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Outdated Labour Laws Are Holding Sri Lanka Back

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Sri Lanka likes to pitch itself as a rising hub for investment. The workforce is educated, the location is strategic, and the appetite for growth is clear. Yet one thing continues to hold the country back: labour laws written for another era.Take the Shop and Office Employees Act. Drafted in a manufacturing age, it still dictates how today’s service and technology industries operate. One of its most telling restrictions is the rule that bars women from working after 6 p.m. In a global economy where flexible hours and digital work are standard practice, this regulation is not only outdated but damaging.

Investors are already paying attention. In  EconomyNext: (Arj-Samarakoon), Arj Samarakoon, head of Plus94 Fund, warned that rigid rules on hours and overtime are discouraging companies from choosing Sri Lanka. For a country eager to position itself as a regional technology hub, that is a serious disadvantage.

The impact goes beyond investment. Outdated laws also block women from entering or advancing in high growth sectors such as ICT, logistics and advanced manufacturing. Speaking at a recent labour reform forum, Arj Samarakoon made the point clear: “Removing barriers to women’s participation is not only about equality, it is about giving Sri Lanka the competitive edge it needs to grow.” His comments, reported in Sri Lanka Mirror – Right to Know. Power to Change/Arj-Samarakoon, highlight a truth that is often overlooked. Empowering women is not charity, it is strategy.

The solution is straightforward. Worker protections must remain, but labour laws should be modernised to support flexible and competitive work arrangements. Other countries in South and Southeast Asia are already moving in this direction. If Sri Lanka delays, the opportunities will simply move elsewhere.

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Dubai Based Sri Lankan Entrepreneur Launches Global Forex Marketplace

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A visionary Sri Lankan entrepreneur based in Dubai has launched VerifiedBrands.io, a cutting-edge Forex Marketplace Ecosystem designed to bring transparency, trust, and regulatory compliance to the Global Forex industry.

The platform addresses one of the most critical challenges in online trading — the difficulty of finding legitimate and regulated brokers and financial service providers. VerifiedBrands.io connects traders, licensed Forex brokers, technology providers, and affiliates in a secure and trusted digital marketplace.

“Our mission is simple — to eliminate fraud and scams from the Forex industry and give traders, investors, and partners a reliable ecosystem where only regulated and verified companies are listed,” said Anthony, the founder of VerifiedBrands.io.

VerifiedBrands.io verifies and lists only Regulated Forex brokers and compliant financial technology providers, offering a single platform for:

Traders seeking trusted brokers and services

Companies looking for high-quality leads and exposure

Technology providers offering white-label solutions, trading infrastructure, CRM systems, Liquidity Solutions, Payment Gateways , API solutions

Affiliates and partners wanting to work with compliant, reputable firms

The platform also provides tools and resources to help traders and partners compare, connect, and collaborate confidently, making it a first-of-its-kind ecosystem for the Forex community.

With the global Forex industry estimated at over $6 trillion in daily trading volume, VerifiedBrands.io aims to build a safer, more transparent trading environment and empower investors and traders worldwide to make informed decisions.

For more information, visit www.VerifiedBrands.io

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LB Finance to enter Philippines market through subsidiary

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LB Finance PLC, a Sri Lankan Non-Bank Financial Institution (NBFI), has received regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to establish a wholly owned subsidiary in the Philippines.

In a corporate disclosure to the Colombo Stock Exchange, the company said the Director of the Department of Supervision of Non-Bank Financial Institutions granted approval on 11 December to set up the subsidiary under the name LB Finance Philippines Inc.

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Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council expresses solidarity with Sri Lanka

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The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) has conveyed its condolences to Sri Lanka over the loss of life and extensive damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, urging all Commonwealth nations to support the country’s recovery as the scale of devastation continues to unfold.

In a statement signed by CWEIC Chairman Lord Marland and Deputy Chairman Lord Swire, the council said: On behalf of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, we extend our sincere condolences to the President and people of Sri Lanka for the tragic loss of life and the widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

With the death toll now exceeding 300, hundreds more people missing, and thousands left without homes or livelihoods, the impact on your nation is devastating, and affecting all parts of the country.

As Commonwealth friends, we acknowledge the suffering that Sri Lanka has already endured through natural disasters; floods, droughts, landslides, and the 2004 tsunami.

Sri Lanka has survived through the extraordinary efforts of countless volunteers and ordinary people. Once again, we see this remarkable resilience and cooperation from Sri Lankans who are working to restore order, basic services, and supplies where possible.

We appeal to all Commonwealth countries to support the recovery efforts, and we will keep Sri Lanka in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. CWEIC has a significant presence in Sri Lanka, and our Strategic Partners stand ready to assist in any way we can during this difficult time. We will continue to support international efforts and appeal to Commonwealth nations to contribute to Sri Lanka’s recovery.

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