Category: Economy and Markets
National policy framework of Government released via Treasury web site
Dec 16, 2019 (LBO) – The Government’s new National policy framework Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour has been released to the internet via Treasury website www.treasury.gov.lk. This is aimed at achieving the fourfold outcome of being a productive citizen, a contented family, a virtuous, disciplined and just society and a prosperous nation. Accordingly, it is […]
Sri Lanka to review process adopted to revise original scope of Colombo Financial City
Dec 12, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet nod has been received to appoint an expert committee to look into the process adopted by the previous government to revise the original scope of the Colombo Financial City. With the help of external consultants and the Legal Draftsman, a Bill has already been drafted to establish […]
Treasury approves bonus payments for employees of statutory bodies
Dec 12, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Treasury has approved the payment of bonuses for 2019 for the employees of state-owned statutory bodies and fully state-owned companies. The Treasury has issued a circular in this regard to all Secretaries to Ministries, Heads of fully state-owned companies and state-owned statutory bodies. The circular No: 03/2018 of […]
The new oil of the 21st century: Sri Lanka’s need for data scientists
Malitha Goonaratne In 2012, the Harvard Business Review named being a ‘data scientist’ the “The Sexiest Job of the 21st Century”. If that is not appealing enough, it is estimated that by 2020, there will be 40 trillion gigabytes (40 zettabytes) of data created. In comparison, in 2018 there were 18 trillion gigabytes (18 zettabytes) […]
Sri Lanka should list SoE and increase transparency
Dec 11, 2019 (LBO) – A top emerging markets investor said the Government should look at listing state enterprises to attract capital. He said that it will expose their balance sheets and open them for scrutiny. “Sri Lanka Insurance, state banks, rail and airport would be a good start.” Dr. Mark Mobius, speaking at a […]
Mark Mobius says Sri Lanka has foreign investors appeal for tourism, fin-tech and real estate
Dec 11, 2019 (LBO) – Emerging markets investor, Dr. Mark Mobius highlighting Sri Lanka’s strengths said he sees immense growth potential in the island as the economy has with regards to foreign investor appeal. Admitting that while Sri Lanka’s agri-based economy has always held global interest -especially with tea as its strongest brand and commodity- […]
Fiscal stimulus will boost demand in short-run but create instability in long-run: ICRA
Dec 11, 2019 (LBO) – The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) reduced variety of taxes substantially in an attempt to revive the economy, which could possibly cost over LKR 500 Bn according to government’s own estimates. Whilst acknowledging the potential boost to the aggregate demand and corporate profitability from the fiscal stimulus in the short-run, […]
Chinese delegation to Sri Lanka inks SME pacts, clinches many B2Bs
Dec 10, 2019 (LBO) – Facilitated by Sri Lanka’s Confederation of Micro, Small and Medium Industries (COSMI), the high powered Chinese team moved on 9 December for closer B2B and technological ties with leading Sri Lankan industrialists and SMEs by inking two landmark Cooperation Agreements with COSMI. “Our Mianyan is an important pivot city on […]
Sri Lanka tax cuts to shave off Rs560bn govt. revenue in 2020: Asia Securities
Dec 10, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s recently announced tax cuts will likely shave off 560 billion rupees from government income in 2020, launching its equity outlook report for next year, Asia Securities Research said. Even though a pick up in consumer activity and higher collections compared to 2019 will lead to a partial clawback, […]
Sri Lanka aims at 6.5-pct GDP growth from 2020
Dec 09, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s economic activity will pick up following a series of tax cuts and the expansion of economic activity will boost Gross Domestic Product growth to reach 6.5 percent from 2020 onwards, a senior official said. “Sri Lanka’s new government headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the short-term has to […]
Sri Lanka official reserves down to USD7.5bn by end November
Dec 06, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 7.5 billion US dollars (USD7,520.9mn) by the end of November, down from 7.8 billion US dollars in October, the latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of November, the foreign currency reserves were 6,530.3 million dollars while the reserve position in the IMF […]
Dushni Weerakoon highlights critical role tax policies can play to spur economic growth
Dec 06, 2019 (LBO) – Executive Director of the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), Dr. Dushni Weerakoon this week highlighted the critical role tax policies can play in spurring economic growth of a country, specially a developing country. Addressing the 23rd Annual Oration on Taxation organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants […]