Category: Budget
Mangala says Singapore Platts price of refined petrol down 12-pct since Oct 10
Nov 05, 2018 (LBO) – Mangala Samaraweera says that the Rajapaksa administration is attempting to revert to the opaque, politicized regime of fuel pricing that resulted in the CPC being landed with a huge debt which is eventually borne by taxpayers. Samaraweera said that there has been a 12 percent reduction in the Singapore Platts […]
Parliament passes resolution to raise Rs.310Bn under Active Liability Mgmt
Oct 26, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Friday passed a resolution to raise up to 310 billion rupees by way of loans, in or outside Sri Lanka under the Active Liability Management Act. The Active Liability Management Act provides the legal framework for the government to raise loans for management of public debt […]
Only 8-pct of Sri Lanka’s 2018 budget promises progressing on track: Verité
Oct 16, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s private think tank Verité Research has found out that only 8 percent of promises announced in the 2018 budget are progressing on track through the end of the first six months of this year. The research firm has also found out that progress on 33 percent of proposals […]
Govt. expenditure for 2019 Rs.4,376Bn : Budget deficit 4.1-pct
Oct 02, 2018 (LBO) – As per the Appropriation Bill, which was presented to the Cabinet recently by Finance and Media Minister, Mangala Samaraweera, next year’s annual state expenditure will be 4,376 billion rupee.The budget deficit will be 644 billion rupees, 4.1 percent of Gross Domestic Product, the Finance Ministry said issuing a statement. The Government […]
IMF staff mission concludes visit to Sri Lanka; stresses on reforms
Sept 28, 2018 (LBO) – Authorities should accelerate reforms to strengthen the Sri Lankan economy’s resilience to domestic and external shocks, given still significant vulnerabilities, concluding a recent visit, an IMF staff mission said. The IMF staff mission led by Manuela Goretti said the authorities should sustain reform efforts to support trade, investment, and inclusive […]
Appropriation Bill to parliament second week of October
Sept 25, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved the Appropriation Bill proposed by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, to be presented in Parliament during the second week of October, a statement said. The Appropriation Bill estimates, the total expenditure for 2019 without budget proposals is 4,376 billion rupees, the latest statement on cabinet decisions said. […]
Special Salaries Commission to remove public sector salary anomalies
Aug 14, 2018 (LBO) – Cabinet approval has been granted to appoint a special salaries commission to remove salary anomalies in the public sector including the Railway Department.The salaries commission will pay its attention and make an in-depth study on the provisions of the existing circulars dealing with payment of salaries and other allowances paid […]
Central Bank maintains policy interest rates at current levels
July 06, 2018 (LBO) – Monetary Board of the Central Bank, at its meeting held on 05 July 2018, has decided to maintain policy interest rates at their current levels.Accordingly, the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) remain at 7.25 per cent and 8.50 per cent, respectively. The Board’s decision is […]
Treasury puts record straight on central government’s outstanding debt
July 01, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s General Treasury says former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal has tried to present a different and distorted viewpoint on the Central Government’s financial statement in an article published recently under the caption “The Government’s Growth Scam”. The full statement issued by Finance Ministry is reproduced below. General Treasury […]
Sri Lanka’s outlook remains stable but is conditional on reforms: World Bank
June 28, 2018 (LBO) – World Bank says a challenging domestic political environment has already taken a toll, slowing down some reforms and complicating the stable medium-term outlook and an impending election cycle which will only elevate this risk. World Bank, releasing its June 2018 edition of the Sri Lanka Development Update said the reforms are […]
Central Bank says no involvement in manipulating GDP estimates
June 28, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank says allegations that the Central Bank is involved in manipulating Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates are totally unfounded. Central Bank issuing a statement said the sole responsibility of compiling GDP estimates is vested with the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) since 2007. “However, the Central […]
New MLA amendments to restrict financing fiscal deficit by Central Bank
June 05, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank said there will be new legislative amendments to Monetary Law Act (MLA) to restrict financing the fiscal deficit of the government by the Central Bank. Currently, the Central bank has been compelled to purchase Treasury bills in the primary market at times without regard to monetary […]