Finance and Economy

The amendment’s approval follows extensive deliberations among lawmakers and stakeholders.

Speaking at a press conference, BNP standing committee member and former state minister for power Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku emphasised the need for transparency.

SOEs, including SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Telecom, and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, have long been plagued by mismanagement and inefficiencies, burdening taxpayers.

The situation places Sri Lanka’s Left-of-Centre government in a precarious position as it seeks to balance economic imperatives with human rights concerns.

The proposed Green Bank is envisioned as a specialised institution under a global-standard climate-bank model, with a paid-up capital of Bangladeshi Taka 3.24 billion.

Beyond the budget support, the World Bank has approved $379 million for the health and nutrition sector and $280 million for the development of the water supply system in Chattogram.

The positive growth in food exports, coupled with a reduction in imports, highlights Pakistan’s progress in leveraging its agricultural and food production capabilities.

The SCL Act, which covers 63 items, imposes taxes at high rates on staple foods such as rice, potatoes, and maize. Critics argue that while these taxes protect domestic agriculture, they also make basic foods costly, exacerbating malnutrition among poor families.