WASHINGTON, June 24, 2024— The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $150 million in financing for Sri Lanka to improve the quality and utilization of its primary healthcare services. The newly approved Sri Lanka Primary Healthcare System Enhancing Project will help improve the quality of care and increase the use of primary medical…
by Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe The term “judicial cannibalism” is more metaphorical than a formal legal term. It combines the word “judicial,” related to the court system, with “cannibalism,” which means eating one’s own kind. This term can be translated as “judicial self-destruction,” suggesting that the judiciary is undermining its own principles and precedents. President Ranil…
The Sri Lankan government’s submission to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the 2024 Article IV Consultation and the Second Review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) has been met with significant criticism. Many argue that the stringent conditions imposed by the IMF exacerbate the country’s economic challenges, disproportionately affecting the poor and vulnerable. Critics…
Key Statistics Female Labour Force Participation in Sri Lanka: 29.4% Male Labour Force Participation in Sri Lanka: 67.4% Comparison with Other Countries: Indonesia: 53% Malaysia: 52% Vietnam: 68% Singapore: 62% Sri Lanka’s labour force participation rate for women remains alarmingly low, highlighting a significant gender disparity in the country’s employment landscape. According to recent data,…
Year Number of individuals granted CIF value (LKR) Applicable Luxury tax (LKR) Exemption (LKR) 2019 2,034 15,438,165,476 8,386,568,292 8,386,568,292 2020 1,470 10,949,550,670 5,952,819,964 5,952,819,964 2021 3 102,428,935 85,687,264 85,687,264 Total 3,507 26,490,145,081 14,425,075,520 14,425,075,520 2023 138 2,644,918,039 1,090,150,823 436,560,827 Total 138 2,644,918,039 1,090,150,823 436,560,827 Grand Total 3,645 29,135,063,120 15,515,226,343 14,861,636,347 Colombo, Sri Lanka –…
The Parliamentary Committee on Government Accounts has emphasized the critical need for the Labour Department to establish a continuously updated data system, stressing its importance for public safety. This urgent recommendation emerged from a meeting chaired by State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, which reviewed the Auditor General’s reports for 2021 and 2022 and evaluated the current…
Sri Lanka is set to introduce a series of tax changes by next month aimed at increasing government revenue, according to a recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The report, which follows the IMF’s review of its program with Sri Lanka, outlines several key tax reforms. One of the major changes includes the…
At the 56th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Sri Lanka Core Group, represented by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador Rita French, delivered a statement on June 19, 2024, in Geneva. The statement, issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Ambassador French, reflects the concerns of the Core Group nations—Canada,…
In a controversial turn of events, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has been accused of “judicial cannibalism” by President Ranil Wickremesinghe following its ruling that the enactment of the ‘Gender Equality’ Bill is inconsistent with Article 12 of the Constitution. This landmark judgment has sparked intense debate within the Parliament. President Wickremesinghe, addressing Parliament on Tuesday,…
The Doing Good Index (DGI) 2024 evaluates the environment for social investment in Sri Lanka across four sub-indexes: Regulations, Tax and Fiscal Policy, Procurement, and Ecosystem. Here’s a summary of Sri Lanka’s performance compared to the Asia average: 1. Regulations: Number of Clearances Required to Register: Sri Lanka requires only one clearance to register a…
