Category: Economy and Markets
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 […]
The government plans to divest remaining shares it holds in listed hospitality stocks, and tinker with taxes to encourage the growth of the capital market
The government plans to divest remaining shares it holds in listed hospitality stocks, and tinker with taxes to encourage the growth of the capital market. The government plans to divest remaining shares it holds in listed hospitality stocks, and tinker with taxes to encourage the growth of the capital market. Next year’s budget forecasts to […]
‘s maiden US$ 100 mn five-year bond issue has been oversubscribed ten times on Friday
Sri Lanka Telecom’s maiden US$ 100 mn five-year bond issue has been oversubscribed ten times, a spokesman for one of the lead managers said Friday. Sri Lanka Telecom’s maiden US$ 100 mn five-year bond issue has been oversubscribed ten times, a spokesman for one of the lead managers said Friday. Priced under seven percent the […]
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 […]
Three wheelers to be sheltered from future fuel price increases
Three wheelers to be sheltered from future fuel price increases and three-wheeler leasing to be exempt from VAT.Three wheelers to be sheltered from future fuel price increases and three-wheeler leasing to be exempt from VAT. “About 200,000 three-wheeler operators carry one million passengers daily, occupying the least amount of road space and using the lowest […]
Govt plans to impose PAYE taxes on public servants salaries, while giving a Rs 2,500 salary hike
Putting in place a much-needed reform, the government is planning to impose PAYE taxes on public servants salaries, while giving a minimum of Rs.2,500 salary increase. Putting in place a much-needed reform, the government is planning to impose PAYE taxes on public servants salaries, while giving a minimum of Rs. 2,500 salary increase. But the […]