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### Viewing cable 04COLOMBO1978, 2005 National Trade Estimate report for Sri

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
04COLOMBO1978 | 2004-12-10 09:26 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Colombo

`

    This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

` `

    UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 COLOMBO 001978

    SIPDIS

    DEPT PASS USTR FOR G. BLUE AND JROSENBAUM

    STATE FOR EB/MTA/MST

    GENEVA PASS USTR

    E.O 12958: N/A
    TAGS: ECON ETRD CE ECONOMICS
    SUBJECT: 2005 National Trade Estimate report for Sri
    Lanka

    REF: A) STATE 240980

    TRADE SUMMARY

    ¶1.  The U.S. trade deficit with Sri Lanka was $1.7
    billion in 2003, an increase of $14 million from 2002.
    U.S. goods exports in 2003 were $155 million, down 10
    percent from the previous year.  Corresponding U.S.
    imports from Sri Lanka were $1.8 billion, down 0.2
    percent. Sri Lanka is currently the 104th largest export
    market for U.S. goods.

    ¶2.  The United States is Sri Lanka's largest export
    market and the destination for $1.8 billion (or 38
    percent) of exports, predominantly garments.  Sri
    Lanka's garment industry is heavily dependent on the
    United States, with 63 percent of all garment exports
    bound for the United States.  Sri Lanka's exports face
    many challenges.  The largest export, garments, will
    face increased competition in a quota-free era when the
    WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing expires in 2005.
    Competing products from cheaper sources also threaten
    most other sectors. In order to meet these challenges,
    there are new efforts to protect local industries and
    agriculture, diversify exports, expand tourism, improve
    competitiveness and increase foreign employment
    opportunities.  The Government also hopes to take
    advantage of Sri Lanka's strategic location on shipping
    routes, make use of the Indo-Lanka free trade agreement,
    sign free trade agreements with other countries, and
    establish Sri Lanka as a regional hub for manufacturing,
    commerce and transport.

    ¶3.  Sri Lanka witnessed a change of government in April
    2004, following parliamentary elections.  The current
    government has espoused a shift to a mixed economy from
    the largely free market economic policies of the
    previous government.  The Government's Economic Policy
    Framework has backtracked on the previous government's
    trade liberalization strategy.  It specifically calls
    for protection of small and medium enterprises and
    agriculture.

    ¶4.  The inability to meet established targets under the
    PRSP led the IMF to put its financing programs on hold,
    and they remain stalled pending discussions between the
    IMF and the Government and, presumably, greater clarity
    of the Government's economic policies.  In the absence
    of program funding and due to rising oil prices, Sri
    Lanka suffered a large BOP deficit in 2004.  Citing the
    accompanying decline in reserves, and need for
    protection, the government has taken several steps to
    control imports and consumption.

    ¶5.  The Government has created the National Council of
    Economic Development (NCED).  NCED consists of around 18
    clusters representing both private and public sector
    officials looking at various sectors of the economy.
    The Trade and Tariff cluster is charged with designing
    trade policy.

    IMPORT POLICIES

    ¶6.  Sri Lanka's main trade policy instrument has been
    the import tariff.  The tariff structure is subject to
    frequent changes.  The budget for 2005 brought down the
    number of tariff bands to 5 from 6.  Departing from its
    liberalization path, the Government recently imposed a
    new import tax on selected items by way of a levy
    (referred to as a "cess" in Sri Lanka) in light of a
    decline in foreign reserves.  The Government also hopes
    this new tax will protect domestic agriculture and
    industry.

