Author: Gayan Chandrasekara
Wealth transfer tax & inheritance tax to be introduced in Sri Lanka
To reach a primary fiscal surplus of 2.3 percent of GDP by 2025, Sri Lanka will revamp the property tax system and introduce a wealth transfer tax. In particular, Sri Lanka will introduce a nationwide real property tax, and adjust the system of transfers between the central and provincial governments. “Wealth tax is part of […]
IMF starts an in-depth governance diagnostic exercise on Sri Lanka, a first in Asia
The IMF is conducting an in-depth governance diagnostic exercise, which will assess corruption and governance vulnerabilities in Sri Lanka and provide prioritized and sequenced recommendations. Sri Lanka will be the first country in Asia to undergo a governance diagnostic exercise by the IMF. “We look forward to further engagement and collaboration with stakeholders and civil […]
Sri Lanka’s Probable IMF Support Deal Positive for Debt Negotiations: Fitch Ratings
Fitch Ratings believes Sri Lanka is likely to secure financing support from the IMF after the fund’s Executive Board set a date of 20 March to review the USD2.9 billion staff-level agreement that the country signed with the IMF in September 2022. IMF funding should improve Sri Lanka’s external liquidity, but the timing of any […]
We sent Letter of Intent to IMF; expecting a reply before end of this month: President
The island nation is expecting the go-ahead from the Executive Board of the IMF for its Extended Fund Facility arrangement before the end of this month. Speaking in Parliament, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that they are expecting IMF to do its duty by the fourth week of this month. “We received the letter of financial […]
We are ready to unlock IMF program; guidance band removed: CBSL Governor
Sri Lanka is now standing ready to unlock the IMF Extended Fund Facility arrangement as all prior actions of the program have been completed, the Central Bank Chief said. “We are now standing ready to unlock the IMF program,” CBSL Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe told reporters in Colombo. “Although we raised policy rates, we would expect […]
Haircut in Chinese context politically very difficult but discussions continue: Kristalina Georgieva
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva says that a haircut in the Chinese context is politically very difficult even though there might be a way to reach the same objective by stretching maturities, reducing or eliminating interest rates, and payments. At a recent media roundtable, Georgieva said that they have engaged with the Chinese […]
‘s economy expected to register 8-pct contraction in 2022; gradual recovery from 2H2023: CBSL
Sri Lanka’s economy is projected to register a real contraction of around 8.0 percent in 2022 and a gradual recovery from the second half of 2023, the Central Bank said. Releasing the outlook for the economy for 2023, the Monetary Board of the Central Bank said that the headline inflation is expected to move along […]
CCPI inflation would start falling down from this month: CBSL Governor
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor expects that the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) will start falling down from this month and to follow a disinflation path in the period ahead. “We expect CCPI at the end of the month to be lower than what we saw in the last month,”Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said. “That trend […]
‘s tax reforms: Staff Mission
The IMF-supported reform program will implement major tax reforms in Sri Lanka including making the personal income tax more progressive and broadening the tax base for corporate income tax and VAT. Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, Masahiro Nozaki, said that a wealth tax is being considered as part of more progressive tax reform in which […]
Financing assurances from creditors crucial before IMF financial support: Staff Mission
Financing assurances to restore debt sustainability from Sri Lanka’s official creditors and making a good faith effort to reach a collaborative agreement with private creditors are crucial before the IMF can provide financial support to Sri Lanka, after reaching a staff-level agreement, the IMF team said. The objectives of Sri Lanka’s new Fund-supported program are […]
Sri Lanka adds Indian Rupee to designated foreign currencies for off-shore banking
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has added the Indian Rupee to the list of currencies that are permitted to be used for offshore banking, taking the total to 16. The Central Bank added the Thai Bhat to the list last year in a direction to be used in offshore banking business scheme. The 16 include the […]
We want to restructure only foreign debt &’s a win-win situation, CB Governor reiterates
Central Bank Governor reiterated on Thursday that the government’s position about debt restructuring remains the same and intends to restructure only the external debt. “What the President recently said was that the financial advisors are looking at the scenarios of any restructuring of domestic debt. But the government position still remains that we intend to […]