Nov 12 (EN) Sri Lanka will abolish Tourism Development Levy (TDL) Tourism Development Levy (TDL) imposed under the Finance Act with effect from April 01, 2027, the country’s budget document showed. The TDL generated Rs. 2.58 billion in 2024 and the levy was imposed to support community-focused tourism development, strategic marketing, and infrastructure improvements, ensuring sustainable growth of the sector while enhancing Sri Lanka’s global tourism brand. more..

Nov 12 (NW) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced a series of measures to strengthen SL’s energy security, improve fuel storage and distribution infrastructure, and modernise the electricity supply system under the 2027 Budget. Presenting the Budget in Parliament, the Prez said fuel storage capacity would be expanded to ensure supplies sufficient for 45 days. An allocation of Rs. 22.34 billion has been made for a project to construct a jet fuel pipeline from more..

Nov 12 (AD) Sri Lanka’s budget deficit is projected to reach Rs. 1.753 trillion in 2027, equivalent to 4.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as total govt expenditure is estimated at Rs. 7.933 trillion, according to the third Budget of the NPP-led Govt, presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Prez commenced delivering the 2027 Budget speech in Parliament at 1.40 p.m. today, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, more..

Nov 12 (AD) Prez Dissanayake has proposed increasing the monthly academic allowance paid to university academic staff by Rs. 25,000, with the increase to be implemented in two phases starting July 2027. President said the proposal recognised the contribution of university academics to improving higher education, promoting research and developing the country's human resources. Accordingly, 50% of the proposed allowance increase will be paid from July 2027, more..

Nov 12 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has proposed increasing the monthly Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance paid to medical officers by Rs. 25,000, from Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 95,000, under the 2027 Budget. Prez said the increase recognised the important role played by medical officers in safeguarding public health and ensuring the wellbeing of the people. Meanwhile, the Govt has proposed doubling the monthly special duty allowance for nursing officers and more..

Nov 12 (AD) Prez has announced an allocation of Rs. 110 billion to implement the final phase of the public sector salary increase in 2027, completing the 3-stage salary revision introduced under the Govt's first Budget in 2025. Presenting the 2027 Budget, Prez said Govt had increased the minimum monthly basic salary of public sector employees by Rs. 15,750 and raised the value of the annual salary increment by 80% under the 2025 Budget. more..

Nov 12 (DM) Pensioners who retired between 2020 and 2024 will receive a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 2,500 from July 1, 2027, until the proposed pension revision under the 2025 basic salary structure is implemented, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced in his 2027 Budget. Govt is implementing a phased pension revision programme to address disparities in pensions received by retired public servants who retired at different times. Under the first Budget presented in 2025, more..

Nov 12 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced plans to recruit a further 110,000 employees to the public service, following the completion of approximately 40,000 recruitments from vacancies identified across govt institutions. Prez said approval had been granted for recruitment to a total of 148,940 vacancies following a review of public sector staffing requirements. Of the approved vacancies, around 40,000 recruitments have already been completed, while more..

Nov 12 (CI) With only a single wicket having fallen on Wednesday, play had begun on day four with the prospect of Sri Lanka building a commanding lead, their centurions still at the crease. But delivering exceptional line-and-length under cloudy skies, and on a surface that still offered plenty of lateral movement, Saqib removed the opposition's top scorer Dhananjaya de Silva in the first over of the day, then just kept nicking SL batters off. Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for 42 runs, more..

Nov 12 (NW) Supreme Court has determined that two clauses of the proposed Sri Lanka Cricket Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution and require a two-thirds majority in Parliament unless amended in accordance with the Court’s recommendations. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced the Supreme Court’s determination in Parliament today. According to the determination, the two clauses must secure a special majority in Parliament to become law in their present form. more..

Nov 12 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced a record allocation of Rs. 95 billion to modernise Sri Lanka's railway and passenger bus services, expand public transport networks and improve passenger convenience under the 2027 Budget. Govt expected to usher in a new era in the transport sector by establishing an efficient, comfortable and sustainable public transport system. more..