    ¶7.  Import tariffs and other import charges:  Currently,
    there are 5 tariff bands of 0 percent, 2.5 percent, 6
    percent, 15 percent, and 28 percent.  The highest tariff
    band was increased from 25 percent in 2002 to 27.5
    percent in January 2004 and to 28 percent in November
    ¶2004.  The next highest band has been removed and duties
    increased from 20 percent to 28 percent.  Textiles,
    pharmaceuticals and medical equipment are free of duty.
    Basic raw materials are generally assessed a 3 percent
    duty.  Semi-processed raw materials are at 6 percent.
    Intermediate products are at 15 percent and most
    finished products are at 28 percent.  There are also a
    number of deviations from the 5-band tariff policy.
    Tobacco and cigarettes carry duties ranging from 75
    percent to 250 percent.  In addition, there are specific
    duties on certain items, including footwear, ceramic
    products, and agricultural products.  These specific
    duties are aimed at protecting domestic producers.  Some
    items carry an ad-valorem or a specific duty (whichever
    is higher).  There is intermittent use of exemptions and
    waivers.  Imports for export industries enter duty free.

    ¶8.  Export Development Board (EDB) Levy:  In November
    2004, the Government introduced a new additional tax on
    a range of imports, identified as non-essential.  The
    EDB levy is applied on C.I.F value, and ranges from 10
    percent to 20 percent.  Some of the items can have
    either an ad valorem or a specific duty.  (the higher
    duty applies).  Together with import tariff, the EDB
    levy will effectively take import duties on most
    finished goods to over 48 percent of import value.  The
    incidence of duty on items with specific duties will be
    higher.  These taxes, together with other charges
    applicable on imports (mentioned below) will move Sri
    Lanka's tariff structure steeply upwards.

    ¶9.  There are other charges on imports:
    a) 10 percent import duty surcharge;
    b) 1.5 percent ports and airports development levy (PAL)
    on imports;
    c) Value Added Tax (VAT) of 0, 5, 15 and 18 percent;
    d) excise fee on some products such as aerated water,
    liquor, beer, motor vehicles and cigarettes.  Excise fee
    on motor vehicles was increased sharply in 2004;
    e) Export Development Board surcharge on all imports
    where the customs duty is more than 45 percent; and
    f) port handling charges.
    g) surcharge of 0.25 percent on import duty (to fund the
    National Action Plan for Children, to be finalized and
    implemented in 2005)

    ¶10.  VAT and excise taxes are charged on both imports
    and domestic producers.  Import prices are increased by
    5 percent (by adding a deemed profit margin) when
    calculating the VAT and excise duty.

    ¶11.  According to US trade data, total value of imports
    affected by the EDB cess will be about $5 million out of
    a total of about $143 million annual US exports to Sri
    Lanka.  Total effect on US exports could be much higher
    as US sourced products sent via other trading hubs, or
    manufactured by US entities abroad, are not captured in
    the US export data used to compile this analyses.  Many
    US companies export products to Sri Lanka from ports and
    plants outside the US.  The Embassy has received
    complaints from affected US exporters regarding the new
    "prohibitive" tariff regime.

    Import Licensing

    ¶12.  Over 300 items at the 6-digit level of the
    Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HST) code remain under
    license control, mostly for health, environment and
    national security reasons. There is a 0.1 percent fee on
    import licenses.

    Customs Barriers

    ¶13.  The Government of Sri Lanka implemented the WTO
    Customs Valuation Agreement in January 2003 and follows
    the transaction value method to determine the c.i.f.
    value.  The scheme has operated quite successfully.
    Major companies have not faced problems.  Sri Lanka
    Customs complains of companies undervaluing goods
    brought in from Dubai and China.  Customs is also in the
    process of installing an Electronic Data Interchange
    (EDI) system to support an automated cargo clearing
    facility.  When implemented, this system should improve
    customs administration and facilitate trade.

    STANDARDS TESTING, LABELING AND CERTIFICATION
    ¶14.  At present there are 85 items that come under the
    Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) mandatory import
    inspection scheme.  These importers have to obtain a
    clearance certificate from the SLSI to sell their goods.
    SLSI accepts letters of conformity from foreign
    laboratories, but retains the discretion to take samples
    and perform tests.

    ¶15.  There is discussion within some sections of health
    and environment sectors to introduce a labeling
    requirement for imports of bio-engineered food, but no
    requirements are in place currently.

