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Canada supports communities impacted by the Covid-19 crisis in Sri Lanka

The Government of Canada has provided over CAD $56,000 (approximately 7.5 million LKR) to support Sri Lanka’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic through targeted relief to some of those most affected in vulnerable communities.  The funds are being granted to the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)….

(0)Comments | April 23, 2020 8:52 pm

Inbound Tour Operators exempted from VAT

The government has exempted Inbound Tour Operators from Value Added Tax (VAT). Co-Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena today (23) stated that the relevant proposal was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. The measure will be effective from 1st April  2020.  

(0)Comments | April 23, 2020 7:05 pm

Sri Lanka’s remittance flow projected to fall by 19%, WB predicts

The remittance flow to Sri Lanka is projected to decline by 19% due to the economic crisis induced by Covid-19 pandemic and shutdown, according to a World Bank report published yesterday (22). As per the WB report, remittance could come down to US $ 5.4 billion, from US $ 6.7 billion recorded in 2019. In…

(0)Comments | April 23, 2020 2:00 pm

COVID-19 impact: Sri Lanka tourist arrivals down 70.8% in March 2020

Industry sees 12th consecutive monthly decline year on year since Easter Sunday setback  Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals had fell by 70.8% from a year earlier to 71,370 in March 2020, amid COVID-19 crisis, the latest data released by the  Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed. March marked the third consecutive month of drop in tourist arrivals….

(0)Comments | April 23, 2020 12:22 pm

Global CEOs see U-shaped recession due to coronavirus: survey

Global business leaders are preparing for a drawn-out U-shaped recession due to the impact of coronavirus and many fear their companies won’t survive the pandemic, a survey of thousands of chief executives showed on Wednesday (22). The pandemic sweeping the world has killed nearly 180,000 people, routed financial markets and could trigger the worst economic…

(0)Comments | April 23, 2020 10:21 am

Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication established

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a Presidential Task Force in charge of Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication. It has been established under the powers vested in the President by the Constitution. The Task Force is responsible for reviving the economy and eradication of poverty while paying special attention to the challenges posed and opportunities emerged…

(0)Comments | April 22, 2020 10:15 pm

Toyota Lanka donates two buses for COVID-19 prevention operations

Toyota Lanka (Private) Limited donated two buses worth Rs. 20 million to support COVID-19 combat operations. The management of Toyota Lanka (Private) Limited handed over the two buses to the Secretary to the President, P.B. Jayasundera and Principal Advisor to the President, Lalith Weeratunga at the Presidential Secretariat, today (22). Minister of Health, Pavithra Wanniarachchi,…

(0)Comments | April 22, 2020 9:55 pm

Oil price turmoil reveals depths of economic pain

Financial Times – The coronavirus pandemic is hurting the world economy in some extreme ways. One of the most extreme is the distortion affecting the US market for oil. On Monday the price of American crude fell below zero for the first time in history. The reason for the one-day collapse was in part technical; amid a…

(0)Comments | April 22, 2020 11:08 am

Waiting on late payments has caused cash flow issues for project companies  –  LVL Energy Fund CEO

The hydro power plants are recording considerably less generation this year compared to target generation due to the severe drought that is being experienced. That together with the cash flow problems caused by the delay in receiving payment for electricity sales will have an impact on project companies’ ability to service debt in a timely…

(0)Comments | April 22, 2020 10:23 am

Sri Lankan consumer retail, construction, hotels most affected by coronavirus

Fitch Ratings: Sri Lankan corporates in consumer goods retail, construction and hotels will be among the most affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Sri Lanka, Fitch Rating says in a new report. Companies in consumer goods retail and construction-related activities also have lower rating headroom than in most other sectors. The ultimate impact on ratings…

(0)Comments | April 22, 2020 9:48 am