* Tax revenue to be raised by 47.1% in 2024 * Rs 10,000 increase for public sector workers * Pensioners to get Rs 2,500 allowance * Rs. 450 bn reserved for bank recapitalization * Four new universities to be established * 20% of state banks to be given off by Saman Indrajith President Ranil Wickremesinghe, […]

sector is essential for the economy, businesses and individuals, small […]

The Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA) participated in the 16th Global Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Conference held in Shanghai, China recently with a focus on innovation and the development of national high-end textile advanced manufacturing clusters. Representing Sri Lanka at the annual conference, President of SLAEA Indika Liyanahewage spoke on ‘Green dynamics and […]

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By Jehan Perera With presidential elections due in less than a year, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has embarked upon a course of electoral reforms of major proportions, for which he has appointed a presidential commission of inquiry. He appears to have done so without consultations with opposition parties or civil society. Both these groups were caught […]

Sri Lanka’s digital retail payments are poised for remarkable expansion, with the potential to reach up to Rs 77.2 trillion by 2027, according to analysis by Robocash Sri Lanka. This represents a substantial 128 percent increase from the 2022 level. The optimistic forecast by the company is contingent on the assumption that all major macroeconomic […]

Friday 3rd November, 2023 The latest VAT hike has come as a double whammy for the public, who are reeling from extremely high taxes and tariffs, not to mention the soaring cost of living. The SLPP politicians seem to be deriving some perverse pleasure from the predicament of the people, who rose against them and […]

By Shamindra Ferdinando Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, has said the Foreign Exchange Act No 12 of 2017, enacted during the Yahapalana administration was meant to facilitate the operations of those who exploited the system for their benefit. The new Act had repealed the Exchange Control Act of 1953, Dr. Rajapakshe said, adding that the Yahapalana  move […]

By Shamindra Ferdinando The economy was in such a precarious situation that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government couldn’t further delay the restoration of the relevant provisions of the 1953 Foreign Exchange Act to compel the private sector to bring back export proceeds, rebel SLPP MP Prof. G.L

by Eng Parakrama Jayasinghe parajayasinghe@gmail.com  Electricity consumers reeling from the massive increase in tariff in February (adjusted somewhat in July 2023) were naturally appalled by the request for a further increase by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).  A public consultation was held on 18 October 2023 by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) […]

By Shamindra Ferdinando Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, MP, has stressed the pivotal importance of public protests against waste, corruption, irregularities and mismanagement.Alleging that those who had been entrusted with the task of governing the country have instead ruined it, Chairman of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Fonseka, on Thursday, said that every citizen should bear […]

Thursday 26th October, 2023 Some SLPP MPs are shedding copious tears for the public who are struggling to keep their heads above water. Prominent among them is former Minister Namal Rajapaksa, who is trying to absolve the SLPP of the blame for exponential increases in taxes and tariffs. Attributing the people’s economic woes to the […]

Addressing the Special General Convention of the United National Party (UNP) held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo on Saturday (21)., President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized his commitment to bolstering the country’s economy by positioning Sri Lanka as a smart nation. The President