    ¶16.  A new labeling and advertising regulation was
    published in January 2004.  This relates to the
    information that should appear on a label of any
    prepackaged food product offered for sale, transported
    or advertised for sale in Sri Lanka, including imported
    food.  The regulation is currently scheduled to come
    into effect on January 1, 2005.  Implementation,
    however, could be delayed further.

    ¶17.  Poultry and meat: The ban on US poultry has been
    lifted subsequent to the USDA notification to the World
    Animal Health Organization (OIE) that the US is free of
    Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).  An unofficial
    ban on the import of chicken to protect the local
    industry was revoked in November 2004 following a
    Government decision to allow poultry imports into the
    country.  The primary beneficiary of the foreign chicken
    ban was a Singaporean-owned poultry company in Sri
    Lanka, which dominates the domestic market with an
    approximately 80 percent market share. Imports of beef
    from the United States are banned due to fears of bovine
    spongiform encephalopathy.

    GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT

    ¶18.  Sri Lanka is not a member of the WTO Government
    Procurement Agreement. Government procurement of goods
    and services is mostly done through a public tender
    process.  Some tenders are open only to registered
    providers.  The Government publicly subscribes to
    principles of international competitive bidding, but
    charges of corruption and unfair awards continue.  There
    are no professional evaluation experts in Sri Lanka.
    Tender board members are routinely pulled from other
    jobs.

    ¶19.  The Government recently created a National
    Procurement Agency (NPA) to introduce an improved system
    of procurement.

    EXPORT SUBSIDIES

    ¶20.  Exporting companies approved by the BOI, are
    generally entitled to corporate tax holidays and
    concessions.  Exporters receive institutional support
    from the Export Development Board in marketing.  Sri
    Lanka Export Credit Insurance Corporation (SLECIC)
    issues insurance policies and guarantees to exporters.
    Imports for exporting industries and BOI approved
    projects usually are exempted from VAT. For some others,
    the VAT is refunded.  There are no major complaints
    regarding VAT refunds.  The airports and ports levy on
    imports for export processing is 0.25 percent of CIF
    value.

    INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IPR) PROTECTION

    ¶21.  Local agents of U.S. and other international
    companies representing recording, software, movie, and
    consumer product industries continue to complain that
    lack of IPR protection is damaging their business.
    Piracy levels are very high for sound recordings and
    software, making it difficult for the legitimate
    industries to protect their market and realize their
    potential in Sri Lanka.  Sri Lanka is a party to major
    intellectual property agreements, including the Berne
    Convention for the protection of literary and artistic
    works, the Paris Convention for the protection of
    industrial property, the Madrid Agreement for the
    elimination of false or deceptive indication of source
    on goods, the Nairobi Treaty, the Patent Co-operation
    Treaty, the Universal Copyright Convention and the
    Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property
    Organization (WIPO). Sri Lanka's intellectual property
    law is based on the WIPO model law for developing
    countries.  Sri Lanka and the United States signed a
    Bilateral Agreement for the Protection of Intellectual
    Property Rights in 1991, and Sri Lanka is a party to the
    WTO Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
    Agreement.  In November 2003, a new intellectual
    property law came into force.

    ¶22.  This law meets both U.S.-Sri Lanka Bilateral IPR
    Agreement and TRIPS obligations to a great extent.  The
    law now governs copyrights and related rights,
    industrial designs, patents for inventions, trademarks
    and service marks, trade names, layout designs of
    integrated circuits, geographical indications, unfair
    competition and undisclosed information.  All
    trademarks, designs, industrial designs and patents must
    be registered with the Director General of Intellectual
    Property.  Infringement of IPR is a punishable offense
    under the new law, and IPR violations are subject to
    both criminal and civil jurisdiction.  Relief available
    to owners under the new law includes injunctive relief,
    seizure and destruction of infringing goods and plates
    or implements used for the making of infringing copies,
    and prohibition of imports and exports.  Penalties for
    the first offense include a prison sentence of 6 months
    or a fine of up to $5,000.  The penalties could double
    for the second offense.  Enforcement, however, is a
    serious problem, as is public awareness of IPR.  The
    domestic implementing legislation under the old law was
    very weak and the Government did not act as an enforcer
    of IPR laws.  Aggrieved parties must seek redress of any
    IPR violation through the courts, a frustrating and time-
    consuming process.

