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SOEs to SOEs: Unpacking the role of China’s SOEs as contractors and financiers for Sri Lanka’s SOE projects
Over the last two decades, China has become a major financing source for Sri Lanka's infrastructure development.
Team Arutha
Feb 28
Sri Lanka – China Economic Brief: Key Developments & Trends, 2023–2025
China remains central to Sri Lanka’s economic and diplomatic landscape, particularly in the aftermath of its sovereign default. The debt restructuring process underscored China’s dual role as both a bilateral and commercial creditor, while trade and investment links highlight a structural asymmetry — Sri Lanka imports heavily from China but exports little in return.
Team Arutha
Jan 31
Budget 2026 announces phasing out of para tariffs but forecasts growing revenue collections from PAL, CESS and SCL till 2028
Signals a mismatch between announced policy and revenue projections.
Team Arutha
Nov 27, 2025
Full benefit of VAT removal on locally-produced liquid milk and yoghurt is not passed onto consumers
Prices should have reduced by 15%, but in reality only reduced by 6%.
Team Arutha
Nov 20, 2025
Removing SVAT doesn't work, neither does keeping it
In this issue, we unpack the Simplified VAT (SVAT) system and explore the new risk-based refund scheme.
Team Arutha
Oct 2, 2025
The Political Economy of Debt
Yolani Fernando and Umesh Moramudali from Arutha recently contributed to the report, The Political Economy of Debt, funded by The Asia Foundation. This publication focuses on the political economy of South Asian nations and its effects on public debt dynamics. The chapter on Sri Lanka delves into the structural issues that led to the country’s first ever sovereign default in 2022.
Team Arutha
Aug 28, 2024
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