Business

Govt and Central Bank in a mood for fiscal consolidation

Published

5 years ago

2021/05/13

by Sanath Nanayakkare

A recap of remarks at a recent webinar hosted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka made it evident that both fiscal and monetary authorities are in a mood for increased tax collection and reduced public spending in the medium term in order to reduce the burgeoning budget deficit in 2021.

Responding to a question from the audience whether the policymakers would take a path of revenue based consolidation in this backdrop, Mahinda Siriwardana, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank said,” You can see that as per the medium term policy framework presented by the Central Bank, revenue is expected to increase gradually and at the same time overall expenditure is expected to go down. It will be a kind of combination of revenue enhancing and expenditure reduction measures as has been announced by the government.”

“As a result, the expectation is to have improvements in both the Current Account and the Primary Account going forward. So these could be the main driving forces in the future in order to reduce the budget deficit, So I’d say the mechanism will be a combination of these two metrics.”

“There was an increase in the budget deficit in 2020. It reflected two things. There was a decline in revenue and at the same time there was an unexpected increase in the recurrent expenditure due to the ongoing pandemic. You know that the government introduced significant changes to the country’s tax policy in 2019 – the idea behind that was to encourage the economic activity. By maintaining a low tax regime in the country. However, the expectations were not entirely met given the subsequent developments, particularly due to Covid-19 and related developments. There was a 3.6% contraction in the economy. That had an impact on the expected revenue generation. At the same time there was an overrun in the recurrent expenditure as well. So the response to your question is in the Central Bank’s medium term framework,” the Deputy Governor said.

According to the Annual Report of the Central Bank, due to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the fiscal outcome deviated from expectations as reflected in the decline of the government revenue and a rise in government recurrent expenditure, thereby widening the budget deficit and raising the outstanding central government debt. Heavy reliance on domestic sources in financing the budget deficit in 2020 reflected the impact of extremely challenging global market conditions that limited access to foreign financing, and the expressed preference of the government to reduce the reliance on foreign financing.

Despite the limited fiscal space in 2020, the government, under extremely challenging circumstances, continued to support the businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic. Going forward, near term risks to the fiscal sector could remain elevated due to low revenue mobilisation and the large foreign currency debt service requirements. Persistent deviations of the budget deficit and the elevated level of outstanding central government debt warrant a firm commitment towards fiscal consolidation as envisaged in the National Policy Framework of the government, the CBSL Annual Report states.

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Business

Rs 160 million + diesel discrepancy at Lakvijaya power plant prompts probe

Published

8 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai.

By Ifham Nizam

A Rs.160 million-plus diesel discrepancy at the Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai has triggered an internal investigation, raising questions over the handling of public funds and the controls governing fuel purchased for electricity generation.

The discrepancy surfaced during an internal audit of diesel supplied to the plant from the Kolonnawa and Sapugaskanda fuel terminals, according to senior officials familiar with the inquiry.

The audit has identified five transactions—two in December 2025 and three in January 2026—in which diesel recorded as delivered to the plant allegedly could not be fully accounted for in its physical stocks.

The investigation is now examining whether these were isolated discrepancies or part of a longer-running practice.

One transaction under scrutiny relates to January 16, when records reportedly showed that 10 diesel bowsers had arrived at the plant. Investigators subsequently found indications that the fuel stock corresponded to only nine bowsers.

A storekeeper responsible for the relevant fuel operation has reportedly been temporarily removed from those duties pending the investigation.

A senior official said investigators were reviewing historical records amid indications that similar discrepancies may have occurred over a longer period. If established, the financial exposure could therefore exceed the Rs.160 million currently identified.

The investigation is comparing fuel-terminal dispatch records, tanker movements, plant-entry records, receiving documents and physical stocks to establish exactly how much fuel was dispatched, received and accounted for.

That audit trail will also be critical in determining who authorised, received and certified the disputed consignments, and whether established controls were followed.

