Tag: lankabusinessonline

The government hopes to set up a road fund, monies of which will go towards maintaining and developing Sri Lanka quote s road network.rn rnContributions to the road fund will come from an additional charge to be imposed on licence renewals.rn rnThe government estimates to generate up to 500 million in 2003, and will directed […]

VAT will be slapped on wholesale and retail trade from July 01 next year.This will apply to businesses with a turnover of more than Rs 1.8 mn a year.

A new Economic Management Law will be brought to parliament, which will compel each ministry to report to parliament the progress made on reforms every six months.rn rnldblquote Under that law, the budgets for the respective ministries will be directly linked with the progress made in implementing reforms, dblquote Finance Minister Chocksy told Parliament on […]

Budget Speach – Part Irn rnBudget Speach – Part II

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 […]

A new tea sector association will talk over the responsibility of regulating the industry finance minister K. N. Chocksy told parliament today.rnThe association will also set up standards for Sri Lankan tea and enforce them.rn rnThe apparel industry will also get a new apex body to guide the industry towards the end of the multi-fibre […]

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 […]