Category: Featured
Sri Lanka planters warn on land redistribution budget proposals
Nov 16, 2016 (LBO) – The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) said it has serious reservations as to the feasibility and potential impact of recent budget proposals on Sri Lanka’s plantation industry, a statement said. Sri Lanka’s budget 2017 proposed for a reduction in the maximum acreage that can be held by any stand-alone plantation […]
Sri Lanka revenue reform a step toward stronger finances: Fitch
Nov 16, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s budget 2017 proposed tax hikes will strengthen the revenue base although some of the revenue assumptions look optimistic and pose risks to projections, the Fitch rating agency said. “Sri Lanka’s budget for 2017 is broadly in line with the targets set out under its IMF programme, and contains […]
‘s prospects for LNG investment high, especially from Japan: advisory firm
Nov 16, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s prospects for attracting investments in LNG, power plants, and natural gas infrastructure are good, especially if the island looks towards Japan, a global advisory firm said. Sri Lanka enjoys “Comprehensive Partnership” status with Japan, supported by close ties between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe, […]
Lanka Sugar Company turns loss into Rs1bn profit
Nov 15, 2016 (LBO) – Lanka Sugar Company, which includes Pelwatte and Sewanagala sugar factories, has recorded a profit of 1,018 million rupees for the first nine months of this year. The company which employs around 5,600 workers has made a significant turnaround this year after it suffered a loss of 1,030 million rupees last […]
Sri Lankan market crowded, Asian telcos under pressure in 2017: Fitch
Nov 15, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka continues to be a crowded market with five operators serving a population of 21 million and set for consolidation, Fitch Ratings said in a statement. “We expect industry consolidation in India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, as weaker telcos exit the market or seek mergers and acquisition to strengthen […]
Sri Lanka’s e-commerce industry poised to take off: JLL
Nov 15, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s online retail industry growing fast due to lack of physical infrastructure like shops and malls, Jones Lang LaSalle, SriLanka said. “Not only do things look good for physical retail in the country but also for online retail,” Gagan Singh, chairperson, JLL, SriLanka said in a statement. “Unlike other countries […]
Sri Lanka budget promotes inclusive growth: Lanka Securities
Nov 15, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s budget 2017 promotes inclusive growth with an emphasis on education, infrastructure, SMEs and incentives for business, although growth and deficit targets seem ambitious, Lanka Securities said in a research note. “The projected 6.7 percent growth in economy, in our opinion is quite ambitious given the volatility in the […]
‘s government: Harsha De Silva
Nov 15, 2016 (LBO) – Reconciliation is a priority for Sri Lanka’s unity government and transitional justice is an important aspect of this, Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva said. “Reconciliation is not a box that can be ticked or a journey that can end as per a timeline. There are no magic portions to […]
Sri Lanka to introduce new law protecting foreign reserves
Nov 11, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has proposed to introduce a new Foreign Exchange Act to protect foreign reserves from irregular transactions. Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told Parliament yesterday that the current Exchange Control Act will be repealed for this purpose. An Investment Inflow Management Act will be introduced to facilitate the inward remittance […]
Education a priority, free tablets for students: Budget
Nov 11, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will prioritize education and give free tablet computers to students and teachers in 2017, the government said in budget proposals for next year. Almost 175,000 A Level students and 28,000 teachers will receive tablet computers in 2017, for which five billion rupees has been allocated. Sri Lanka has […]
Sri Lanka property restrictions on foreigners relaxed: Budget
Nov 11, 2016 (LBO) – The Finance Minister in Budget 2017 announced measures to relax restrictions placed on property and land with regard to foreigners, and to allow companies to lease land. “The Government would remove freehold right restrictions from the ground floor and also allow foreigners who will be purchasing condominiums to raise 40 […]
Sri Lanka budget 2017: tax and revenue proposals
Nov 11, 2016 (LBO) – Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake in his Budget 2017 speech in parliament Thursday proposed several measures to improve government revenue. “To increase the direct tax component to 40 percent from around 20 percent at present and gradually reduce the indirect taxes to 60 percent from around 80 percent in the medium term,” […]