Connect with us

News

SL tourism earnings top USD 1.1 bn. in 2025 Q1

Published

on

The tourism industry generated USD 354 million in March, which has increased Sri Lanka’s earnings from tourism in the first quarter of 2025 to USD 1,122.3 million, according to the latest data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

This marks a 9.4% increase compared to the USD 1,025.9 million earned through tourism in the first quarter of 2024.

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in the first quarter of 2025 reached over 722,000, with a 13.6 percent year-on-year increase.

Accordingly, Sri Lanka earned USD 1,553.83 from tourists on average this year. The CBSL figures show that in the first quarter of 2024, on average, the country received USD 1,613.59 per tourist.  

This indicates that although the amount generated through tourist arrivals has increased, the average income per visitor has seen a reduction.

(adaderana.lk)

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

News

Rainfall expected to increase from today

Published

on

By

The Department of Meteorology says that showery conditions are expected to be enhanced in the Southwestern part of the island from today (May 29) evening.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Fairly heavy rains above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts. A few showers may occur in the North-central province and in Mannar and Hambantota districts.

Strong winds of about 50-60 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times elsewhere on the island.

Continue Reading

News

Court orders Randeniya Distilleries to pay Rs. 1.35B in Evaded Taxes 

Published

on

By

In a landmark ruling, Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani today ordered Randeniya Distilleries Company to pay Rs. 1.35 billion in evaded taxes, including income tax, VAT, and Nation Building Tax, for the period between 2012 and 2015.  

The case, filed by the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue, alleges the Kadawatha-based company deliberately avoided tax payments during these years. Directors Piumi Wijewikrama, Sarath Kumara Wijewikrama, Buddhika Wijewikrama, and another female director were also named as respondents in the lawsuit.  

After hearings before Additional Magistrate Bandara Eelanga Singha, the court ruled the distillery must settle the outstanding amount with the government. The judgment marks a significant enforcement action in Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to combat corporate tax evasion.  

The case, initiated last year, highlights the Inland Revenue Department’s strengthened measures to recover unpaid taxes from businesses. Legal experts suggest this ruling may set a precedent for similar tax evasion cases pending before Sri Lankan courts.  

Continue Reading

News

Police freeze Rs. 100M assets of alleged drug kingpin in Embilipitiya  

Published

on

By

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division of Sri Lanka Police today suspended properties worth approximately Rs. 100 million belonging to J.A. Jayasinghe, alias ‘Bathala Heenmahattaya’, who authorities believe is the country’s largest cannabis trafficker.  

The seized assets include a commercial building housing a pharmacy opposite Embilipitiya General Hospital and a hotel facing Chandrika Lake. Investigators revealed that these properties were registered under the suspect’s wife’s name, with the couple unable to provide legitimate sources for the purchase funds.  

The court has ordered a seven-day freeze on the properties pending further investigations. Jayasinghe, arrested in connection with the asset seizure, will be produced before the Wellawaya Magistrate tomorrow (29).  

Security forces describe the suspect as a key figure in Sri Lanka’s illicit drug trade, with this seizure marking a significant blow to organized narcotics operations in the region.  

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved