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Opinion: Sri Lanka needs GSP+ now more than ever
By Felix Fernando Much has been said of the potential economic costs to Sri Lanka, of losing the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus trade concessions to the European Union (EU). While these costs will be high, the social and human costs are likely to be even greater. Considering official statistics for 2021, available up […]
”; Outlook evolving
Fitch Ratings has downgraded Abans Finance PLC’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A-(lka)’ from ‘A(lka)’. The Outlook is evolving, a statement said. The rating agency has also downgraded the company’s proposed senior unsecured debt to ‘A- (EXP)(lka)’, from ‘A(EXP)(lka)’. KEY RATING DRIVERS The downgrade follows the downgrade of the National Long-Term Rating of Abans Finance’s parent […]
Central Bank launches National Remittance Mobile App
The Central Bank initiated a National Remittance Mobile Application branded as “Lanka Remit” providing Sri Lankans working abroad direct access to the existing remittance channels, as well as facilitate their ability to choose more convenient and cost-effective remittance channels to send money to Sri Lanka. Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank, Sampath Bank, Hatton National Bank, […]
Aitken Spence Travels facilitates first Charter Flight from Uzbekistan
Aitken Spence Travels, the leading DMC in Sri Lanka together with their Uzbekistan agent Asia Luxe welcomed the country’s first charter flight from Uzbekistan on Wednesday 9th February 2022. There will be a weekly flight operating every Wednesday until the end of March 2022. The charter airline operation is partnered with this leading tour operator of Uzbekistan […]
Opposition SJB opposes imposing 25-pct tax on EPF funds, says Eran
The Opposition is totally opposed to levying a 25% tax on the EPF Fund, said Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne at a press conference held at the Opposition Leader’s Office yesterday. “This Government has decided in an unprecedented manner to impose a 25% surcharge on the income of the Employees Provident Fund. EPF has never been taxed […]
“Opposition calls on Govt for urgent dialogue with them,” MP Harsha
Opposition parliamentarians have urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to initiate a dialogue with them to better understand the current economic issues facing the nation and find solutions together. “We are all in this together,” Dr. Harsha De Silva, an opposition member of parliament said addressing a media briefing yesterday. “The Governor of the Central Bank reiterates […]
“Growing sense of insecurity among people despite years of development growth,” UN report
Global development progress does not automatically lead to a greater sense of security, according to a new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report on human security released Thursday. New data and analysis in the report, New Threats to Human Security in the Anthropocene, shows that people’s sense of safety and security is at a low […]
European Union urges Sri Lanka to continue reducing use of PTA
The European Union (EU) has urged Sri Lanka to continue reducing the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and to undertake further practical and administrative steps to release on bail those detained under the PTA without charges. At the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission held on 8 February 2022 in Brussels, Sri Lanka has […]
VIDEO: Why is it so hard to escape poverty?
Explore the paradox of welfare programs, and learn how they inadvertently reinforce generational poverty, and what we can do to fix them.
Sri Lanka will settle USD 1bn ISB maturing in July; no debt restructuring needed, says CBSL
The Government and the CBSL have already taken necessary measures to secure alternative forex inflows via a number of bilateral and multilateral funding arrangements to meet the upcoming debt obligations, including the US dollars 1 billion ISB maturing in July 2022, the Central Bank said. Releasing a statement, the bank said that with the realisation […]