In a series of articles on taxing tobacco, IPS has maintained that increasing tobacco taxation has undeniable health and fiscal benefits.

Following is the full speech made by The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President Sanath Ukwatte at the Association’s 2020 Annual General Meeting.

Despite the recent rating downgrades on elevated debt repayment risks, Sri Lanka has significantly cut down its reliance on foreign debt to fund budgets as the government’s balance sheet showed a net repayment of such debt.

State-owned banking giant Bank of Ceylon (BOC) yesterday said the recent downgrade of sovereign and banking institutions in Sri Lanka has not affected the bank’s operations and its foreign correspondent relationships.

Commercial paper issuances have continued to pick up, indicating that the short-term money market instrument is regaining its popularity.

Vidullanka PLC further strengthened its contribution to a greener, cleaner future for Sri Lanka recently by commissioning its very first rooftop solar project with Diamond Cutters Limited.

Canada-based Ceylon Graphite Corp. recently announced the appointment of Janaka Rathnayake and H.M. Ranjith Premasiri to new roles within the company.

Sri Lanka’s manufacturing strength as measured by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) slipped in October with authorities imposing some restrictions on mobility with the resurgence of COVID-19 in the early part of the month.

The Western province secured the largest share (39.1 per cent) of the country’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP). However, due to improved contribution from the other provinces, the share declined by 0.5 percent from 2018. The Central (11.5 per

The global economy is going through its toughest episode in its recent history. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a sharp global economic downturn and disrupted societies in an unprecedented manner. Governments across the world have taken decisive ste

The government revenue declined in the nine months to September as the economic toll of COVID-19 took hold on businesses and consumption, which generate tax income, as economic activities contained to a greater degree in the period.

Backed by a US$ 300 million investment, sugar production at Kantale Sugar Factory is set to resume from 2023, after a 30-year hiatus, as the government is expected to hand over key assets, including the land belonging to factory on lease basis, to MG

The Free Trade Zone Manufacturing Association (FTZMA) slammed the move by Ministry of Labour to amend the Termination of Employment of Workmen (Special Provisions) Act (TEWA), asserting that the proposed changes are detrimental to employers.

Sri Lanka’s vehicle registrations slumped to a new low in November, including most commercial vehicle categories, as the government continues to maintain restrictions on importation of personal vehicles.

National carrier SriLankan Airlines sees a recovery to pre-pandemic revenue levels by the end of next year as COVID-19 vaccines roll out globally and its home country loosens air travel restrictions, its chairman said.

Sri Lanka has potential for an upward revision in its sovereign rating by this time next year, as the country is on course for a strong rebound in its economic growth, boosting its reserve buffers, achieving targets set in the budget, which will rein

Fitch Ratings expects loan growth of Sri Lankan banks to accelerate from where it will end in 2020, reflecting better prospects for the banking sector and more broadly for the economy.

Sluggish economic activity, external and domestic vulnerabilities, muted private credit growth and the sovereign’s weakened credit profile are significant downside risks to the operating environment for Sri Lankan banks, Fitch Ratings said in a new

The construction of Sri Lanka’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant will begin construction in January, Minister of Power Dullas Alahapperuma said this week.

Sri Lanka Tourism presented a strategic online webinar targeted at industry stakeholders, on the topic ‘Building destination image for post COVID tourism revival’.

Access Engineering PLC has successfully concluded the design and construction of G+24 -storey building that accommodates 608 residential housing units in Borella.

The United States is set to add dozens of Chinese companies, including the country’s top chipmaker SMIC, to a trade blacklist yesterday, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Spirent Communications PLC, the leading provider of test, assurance, and analytics solutions for next-generation devices and networks, announced that it has provided its industry-leading 5G core network testing solution Spirent Landslide to Dialog Ax

Asian shares slipped yesterday after Reuters reported that the United States is set to add dozens of Chinese companies, including the country’s top chipmaker SMIC, to a trade blacklist later in the day.

The Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes (APHNH), the apex body representing all private hospitals and nursing homes in the country, reassured patients and the general public that member hospitals remain committed to providing access to

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC has announced the appointment of former Chief Justice Kanagasabapathy Sripavan as Chairman and senior academic Prof. A. K. W. Jayawardane as Deputy Chairman with effect from 21st and 29th December 2020 respectively.

Written ahead of the International Migrants Day on December 18, 2020.

As an early childhood education specialist and as a mother of two children, I know how difficult the COVID-19 pandemic has been for parents who are juggling work and family obligations. The lack of affordable and reliable childcare options has left m

Despite the doom and gloom forecasts by global rating agencies and the second wave of COVID-19 reaching community level, the government is optimistic that the best is within reach.

The government on Wednesday announced a foreign direct investment (FDI) target of US $ 2.5 billion for next year, a figure that is not overly ambitious, given the commitments already received, according to State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal.