CARBON TAX PROPOSAL
Sri Lanka plans to raise a carbon emission tax for cars by 80 percent to Rs. 2,000, which will be collected by state agencies
SRI LANKA TO BE HIV-FREE BY 2030
Sri Lanka has recorded a drop in HIV/AIDS prevalence compared to other South Asian countries, according to the
PENALTIES FOR ERRANT DRIVERS
Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake is reportedly taking steps to have tough controls in place to penalise errant
DENGUE THREAT ON THE RISE
Nearly 70 people are reported to have died of dengue fever in Sri Lanka this year, and given the onset of monsoonal rains
BAN ON CINNAMON IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS
Fuelled by the country’s intention to reach the target of US$ 1 billion from its spice sector in 2020
NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS EDGES HIGHER
Sri Lanka has witnessed 29,630 accidents and 2,207 deaths in the nine months to September
LOWER DUTY FOR ELECTRIC CARDS
Budget 2017 has proposed a reduction in excise duty on electric cars as well as the provision of an interest rate
HOSPITAL FOR ANIMALS
Sri Lanka’s first fully fledged Animal Hospital, built at a cost of Rs. 17 million, was recently opened at the Giritale Wildlife Veterinary Unit
INCOME GROWTH PROSPECTS
Policy reforms successfully implemented in the areas of fiscal operations, competitiveness and governance could help Sri Lanka
MOBILE RATES TO RISE
All mobile phone bill charges will be increased by 50 percent, with the increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT)
WAGE HIKE FOR WORKERS
Minimum wages of Sri Lankan migrant workers in the Middle East will be raised from 2017
JUMBO DAMAGE
While petitions have been signed against the use of elephants at cultural and religious events, there seems to be
MORE POWER PLANTS
The Government recently announced the construction of nine power plants, including three hydropower
WOMEN LIVING LONGER
Sri Lankan women live 6.6 years longer than their male counterparts, the Department of Census and Statistics
TELCO GROWTH POTENTIAL
The higher use of data services in Sri Lanka will support telecommunications companies such as Dialog Axiata and Sri Lanka
PROJECT LOON TO KICK OFF
Project Loon will get off the ground in November, according to the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka, with the arrival
INVESTMENT IN SUGAR FACTORIES
The Government of Sri Lanka has formulated a plan to facilitate the creation of five new sugar factories, to increase local production. Currently, sugar production
SWIMMING POOLS ISLANDWIDE
The Ministry of Sports will provide funds to construct swimming pools in all districts of the island, working towards the national vision of taking local swimming forward to the Tokyo
AN END TO CHILD MARRIAGES?
UN agencies are reportedly satisfied with Sri Lanka’s efforts to put an end to child marriage and teenage pregnancies, but note that many local girls are deprived
PASSENGER HANDLING UPGRADE
Annual passenger handling capacity is expected to increase from six million