Relevant documents were reportedly transferred from Norochcholai to the company’s Colombo head office on September 26 for further examination, with electricity-sector security personnel assisting in the transfer.

The internal audit has also reportedly uncovered expired chemical stocks worth several hundred thousand rupees in the plant’s stores. Investigators are examining whether further inventory-management irregularities occurred.

The matter was also reportedly taken to the Puttalam Police Special Crimes Investigation Unit on September 26.

When contacted by Puttalam-based journalist Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe for The Island Financial Review, Lakvijaya Power Plant Manager Nalaka Kumara confirmed that an investigation was under way but declined to provide further details.

The financial issue is direct: if the plant paid for diesel it did not receive, public-sector funds were spent without the electricity sector receiving the corresponding fuel.

Business

Sri Lanka Food Processors Association holds 29th Annual General Meeting

Published

8 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) successfully convened its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 23, 2026, at the Water’s Edge Hotel, Battaramulla. Bringing together key industry stakeholders and member organizations, the event served as a platform to review milestone achievements from the 2025/2026 term and outline strategic priorities for the nation’s food and beverage processing sector.

At the AGM, the new Executive Committee for 2027/2028 was appointed, comprising: Honorary President Aruna Senanayake C.W. Mackie PLC Imme. Past President Thusith Wijesinghe Trans Continental Packaging & Commodities (Pvt) Ltd.

President Elect Nadishan Guruge Meadlee Trading Co. (Pvt) Ltd.

1st Vice President Damitha Perera Forbes & Walkers Commodity Brockers (Pvt) Ltd.

2nd Vice President Rasika Seneviratne Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC 3rd Vice President Deepal De Alwis Neochem International (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Secretary Amila Weerasinghe Nestle Lanka Limited.

Asst. SecretaryDineth Alahakoon Country Style Foods (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Treasurer Sameera Jayathilaka Westmann Engineering Company (Pvt) Ltd.

Asst. Treasurer Niroshan Dalpethado C D De Fonseka & Sons (Pvt) Limited. In addition to the above office bearers, the following ten Executive Committee Members were appointed:

Sanjeewa De Silva Unilever Sri Lanka Limited Sheran De Alwis MA’S Tropical Food Processing (Pvt) Limited

Thusitha Ekanayake Anods Cocoa (Pvt) Ltd.

Vijitha Govinna Plenty Foods (Pvt) Limited Ms. Praharshi Wickramasekara International Commodity Exports (Pvt) Ltd.

Sanjeewa Niroshan SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Kushan Amarasinghe Finagle Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Rangajeewa Hettiarrachchi Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Harindra Abeyrathna Vision Technologies International (Pvt) Ltd. Thilina Weerasekara Ceylon Cold Stores PLC

The event was proudly supported by key industry partners, with SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd serving as the Platinum Sponsor. Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd. and Nestlé Lanka Ltd. joined as Gold Sponsors, Ceylon Agro Industries – Prima as the Silver Sponsor, while Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services (LECS) and Hero Nature Products (Pvt) Ltd., supported as Bronze Sponsors.

The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Hony. Secretary Deepal De Alwis, followed by cocktails and a fellowship networking session, providing an opportunity for members to connect and strengthen industry ties.

Business

Uber brings the ‘business class of back seats’ to Sri Lanka with Uber Black

Published

8 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

New premium ride option expands Uber’s portfolio from affordable Moto and Tuk rides to premium on-demand travel

Uber announced the launch of Uber Black in Sri Lanka, bringing its premium ride experience to the country for the first time. Designed as the “business class of back seats,” Uber Black combines premium vehicles and highly-rated drivers for riders looking for greater comfort, quality and a more elevated travel experience.

The launch comes as demand for premium products and experiences grows across Sri Lanka, with consumers seeking greater choice and quality in their everyday experiences. Uber Black brings this choice to on-demand mobility, whether for an airport journey, an important business meeting, a special occasion or simply when riders want to travel in greater comfort.