Category: Banking and Finance

ldblquote On a Prime Ministerial directive, we are going to take off all old tax files after a certain date. This will be an incentive to tax evaders to start afresh, dblquote Deputy Finance Minister, Bandula Gunawardene told chamber delegates today. rnrnFacing one of its highest debt servicing ratios ever, the government is banking on […]

The Public Enterprises Reform Commission (PERC) is to call for Expressions of Interests (EOIs) to dispose the government quote s controlling stake in Sri Lanka Insurance Corp.by mid-July.rn rnPERC says that it has now commenced the process of privatising SLIC by appointing a team of both international and Sri Lankan advisers led by PricewaterhouseCoopers to […]

The use of the Nalanda College Affinity Card by cardholders will help expedite the construction work of the proposed sports complex for the school because each time the card is used 0.1 per cent of the total value of transaction goes to the Old Nalandians Sports Development Trust Fund, the banks said in a release. […]

The 0.1 percent tax will be slapped on travellers cheques, certificates of deposits and current account balances over Rs. 10,000. rnrnBut the Bankers Association warned of teething problems, as its members had to change their software to accommodate the changes. rnrnldblquote It will not be a smooth change over from day one, dblquote warns the […]

Marking their first year in operations, Ceylinco Savings Bank commenced a home banking unit.

Opening the two-day parley, Central Bank Governor Amarananda Somasiri Jayawardena said the 27-year old clearing system is at the cross road and its eight member countries need to map out an action plan chart its course, to keep in line with global developments. rn”We have to decide what we are going to do in the […]

“The government is interested in getting one (rating) as it will bring in financial discipline and also be a benchmark for local companies to raise money internationally.With the peace process going on we plan to restart the process this year,” Central Bank Governor A S Jayawardene said. rnInitially, the Central Bank had planned to go […]

Cheque imaging or cheque truncation as it is known, enables cheques to be scanned before directing it to the relevant banks electronically. rnrnldblquote Cheque truncation shortens clearing time from 1-7 days to just two days the maximum, dblquote Chairman R B Ekanayake said in an interview. rnrnThe present magnetic reader system, requires all banks to […]

The withholding tax on interest income is having reversal effect on treasury instruments, with the government effectively paying the tax up front at the time of the auction. rnWhile the 10 percent tax pushes the cost of borrowing up, dealers end up adding the tax when they bid at the auctions. rnImposing the tax on […]

The introduction of the Code of Best Practice for Audit Committees will require auditors to be more transparent with their fees, and the reporting of conflicts of interest with the management. rn rnThe Institute believes that this will enable the audit committee to differentiate audit work from the other services rendered. rn rnThe Code, despite […]

Brokers say that the buyer is looking for a strategic stake in Richard Peiris and perhaps the management of the company.rn rnThe trade propped the benchmark All Share Price Index by 0.44 points to close at 618.29.rn rnThe Milanka Price Index closed 1.8 points higher at 1034.67 at the close of trading. rn rnTurnover was […]

The Chamber believes that the re-introduction of private sector managed schemes would increase the benefits to its stakeholders and the capital market.rn rnSome private sector officials say that allowing private sector participation would introduce competition to the two government sector funds, which would lead to better returns and management of funds. rn rnAs an initial […]