Nov 12 (AD) Govt has proposed introducing a new programme titled A Share for Everyone to encourage greater participation in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). Delivering the 2027 Budget Speech, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that only around 0.7% of the population aged over 18 is currently actively engaged in trading on the CSE. Under the proposed programme, titled A Share for Everyone and implemented under the vision Let's Know, Let's Learn, Let's Invest, students in schools more..

Nov 12 (AD) Train services are expected to reach Kandy within the first quarter of 2027, while the full rehabilitation of the Up-Country railway line and restoration of services up to Badulla are targeted for completion by mid-2027, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced. Presenting the 2027 Budget today, Prez said railway rehabilitation work had commenced under India's loan assistance programme to restore and improve railway infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. more..

Nov 12 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has proposed an allocation of Rs. 80 billion in the 2027 Budget for the first phase of a major railway electrification programme covering three key railway lines. Delivering the 2027 Budget Speech today, Prez said the Govt plans to invest more than Rs. 1.2 trillion in electrifying three main railway lines as part of efforts to modernise the country's railway sector. more..

Nov 12 (NW) Prez has proposed allocating Rs. 117,300 million for the development of several expressway projects across SL in 2027. Presenting the 2027 Budget, Prez announced an allocation of Rs. 53,450 million for the Kadawatha–Mirigama section of the Central Expressway, with construction targeted for completion by Sept 2028. A further Rs. 4,500 million has been allocated for the Pothuhera–Rambukkana section of Central Expressway, which is expected to be completed by May 2027. more..

Nov 12 (DM) Govt has allocated Rs. 4 billion for the development of industrial estates across the country, including the Valachchenai Industrial Estate, while further development work will be carried out at several other industrial zones under the 2027 Budget. Allocation will also cover feasibility studies and preliminary plans for the proposed Puliyankulam Industrial Estate and infrastructure improvements at existing industrial estates. Development work will continue at industrial estates more..

Nov 12 (NW) Four Buddhist monks, including Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero, have been taken into police custody following unrest near the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa in Anuradhapura today. ASP F.U. Wootler said a total of eight individuals were taken into custody in connection with the incident. Those detained include four Buddhist monks, one civilian woman and three civilian men. The unrest was reported at the car park opposite the main entrance of the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, more..

Nov 12 (NW) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has proposed awarding Rs. 100 million to Sri Lankan athletes who win Olympic gold medals, as part of measures to recognise and reward sporting achievements at the international level. Presenting the 2027 Budget, Prez announced a series of financial awards for athletes winning gold medals at major international competitions. Under the proposal, gold medal winners will receive: Olympic Games – Rs. 100 million more..

Nov 12 (NW) The govt has proposed removing Value Added Tax (VAT) on school exercise books, textbooks and several other printed educational materials under the 2027 Budget, in a move aimed at making educational resources more affordable. According to the official Budget Speech, Prez has proposed exempting exercise books, textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, children’s drawing and colouring books, more..

Nov 12 (EN) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced a subsidy of up to Rs. 250,000 for battery storage capacity in rooftop solar power systems in the 2027 budget. “We are giving a subsidy to domestic users if they install a battery. To domestic consumers newly installing rooftop solar power systems, we are granting a subsidy of 25,000 rupees per kilowatt of battery storage capacity,” he said. “We propose to grant this subsidy up to 10 kilowatts, to a maximum of Rs. 250,000. more..

Nov 12 (DM) The Govt has announced plans to strengthen the use of SL’s mineral resources to develop industries and increase their contribution to the domestic economy. Despite the country having significant mineral resources, their potential has not been adequately integrated into the national economy. Under the National Policy on Mineral Resources, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) will conduct preliminary feasibility studies to assess the potential of mineral deposits more..

Nov 12 (NW) The govt has proposed increasing the monthly personal income tax-free threshold from Rs. 150,000 to Rs. 162,500 under the 2027 Budget, providing additional relief to salaried employees. According to the official Budget Speech released by Parliament, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has proposed raising the annual personal income tax-free allowance from Rs. 1.8 million to Rs. 1.95 million. more..

