Category: Banking and Finance

Sri Lanka Insurance which was privatized last year says 400 employees have taken up a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) during the last few months. Sri Lanka Insurance which was privatized last year says 400 employees have taken up a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) during the last few months. The company employs 2000 people and says […]

Commercial Bank of Ceylon reported a modest group profit growth after its bond trading unit took a hit following a rise in treasury yields. Commercial Bank of Ceylon reported a modest group profit growth after its bond trading unit took a hit following a rise in treasury yields. For the nine months ended Sept. 30 […]

Commercial Bank is extending benefits to its foreign currency accountholders by offering floating interest rates calculated on a daily basis.Commercial Bank is extending benefits to its foreign currency accountholders by offering floating interest rates calculated on a daily basis. ‘FC Plus’ promises to pay foreign currency account holders – with an account balance in excess […]

The debate is intensifying around how much the government has printed money to finance the deficit. The Central Bank says some numbers quoted in media reports are misleading. Our Economic columnist says it is certainly refreshing to see a debate developing around the government printing money to finance the deficit. . Central Bank holdings of […]

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce says it will lobby the Government to remove restrictions on tax deductible expenses proposed in the 2005 budget. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce says it will lobby the Government to remove restrictions on tax deductible expenses proposed in the 2005 budget. Removing overseas travel and entertainment bills from income before […]

Inland Revenue Department is being geared up to collect more taxes from next year.Inland Revenue Department is being geared up to collect more taxes from next year. The government is planning to increase tax collections by Rs. 69 billion next year or roughly three percent of GDP The Department of Inland Revenue says they plan […]

Government brings new proposals to compute executive perks and attract foreign currency holders to stash their cash in local banks.Government brings new proposals to compute executive perks and attract foreign currency holders to stash their cash in local banks. Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama says the changes are essential to ‘encourage socially responsible citizens’, but that […]

The Treasury Secretary says Sri Lanka’s national budget for 2005 is geared to generate funds internally without waiting for donor assistance. The Treasury Secretary says Sri Lanka’s national budget for 2005 is geared to generate funds internally without waiting for donor assistance. “If donor assistance fits into our development strategy, we take it. But if […]

Sri Lanka’s domestic banks are still far from coming to grips with modern risk management techniques, though branches of foreign banks were coping better, a survey that was out in November, has revealed.Sri Lanka’s domestic banks are still far from coming to grips with modern risk management techniques, though branches of foreign banks were coping […]

Depositors of the failed Pramuka Bank have demanded Rs.6 bn in damages from its regulator, Sri Lanka’s Central Bank.Depositors of the failed Pramuka Bank have demanded Rs. 6 bn in damages from its regulator, Sri Lanka’s Central Bank. “We sent out letters of demand to the Monetary Board asking for damages up to Rs. 6 […]

Tax experts say that government’s ad hoc changes to taxes outside the budget harms the stability of the fiscal environment. Tax experts say that government’s ad hoc changes to taxes outside the budget harms the stability of the fiscal environment. They also believe that the Economic Service Charge has not looked positive on a cross […]

The Sri Lankan government is trying to access US$ 248.0 mn from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) to finance a cluster of development projects valued at US $ 977.7 mn. The Sri Lankan government is trying to access US$ 248.0 mn from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) to finance a cluster of development projects valued […]