Digital Services Tax in Sri Lanka: What You Need to Know

Is the Digital Services VAT Gazette Ultra Vires? Should the VAT Act Be Amended Again?

Sri Lanka’s new VAT on digital services, set for April 2026, faces legal uncertainty. While intended to tax cross-border digital transactions, key compliance rules introduced by Gazette lack clear statutory backing, raising questions about enforceability and fairness.

•Sri Lanka VAT, Digital Services VATSep 22nd 25

World Bank's Senior Managing Director, Axel van Trotsenburg, Photo: Reuters

banking finance

World Bank Demands Radical Debt Transparency and Its Impact on Sri Lanka

Finance Manifest•Jun 20th 25

forex commodities

Swiss National Bank Cuts Interest Rate to 0%

Finance Manifest•Jun 19th 25

Top Gainers

Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC

MBSL.N0000

LKR13.30

15.65%

Asia Siyaka Commodities Plc

ASIY.N0000

LKR17.90

11.87%

SMB Finance PLC

SEMB.N0000

LKR1.00

11.11%

Lee Hedges PLC

SHAW.N0000

LKR302.50

9.21%

Ceylon Tea Brokers Plc

CTBL.N0000

LKR13.90

8.59%

Hapugastenne Plantations Plc

HAPU.N0000

LKR60.30

7.49%

Samson International PLC

SIL.N0000

LKR719.00

7.31%

hSenid Business Solutions Plc

HBS.N0000

LKR20.30

6.84%

Exterminators PLC

EXT.N0000

LKR14.10

6.02%

Colombo City Holdings Plc

PHAR.N0000

LKR168.00

5.00%

Tess Agro PLC

TESS.N0000

LKR2.20

4.76%

Hayleys Leisure PLC

CONN.N0000

LKR38.40

4.35%

News

Is the Digital Services VAT Gazette Ultra Vires? Should the VAT Act Be Amended Again?

banking finance•Sep 22nd 25•Sri Lanka VAT, Digital Services VAT

World Bank Demands Radical Debt Transparency and Its Impact on Sri Lanka

The World Bank is driving debt transparency reforms for developing countries, which could affect Sri Lanka’s recovery after its 2022 default, potentially easing access to international funds.

banking finance•Jun 20th 25•World Bank, Debt transparency

Swiss National Bank Cuts Interest Rate to 0%

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has lowered its key interest rate to 0% starting June 20, 2025, due to falling inflation. This sixth rate cut in a row aims to stabilize prices amid deflation concerns.

forex commodities•Jun 19th 25•Swiss economy, Interest rates

Investors Fear Sharp Market Tumble if U.S. Enters Iran-Israel Fray

Rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, fueled by the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, have investors on edge. Experts warn that U.S. military involvement could trigger a sharp market selloff, spike oil prices, and strain an already fragile global economy. While stocks dipped slightly, safe-haven assets like gold and the dollar are gaining traction.

stock market•Jun 19th 25•Geopolitics, Oil prices

Tesla Stock Dips as Robotaxi Hiccup and EV Slump Worry Investors

Tesla's stock is under pressure in June 2025 as declining EV demand, a delayed robotaxi launch, and analyst downgrades weigh on investor confidence. Despite a recent rally, the company faces significant hurdles in a competitive market.

stock market•Jun 17th 25•Tesla, stock market

Top Gainers

Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC

MBSL.N0000

LKR13.30

15.65%

Asia Siyaka Commodities Plc

ASIY.N0000

LKR17.90

11.87%

SMB Finance PLC

SEMB.N0000

LKR1.00

11.11%

Lee Hedges PLC

SHAW.N0000

LKR302.50

9.21%

Ceylon Tea Brokers Plc

CTBL.N0000

LKR13.90

8.59%

Hapugastenne Plantations Plc

HAPU.N0000

LKR60.30

7.49%

Samson International PLC

SIL.N0000

LKR719.00

7.31%

hSenid Business Solutions Plc

HBS.N0000

LKR20.30

6.84%

Exterminators PLC

EXT.N0000

LKR14.10

6.02%

Colombo City Holdings Plc

PHAR.N0000

LKR168.00

5.00%

Tess Agro PLC

TESS.N0000

LKR2.20

4.76%

Hayleys Leisure PLC

CONN.N0000

LKR38.40

4.35%