    ¶23.  The Sri Lankan police uncovered a Malaysian-owned
    CD/VCD production facility in a Colombo suburb, in
    October 2004.  It is alleged to have produced pirated
    copies of music, movie and software violating rights of
    several US companies.  The police investigation is still
    on going.  The police have also conducted a few other
    raids of stores selling pirated movie and music CDs.

    ¶24.  The Director of Intellectual Property and
    international experts have begun IPR legal and
    enforcement training for customs and police officials.
    In September 2004, a group of five lawyers and a judge
    attended an IPR program in the US under the
    International Visitor program of the U.S. State
    Department.  An active US Embassy-led IPR working group
    comprising affected industries is also working closely
    with the Sri Lanka Government to pursue more aggressive
    enforcement and enhance public awareness.  It will take
    time before new procedures and court precedents are
    established under the new law.

    ¶25.  In addition, Sri Lanka needs to ratify and conform
    to the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT)
    and the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT).  Sri Lanka is
    completing its accession to the WTO Information
    Technology Agreement.

    SERVICES BARRIERS

    ¶26.  Sri Lanka has opened the services sector to foreign
    investment. Foreign investment of 100 percent is allowed
    in a range of service sectors such as banking,
    insurance, telecommunications, tourism, stock brokerage,
    construction of residential buildings and roads, supply
    of water, mass transportation, telecommunications,
    production and distribution of energy, professional
    services and the establishment of liaison offices or
    local branches of foreign companies.  These services are
    regulated and subject to approval by various government
    agencies.  The screening mechanism is non-discriminatory
    and, for the most part, routine.  Some other services
    have restrictions on foreign investment.
    ¶27.  Banking:  Foreign commercial banks are allowed to
    open branch offices in Sri Lanka, subject to an economic
    needs test and approval by the Central Bank.  Foreign
    investors are allowed to hold 100 percent equity in
    local banks.  Bank ownership, however, is subject to
    limits on individual ownership.  Individual/company
    share ownership of a bank is limited to 15 percent of
    equity; group of companies 20 percent and promoters 25
    percent.  Currently, there are twelve foreign commercial
    banks operating in Sri Lanka, including one US bank.

    ¶28. Listed below are the main constraints faced by the
    commercial banking sector:
    a) restriction of banking business by government
    ministries and departments to state-owned banks;
    b) restriction on speculative foreign exchange trading
    by commercial banks; Banks are allowed to buy or sell
    foreign exchange for commercial transactions only;
    c) a VAT on profit before tax and salaries;
    d) inadmissibility of electronic documents in courts;
    and
    e) the absence of laws to protect and facilitate
    electronic commerce. Several laws are being drafted to
    permit electronic transactions; They include an
    electronics transactions law, a computer crimes law, a
    data protection law, and a code for administration of
    ATMs and Credit Card Operations.
    f) absence of Anti Money Laundering legislation.  Draft
    legislation is under preparation.

    Insurance

    ¶29.  One hundred percent foreign investment is allowed
    in insurance.  Foreign insurance companies are required
    to incorporate in Sri Lanka to undertake insurance
    business.  The Government has recently privatized the
    state-owned insurance companies.  Sri Lankans with
    access to foreign currency can obtain foreign insurance
    policies.  Resident Sri Lankans are otherwise prohibited
    from obtaining foreign insurance policies except for
    health and travel.  A major insurance company has
    reported difficulty in penetrating government business
    due to corruption.  Sri Lanka's insurance regulatory
    body retains powers to introduce minimum and maximum
    tariffs for various insurance products.

