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Reducing health costs and increasing Government revenue beyond COVID-19: Raising cigarette taxes
Harini Weerasekera and Chamini Thilanka The susceptibility of smokers to contract COVID-19 has been recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other medical authorities. In Sri Lanka, concerned parties have called for a temporary ban of cigarette sales as a measure to contain the spread of the virus – a commendable move. However, beyond […]
New Indian High Commissioner calls on President
May 29, 2020 (LBO) – The newly appointed Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay paid a courtesy call on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (29). He presented his credential to President via a video conferencing ceremony on 14th May marking a historic moment in Sri Lanka’s diplomatic relations. During […]
World Vision launches USD2.3mn COVID-19 Response Phase II
World Vision Lanka has launched its second phase of the COVID-19 Emergency Response that amounts to USD 2.3 million. The second phase will focus on food security and livelihood, health and hygiene, and child protection and education of the most vulnerable families in 16 districts. “COVID-19, we fear, will have a huge impact on the […]
Fitch recalibrates Sri Lanka National Rating Scale
May 28, 2020 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings says that it has recalibrated its Sri Lanka National Rating scale to reflect changes in the relative creditworthiness among Sri Lankan issuers following Fitch’s downgrade of the country’s sovereign rating to ‘B-‘ from ‘B’ on 24 April 2020. The Outlook on Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating is […]
CA Sri Lanka signs MoU with People’s Bank for COVID-19 loan scheme for members
May 27, 2020 (LBO) – The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with People’s Bank this week to facilitate members of the Institute to obtain a special loan of up to Rs. 20 million. The loan scheme is available for members who have been […]
Seylan Bank records Rs.902Mn profit-after-tax in Q1
Seylan Bank recorded a Profit after Tax of Rs. 902 Million in Q1 despite challenging market conditions. Net interest income increased by 7.28% during the 1Q 2020 while net fee and commission income from core banking activities witnessed an increase of 2% to reach Rs. 986 Million in 1Q 2020 as compared to Rs. 966 […]
New mechanism to repatriate Sri Lankans
May 26, 2020 (LBO) – A new mechanism is to be formulated to repatriate Sri Lankans who are stranded or faced with various difficulties in the wake of COVID – 19 pandemic. The nature of the new system will be decided at a meeting scheduled to be held tomorrow and the flights in June to […]
Thailand Prime Minister leads National committee to promote 5G development
May 26, 2020 (LBO) – A 26-member National 5G Committee has been formed with Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as chairman to coordinate the 5G development and boost the digital economy in the country. The committee is also tasked with mitigating obstacles regarding the recall of unused spectrum, from state agencies for the National Broadcasting […]
Proposal to reopen Airports for tourists from August
May 26, 2020 (LBO) – The Task Force Committee entrusted with COVID – 19 control proposed to President to reopen airports for foreign tourists from 1st August as the country is gradually returning to normalcy. The Committee members pointed out that it is a remarkable achievement that not a single infected person was reported from […]
Seychelles HC clarifies on the arrival of 35 Seychelles nationals to Sri Lanka
STATEMENT from SEYCHELLES HIGH COMMISSION On behalf of the Government of Seychelles, we wish to place on record our gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health, for enabling the visit of a group of 35 citizens of Seychelles, 24 of whom require urgent medical care, of […]