News

“No investments coming in under new capital-based package”

Published

3 years ago

November 18, 2022

editor

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on investment Promotion advised the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) to clearly communicate to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the Treasury that there are no investments coming in under the new enhance capital-based package and therefore a new package should be introduced.

This issue was addressed at the first meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Investment Promotion held recently (15), chaired by State Minister of Investment Promotion – Dilum Amunugama.

Addressing the aforesaid issue, Member of Parliament – Dhammika Perera emphasized the importance of clearly communicating the aforesaid to the CBSL and the Treasury as they need to have a clear understanding on the matter when carrying out negotiations with the IMF.

Accordingly, the Committee instructed the BOI to present data on how many projects have been received under the enhance capital-based package and how much employment and investment have been brought in under the new package at its next meeting.

Responding to the said concern, BOI officials present stated that there is no concession that they can offer as the BOI in par with the other countries, because all the tax holidays were removed and therefore a decline can be observed in the investors coming in.

Furthermore, the possibility of amending the law to enable foreigners to purchase land was also discussed.

State Ministers Diana Gamage, Prasanna Ranaweera, A. Aravindh Kuma as well as MPs Milan Jayathilake, Janaka Wakkumbura and Gunathilaka Rajapaksha were present at the Committee meeting held.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

11 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

11 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.