Category: Economy
Pakistan hopes to wrap up a trade deal with Sri Lanka this week to be operational by early next year
The Pakistani Premier says the FTA with Sri Lanka will be finalised this week and operational by early next year.The Pakistani Premier says the FTA with Sri Lanka will be finalised this week and operational by early next year. “We hope to finalise the FTA very soon.Talks are scheduled in the next two days in […]
The Ceylon Chamber Commerce has told the government that getting higher tax revenues will be a bigger challenge than controlling expenditure
The Ceylon Chamber Commerce has told the government that getting higher tax revenues will be a bigger challenge than controlling expenditure.The Ceylon Chamber Commerce has told the government that getting higher tax revenues will be a bigger challenge than controlling expenditure. Chamber Chairman Deva Rodrigo said the success of the first UPFA budget depends on […]
Next year’s budget success hinges on ambitious revenue targets, but a drop in economic growth, acutely shows the defeatism on the part of this nation.
Sri Lanka’s 2005 budget contained several measures to raise revenue and an ambitious target of cutting the revenue deficit to 1.3 percent of GDP from – 3.7 percent this year, and keeping the overall deficit at 7.6 percent of GDP. Sri Lanka’s 2005 budget contained several measures to raise revenue and an ambitious target of […]
Making babies, the UPFA way
Adorned in a very western two piece suit, Sri Lanka’s Harvard and University of France educated Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Leelananda Bandara Amunugama Thursday presented the United Peoples Freedom Alliances maiden budget speech in Sinhalese. Adorned in a very western two piece suit, Sri Lanka’s Harvard and University of France educated Finance Minister Dr. Sarath […]
Key state enterprises are being dressed up for commercial viability, while government hunts for fund manager to manage Rs. 15 bn in excess cash
Key state enterprises are being dressed up for commercial viability, while government hunts for fund manager to manage Rs. 15 bn in excess cash. Key state enterprises are being dressed up for commercial viability, while government hunts for fund manager to manage Rs. 15 bn in excess cash. Professional fund managers will get a chance […]
Houses for migrant workers and public servants and cess on contractors
The government plans to revive the local construction industry with housing schemes for migrant workers and public servants and a cess on contractors.The government plans to revive the local construction industry with housing schemes for migrant workers and public servants and a cess on contractors. The budget on Thursday announced that the Construction Industry Guarantee […]
The government has approached the Revenue Authority of Thailand and the ADB to move the Inland Revenue Department to a new administration structure from next year
The government has approached the Revenue Authority of Thailand and the ADB to move the Inland Revenue Department to a new administration structure from next year. This will include investment into human resources, automation, professional tax audits from next year. A new tax code is to also be rolled out shortly, Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama […]
Sri Lanka abandons single band VAT with triple layer and plans to tax weddings and related services at a higher rate of 18%
The government abandons single band VAT and is planning to tax weddings and wedding services, and reception hall rentals at a new higher rate of 18 percent.The government abandons single band VAT and is planning to tax weddings and wedding services, and reception hall rentals at a new higher rate of 18 percent. “The single […]
SME Bank and SME Fund to support small and medium enterprises.
The UPFA government’s maiden budget set aside Rs.26,561 mn to support production sector activities and SMEs.The UPFA government’s maiden budget set aside Rs. 26,561 mn to support production sector activities and SMEs. Production activities included the sectors of small and medium industries, agriculture, plantation, livestock, fisheries, enterprise development and tourism. However, the government hopes to […]
Tax break for agro sector to woo private investment
Agriculture is to be exempt from income tax, with earnings from the cultivation and sale of non-processed plants, non-taxable for five years from April 1 next year. Agriculture is to be exempt from income tax, with earnings from the cultivation and sale of non-processed plants, non-taxable for five years from April 1 next year. “This […]
Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama gave a lesson to the United National Party in political-speak, by explaining his failure to keep to budget targets and pushing the budget deficit to 8.5% of GDP
Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama gave a lesson to the United National Party in political-speak, by explaining his failure to keep to budget targets and pushing the budget deficit to 8.5% of GDP. Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama gave a lesson to the United National Party in political-speak, by explaining his failure to keep to budget targets […]
Highlights of Sri Lanka’s 2005 national budget.
Highlights of Sri Lanka’s 2005 national budget. The UPFA government’s budgetary strategy for the next three years. 1. Raise government revenue, within a medium term framework, to 19 percent of GDP and generate a revenue surplus in the budget equivalent to 3% of GDP. 2. Raise public investment to eight percent of GDP. 3. Reduce […]