Cutting the paper trail with electronic transactions

Cabinet this week cleared the long pending draft electronic transaction bill, intended to facilitate the use of modern communications and information storage tools in transactions. Cabinet this week cleared the long pending draft electronic transaction bill, intended to facilitate the use of modern communications and information storage tools in transactions. The legislation will create a […]

Déjà vu

Operating losses at the Ceylon Electricity Board is threatening to snowball to Rs.18 billion by year end, as costs of generation soar with no new power plants in sight. Operating losses at the Ceylon Electricity Board is threatening to snowball to Rs. 18 billion by year end, as costs of generation soar with no new […]

Kuwait lends US$ 20 mn for post tsunami reconstruction

The Kuwait Fund will lend US$ 20 mn to Sri Lanka to strengthen tertiary education and build administrative infrastructure in tsunami affected areas.The Kuwait Fund will lend US$ 20 mn to Sri Lanka to strengthen tertiary education and build administrative infrastructure in tsunami affected areas. The money will fund construction of educational facilities, student housing […]

Fighting cost push inflation with tight monetary policy

The debate over expansionary fiscal policy took a new turn with Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama making apparently contradictory statements in the budget, when defending himself against charges of igniting galloping inflation by printing money. “The Honourable Finance Minister’s statement is what I call an oxymoron,” says Dr. Harsha de Silva, a leading critic of the […]

Escape Route

Trying to squirm out of paying mounting subsidy bills, Treasury has told state oil giant Ceypetco that it is liable to pay its claims, only if it declares a loss.Trying to squirm out of paying mounting subsidy bills, Treasury has told state oil giant Ceypetco that it is liable to pay its claims, only if […]

Tigers to let Tamils vote for Sri Lanka president

Sri Lanka’s Tiger rebels will allow minority Tamils to vote in next week’s presidential election, the guerrillas’ proxies in parliament said Thursday. Sri Lanka’s Tiger rebels will allow minority Tamils to vote in next week’s presidential election, the guerrillas’ proxies in parliament said Thursday. The Tamil vote could decide the winner in the closely-contested November […]

Elephants Walk Out

Sri Lankas main opposition party, the United National Party, took a sudden decision to boycott Tuesday budget, citing its a mere academicals exercise, a senior party spokesman said.“It was a sudden decision to boycott the budget, as there is no debate before the election next week,” UNP parliamentarian Rajitha Senerath said.rn rnSri Lankas Finance Minister […]

Sri Lanka’s peace chief quits amid deadlock in talks

Sri Lanka’s top official handling the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels resigned Wednesday ahead of presidential elections this month, a government official said.Sri Lanka’s top official handling the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels resigned Wednesday ahead of presidential elections this month, a government official said. President Chandrika Kumaratunga accepted the resignation of Jayantha […]

‘s peace chief quits amid deadlock in talks

Sri Lanka’s top official handling the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels resigned Wednesday ahead of presidential elections this month, a government official said.Sri Lanka’s top official handling the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels resigned Wednesday ahead of presidential elections this month, a government official said. President Chandrika Kumaratunga accepted the resignation of Jayantha […]

Budget 2006: Is it achievable?

The 2006 budget expects revenue to go up by 1.1 percent of GDP to 17.5 percent of GDP and the overall budget deficit to remain at 7.1 percent of GDP. The 2006 budget expects revenue to go up by 1.1 percent of GDP to 17.5 percent of GDP and the overall budget deficit to remain […]

Sri Lanka to change banking laws to mandate bigger credit to agro sectors

Sri Lanka plans to bring in changes to its banking laws before next March to mandate banks to double their agriculture lending portfolio, Treasury Secretary said Wednesday.Sri Lanka plans to bring in changes to its banking laws before next March to mandate banks to double their agriculture lending portfolio, Treasury Secretary said Wednesday. “Credit channeled […]

Budget – losing its significance?

While the ‘pre Presidential poll’ budget is being sidelines as election propaganda, the country’s overall financial planning process is also losing its significance. While the ‘pre Presidential poll’ budget is being sidelines as election propaganda, the country’s overall financial planning process is also losing its significance. Successive governments, despite going through the pomp and pageantry […]

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