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 […]

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 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 […]

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, […]

Security tightened in major European cities

Nov 20, 2015 (LBO) – Security has been tightened in major cities in Europe with police in Italy and Sweden looking for suspected militants and increasing security around public buildings, media reports said.Swedish police arrested a man suspected of planning an attack, while Italy’s foreign minister said St.Peter’s Basilica in Rome or the cathedral or […]

Super luxury passenger cruiser MV Mein Schiff calls Colombo

MV Mein Schiff 1, a Century class cruise ship, owned and operated by TUI Cruises, arrived in Colombo yesterday. Having sailed from Mumbai on 15th November, she berthed at the Unity Container Terminal of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) at 0700 Hrs, last morning. Built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, the vessel has […]

Wake up call for business community tomorrow: Finance Minister

Nov 19, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake on Thursday pledged business community that the 2017 budget will be a wake-up call for all businesses.“You are in safe hands now, you made that decision on January 8th and I’m sure you’ll see risk free dividends will be given tomorrow and with that […]

Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.5-pct: JKH gains

Nov 19, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed up at 0.55 percent on Thursday with gains in John Keells Holdings and some banking and finance sector stocks, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed up 38.21 points at 7,020.18 up 0.55 percent. S&P SL20 closed 31.13 points higher at 3,795.35 up […]

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