    Telecommunications

    ¶30.  The telecommunications sector is the most dynamic
    service industry in Sri Lanka.  There is one fixed wire
    line operator, Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), two wireless
    local loop operators and four mobile phone operators.
    Several private operators also provide radio paging,
    data communication, internet service and satellite link-
    ups.  The Government of Sri Lanka sold a 35 percent
    stake in SLT to NTT of Japan in 1997.  The Government
    sold a further 12.5 percent stake of SLT in 2003 to the
    public. SLT has recently acquired a mobile phone
    operator.  Due to the past monopoly status under
    Government control, SLT continues to own most of the
    national telephone infrastructure (including main
    switches) and the only two international cable landing
    stations, controls access to the international fiber
    optic cables and continues to dominate the sector
    affecting the competitiveness of other operators.  All
    other operators are privately owned.

    ¶31.  In early 2003, the Government liberalized
    international telecommunications and issued 33 (non-
    facilities based) gateway licenses, ending the SLT
    monopoly over international telephony.  Since then,
    international outgoing call rates have dropped sharply.
    However, since new licensees are not allowed to
    establish terrestrial facilities, they are forced to use
    infrastructure of existing domestic operator networks
    (including SLT and Lanka Internet, which has U.S.
    equity) to terminate or originate international calls.

    ¶32.  A key problem facing the telecommunications sector
    is restricted interconnection.  The Regulatory Authority
    has failed to enforce regulations provided under the
    Telecommunications Act to establish an efficient and
    transparent interconnection regime.  SLT, the wireless
    operators and some of the mobile operators have formed
    an unofficial cartel to control local gateways and
    restrict interconnection to other operators.  This has
    adversely affected the operations of most of the other
    operators and new international gateway licensees who
    are unable to make use of their licenses due to lack of
    interconnection by the local exchange operators.  This
    situation has resulted in illegal bypass by some
    operators.  Spectrum management is also weak and
    frequencies are not properly allocated which affect
    telecommunication operators.  The Regulatory Agency,
    under a new management, has plans to improve the
    regulatory regime.

    Quotas on foreign films

    ¶33.  The state-owned National Film Corporation's (NFC)
    approval is required to import films. There is a quota
    restriction on imports of English language films, which
    is currently set at 100 per year.  The quota does not
    amount to a barrier due to low annual imports.  There
    are controls on screening of films: except for 6 top
    cinemas, all other theaters in Sri Lanka are required to
    screen at least 60 percent local films.  The theaters
    exempted from the rule are free to screen foreign films
    without any restrictions.  The NFC also charges a tax of
    $0.31 per ticket from screenings.  Part of the fee on
    tickets for local films is paid by the NFC to local film
    producers.  NFC, which is instituted by an Act of
    Parliament, has wide powers that can be used to
    effectively restrict foreign film imports.

    Professional Services

    ¶34.  There is no formal national policy on professional
    services.  In practice, many foreign doctors, nurses,
    engineers, architects, and accountants work in Sri
    Lanka.  Most of them are attached to foreign companies.
    Sri Lanka has not made any WTO commitments on the
    presence of natural persons, and national treatment is
    not accorded to foreign nationals working in Sri Lanka.
    Most foreign nationals do not have statutory recognition
    in Sri Lanka and cannot sign documents presented to
    government institutions or regulatory bodies.

    ¶35.  The Immigration Department grants resident visas
    for expatriates and professionals whose services are
    required for projects or by companies approved by the
    Board of Investment.  The Department also grants visas
    for expatriates required for projects approved by the
    government.  Non-BOI companies such as banks can also
    recruit expatriate staff. Sri Lanka also operates a
    resident guest visa scheme for foreign investors and
    professionals who are recommended by the relevant
    Ministry.

