Category: Economy
Sri Lanka keen to tighten purse strings further
When Sri Lanka faced a rapidly weakening currency and galloping inflation in early 2001, its central bank raised interest rates.When Sri Lanka faced a rapidly weakening currency and galloping inflation in early 2001, its central bank raised interest rates. But it found that a tighter policy didn’t yield results until interest rates hit 20%.Together with […]
Trade deficit for the nine months up US$ 631 million, to US$ 1.57 billion on an inflated fuel bill
New credit facilities from India and Iran to finance oil imports will help narrow a widening trade deficit, say the Central Bank.New credit facilities from India and Iran to finance oil imports will help narrow a widening trade deficit, say the Central Bank. Sri Lanka’s trade deficit for the nine months notched up US$ 631 […]
Sri Lanka’s Tiger supremo turns 50 amid war and peace choice
Elusive Tamil Tiger guerrilla supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran, who turns 50 on Friday, is arguably the man who will decide whether Sri Lanka remains at peace or returns to war.Elusive Tamil Tiger guerrilla supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran, who turns 50 on Friday, is arguably the man who will decide whether Sri Lanka remains at peace or returns […]
Budget tax proposals to go before tax cluster
A joint government-private sector tax cluster will re-examine all the changes to taxes proposed in the budget, says the Treasury Secretary.A joint government-private sector tax cluster will re-examine all the changes to taxes proposed in the budget, says the Treasury Secretary. “A special tax cluster will begin work next week under the NCED (National Council […]
Pakistan hopes to wrap up a trade deal with Sri Lanka this week to be operational by early next year
The Pakistani Premier says the FTA with Sri Lanka will be finalised this week and operational by early next year.The Pakistani Premier says the FTA with Sri Lanka will be finalised this week and operational by early next year. “We hope to finalise the FTA very soon.Talks are scheduled in the next two days in […]
The Ceylon Chamber Commerce has told the government that getting higher tax revenues will be a bigger challenge than controlling expenditure
The Ceylon Chamber Commerce has told the government that getting higher tax revenues will be a bigger challenge than controlling expenditure.The Ceylon Chamber Commerce has told the government that getting higher tax revenues will be a bigger challenge than controlling expenditure. Chamber Chairman Deva Rodrigo said the success of the first UPFA budget depends on […]
Next year’s budget success hinges on ambitious revenue targets, but a drop in economic growth, acutely shows the defeatism on the part of this nation.
Sri Lanka’s 2005 budget contained several measures to raise revenue and an ambitious target of cutting the revenue deficit to 1.3 percent of GDP from – 3.7 percent this year, and keeping the overall deficit at 7.6 percent of GDP. Sri Lanka’s 2005 budget contained several measures to raise revenue and an ambitious target of […]
Making babies, the UPFA way
Adorned in a very western two piece suit, Sri Lanka’s Harvard and University of France educated Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Leelananda Bandara Amunugama Thursday presented the United Peoples Freedom Alliances maiden budget speech in Sinhalese. Adorned in a very western two piece suit, Sri Lanka’s Harvard and University of France educated Finance Minister Dr. Sarath […]
Key state enterprises are being dressed up for commercial viability, while government hunts for fund manager to manage Rs. 15 bn in excess cash
Key state enterprises are being dressed up for commercial viability, while government hunts for fund manager to manage Rs. 15 bn in excess cash. Key state enterprises are being dressed up for commercial viability, while government hunts for fund manager to manage Rs. 15 bn in excess cash. Professional fund managers will get a chance […]
Sri Lanka abandons single band VAT with triple layer and plans to tax weddings and related services at a higher rate of 18%
The government abandons single band VAT and is planning to tax weddings and wedding services, and reception hall rentals at a new higher rate of 18 percent.The government abandons single band VAT and is planning to tax weddings and wedding services, and reception hall rentals at a new higher rate of 18 percent. “The single […]
SME Bank and SME Fund to support small and medium enterprises.
The UPFA government’s maiden budget set aside Rs.26,561 mn to support production sector activities and SMEs.The UPFA government’s maiden budget set aside Rs. 26,561 mn to support production sector activities and SMEs. Production activities included the sectors of small and medium industries, agriculture, plantation, livestock, fisheries, enterprise development and tourism. However, the government hopes to […]
Tax break for agro sector to woo private investment
Agriculture is to be exempt from income tax, with earnings from the cultivation and sale of non-processed plants, non-taxable for five years from April 1 next year. Agriculture is to be exempt from income tax, with earnings from the cultivation and sale of non-processed plants, non-taxable for five years from April 1 next year. “This […]