Browsing Econ by Title

Now showing items 209-228 of 232

    • Targeting Assistance: Electricity Consumption is a Superior Method 

      Background Note;No. 02
      Siyambalapitiya, Sumini; Gunewardena, Dileni       (Colombo: Verite Research, 2022-07)
      This note recommends household electricity use as a determinant of eligibility for welfare benefits. As Sri Lanka’s crisis continues, up to 50% or more of the population is likely to need state support, however current ...

    • Tax on Sanitary Napkins 

      Hafsa, Haniffa (Verité Research, 2022-07-20)
      On the 31st of May 2022 the general customs duty on sanitary napkins were removed and VAT rate was increased from 8% to 12%. The revision resulted in the total tax rate on sanitary napkins falling to 42.8% from 53.6%. ...

    • Tax revenue misses IMF target in 1st quarter!​ 

      Public Finance Infographics;
      Econ Team       (Colombo: Verite Research, 2023-08-04)
      According to the 2022 Annual Report from the Ministry of Finance, tax revenue for the first quarter of 2023 experienced a surge of 56%, amounting to LKR 578 billion. This was a increase from the LKR 370 billion collected ...

    • A Technical Case for Affordability-Based Pricing of Cigarettes 

      Verité Research Working Paper;September 2014/01
      de Mel, Nishan; Fernando, Nilangika       (Colombo: Verité Research, 2014-09)
      By 2014, tax revenue from cigarettes accounted for over 4.9% of total government revenue. However, thus far, Sri Lanka’s tax adjustments have been ad hoc, and driven by political and bureaucratic discretion rather than a ...

    • Total and primary deficits run in opposite directions 

      Public Finance Infographics;
      Econ Team       (Colombo: Verite Research, 2023-09-22)
      The governments primary deficit improved in the first half of 2023 compared to the corresponding period in 2022, while the budget deficit worsened increasing from LKR -903 Bn to LKR -1,243 Bn which implies a significant ...

    • Total SOE Losses in the first four months of 2022 Outweigh Annual Losses in 2021 

      Raj Prabu, Rajakulendran (Verité Research, 2022-08-09)
      During the first four months of 2022 the cumulative loss of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) amounted to LKR 860 BN. This figure outweighs the annual loss of SOEs in 2021. The top 3 contributors to the increase of the loss ...

    • Trading with China: Challenges and Policy Issues faced by MSMEs 

      Econ Team, Verité Research (Geneva: CUTS International, 2018-07)
      The note illustrates the views of, and challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in exporting to China, with a focus on China’s trade policy and trade standards that may have hindered exports.

    • Unlocking the Potential of Data: A case study - Data dissemination practices in Sri Lanka Customs (Presentation) 

      Abeysinghe, Subhashini; Arangala, Mathisha (2020-09-17)
      Successful economies have increasingly recognised the importance of improving access to data collected by governments. Accurate, timely and easily accessible data helps private sector growth and results in improved delivery ...

    • VAT to reach 20 year high from January 

      Public Finance Infographics;
      Econ Team       (Colombo: Verite Research, 2023-11-01)
      Initially introduced in 2002, the VAT comprised two tiers: a 10% rate applicable to certain goods and services, and a 20% rate for others. However, in 2004, these rates were unified to a 15% rate, which was officially ...

    • Verite Research Debt Update - February 2023 

      Debt Update;Issue 01
      de Mel, Nishan; Peiris, Udara       (Colombo: Verite Research, 2023-02)
      This issue provides coverage and analysis on the financial assurance letters issued by China, India, The Paris Club and a group of private bond holders to the IMF on their commitment to support Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring ...

    • Verité Research Debt Update - December 2023 

      Debt Update;Issue 04
      de Mel, Nishan; Peiris, Udara       (Colombo: Verite Research, 2023-12-01)
      This issue provides coverage on Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring and progress on the IMF program. This issue also includes analysis on the 2024 Budget and the need for improved governance for sustainable economic recovery. ...

    • Verité Research Debt Update - March 2023 

      Debt update;Issue 02
      de Mel, Nishan; Peiris, Udara       (Colombo: Verite Research, 2023-03-17)
      This issue provides coverage and analysis on the usability of the IMF financing and the volatility of the exchange rate. These are the key developments identified; 1) Sri Lanka is expected to reach board level agreement ...

    • Verité Research Debt Update - May 2023 

      Debt Update;Issue 03
      de Mel, Nishan; Peiris, Udara       (Colombo: Verite Research, 2023-05-17)
      This issue provides coverage and analysis of the IMF Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) and Sri Lanka’s progress on the 100 commitments outlined in the IMF program. The key developments identified were; 1) The IMF Debt ...

    • Violation of Fiscal Rules: Budget 2024 

      Public Finance Infographics;
      Econ Team       (Colombo: Verite Research, 2023-11-13)
      The proposed 2024 budget violates the deficit rule set in the Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Law of 5% of GDP.

    • W(h)ither environmental governance? - Limited access to information undermines meaningful public participation in development projects (Research Brief) 

      Research Brief;
      Abeysinghe, Subhashini; Arangala, Mathisha; Jayasinghe, Uween       (Colombo: Verite Research, 2021-06)
      There is a surge in public agitation against environmental destruction caused by ongoing development projects in Sri Lanka. The surfacing of environmental issues after construction has commenced is highly problematic for ...

    • Wading Through Murky Waters: A Case Study of Regulatory Ineffectiveness in Sri Lanka’s Import Tax Exemption Schemes 

      Munas, Hasna; Gnanasampathen, Revathy (Colombo: Verité Research, 2018-04)
      Import taxes are critical for government revenue. However, because these taxes are often high, the government has introduced import tax exemption schemes. Through these schemes, businesses can bypass certain taxes and save ...

    • What Caused the Rise in Tax Revenue from 2021 to 2022? 

      Public Finance Infographics;
      Econ Team       (Colombo: Verite Research, 2023-06-30)
      In the Central Bank's Annual Report for 2022, the government's revenues witnessed a notable surge of 38%, soaring from Rs 1,484 billion to Rs 2,013 billion. A closer examination of the revenue breakdown reveals that a ...

    • Where's the promised land? 

      Econ Team (Colombo: Verite Research, 2023-11-01)
      Land access has been identified as a crucial barrier which inhibits foreign direct investment (FDI) in Sri Lanka. Investment zones, primarily Export Processing Zones (EPZs), are significantly influential in attracting FDI ...

    • Why did Sri Lanka fall short of revised 2022 tax revenue target? 

      Public Finance Infographics;
      Econ Team       (Colombo: Verite Research, 2023-07-20)
      Sri Lanka missed its tax revenue target in 2022, falling short by Rs 101 bn. Prioritizing fiscal consolidation has been given greater importance as part of the current IMF program. A series of budget deficits, excessive ...

    • Will the budget's veil of secrecy be lifted in 2024? 

      Econ Team (Colombo: Verite Research, 2023-11-01)
      The lack of transparency on the implementation progress of proposals in budget speeches has increased sharply in 2022 and 2023, according to a systematic evaluation conducted by Verité Research. The government – on ...