    Legal Services

    ¶36.  A person can provide legal consultancy services
    without being licensed to practice law in Sri Lanka.
    Foreigners are not allowed to practice law (appear in
    courts) and do not have statutory recognition in Sri
    Lanka.  Sri Lankan citizens with foreign qualifications
    need to sit for exams conducted by the Sri Lanka law
    college in order to practice and register in the Supreme
    Court.

    Education

    ¶37.  Movement of people for education is not restricted.
    Foreign students are allowed to study in private schools
    in Sri Lanka, or follow other professional study
    courses. Foreign teachers also work in private schools
    in Sri Lanka.

    Doctors

    ¶38.  The Sri Lanka Medical Council allows qualified
    foreign doctors and medical specialists to work in Sri
    Lanka.  They have to be sponsored by a medical
    institution or a non-government organization, and are
    required to obtain temporary registration from the Sri
    Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).  Many Indian doctors have
    been issued resident work visas recently to work in an
    Indian-owned hospital in Sri Lanka.

    Accountants

    ¶39.  All big four international accounting firms are
    represented, together with most of the second tier
    international firms.  The Institute of Chartered
    Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL) membership is required
    to conduct audits and discharge other statutory duties
    in Sri Lanka.

    Engineers and architectural services

    ¶40.  Over the years, most foreign funded projects have
    used foreign consultants and contractors.

    INVESTMENT BARRIERS

    ¶41.  Sri Lanka welcomes foreign investment.  One hundred
    percent foreign investment is allowed in most
    manufacturing and services sectors.

    ¶42.  Foreign investment is not permitted in the
    following businesses: non-bank money lending; pawn
    brokering; retail trade with a capital investment of
    less than $1 million (with one notable exception:  the
    BOI permits retail and wholesale trading by reputed
    international brand names and franchises with an initial
    investment of not less than $150,000); providing
    personal services other than for the export and tourism
    sectors; coastal fishing; education of students under 14
    years for local examinations; and the awarding of local
    university degrees.  Investment in additional sectors is
    restricted and subject to screening and approval on a
    case-by-case basis, when foreign equity exceeds 40
    percent: shipping and travel agencies; freight
    forwarding; higher education; mass communications;
    fishing; timber-based industries using local timber;
    mining and primary processing of non-renewable national
    resources; growing and primary processing of tea,
    rubber, coconut, rice, cocoa, sugar and spices; and,
    finally, the production for export of goods subject to
    international quota.  Foreign investment restrictions
    and government regulations also apply to air
    transportation, coastal shipping, lotteries, large-scale
    mechanized gem mining, and "sensitive" industries such
    as military hardware, dangerous drugs and currency.

    ¶43.  The BOI offers a range of incentives to both local
    and foreign investors.  To qualify for BOI incentives,
    investors need to meet minimum investment and minimum
    export requirements.  In general, the treatment given to
    foreign investors is non-discriminatory.  Even with
    incentives and BOI facilitation, however, foreign
    investors can face difficulties operating here.
    Problems range from difficulties in clearing equipment
    and supplies through customs to getting land for
    factories.  The BOI encourages investors to locate their
    factories in BOI-managed industrial processing zones to
    avoid land allocation problems.  Investors locating in
    industrial zones also get access to relatively better
    infrastructure facilities such as improved power
    reliability, telecommunication and water supplies.

    ¶44.  Government treatment of foreign investors in the
    privatization process has been largely nondiscriminatory
    with foreigners buying controlling interest in some
    companies.  The privatization process has not always
    been transparent, however.  For instance, in 2003, the
    government sold part of the retail operations of state-
    owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to a foreign
    entity without a formal tender process.  A major U.S.
    supplier that had earlier acquired a government-owned
    lubricant plant has complained that the government had
    reneged on the terms of an exclusivity agreement
    extending up to mid-2004.

    ¶45.  Access to local credit markets by foreign-owned
    companies incorporated in Sri Lanka was liberalized in
    2003 and such firms can now borrow rupee funds without
    the approval of the Central Bank.  Foreign-owned
    companies, BOI-approved firms and exporters can access
    dollar denominated loans.  Applications for dollar
    denominated loans from local firms are considered on a
    case-by-case basis and not encouraged.

