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.…
Author: LMD International
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
There is a need to expand digital transformation – especially among SMEs, which are the backbone of the economy
Sri Lanka’s garments sector is pinning its hopes on further discussions with the U.S. government after Donald Trump’s administration’s 30% tariff on the nation has placed it at a disadvantage to some of its biggest rivals. The United States has accounted for about 40% of Sri Lanka’s apparel exports. Last year, they were worth about $1.9 billion, industry data shows. But in a letter on Wednesday, Trump notified Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the 30% tariff from August 1, a rate well above the 20% levy faced by one of its major competitors Vietnam. Reuters – July 10, 2025 The…
Sri Lanka’s compulsory rural training for doctors fosters early exposure to underserved communities, building empathy and hands-on experience