Category: Economy and Markets
‘ Ratings on National Scale Revision
Fitch Ratings has upgraded the National Long-Term Ratings of seven Sri Lankan non-financial corporates and revised the ratings of two following the recalibration of the agency’s Sri Lankan National Rating scale to reflect changes in the relative creditworthiness among the country’s issuers. This follows the upgrade of the sovereign’s Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) […]
World Bank Vice President Visits Sri Lanka, Reaffirms Support for Education, Renewable Energy
World Bank Vice President for South Asia, Martin Raiser, concluded a 2-day visit to Sri Lanka yesterday, where he met with His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Hon. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and other government officials, private investors, and development partners to discuss the country’s ongoing efforts towards economic recovery and long-term growth. Raiser was […]
JAAF supports ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative to build a cleaner, greener future
The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), the apex body representing Sri Lanka’s apparel industry, welcomes the launch of the Clean Sri Lanka programme, spearheaded by H. E. President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the government. With sustainability as a core principle, the Sri Lankan apparel sector is uniquely positioned to complement this nationwide movement for environmental, […]
David Pieris Group Launches Northern Entrepreneur Seed Fund
By Jekhan Aruliah I first met Mr David Pieris in 2021. David came for tea at my place in Jaffna on one of his business visits to the North. The David Pieris Motor Company (DPMC) has operated in the North for decades including throughout the Sri Lanka civil war. David told me of his vision […]
CSE Partners with NCDEX to Explore Opportunities in Derivatives & Commodities Trading
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) of India, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and explore the development of derivatives and commodity products in Sri Lanka. This partnership will enhance the product offering and trading instruments at CSE. The collaboration will involve knowledge-sharing initiatives, technological […]
CA Sri Lanka submits budget proposals to support national revival and growth
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), the country’s premier national accounting body, submitted a set of comprehensive proposals for consideration in the upcoming government budget for the year 2025. These proposals aim to bolster Sri Lanka’s economic revival and growth trajectory while promoting governance, transparency, and accountability to restore public […]
Sri Lanka’s Economy, Hare or Tortoise?
By Jekhan Aruliah I was listening to a very eloquent speaker on YouTube. He commented, as our public speakers often do, that we in Sri Lanka are a blessed nation. Blessed with abundant natural assets, our forests and beaches etc, and copious human talents. And yet this blessed nation is chronically poor and in 2022 […]
Real GDP projected to have grown by 5-pct in 2024; gross official reserves at USD 6.1bn by end 2024: CBSL
Sri Lanka’s real GDP is projected to have grown by around 5.0% in 2024, registering the highest annual growth since 2017, the Central Bank said launching its Policy Agenda for 2025. This higher-than-expected growth also provides evidence that deflation in recent months was not due to demand factors but mainly due to supply-side factors, including […]
IRD Publishes Procedure for Withholding Tax on Nonresident Payments in Gazette
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) announced that a notification specifying the procedure for withholding tax on any payment to a nonresident person, under Section 86 (7) of the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, has been published in the official gazette. This notification outlines the detailed steps and requirements for withholding tax on payments […]
VIDEO: Withholding Tax Hike, A System Inefficiency – Tax Experts
In this insightful discussion, tax experts N. R. Gajendran and Suresh Perera analyze how the new reforms will affect the general public and the broader economy. N. R. Gajendran, highlights that while the government has promised to provide relief to individuals who were unfairly taxed, the practical implementation of this promise is fraught with challenges. […]
Sri Lanka Introduces Landmark Food & Beverage Regulations
The Sri Lankan government has announced new restrictions on marketing food and beverages to children, effective January 1, 2025, under the Food (Labelling & Advertising) Regulations 2022. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, through its Food & Beverage Steering Committee, was a key partner in shaping these regulations by providing inputs on food science, nutrition, international […]
CSE Announces the appointment of Vindhya Jayasekera as CEO Designate
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Vindhya Jayasekera as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Designate, effective 1st January 2025. Ms. Jayasekera will succeed the incumbent CEO, Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike, who is due to retire during the course of 2025 after serving for 11 years in that capacity. Ms. […]