Category: Banking and Finance

Sri Lanka’s government has estimated the cost of rebuilding after last month’s devastating tsunami at billion, with a bulk of the money needed for housing, fishing boats and water supply facilities.Sri Lanka’s government has estimated the cost of rebuilding after last month’s devastating tsunami at $2 billion, with a bulk of the money needed for […]

Apply for tax amnesty before January 31 to avoid post 2002 tax investigations, says the Inland Revenue.Apply for tax amnesty before January 31 to avoid post 2002 tax investigations, says the Inland Revenue. The blanket tax amnesty granted in 2003 is no longer valid and the taxmen are closing in on tax evaders. One way […]

In a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) here, Ganesh Thuraivasa, 38, is a fisherman who lost his fishing boat and nets in the tsunami that struck Sri Lanka’s eastern coastline on 26 December.In a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) here, Ganesh Thuraivasa, 38, is a fisherman who lost his fishing boat and nets […]

The Central Bank has agreed to increase the intermediation margin for financial institutions for on-lending money to tsunami affected small businesses.The Central Bank has agreed to increase the intermediation margin for financial institutions for on-lending money to tsunami affected small businesses. The Bank earlier said commercial banks would get 1 percent for intermediation cost for […]

The IMF has warned that high inflation would burn up the benefits of the large amounts of aid being pledged for Sri Lanka’s post tsunami reconstruction. The IMF has warned that high inflation would burn up the benefits of the large amounts of aid being pledged for Sri Lanka’s post tsunami reconstruction. A top executive […]

The International Monetary Fund says Sri Lanka will be hard pressed to keep its country reserves at pre-tsunami levels, as a heavy import bill will negate an inflow of dollars.The International Monetary Fund says Sri Lanka will be hard pressed to keep its country reserves at pre-tsunami levels, as a heavy import bill will negate […]

Last month’s devastating tsunami will increase the strain on Sri Lanka’s government finances, but help from donors will likely prevent a full-blown crisis, officials and analysts said Wednesday.Last month’s devastating tsunami will increase the strain on Sri Lanka’s government finances, but help from donors will likely prevent a full-blown crisis, officials and analysts said Wednesday. […]

The IMF plans to work on a macroeconomic impact, budgetary and balance of payments needs assessment to the tsunami-hit Sri Lanka, besides stepping in with up to US$ 160 mn in emergency financial assistance, a senior International Monetary Fund official said on Wednesday.The IMF plans to work on a macroeconomic impact, budgetary and balance of […]

Sri Lanka’s tsunami tragedy will affect an estimate Rs. 20 billion in loans given out by commercial banks to individuals and business in the ravaged coastal belt.Sri Lanka’s tsunami tragedy will affect an estimate Rs. 20 billion in loans given out by commercial banks to individuals and business in the ravaged coastal belt. A fraction […]

The JVP wants all tsunami-affected businesses released from their current and previous tax obligations. The JVP wants all tsunami-affected businesses released from their current and previous tax obligations. The government’s main coalition partner, the JVP is calling for blanket tax concessions for tsunami-affected businesses – when the government says no tax breaks. In a statement […]

The World Bank’s private sector financing arm is offering cash grants through its business investments in Sri Lanka who have undertaken post-tsunami reconstruction work.The World Bank’s private sector financing arm is offering cash grants through its business investments in Sri Lanka who have undertaken post-tsunami reconstruction work. Sanjiva Senanayake, the International Financial Corp’s Resident Representative […]

The Asian Development Bank says it is not keen on offsetting debt, but is pushing for more grant aid and a re-scheduling of loans. Sri Lanka owes the Manila based bank a total of US$ 1.6 bn in total to date, with debt repayment this year standing at US$ 75 mn. Given the ‘extraordinary financing’ […]