Express Service — Budget 2004
Two new export-processing zones will spring up next year, as part of the governments plans to spur economic activity.As Lanka Business Online reported on …
Southern Bound — Budget 2004
The government unveiled grand policies to develop the Southern province with plans to develop an airport, a port and set up an oil refinery.Finance Minister K …
Value Add — Budget 2004
The value added tax is to unified to a single 15 per cent rate from January 2004, from the current 10 and 20 per cent, while the government has abandoned plans …
Aye Aye — Budget 2004
All public servants will get a 10 percent pay hike each month in the new budget or a minimum Rs.1250 increase, whichever is higher, at a cost of Rs.12.5 bn to …
In Person — Budget 2004
Personal tax exemption threshold would be raised to Rs 300,000 from the current Rs 240,000 and the income slabs widened, with effect from …
Adding Roofs — Budget 2004
The government is coming up with a series of housing loan packages targeted at different segments, to help spur a construction boom.The housing programmes will …
Bargain Basement — Budget 2004
Giving a leg up to the local tourist trade, the government plans to develop Maskeliya and Puttalam as a future hotspot for the travel trade.Finance Minister K …
Lazy Bums — Budget 2004
Sri Lanka Wednesday announced it was shedding 300,000 state-sector jobs and offered a generous severance package that will effectively pay employees to stay at …
Broker Bonanza — Budget 2004
Stockbrokers are sitting on a potential gold mine as a result of a new tax on equity trading proposed in the budget.rnrnrnrnrnrnNew Page 2rnrnrnrnrnA …
Strong Rupee Policy
Finance Minister K N Choksy made the strongest statement yet that the government is committed to a strong rupee policy.ldblquote Sri Lankans have accepted with …
It Went Through — Budget 2004
A blocked nose and bad cold ridden throat could not keep away Finance Minister K N Choksy, adorned in a blue checkered tie, from walking down the pink carpeted …
Economic Charge — Budget 2004
A new tax called Economic Service Charge (ESC) of one percent over turnover or assets will come into effect next year, in an attempt to net in firms not paying …
Bond Raiser
The Board of Investment will tap into the local bond market, to raise up to Rs.2 bn to fund a new Economic Trade Zone, north of Biyagama.The second Economic …
Dicey Union
An impending marriage between the Marxist JVP and the main opposition Peoples Alliance Party re-surfaced on Tuesday resurrecting vibes that a snap poll was …
Stalemate
The much-awaited second rendezvous between the Executive and the Legislature ended on a stalemate with a committee appointed to look into their grievances.The …
Its Not Done
Sri Lankas parliament Wednesday ruled as illegal the presidents suspension of the assembly two weeks ago and said it will disregard any future attempt to …
French Toast
The government on Monday put forward alternative suggestions to solve the lquote Southern political impasse, but declined President Chandrika Kumaratungas …
Choksys Sweeteners
The UNF government, which has been progressively clubbing the opposite camp with the peace process, is getting ready to open a second front with the …
Second Rendezvous
The President has asked Premier Ranil to come alone to her chambers for a Tuesday morning rendezvous.The Premier was due to meet the President with other party …
Silent Business
Top business leaders and civil society organizations were staying quiet despite political moves that have jeopardized the peace process and the economic …