Banks, which pay taxes over 50%, least affected By Sanath Nanayakkare If the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and other pension funds did not wish to participate in the proposed domestic debt restructuring process, there will be an application of higher annual income tax of 30%, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said yesterday. The EPF […]

By Shamindra Ferdinando SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said that the all-party Committee on Public Finance (COPF) would have to examine the proposals presented by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the Treasury as regards the proposed domestic debt restructuring. COPF Chairman de Silva said that the CBSL and Treasury representatives appeared […]

By Rathindra Kuruwita The JVP yesterday asked the government why it had closed the banks for five days and summoned Parliament without an Order Paper if it was confident that the domestic debt restructuring would have no detrimental impact on the people. JVP’s Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa told journalists in Colombo that the government had a […]

Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has highlighted the critical considerations surrounding Domestic Debt Optimisation and its impact on the members of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). Speaking on behalf of the Opposition, recently, de Silva emphasised the need to prioritize the interests of EPF pension fund members in any decision-making process. “Our foremost concern […]

By Shamindra Ferdinando The Opposition yesterday (08) lambasted Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena for what it called a move to disrupt the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) ahead of the vote on a Bill titled ‘Central Bank of Sri Lanka.’ Top spokespersons for the Nidahas Janatha Sabhawa (NJS) Prof. G.L. Peiris, MP, and the main Opposition Samagi […]

By Rathindra Kuruwita President Ranil Wickremesinghe was under the impression that he could scare Sri Lankan institutions into submission and force an economic recovery with his presidential powers, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary, MP Dayasiri Jayasekera said yesterday in Colombo. Jayasekera said that the government was trying to restructure domestic debt, as per […]

Tuesday 2nd May, 2023 Another May Day has come and gone. The organisers of the International Workers’ Day celebrations, in this country, rarely mention the Haymarket Riot in Chicago (1886), and benefits that accrued therefrom to workers the world over, much less commemorate the brave workers who have laid down their lives in the US […]

The Resolution for the implementation of the arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of the IMF for Sri Lanka was passed in Parliament by a majority of 95 Votes with 120 voting in favour and 25 voting against. Except for AHM Fowzie all other SJB members were not present in the chamber at the […]

The Resolution for the implementation of the arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of the IMF for Sri Lanka was passed in Parliament by a majority of 95 votes with 120 voting in favour and 25 voting against it. The Parliamentary debate on the agreement reached with the IMF started after President Ranil Wickremesinghe made […]

Steps are being taken to prepare the new integrated labour law to avoid the complexities of the existing employment statutes, Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, recently told the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labour and Foreign Employment affairs. The Minister said they will start taking opinions and suggestions of all relevant parties from […]

Powering the 89th annual Battle of the Saints, Sri Lanka’s leading private sector bank HNB PLC, reaffirmed its commitment as the official banking partner for the highly anticipated cricket encounter at the Sinhalese Sports Club on April 28, 29 and 30. The match will see the two leading Catholic schools, St. Josephs College and St. […]

By Shamindra Ferdinando The International Monetary Fund (IMF) owed an explanation as regards the recent government declaration that domestic debt restructuring was part of the programme implemented in terms of Sri Lanka’s agreement with the lending agency, top Opposition spokesperson Prof. G.L. Pieris, MP said yesterday (10). Having repeatedly assured that domestic debt wouldn’t be […]

Wednesday 5th April, 2023 There have been substantial reductions in fuel prices, and they will go a long way towards tackling inflation. The economy is said to be showing some signs of recovery, but more trouble is apparently brewing for the hapless Sri Lankans, who are struggling to keep the wolf from the door. Now, […]

Speech made November 22 I have consistently recorded my opposition to Minister of Finance being the President. From 2010 onwards in this House, whenever the President in his capacity as Minister of Finance has presented a budget I have recorded that protest and I wish to record that today as well. When a person who […]

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the largest social security scheme in Sri Lanka, has suffered massive losses due to the investments made in listed and unlisted companies, a new report compiled by the Auditor General s Department revealed.

Fear of a DDR/IFR event drive rates even higher

Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has publicly stated that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have employees far in excess than required for the normal functioning of these institutions. For instance, Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd., has 4,200 employees where only 500 are required, and the CEB has around 26,000 employees when […]

‘Utterly corrupt process implemented at country’s expense’ By Shamindra Ferdinando Dissident SLPP lawmaker Dr. Nalaka Godahewa has warned of clandestine moves to sell off profitable ventures in the state sector.Addressing the media in Colombo on Wednesday (24), the Gampaha District MP alleged that instead of restricting loss making ventures, interested parties seemed hell-bent on divesting […...

Currency depreciation inflates an economy and imposes a 'hair cut' on domestic debt by reducing purchasing power

Photo courtesy of Longitude 80 The estate sector, a high foreign exchange earner for the country, is undergoing a severe crisis. On one hand, estate workers are underpaid and forced to live...