ECONOMYNEXT — Opposition MP Thalatha Atukorala believes that, if the United National Party (UNP) and the breakaway Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) were to reunite, Sri Lanka’s voters would hand over the country to them “on a platter”. Whether she is…
ECONOMYNEXT – The Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Friday, data on its site showed. The broader All Share Index closed down 0.24 percent, or 27.24 points, at 11,504; while the more liquid S&P SL20 Index closed down 0.24 percent,…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s cabinet had discussed the delay in re-starting online visas after courts suspended the controversial VFS Global deal where tourists were charged high fees to go through website which the travel trade said was difficult to navigate.…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka and Egypt have agreed to strengthen cooperation in diplomatic training, capacity building, research and studies in diplomacy between the two countries. The MoU will see cooperation between the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) and the…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka cannot immediately resume online visa issuance under the old system as ordered by court as the Immigration Department’s computer system has been changed to new procedures and fees, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said. Sri Lanka’s…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s central bank has mopped up 546 billion rupees of domestic money, out of a total of 578.5 billion rupees created by the purchase of foreign exchange in the six months to June 2024, official data showed.…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court suspended a contract given to private consortium IVS-GBS and VFS Global to deal with visa issuance after eight Fundamental Rights (FR) cases were filed against giving the deal without competitive tender, a petitioner said.…
ECONOMYNEXT – The International Monetary Fund said it has given an assessment of a deal with international sovereign bondholders to Sri Lanka and the advisors of the investors and urged new tax measures in the 2025 budget to help maintain…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee opened stronger at 302.20/35 to the US dollar on Tuesday, dealers said. Bond yields were broadly stable, they said, and stocks opened down 0.25 percent. The rupee closed at 302.63/73 to the greenback on Monday.…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s budget deficit was steeply down in May 2024 to 366.8 billion rupees, from 1,014.7 billion rupees a year ago, helped by higher tax collections and a lower interest bill, official data show. Tax collections went up…
