Economy

Sri Lanka aims to reduce VAT rates within next 2–3 years

Published

20 hours ago

October 9, 2026

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government aims to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) rates over the next two to three years as part of efforts to provide financial relief to the public.

Speaking at a ceremony to present appointment letters to 1,540 new Grama Niladhari officers at Temple Trees on Thursday (Oct. 8), the President said the government was working towards reducing the tax burden on citizens while managing rising public expenditure.

“Our objective is to provide relief to the people by reducing Value Added Tax (VAT) rates over the next two to three years,” he said.

The President also stressed the need to remove taxes on essential educational materials, saying children should not have to bear a tax burden when purchasing books.

“If a child has to pay a tax when purchasing a book to read, we should remove that tax,” he said.

However, the President acknowledged that reducing taxes would require careful management of government expenditure, particularly as the administration implements salary increases for public sector employees.

He said the government’s decision to increase public sector basic salaries in three stages would result in an additional expenditure of Rs. 330 billion by 2027.

Economy

Sri Lanka’s Financial Literacy Rises From 35% To 58%

Published

3 days ago

October 7, 2026

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that financial literacy in the country has increased from 35% to 58% as a result of measures taken by the government.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending a programme held yesterday at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

The event was organized to mark the 40th anniversary of the Colombo Stock Exchange, promote financial literacy, and launch the Stock Market Game initiative.

The 40th-anniversary commemorative cover and stamp were also unveiled under the patronage of the Prime Minister.

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Economy

Govt saving Rs. 5.7B through price regulation of 13 expensive medicines

Published

5 days ago

October 4, 2026

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The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) says the government’s estimated savings from regulating the prices of 13 major high-priced medicines amount to Rs. 5.7 billion.

NMRA Chairman Specialist Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama made this statement at a media briefing held in Colombo today (01).

He further said that the savings to the public would vary depending on the medicines they purchase.

He noted that the medicines whose prices had been reduced are mainly those that patients require for long-term use.

Economy

CBSL Governor says Fitch upgrade reflects Sri Lanka’s progress on economic reforms

Published

1 week ago

September 29, 2026

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The Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said Sri Lanka’s sovereign rating upgrade by Fitch Ratings from ‘CCC+’ to ‘B-’ with a Stable Outlook reflects ongoing progress in macroeconomic stabilization and reforms.

Speaking at the 49th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) on September 23, Dr. Weerasinghe stated that the restoration of stability following the severe economic crisis has provided a stronger foundation for the country’s next development phase.

“This progress has also been recognised by the upgrade of Sri Lanka’s sovereign rating by Fitch Ratings to ‘B-’ from ‘CCC+’, with a Stable Outlook, announced, reflecting the continued progress in macroeconomic stabilisation and reforms,” he added.