    Capital Repatriation

    ¶46.  Sri Lanka has accepted Article VIII status of the
    IMF and has liberalized exchange controls on current
    account transactions.  There are no surrender
    requirements on export receipts, but exporters need to
    repatriate export proceeds within 120 days to settle
    export credit facilities.  Other export proceeds can be
    retained abroad.  Currently, contracts for forward
    bookings of foreign exchange are permitted for a maximum
    period of 360 days for the purposes of payments in trade
    and 720 days for the repayment of loans.  There are also
    no barriers, legal or otherwise, to the expeditious
    remitting of corporate profits and dividends for foreign
    enterprises doing business in Sri Lanka.  Remittance of
    business fees (management fees, royalties and licensing
    fees) is also freely permitted.  Funds for debt service
    and capital gains of BOI approved companies exempted
    from exchange control regulations are freely permitted.
    Other foreign companies remitting funds for debt service
    and capital gains require Central Bank approval.  Prior
    to Central Bank approval they also need a tax clearance
    certificate.  All stock market investments can be
    remitted without prior approval of the Central Bank.
    Investment returns can be remitted in any convertible
    currency at the legal market rate.

    ¶47.  Controls on capital account (investment)
    transactions usually prohibit foreigners from investing
    in debt and fixed income securities.  One exception has
    been the Central Bank's local market dollar denominated
    bond issues in 2001, 2002 and 2004, which were opened to
    foreign investors.  The government has proposed allowing
    foreign investment in corporate debentures and
    government bonds.  Local companies require Central Bank
    approval to invest abroad.  The process of granting
    approval for such investments was streamlined in 2002,
    resulting in an increase in approvals.

    ELECTRONIC COMMERCE

    ¶48.  See above section under Services Barriers on
    Banking.

    OTHER BARRIERS

    ¶49.  Delays in litigation are a problem. For example, a
    US investor with a substantial investment in an export
    manufacturing company has faced lengthy delays in a
    court case over a large insurance claim.  The company
    instituted legal action in June 1999 and court
    proceedings are still on-going with the company
    suffering financial losses as a result.  In many
    disputes, defendants resort to obtaining injunctions,
    stay orders or postponements to drag cases on for years.
    The Government has established a commercial court to
    hear business litigation, but delays are still common.

    ¶50.  In order to support the domestic software industry,
    private sector companies using locally produced software
    will be allowed to depreciate 100 percent of the cost in
    the first year, according to 2005 budget proposals.  The
    depreciation allowance on foreign software is only 25
    percent.  The public sector is required to give
    preference to locally produced software and ensure at
    least 50 percent local value addition when using foreign
    software.

    ¶51.  Transfer tax on property:  The Government has
    recently re-introduced a 100 percent transfer tax on
    property purchased by foreign nationals and companies.
    For this purpose, a company is defined as an entity with
    at least 25 percent foreign equity.  Apartments above
    the third floor of condominium buildings, land for the
    development of large housing schemes, hospitals and
    large infrastructure are exempted from the tax.
    Foreigners maintaining US$ 150,000 in a bank account in
    Sri Lanka will be given concessionary treatment.  In
    addition to the tax, the Government will announce
    prohibited geographical areas for purchase by non-
    citizens.  Property transfers to foreigners were
    exempted from tax in 2002.

    ¶52.  Ranking of significant barriers:
    1)  Imports:  High duties on imports of finished
    products and food items.
    2)  IPR:  Lack of IPR protection.
    3)  Investment:  100% land tax on foreigners.
    4)  Banking: Restriction of government banking business
    to state owned banks.
    5) Government Procurement: Lack of transparency and
    corruption.
    6) Telecommunications: Dominance of telecommunications
    infrastructure by partly state-owned Sri Lanka Telecom
    (SLT) and lack of interconnection to other telecom and
    internet operators.
    LUNSTEAD

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