of IGT Holdings 1 Sweden, and sister company of IFS Sri Lanka ■To contribute towards Sri Lanka's emergence as regional tech hub, as IGT 1 Lanka is projected to inject at least 1,000 direct employment opportunities
2 mins
SL opens international bidding to build 18 grid substations to buy 152 MW solar power
THE Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved allocating a solar generation capacity of 152 MW spread across 18 grid substations for development exclusively through international competitive bidding.
1 min
Sri Lanka-US trade talks still on: Cabinet Spokesman
■ Asserts an official joint statement will be issued once both parties reach an agreement ■Notes it is difficult to give a timeline on conclusion of negotiations ■ Special media briefing today by Economic Development Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and Finance Plan Implementation Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma on latest details
2 mins
Batalanda Commission report handed over to Attorney General
PRESIDENT’S Media Division yesterday announced that the “Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme” was handed over to the Attorney General by the Presidential Secretariat following a directive from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
1 min
TISL welcomes decline in election violations, urges President to uphold democratic values
TRANSPARENCY International Sri Lanka (TISL) observes a notable reduction in violations of election laws during the current Local Government election period, as indicated by reports and press releases issued by the Election Commission.
1 min
Govt. shoots down claim of private notice to President on Bribery Commission summons to Wickremesinghe
Cabinet pokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa states it was Wickremesinghe who publicly disclosed via social media that he was summoned by CIABOC Mays perhaps former President has forgotten his own public statement
1 min
Sri Lanka-Vietnam set stage for stronger ties ahead of President’s official visit next week
Cabinet approves four key policy decisions, paving way to ink strategic bilateral agreements to deepen cooperation across trade, industry, agriculture and diplomacy
2 mins
Baurs marks historic milestone in corporate Sri Lanka with 1000th board meeting
A. Baur & Co. Ltd, a leading and pioneering corporate with diversified business interests, held its 1000th board meeting on 10 April, a testament to its unwavering commitment to spurring innovation, building sustainability, and accelerating progress over the past 128 years.
3 mins
MSF hosts landmark climate health roundtable: Uniting South Asia in response to climate-driven health emergencies
MÉDECINS Sans Frontières (MSF)/Doctors without Borders convened a pivotal two-day roundtable, 'Dousing the Blaze: Setting Priorities for Integrated Action on Health Impacts of Climate Change', on 21 to 22 April, 2025, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
4 mins
Experts unpack how Al is rewriting journalism's future
At Sri Lanka's Media Festival 2025 hosted by SLIMFA, experts dissect Al's transformative impact on media India Today Chief Synergy Officer Shailesh Shekhar says digital platforms must be leveraged to eliminate excessive routine operations, directing focus towards content refinement and originality TV Derana Current Affairs Manager/ Journalist Kalindu Karunaratne notes inadequate technological integration within local journalism sector, calls for training and rules limiting exploitation of Al Opines taboos surrounding Al's role in inspiring content can be debunked if companies accept usage Dialog Axiata Group Chief Analytics and Al Officer Dr. Romesh Ranawana emphasises concerns surrounding misinformation and refinement can be evaded by tailoring applications to local contexts
3 mins
Cabinet clears republishing Rubber Control Act amendment
THE Cabinet of Ministers on Monday cleared republishing and resubmitting the proposed amendment to the Rubber Control Act No. 11 of 1956, following delays caused by the dissolution of Parliament in September last year.
1 min
CMC set for digital leap in revenue collection with $ 8.5 m KOICA boost
IN a major step towards modernising public finance and service delivery, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) is poised to revolutionise its revenue collection system with a cutting-edge automation initiative, backed by an $ 8.5 million grant from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
1 min
Pan Asia Bank amongst top 20 best companies at Best Management Practices Company Awards 2024
PAN Asia Bank has announced its exceptional performance at the Best Management Practices Company Awards 2025, hosted by the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers (CPM).
1 min
Orient Finance supports three-wheel drivers with new tuk leasing plan
ORIENT Finance PLC has launched a heartfelt campaign that brings to life the real story of a three-wheeler driver.
2 mins
NDB Bank champions Sri Lankan ingenuity as official banking partner of "Sahasak Nimavum"
NDB Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing home-grown inventions and innovations by partnering with the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission (SLIC) for the fifth International Inventions and Innovations Exhibition and Competition “Sahasak Nimavum”.
1 min
SDB bank honours employee achievements at Annual Business Awards
SDB bank
1 min
CSE sustains new-found optimism
THE Colombo stock market yesterday sustained its new-found bullish sentiments with both indices up amidst improved turnover.
1 min
People's Bank Kompannavidiya Service Centre relocates to modern, upgraded facility
PEOPLE’S Bank recently inaugurated its Kompannavidiya Service Centre at a new, state-of-the-art location, enhancing accessibility and customer experience.
1 min
Amana Life policyholders enjoy 19% return on Gold Investment Fund
AS global gold prices soar and investors worldwide turn to gold as a trusted store of value, Amana Life Insurance stands out for offering Sri Lankans a rare and rewarding opportunity to invest in gold through life insurance.
1 min
T-bill auction fully subscribed; rates record mixed results
Secondary bond market yields decline
2 mins
DPR Investment launches www.srilankainvestment.com
DPR Investment recently launched www.srilankainvestment.com, a transformative platform designed to attract foreign investments and empower local entrepreneurs.
