Tag: economy

In a potentially controversial move a 10 per cent VAT would be slapped on banks from January 2003.rn rnFinance Minister Choksy said no input credit will be permitted but VAT will not be charged on gross income but on a base composed of net profits and employee emoluments in a bid to prevent a rise […]

Government stuck to its word reducing corporation tax rates to 30 percent as promised in its 2002 budget.rn rnCompanies with a taxable income of over Rs. 5 million a year will qualify for the new tax rate.rn rnCompanies with taxable income of less than Rs. 5 Mn will continue to be taxed at 20 per […]

Though many government servants are looking to the budget for a salary increase analysts say any increase will be tied to a voluntary retirement scheme.rn rnThe government has already gone public with voluntary retirement packages to state enterprises such as the Ports Authority, Ceylon Petroleum and Salu Sala.rn rnMeanwhile the Treasury has already frozen employment […]

Putting its restricting plans into action the Urban Development Authority (UDA) will let out two of its prime properties in Colombo on long lease to private developers.rn rnInvitations were called over the weekend to put up buildings that combine residential and commercial facilities in Chattam Street in Colombo 1 and on Galle Road, Colombo 3.rn […]

Government is planning to set up an independent holding company to own and manage state enterprises.rn rnThe company set up on the lines of Temasek Holdings of Singapore will enable state enterprises to be run independent of the government while the Sate retains ownership.rn rnAn independent audit authority answerable to parliament is also on the […]

Infusing fresh discipline into the bloated state machinery, a proposal to set up a Singapore style investment holding company and National Audit Authority has got the government quote s attention. rn rnThe Dutch government has sent a team of experts to look at the possibility of starting an independent National Audit Authority.rn rnThe new authority […]

The World Bank will offer a loan to prop up the government budget next year.rn rnThe poverty reduction support credit will come on the back of the proposed growth facility loan currently being negotiated with the IMF.rn rnUnlike a program loan the PRSC funds will go towards financing the budget. rn rnThe government and the […]

Government is seeking donor assistance to resettle displaced people in the war-affected regions to establish normalcy and help the peace process.rn rnDespite the risks, bilateral and multilateral donors are also lining up to lend for reconstruction in the North and East provinces.rn rnSome institutions like the World Bank are taking a fresh approach to identify […]

The World Bank is focusing on community development projects in the north and south to bring immediate benefits of peace at grassroots level, overcoming structural and man made problems.rn rnldblquote It is important for the benefits of peace to start flowing to the north fast, dblquote World Bank Country Director Peter Harrold told Lanka Business […]

The government plans to go on an international roadshow to raise dollar funds for long-term infrastructure projects.rn rnThe lquote Sri Lanka Fund quote , the Board of Investments says will source its initial capital from North America and Europe as well as local insurance and pension funds.rn rnPremier Ranil Wickramasinghe is due to kick off […]

The Stock market valuation for most companies has doubled.Even the property market has picked up. rn rnIn effect your net worth could have almost doubled over the last year. rn rnNone of this money though has made it in to your bank account.rn rnBut are you spending more than you usually do? Economists call this […]

A tissue cultivation project to grow and sell banana chips became the first recipient of a government funded rural revival fund.rn rnSet up under the aegis of the Rural Economy Ministry, the Rural Economy Resuscitation Fund kicked off Thursday with a pledge to empower rural producers.rn rnThe Treasury has infused Rs. 100 mn as seed […]