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Government to Impose Taxes on 14 Additional Sectors, Says State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya

The government has decided to impose taxes on 14 additional sectors, announced State Minister of Finance, Dr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. Among these sectors are large-scale private tutoring classes, private schools, private medical service centers, engineering service centers, and mining services. State Minister Siyambalapitiya stated that the Inland Revenue Department will conduct thorough investigations into the income…

Shehan Semasinghe
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Sri Lanka’s Government Debt Reduced by 2.76% as of April 2024

Sri Lanka’s government debt stock has seen a notable reduction of 2.76%, amounting to Rs 803.2 billion, as of April 30, 2024. This decrease brings the total debt from Rs 29,150.4 billion on December 31, 2023, down to Rs 28,347.2 billion. A significant reduction was observed in the foreign debt stock, which fell by 9.2%…

Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring Agreement and Economic Measures
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Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring Agreement and Economic Measures

Chethana Gomis Extending the principal loan repayment grace period till 2028 will save the country $500 crores. Sri Lanka has also concluded a debt restructuring agreement with International Sovereign Bondholders. Sri Lankan foreign debt amounts to USD 37 billion, comprising USD 10.6 billion in bilateral debt. Regarding accusations from many parties that the Government has…

debt restructuring
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Sri Lanka Reaches Landmark Debt Restructuring Agreement, Daily Reporter

On June 3, 2024, Sri Lanka reached a groundbreaking agreement with its private creditors to restructure its debt, becoming the first country to utilize a Governance-Linked Bond (GLB). This innovative financial instrument was designed by Verité Research in Colombo. The Verité-GLB adjusts repayments based on the country’s achievement of mutually agreed governance benchmarks. If these…

parliament-of-sri-lanka
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Summary of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Speech in Parliament on July 2

1. Introduction Context: Restoring economic stability post debt default in 2022. Recent Achievement: Agreement with official creditors on loan repayment. Communication: National address and consistent updates to Parliament. 2. Four-Step Economic Plan IMF Extended Credit Facilities: Establish financial discipline. Debt Stabilization Plan: Collaboration with Lazard and Clifford Chance. Economic Policies: Secure foreign investment and promote…

Triple E-Class container ship
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Ever Ace’s Historic Call at Colombo East Container Terminal

The maritime world is abuzz with the news that the Megamax container ship, Ever Ace, was scheduled to dock at the Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT) of Colombo Port yesterday. This event marks the second visit of the Ever Ace to Colombo, but notably, it will be the first time the ship calls at a…

Joint Military Training Pune
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Strengthening Defense Ties: India Enhances Training and Support for Sri Lankan Officers

In a recent development, India has announced a series of specialized capacity-building training courses for Sri Lankan officers at premier defense institutions across India, following a request from Sri Lanka. These institutions include the Central Detective Training Institutes and the National Security Guard. According to The Diplomat and writer Ratheendra Kuruvita, India is funding these…

Aswesuma Extends Benefits for Transitional and Vulnerable Groups
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Aswesuma Extends Benefits for Transitional and Vulnerable Groups

The Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Program has extended its special allowances for transitional and vulnerable categories, increasing the monthly payment to Rs. 5000 per beneficiary, effective June 2024. This decision, directed by President Ranil Wickramasinghe, aims to provide additional financial support in light of the current economic challenges. On June 27, the Welfare Benefits Board deposited…

The Legacy of R. Sampanthan: A Story of Leadership and Commitment
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The Legacy of R. Sampanthan: A Story of Leadership and Commitment

In the annals of Sri Lankan politics, the name R. Sampanthan stands out as a beacon of Tamil nationalism and a paragon of moderate political discourse. This story traces the life of this remarkable leader, from his early days through his parliamentary career, and highlights his steadfast commitment to finding a political settlement amidst one…

India eyeing cobalt in disputed waters with Sri Lanka
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India eyeing cobalt in disputed waters with Sri Lanka

by Arundathie Abeysinghe Colombo (AsiaNews) – India is trying to secure exploration rights for a cobalt offshore deposit that could fall under Sri Lanka’s jurisdiction. New Delhi is driven by competition with Beijing, but Colombo also wants to extract minerals that are crucial for modern technologies, including for the energy transition. Cobalt is in fact…