3 mins
Türkiye's Penthol Group explores investment opportunities in Sri Lanka
SIGNALLING the growing investor business confidence in Sri Lanka, a high-level delegation from the Türkiye conglomerate Penthol Group, led by the Chairman Faruk Erkoc, is currently visiting Colombo to explore investment avenues in the country.
1 min
Lankan exporters attend SIAL 2025 in Toronto
THE Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto together with Canada Sri Lanka Business Convention organised a cordial reception to welcome the visiting trade delegation from Sri Lanka led by the Export Development Board (EDB) to participate in SIAL 2025, one of the leading North American Trade Fairs in the region on organic foods and beverages, to be held in Toronto from 29 April to 1 May.
1 min
Sri Lanka Tourism makes inroads to Middle Eastern Market
Unveils vibrant national pavilion at Arabian Travel Market 2025
1 min
SriLankan Airlines celebrates International Pilots' Day
SRILANKAN Airlines marked International Pilots' Day on 26 April with a small gathering at its Flight Dispatch Centre at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
1 min
Radisson Blu Hotel, Galadari Colombo appoints Marko Jannssen as General Manager
AS Galadari Colombo undergoes an exciting transformation and prepares to unveil its new identity as Radisson Blu Hotel, Galadari Colombo, Radisson Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Marko Janssen as the hotel's new General Manager.
1 min
Sri Lanka – Italy Business Council and Italian Embassy host workshop on “Winning and Retaining Italian Tourists”
THE Sri Lanka - Italy Business Council of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Colombo, hosted a workshop recently on “Winning and Retaining Italian Tourists”, bringing together tourism industry leaders, diplomatic representatives, and travel experts from Italy.
1 min
Efforts to politicise financial allocations to Local Government authorities
PRESIDENT Anura Kumara Disanayake’s veiled threats to cut off funding to Local Government (LG) bodies that will not be controlled by the ruling party NPP has created a political hullabaloo whilst creating bemusement among activists who expected virtues of exemplary public governance by those who promised an era of renaissance and a break from the business as usual.
2 mins
Can we seize opportunity in Japan while it exists?
A window of opportunity is emerging in Japan for 820,000 skilled workers from overseas over the coming five years, sharply expanding previous projections to address growing labour shortages.
4 mins
Blurred industry barriers: Understanding ramifications
IN today’s rapidly evolving economic landscape, the concept of “blurred industry barriers” has emerged as a critical point of discussion among economists, business leaders, and policymakers.
4 mins
One hat too many? Why foreign affairs and tourism each deserve full-time minister
THIS isn’t a political critique. It’s a practical observation—one I make as someone who has worked in tourism for decades and has watched Governments come and go, each trying to steer the country through different storms.
5 mins
Political alchemy; from messiah to machinery: Rise and mutation of AKD - Part 1
AT both elections, the JVP/NPP manipulated public opinion through misinformation and targeted messaging, backed by powerful media and corporate interests.
7 mins
Turning crisis into catalyst: Building Sri Lanka's resilience amid global trade war
AS the world spirals into deeper trade conflicts, with tariff battles and geopolitical rifts widening, Sri Lanka finds itself at a perilous crossroads. Small, import-reliant, and economically fragile, we are especially exposed to the tremors of global instability. In a storm whipped up by superpowers, our modest vessel risks capsizing—unless we act, and act fast.
3 mins
From playgrounds to GDP: Violence against children costs us all
A few days ago, on a bus, an older sister scolded her younger brother, saying, \"I'll give you two slaps if you misbehave.\" She appeared to be around 10 years old, and the boy about three or four. At a swimming pool, a coach jokingly told another, \"If you give him two shots, it'll be sorted,\" referring to a child lazily doing his exercises. On another day at the same pool, a woman told another coach, \"Hit them if necessary, but don't let them show disrespect.\" A father once told me about his four-year-old daughter, stating that although they do not physically punish her, they \"teach her\" her by locking her out of the house.
4 mins
President's KO Trophy returns to its grand splendour
DIALOG SCHOOLS RUGBY KNOCKOUTS 2025 PRE-QUARTER FINALS - TACTICAL ANALYSIS
2 mins
Scheduling of matches and Sri Lanka Rugby messes again
SRI Lanka Rugby finds itself under scrutiny once again, following a scheduling conflict that could have been easily avoided with better planning and communication between them and Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA).
1 min
Udara (107), Dinusha (64*) excel for Sri Lanka ‘A’ on opening day
■ Unofficial 4-day test at Abu Dhabi
1 min
Suryavanshi, 14, makes history with stunning IPL century
RAJASTHAN Royals' 14-year-old batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi made history as the youngest player to hit a century in men's T20s.
1 min
Valiant century by Randika as Dambulla fall short by 57
Galle leads overall by 196 going into final day today 4th National Super League final
1 min
Termination of Colombo Strikers and Jaffna Kings franchise partnerships
SRI Lanka Cricket (SLC), as the owner of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), together with the IPG Group, the event rights holder of the LPL have officially terminated the franchise partnerships of two teams Colombo Strikers and Jaffna Kings.
1 min
Daily FT Newspaper Description:
Publisher: Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.
Category: Newspaper
Language: English
Frequency: Daily
Daily FT:National English Daily:authoritative market and financial news for business www.ft.lk
Cancel Anytime [ No Commitments ]
Digital Only
