Business
Budget 2024 aims to boost social spending while tracking tax evaders
By Sanath Nanayakkare
The budget proposals presented by President and Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in parliament yesterday for the Financial Year 2024 contained a lot of emphasis on social spending while being mindful of closing loopholes in the tax system where many ‘taxable individuals and institutions’ are still evading taxes.
Thus the submission of a Tax Identification Number (TIN) will become mandatory for actions such as opening a bank current account, obtaining approval for a building plan or registering motor vehicles in line with the budget proposals.
Further, a withholding tax on gem and jewellery transactions, an income tax on Unit Trusts and Unit Holders and prosecution action against failures to file tax returns are on the cards.
The Finance Minister before starting to read out the budget proposals for the financially-troubled nation acknowledged the fact that not only the 1.3 million strong public servants but also millions of others making a living in the informal sector were in deep economic misery. He said that the tax base needs to be increased to support the vulnerable groups without resorting to money printing or further borrowings. Having said so, he proposed that the state employees’ cost of living allowance be increased by Rs. 10,000 from January, 2024.
He proposed that it would be added to the monthly salary from the month of April 2024 and the balance accumulated from January to March 2024 would be paid in installments within a 6 month period, starting from October 2024. He also mentioned that the monthly cost of living allowance of public pensioners would be increased by Rs. 2,500.
“The distress loan facility given to state employees which is in suspension now would be restored from January 01, 2024. Rs. 205 billion would be allocated for benefit programmes targeting disabled individuals, CKDU patients, and senior citizens. Estate workers will get freehold land. Rs. 10 billion would be allocated to facilitate the development of abandoned estates and lands and Rs. 600 million will be allocated to the ‘Bim Saviya’ programme. We will completely stop collecting rent from the low-income families living in houses constructed by the Urban Development Authority. The full ownership of these houses will be given to those families,” he said.
However, the Finance Minister stressed on the need to meet a state revenue target of Rs. 3,415 billion for the Year 2024 to implement the above proposals and many other social spending proposals he made. He said that the tax base needs to be broadened and tax administration would be streamlined in 2024 to raise government revenue.”
Reproduced below are some highlights from the budget speech.
Rs. 50 billion to be allocated to assist SMEs through a loan scheme introduced by the Asian Development Bank
Four new universities to be established soon
Rs. 2 billion to be allocated for repairing of old bridges
A 25-member committee to be appointed to recommend reforms for the education system
Allocations for state universities for required enhancements
SLIIT, Horizon Campus, Royal Institute and NSBM to be elevated to universities
‘Suraksha’ student insurance to be reintroduced
Rs. 100-million allocation to boost medical tourism
Rs. 2,500 million for the development of Fisheries and Agriculture
Rs. 2000 million for resettlements in the North and East
Rupees 2 billion for development of rural roads
Rs. 55 billion to resume infrastructure projects halted due to economic crisis
Rs.1.5 billion allocation to develop provincial and school cricket
Recommencement of Central Expressway construction work
Establishing new investment zones in Hambantota, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Bingiriya and Kandy
Rs. 3 billion for establishing a national center for Artificial Intelligence
Measures to create a green economy in Sri Lanka to shift to a faster growth trajectory
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