Nov 12 (EN) Sri Lanka will give a 5-year tax break on telco tower constructions to promote wider coverage in rural areas, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in his budget speech. “There is a need for 700-800 new towers to enable high speed broadband internet in rural villages,” Dissanayake told parliament. 573 are being built under this program he said. “For each new tower constructed, 75% of the cost or 35 million rupees, whichever is lesser, will be given as a grant. more..

Nov 12 (FT) There is a fundamental principle that deserves greater consideration when determining the taxation of employment income. A salary is the remuneration an individual receives in return for services rendered. It represents the agreed compensation for the employee’s time, knowledge, skills, experience, responsibilities and contribution to the organisation. An employee earns what he or she receives through the service provided. The amount of remuneration may differ according to more..

Nov 12 (EN) Sri Lanka will stop charging dual citizenship fees for the spouses, second-generation children, and third-generation children of applicants under a new Global Sri Lankan Heritage Citizenship program, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. Presenting the 2027 budget speech under the IMF program, Dissanayake proposed granting fee-free dual citizenship to the children of dual citizenship applicants as well as third-generation children of SL origin living overseas. more..

Nov 12 (FT) Beyond economic statistics and promises, people of SL are looking for a realistic Budget that restores hope, creates opportunities and makes everyday life less difficult. Today Parliament will witness the presentation of the National Budget for 2027 by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance. It will be the Govt’s third Budget, presented at a time when SL is still struggling to translate macroeconomic stabilisation into tangible improvements more..

Nov 12 (FT) Prez and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake is expected to present an investment-oriented 2027 Budget in Parliament today, with some relief for masses impacted by the tough stabilisation measures of the past two years, climate change and the Middle East conflict. As hinted by the President and his Ministers in recent weeks, the Pay As You Earn threshold is set to be adjusted upwards again and more..

Nov 12 (NF) The Matara High Court has ordered a ban on the use of 12 vehicles allegedly purchased by Chaminda Gunasekara using funds said to have been misappropriated from the Matara District Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society Limited in a fraud estimated at Rs. 5,000 million. Court ruled that the vehicles cannot be used until March 11 next year. CID had taken custody of the vehicles, which were in the possession of various individuals, on several occasions before presenting them to court. more..

Nov 12 (DN) SL Customs has rejected the documentation submitted by SJB MP Nalin Bandara regarding a consignment of drones he brought into the country arriving from Singapore on Sunday. Customs Media Spokesperson Chandana Punchihewa stated that officials could not accept the documents presented by the Parliamentarian as valid approvals for the batch of 39 drones. According to Customs, following an initial notice, MP Bandara visited the Customs Dept the next day (9), more..

Nov 12 (AD) Minister Vijitha Herath says that SL national Anojan Sivarasa, who was facing charges in Saudi Arabia, has been released as the Public Prosecution of Saudi Arabia has decided to discontinue the case against him. The death sentence imposed on Sivarasa had recently been overturned by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia. Minister said that Anojan no longer has a case against him in a Saudi court and that although he currently more..

Nov 12 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, is scheduled to present the 2027 Budget in Parliament today. According to a statement issued by the Parliament, the Prez will deliver the Budget Speech, or the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for 2027, during the parliamentary sitting scheduled to commence at 1.30 p.m. Budget Debate will be held over 26 days, from Nov 13 to Dec 14, with the 2nd Reading Debate scheduled for Nov 13-20. more..

Nov 12 (Island) Ven. Balangoda Kassapa and two other monks, who had been staging a satyagraha near the Ruwanweliseya, in Anuradhapura, began a fast unto death at the site yesterday morning. They launched the hunger strike demanding the withdrawal of the proposed draft A'pura Sacred Area Development Plan and fulfilment of a pledge reportedly given by the Mahanayake Theras to secure the release of Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara. Satyagraha, launched by Ven. Balangoda more..