Sri Lanka, Luxembourg conclude negotiations on an Agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation

The Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg have concluded negotiations on an Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital.

Following 4 days of deliberations held in Luxembourg, the texts were initialed on 20 May 2011 by Commissioner General of the Department of Inland Revenue of Sri Lanka K.M.S. Kandegedara and Georges Bruch, Head of the International Relations Division, Direct Tax Administration of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, in the presence of Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha.

This agreement will come into effect with the completion of necessary procedural and protocol formalities by both Governments.

The  necessity for having such an agreement was highlighted during the regular interaction with the Luxembourg business community by the Embassy, including during visits to Luxembourg by the Benelux Business Council of the  Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in June 2010, the visit by representatives of financial and service sector companies who joined the Belgian Economic Delegation visit to Sri  Lanka in November 2010 and the visit of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal to Luxembourg in March 2011.

Luxembourg being a major financial hub in Europe has a strong financial and services sector which accounts for over 86 % of the economy. Luxembourg companies have so far invested over US $ 6 million in six projects in Sri Lanka and the conclusion of this agreement would serve as catalyst in stimulating greater flow of capital, technology and personnel between Sri Lanka and Luxembourg. It will also contribute to the tax stability and facilitate mutual cooperation. It is Sri Lanka’s 43rd such agreement negotiated and the second such agreement negotiated with a South Asian country by Luxembourg, the other being India.

Ambassador Georges Friden, Director General of Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg who met the Sri Lanka delegation following the initialing of the texts, said Luxembourg saw considerable scope for enhanced economic cooperation with Sri Lanka following the ending of the conflict and the revitalisation of the economy. He noted that conclusion of the agreement in a single round of negotiations augurs well for the further consolidation of relations between Sri Lanka and Luxembourg. The Sri Lankan delegation led by K.M.S. Kandegedara, Commissioner General of Department of Inland Revenue of Sri Lanka, included H.B.A. Seneviratne, Deputy Commissioner General, R.D.S. Kumararatne, Minister (Economic & Commercial) and D.R.S. Hapuarachchi, Deputy Commissioner.  The Luxembourg Delegation was headed by Georges Bruch, Head of the International Relations Division, Direct Tax Administration of Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, and included Paul Roller and Michel Hoffmann Deputy Heads of the International Relations Division and Linda Speck, member of the International Relations Division.