News
CBSL Governor upbeat about being on right track, but urges govt. to do more to protect low-income earners
The government should do more to protect low-income earners, the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said on Thursday (21) during a televised interview.
He said that during the economic crisis and due to high inflation, a lot of people in the SME sector lost their jobs.
“Who were the worst affected people in the country? The poor. In this kind of situation, the government has to look after them. The ability of the government to help through programmes like Aswesuma comes from its tax revenue. This is why tax policy is important,” he said.
He also said the tax net should be expanded to include everyone who can pay taxes.This money can be used on people that need help. He said there should not be any tax exemption to any industrial sector.
“Tax policy has to be fair and broad-based. Everyone should pay the 18 percent VAT, except the exporters. When it comes to personal tax, high income earners must pay more. We have an 8.5 million labour force in this country. All taxpayers are less than half a million people,” he said.
There should also be strong institutional reforms to strengthen tax collection, he added.
Dr. Weerasinghe said the current tax rates are high, but the tax collection is still not sufficient. If the tax burden is shared by everyone, the taxes can be brought down, he said.
“Tax evasion is a serious issue in this country. Some people pay high taxes, while others evade taxes. We need strong institutional reforms. Inland Revenue, Customs need to be strengthened. Digitalisation and information availability are essential for this,” he said.
People should do fewer transactions using cash and businesses should not be keeping two books, he said.
“A lot of businesses keep two books. One for taxes and the other for their operational use. Tax authorities should be able to catch these people.”The Governor said the country is on the right track and the economic recovery process has begun.
News
Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. She emphasized that these funds must be utilized effectively for school development and requested that relevant authorities submit proposals to address existing shortcomings in school infrastructure.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a cordial meeting with Muslim women in the Wellawaya area on 1st of March.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister met with the Chief Sanghanayake of the Uva Wellassa region and the Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Galtemwatte Nandarathana Nayaka Thero, and briefed him on the current progress of the new education reforms.
She further stated that, while ensuring due recognition for vocational education, steps are being taken to develop 50 vocational training centers equipped with modern courses, covering all 25 districts of the country. She also noted that new education reforms will be introduced for Grade 6 starting in 2027, and that the printing of new textbooks will be entrusted to the Educational Publications Department of the Ministry of Education.
The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijewardene, local government representatives, the Buttala Divisional Secretary and the District Secretary.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Department of Immigration and Emmigration has decided effective from 28th February 2026, to grant a free fourteen (14) day visa extension to all tourists who are unable to leave Sri Lanka due to flight cancellations. 
The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrived at the Port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 02 Mar 26. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.
The ship is a 48.9m long Offshore Patrol Vessel which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Nafiu Mohamed.
Meanwhile, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several tourist attractions in the city of Colombo, during their stay in the island.
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Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM
Free 14 day visa extension for visitors unable to depart Sri Lanka
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