Category: Featured
Sri Lanka adds more taxes for smokers
Sep 30, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has approved a 15 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) and 5.00 rupees production tax on cigarettes as well as an increase of cess on the import of “beedi” leaves, a statement said. “Cabinet has decided to impose 15 percent VAT on cigarettes again, increase the current production […]
‘s ministries should be aligned to be more effective
Sep 30, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s budget allocations for national road development are high, but it needs to be attuned to needs, and ministries should be properly allocated, a senior official said. “The problem is that we have fragmented systems, especially transport and highways are two different ministries so it is very difficult for […]
Sri Lanka can meet 5.4-pct budget deficit target for 2016: Ravi
Sep 30, 2016 (LBO) – Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said Sri Lanka is well on its way to achieving the fiscal target for 2016 as the Value Added Tax increase would be presented in Parliament next week. “Revenue collection is largely on target despite delays in passing the VAT amendments, and we are confident of […]
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank allows foreign investors full control: CIFL
Sep 29, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s troubled Central Investment and Finance Company says the Monetary Board has assured that investors would get 100 percent control once the proposed investment materializes. Clarifying a newspaper report, CIFL said that such intervention would be subject to other circumstances of the mechanism of proposed investment. The investors have […]
Sri Lanka lube market grows 6.8-pct in 2015: report
Sep 29, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s lubricant market has grown by 6.8 percent to 23.4 billion rupees in 2015, with 10.1 percent growth in automotive and 7.7 percent increase in industrial lube, the lubricant market report 2015 showed. The report compiled by its regulator Public Utilities Commission, however, said the marine lubricant market has […]
One in four Sri Lankan households own a computer: survey
Sep 29, 2016 (LBO) – At least one computer is available in 24 percent of households in Sri Lanka, in urban as well as rural areas, the Department of Census and Statistics said in its Computer Literacy report for 2015. “That is about one out of every four households owns either a desktop or a […]
CB Governor says 2Q growth should be higher than 2.6-pct
Sept 28, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s second quarter economic growth for this year should be higher than the published 2.6 percent, Central Bank Governor said. Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy told reporters in Colombo that he would expect it to be higher than the current figure, once it gets revised. “If you look at proxies for […]
US based BlackRock shows interest in Srilankan airlines: Minister
Sep 28, 2016 (LBO) – Two global investment managers, US based BlackRock and TPG Capital, have shown interest in crisis-hit SriLankan Airlines which is looking for a partner, a minister said. “BlackRock and TPG Capital, two global investment management firms are among the interested parties in addition to some Chinese airlines,” Malik Samarawickrama, minister of […]
Indian Minister says “not bitter” over Sampur, will look at LNG option
Sep 28, 2016 (LBO) – India has had “no bitter experience” and will not be pulled back by the halting of the Sampur coal power plant and will engage with Sri Lanka in a way both countries benefit out from it, a visiting Indian minister said. “These are national priorities and international commitments, both of […]
ADB lowers Sri Lanka growth in 2016 to 5-pct from 5.3-pct
Sep 28, 2016 (LBO) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered the economic growth forecast for Sri Lanka to 5.0 percent for 2016 from 5.3 percent saying growth prospects for Sri Lanka edge lower on weak industrial performance and fiscal consolidation. “ADB lowered the GDP growth rate to 5.0 percent for Sri Lanka in […]
Sri Lanka attracts major container ship MSC Maya to Colombo
Sep 27, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) attracted one of the largest container ships in the world ‘MSC Maya’ with a capacity of 19,224 TEUS to the Colombo Port recently. Switzerland-owned Mediterranean Shipping Company’s MSC Maya made Colombo’s maiden call on 16th September 2016, replacing a smaller vessel owned by […]
Infrastructure: Sri Lanka Megapolis development on right track, says UDA DG
Sept 27, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is pushing ahead with ambitious Megapolis development plans keeping in mind the need to strengthen public sector capacity, a senior government official said. The Western region Megapolis is being designed around clusters in financial services, industry and manufacturing, airport related activity, technology, logistics, forestry and tourism, said Sumedha […]