Sri Lanka allocates Rs1.8tn for 2017 in Appropriation Bill

Oct 20, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government has allocated 1,819 billion rupees to meet the estimated expenditure requirements of next year through the appropriation bill presented to the Parliament today. Presenting the bill, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said the cabinet approval has duly been granted for the bill. As per the released bill, the […]

Sri Lanka to develop IT platform for tea with Rs220mn

Oct 19, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is to introduce an industry-wide and real-time IT solution to integrate functions associated with tea in order to improve productivity and quality across the industry. The proposed IT backbone will acquire, store, analyze and report on industry-related data and will integrate the entire value chain with efficient monitoring […]

Sri Lanka to regulate petroleum industry through PUCSL

Oct 19, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved appointment of the Public Utilities Commission as the regulator of the petroleum industry. “The government has noted the importance of transferring Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to the regulatory scope of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka,” a statement on cabinet decisions said. The proposal was […]

Sri Lanka to conduct feasibility studies for 5 LRTs excluded by JICA

Oct 19, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved conducting of detailed feasibility studies for five remaining light railway transits (LRTs) with an estimated cost of 300 million rupees. Megapolis Ministry has initially identified 7 lines to be constructed in the Colombo district to cater to the transport demand while leaving provisions for further […]

Sri Lanka Central Bank resolves four insolvent institutions

Oct 19, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Monetary Board says it has approved repayments to depositors and investors in four insolvent financial institutions. The Monetary Board approved repayment of depositors of three finance companies, The Standard Credit Finance Ltd., City Finance Corporation Ltd. and Central Investments and Finance PLC, and legitimate investors in government securities-linked […]

‘s power users to be compensated for damages: PUCSL

Oct 19, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s electricity consumers will be compensated for the damages to equipment due to abnormal voltages and phase reversals in the distribution systems from 13th January 2017, the power regulator said. The implementation of the regulation will be completed in three stages over three years from the day the regulations […]

Opinion: Perpetual and the problem of unfettered capitalism

By Chamath Ariyadasa Questions about rampant capitalism are raised not just in Sri Lanka but in all developed financial markets. Hence, calls for a more subdued, socially conscious process reverberate here as well, and these arguments are important. Once we set the rules, the private sector steps in to maximise profit — acting within the […]

Finance Minister obtains proposals for budget from Ceylon Chamber

Oct 18, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake recently met with the committee members of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to obtain their views on the upcoming Budget presentation. The discussion was chaired by Chairman of the Chamber Samantha Ranatunga and each committee member was given an opportunity to express their views […]

Sri Lanka exports, imports decline; BOP in surplus

Oct 17, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s exports fell 4.4 percent to 891.2 million US dollars in July, while imports also fell at a faster 6.6 percent to 1,432.8 million US dollars from a year earlier, official data showed. The trade gap shrank 10 percent to 541.6 million US dollars from a year earlier. Exports […]

Asia Tourism Investment Conference in Nov gathers momentum

Oct 17, 2016 (LBO) – The inaugural Asia Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference in November in Colombo will be an influential gathering for the region focusing on challenges and opportunities in the hotel and tourism industries, the organizers said. Hot topics are likely to include land ownership, impediments to raising finance and shortage of talent. […]

New opportunities for Sri Lankan companies in India

Oct 17, 2016 (LBO) – There are new opportunities for Sri Lankan companies in India, with several internal changes going on in the country, an official of a visiting Indian business delegation said. “Within India, there are so many economic changes that could be advantageous for Sri Lanka. What is important is that this is […]

Sri Lanka to draft new counter terrorism law: Cabinet

Oct 14, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has appointed a committee to draft a new counter terrorism law, a statement on cabinet decisions said. “A committee chaired by the Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development has been appointed to draft a new counter terrorism law instead of the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act, […]

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