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Chamber welcomes Budget as Investment and Development Oriented
Nov 22, 2015 (LBO) – The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the Budget 2016 for its measures to boost private investment and promote inclusive economic growth. The statement is reproduced below. Budget 2016 has shown a commitment to enhancing private sector participation in the economy through PPPs, begin to rationalise state expenditure, undertake some […]
Govt to raise Rs20bn from new excise duty for motor cars
Nov 20, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government is to introduce a unit rate of excise duty for the vehicles on the basis of cubic centimeters (cc) that generate 20 billion rupees for government, Finance Minister told Parliament Friday.A new valuation system was introduced recently taking full option manufactures price as the tax base, due […]
Banks to cease leasing from June, charges on cash withdrawal: Budget 2016
Nov 20, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s banks have been asked to cease leasing activities from 01st of June next year while pawning should be limited to five percent of total loan portfolio, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said in Parliament. “Honourable Speaker, I propose that licensed banks should concentrate on their core banking activities,” Karunanayake […]
Sri Lanka capital to have International Financial Centre
Nov 20, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government will make an international financial centre in Colombo, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said while delivering the budget 2016 speech.A “Colombo International Financial Centre (CIFC)”, a specific zone along the lines of Dubai’s International Financial Centre will begin operations on DR Wijewardene Mawatha, he said. “Our geographical location in […]
Sri Lanka to allow tea imports within regulatory framework: Fin Min
Nov 20, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka plans to liberalize the tea industry through allowing tea to be imported into the country within a regulatory framework, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said delivering the budget 2016 speech at the Parliament. “Tea has remained a key export of our country but the value addition is not as significant […]
Budget 2016 Coverage – Proposals and Full Speech
Nov 20, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake commences the 2016 budget speech in Parliament. Key points: Proposals Micro, small and medium enterprises – Micro, small and medium enterprises find it hard to raise equity and debt financing with reluctance of financial institutions to lend to them. Advisory committee to develop SME […]
PTL Watch: Lower foreign holding for bonds in budget
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Lack of direct competition between Sri Lanka ports an issue: Eran
Nov 20, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka must explore the issue that led to the inadequate direct competition of Ports Authority controlled ports, a deputy minister said. Delivering the keynote speech at the CILT International Conference 2015, Deputy Minister of State Owned Enterprises Eran Wickramaratne said direct competition is a critical factor for efficiency.“Lack of […]
Sri Lanka to increase bursary payment for university students
Nov 20, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Higher Education and Highways Ministry has taken steps to minimize the gap between Mahapola Scholarship holders and bursary payment holders by increasing the monthly bursary payment from 2,500 rupees to 4,000 rupees to enable university students to continue their studies without any economic difficulties, media spokesman said. Approximately, […]