RECORD TOURIST ARRIVALS IN JAN
Tourist arrivals reached a record high of 246,972 in January, according to data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). This marks an increase of 12.6 percent over arrivals in the same period of 2017
SRI LANKA-CZECH REPUBLIC DEAL
Sri Lanka and the Czech Republic signed a mutual cooperation agreement on 7 February, aiming to formulate and implement a framework of economic engagement
MORE THAN 15 MILLION VOTES CAST
District Returning Officers reported that 15,760,867 votes were cast across 24 districts at 13,374 polling stations for the local government elections
EXPORTS REACH ALL-TIME HIGH IN 2017
Sri Lankan exports reached a high of US$ 11.4 billion, according to the Export Development Board (EDB)
WORK ON CIFC TO COMMENCE BY JUNE
Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka said work on the International Finance Centre of Sri Lanka – a three tower building complex – would commence in June
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT UP IN 2017
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Sri Lanka for 2017 was twice as much as in 2016, reaching a value of US$ 1.6 billion
SRI LANKA AND SINGAPORE SIGN FTA
The leaders of Sri Lanka and Singapore witnessed the signing of a bilateral FTA between the two countries on 23 January
APPAREL EXPORTS SURPASS 2016 FIGURES
The Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association has reported apparel revenues of US$ 4.4 billion for the period from January to November 2017 – this
TEA OUTPUT UP AFTER FOUR YEAR DECLINE
The Sri Lanka Tea Board has reported a tea output of 307 million kg for 2017, which represents a five percent year on year increase
UPGRADING OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT FLEET
The cabinet has approved a proposal to purchase 50 electric buses for the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) to improve the public transport service
ACTION PLAN TO ELIMINATE CORRUPTION
A meeting to discuss an action plan for the elimination of corruption was held on 18 January at the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. Its aim was to ensure
GREEN LIGHT FOR VISA REGULATION CHANGES
The Sri Lankan cabinet approved changes to the Immigrants and Emigrants Act that were proposed by Minister of Internal Affairs
CABINET APPROVES DEBT REDUCTION PLAN
The Sri Lankan cabinet approved the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) proposals to achieve the government’s target of reducing
ICTA PROJECT TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SERVICE
The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka launched the eLocal Government (eLG) platform in 30
SURVEY QUANTIFIES 2017 LABOUR DEMAND
A survey conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics to quantify the labour demand of Sri Lanka in 2017 reveals that
TOURIST ARRIVALS REACH AN ALL-TIME HIGH
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has released data indicating an all-time high of 2,116,407 tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka
RS. 22 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS: TREASURY
The Ministry of Finance and Mass Media announced a surplus of Rs. 21.9 billion in the primary balance of the government’s fiscal accounts for the first 10 months
DEVELOPING A DIGITAL ECONOMY STRATEGY
The Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure has tasked consultancy firm McKinsey & Company with an 11 week assignment
DECISION TO RAISE US$ 5 BILLION VIA BONDS
The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved a decision to raise US$ 5 billion through bond issues in 2018 after a foreign debt accumulation of nearly 30 billion rupees, according to Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) figures.
OPEC ADDITIONAL LOAN FOR DEVELOPMENT
The Kalu Ganga Development Project is being implemented by the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment with the financial assistance of the Saudi Fund
