Government restricts ethanol import

Moody’s says VAT hike will keep IMF program on track

The Moody’s rating agency says the amendments to the value added tax (VAT) bill, which will increase the VAT tax rate to 15% from 11%, will pave the way for higher government revenues and adherence to International Monetary Fund (IMF) program commitments. Moody’s says the move is positive because a higher VAT rate will facilitate fiscal consolidation by strengthening Sri Lanka?s low revenue-toGDP ratio, which is a key credit constraint. The Government originally implemented the VAT hike in May

31 Oct, 2016

Sri Lankan illegal asylum seekers can never visit Australia

Australia on Sunday announced plans to ratchet up its tough policy against refugees by banning any asylum seeker who attempts to reach its shores by boat from ever visiting the country. This would would mean?even illegal asylum seekers from Sri Lanka will never have a chance to visit Australia as tourists. A previous Australian Government introduced a policy on July 19, 2013, banning refugees who arrive by boat from Indonesian ports after that date from ever being resettled in Australia. Unde

30 Oct, 2016

Chinese delegation to visit Sri Lanka for research on CKD

A Chinese delegation is to visit Sri Lanka in December to conduct research on the origin of?the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?in Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Health said a high level delegation with relevant expertise from China is due to visit Sri Lanka between 15th to 20th of December 2016. The uncertainty over the origin of the Chronic Kidney Disease is a?major public health issue in Sri Lanka affecting 12 districts with a large number of cases being reported from North Central Province. As a

30 Oct, 2016