News

World Bank approves $150 mn. to improve Primary Healthcare Services in SL

Published

1 year ago

June 25, 2024

editor

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $150 million in financing for Sri Lanka to improve the quality and utilization of its primary healthcare services.

The newly approved Sri Lanka Primary Healthcare System Enhancing Project will help improve quality of care and increase the use of primary medical care institutions, which provide essential health services to local communities.

Capacity challenges and absence of a formal referral mechanism have led to the underutilization of primary healthcare facilities and overcrowding in tertiary care facilities in Sri Lanka. The previous World Bank-supported Primary Healthcare Systems Strengthening Project had already enhanced 550 Primary Medical Care Institutions with essential equipment, medicines, health workers and basic laboratory testing facilities. The new project will scale up these efforts to cover 100% of Primary Medical Care Institutions across all districts of Sri Lanka, expanding to over 1,000 facilities with a more comprehensive service package and improved quality of care.

“Sri Lanka’s health system has demonstrated remarkable performance, but it needs to be strengthened to face emerging health care challenges,” said Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. “This project will support the country’s forward-looking primary care reorganization agenda, laying the foundation for a more responsive and people-centric healthcare system.”

Non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cervical cancer are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Sri Lanka, accounting for 80% of deaths. Effective control and management of non-communicable diseases require robust screening, early diagnosis, treatment and follow up. Additionally, Sri Lanka has the fastest aging population in South Asia, necessitating health system adaptations to meet the growing healthcare needs of the elderly. This project is designed around these evolving health priorities, helping invest in preventive care and promoting primary care facilities as the first point of care.

In addition, the project will support the provision of comprehensive primary healthcare services by expanding capacity to cover mental health, palliative, geriatric, rehabilitative, and emergency care, which are particularly important for the aging population. The project will also bolster pandemic preparedness by expanding the capacity of primary medical care institutions to detect and respond to future infectious disease outbreaks. This will help Sri Lanka’s healthcare system to adapt and respond effectively to new and emerging challenges.

(worldbank.org)

News

Energy Ministry to sell luxury SUVs & utility vehicles

Published

2 hours ago

July 7, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Energy has issued a public Tender notice for the sale of 14 luxury and decommissioned vehicles currently owned by the ministry.

The list includes high-end SUVs such as Toyota Land Cruisers, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz E200 CGI, and several other utility vehicles.

Interested bidders must submit a separate application and bid for each vehicle. Application forms can be obtained by paying a non-refundable fee of Rs. 5,000 per vehicle at the Ministry’s Accounts Division on the 3rd Floor, No. 437, Galle Road, Colombo 03, until July 15, 2025, during working hours.

The Tender notice made by the ministry is as follows :

BIZ

Sri Lanka targets digital income with new 18% VAT

Published

2 hours ago

July 7, 2025

editor

The government has announced that Value Added Tax (VAT) at 18% will be imposed on income earned through online services provided by foreign individuals and platforms to users in Sri Lanka, effective Oct. 01.

This move follows the issuance of an extraordinary gazette notification by the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue, Rukdevi Himali Fernando, aimed at regulating and taxing the growing sector of cross-border digital services.
Under the new regulation, the VAT will apply to a wide range of services, including but not limited to:

Software as a Service (SaaS)
Online stores and marketplaces
Digital advertising and marketing
Cybersecurity and IT support services
Video, music, and live-streaming platforms
Online banking and financial tech services
Social media and on-demand platforms
Hotel booking and ticket reservation apps
Online gaming platforms

The regulation also clarifies that any other digital service provided via an electronic platform from outside Sri Lanka to individuals residing in the country will be subject to VAT, even if not explicitly listed.

Foreign service providers are required to register for VAT if their supply of services exceeds Rs. 60 million annually or Rs. 15 million in the past three months. Prior to registration, such non-residents must also obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

This development comes amid growing debate over taxing foreign exchange earners and aims to expand the country’s tax base in the digital economy.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

SL squad announced for T20I series against B’desh

Published

4 hours ago

July 7, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, set to begin on July 10.

The squad will be led by Charith Asalanka, with notable inclusions such as Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, and the return of experienced all-rounders Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne.

Match Schedule:

1st T20I on July 10th – PICS, Kandy

2nd T20I on July 13th – RDICS Dambulla

3rd T20I on July 16th – RPICS Colombo

The T20I squad is as follows :