Mohan Pandithage SUPPLY SYNERGY “Staying close to stakeholders, maintaining strong supplier relationships and keeping an ear to the ground are essential” In today’s fast-paced global economy, supply chain and logistics play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless business operations. From managing risks and disruptions to leveraging technology for efficiency, companies must continuously innovate to stay competitive. As industries worldwide adapt to digital transformation and sustainability challenges, leaders in the field provide critical insights into the evolving landscape. Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys – Mohan Pandithage is one such visionary leader in one of Sri Lanka’s most diversified multinational conglomerates..…
Author: LMD International
ECONOMIC SENTIMENT SWINGS Sentiment about the economy shifts direction again by taking a sharp U-turn Concerns raised by the business community in June appear to have been short-lived with sentiment shifting once again in July. THE ECONOMY The latest LMD-PEPPERCUBE Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey, conducted in the first week of July, reveals a notable surge in optimism about the economy. A substantial 70 percent of respondents believe the economy will ‘improve’ over the next 12 months – that’s a healthy 14 percentage point spike from June’s 56 percent. However, slightly over a fifth (21%) of survey participants expect the…
WHEN LEGACY MEETS SCALE: MALIBAN AND RELIANCE REDEFINE REGIONAL FMCG PARTNERSHIPS Maliban offers product equity and decades of consumer trust; Reliance brings pan-India reach, retail infrastructure and digital intelligence Q: What strategic synergies did Maliban and Reliance identify that made this partnership not just viable but necessary in today’s fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) landscape? T. Krishnakumar (KK): Maliban is one of the most iconic and trusted brands from Sri Lanka. It is the pioneer in biscuit manufacturing in the country and Maliban’s legacy transcends over seven decades. The products are exported to over 40 countries across five continents. The…
LMD’s 2025 rankings of Sri Lanka’s ‘Most Respected’ entities were compiled by PepperCube Consultants, drawing on insights shared by business leaders across the country. Fieldwork for the survey took place during March and April this year with responses gathered from 600 senior professionals. All participants were employed at a managerial level or higher in companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), the latest edition of the LMD 100 and Brands Annual 2024. To ensure a broad and diverse sample, a maximum of six participants were selected from each organisation. And respondents were not permitted to nominate their own employers.…
COST SENTIMENTS STAY PUT Cost of living metrics remain muted with little movement on the scale The PepperCube Cost of Living Index (CLI) remained steady at 59.5 in June, unchanged from May, likely reflecting subdued consumer sentiment and limited shifts in underlying cost drivers. Moreover, the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) continued in deflationary territory, marginally down from May. The CCPI recorded a year-on-year rate of deflation of -0.6 percent in June compared to -0.7 percent in the previous month. Meanwhile, respondents’ perceptions about the cost of living showed little change from the previous month. Seventy-nine percent believe the…
BIZ CONFIDENCE TUMBLES IN JULY The barometer of business confidence free falls after a temporary stint at the summit July has been a month of both optimism and mounting uncertainty for Sri Lanka. On a positive note, the IMF approved its fourth review under the country’s 48 month Extended Fund Facility (EFF), unlocking a disbursement of US$ 350 million to support ongoing economic reforms. However, this encouraging development was tempered by troubling news from the US when President Donald Trump announced a new round of tariff hikes targeting more than a dozen countries including Sri Lanka. The sweeping measures impose…
A Free Trade Agreement would represent a milestone in strengthening bilateral economic ties, unlocking new opportunities across key sectors
Sri Lanka faces challenges in expanding its global reach – including trade barriers; export reliance on tea, apparel, rubber; and limited market diversification
Nucleus of the Reform Process “When public finances are self-sustaining, they reduce the need for future tax increases or unpredictable tax policy” Martha Woldemichael When Martha Woldemichael arrived in Sri Lanka in October last year – coincidentally a day after the nation’s presidential election – she stepped into a country at a crossroads. Amid a shifting political landscape and economic uncertainties, her appointment as the International Monetary Fund’s Resident Representative signalled a pivotal moment in the nation’s journey towards recovery. As a seasoned economist and policy advisor with global experience, Woldemichael brings both the technical expertise and strategic perspective required…
Career progression in the UK is merit based with professionals frequently changing jobs, unlike Sri Lanka’s dependence on networking and loyalty