Category: Featured
Sri Lanka’s CEB proposes tariff increase or subsidy to cover revenue gap
Oct 03, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run Ceylon Electricity Board has proposed that the power regulator approves a uniform tariff or a subsidy through the budget to ensure financial viability of the sector. In a letter to the Public Utilities Commission, the CEB said that in August, PUCSL requested an End User Tariff proposal […]
Himalaya launches direct flights between Kathmandu – Colombo
Oct 03, 2016 (LBO) – Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal-China Joint Venture Airline, has conducted its maiden commercial flight from Kathmandu to Colombo on 1st October 2016. With two flights a week, operating as H9 673, Himalaya will fly every Tuesday and Saturday departing from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu at 1130 hours and will arrive in […]
Nepal regrets SAARC postponement due to Indo-Pak tensions
Oct 03, 2016 (LBO) – Nepal, the current chair of SAARC, has expressed regret that the regional environment is not conducive to host the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November. “Nepal will initiate necessary consultation on successfully holding the summit with the participation of all member states, the country’s foreign ministry said. The announcement […]
Sri Lanka adds more taxes for smokers
Sep 30, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has approved a 15 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) and 5.00 rupees production tax on cigarettes as well as an increase of cess on the import of “beedi” leaves, a statement said. “Cabinet has decided to impose 15 percent VAT on cigarettes again, increase the current production […]
‘s ministries should be aligned to be more effective
Sep 30, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s budget allocations for national road development are high, but it needs to be attuned to needs, and ministries should be properly allocated, a senior official said. “The problem is that we have fragmented systems, especially transport and highways are two different ministries so it is very difficult for […]
Sri Lanka can meet 5.4-pct budget deficit target for 2016: Ravi
Sep 30, 2016 (LBO) – Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said Sri Lanka is well on its way to achieving the fiscal target for 2016 as the Value Added Tax increase would be presented in Parliament next week. “Revenue collection is largely on target despite delays in passing the VAT amendments, and we are confident of […]
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank allows foreign investors full control: CIFL
Sep 29, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s troubled Central Investment and Finance Company says the Monetary Board has assured that investors would get 100 percent control once the proposed investment materializes. Clarifying a newspaper report, CIFL said that such intervention would be subject to other circumstances of the mechanism of proposed investment. The investors have […]
Sri Lanka lube market grows 6.8-pct in 2015: report
Sep 29, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s lubricant market has grown by 6.8 percent to 23.4 billion rupees in 2015, with 10.1 percent growth in automotive and 7.7 percent increase in industrial lube, the lubricant market report 2015 showed. The report compiled by its regulator Public Utilities Commission, however, said the marine lubricant market has […]
One in four Sri Lankan households own a computer: survey
Sep 29, 2016 (LBO) – At least one computer is available in 24 percent of households in Sri Lanka, in urban as well as rural areas, the Department of Census and Statistics said in its Computer Literacy report for 2015. “That is about one out of every four households owns either a desktop or a […]
CB Governor says 2Q growth should be higher than 2.6-pct
Sept 28, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s second quarter economic growth for this year should be higher than the published 2.6 percent, Central Bank Governor said. Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy told reporters in Colombo that he would expect it to be higher than the current figure, once it gets revised. “If you look at proxies for […]
US based BlackRock shows interest in Srilankan airlines: Minister
Sep 28, 2016 (LBO) – Two global investment managers, US based BlackRock and TPG Capital, have shown interest in crisis-hit SriLankan Airlines which is looking for a partner, a minister said. “BlackRock and TPG Capital, two global investment management firms are among the interested parties in addition to some Chinese airlines,” Malik Samarawickrama, minister of […]
Indian Minister says “not bitter” over Sampur, will look at LNG option
Sep 28, 2016 (LBO) – India has had “no bitter experience” and will not be pulled back by the halting of the Sampur coal power plant and will engage with Sri Lanka in a way both countries benefit out from it, a visiting Indian minister said. “These are national priorities and international commitments, both of […]