Sri Lanka

Extent of IFRS application | Status | Additional Information |
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IFRS Standards are required for domestic public companies |
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All domestic listed companies, financial institutions, and some others are required to use Sri Lanka Financial Reporting Standards, which are IFRS Standards with some modifications. |
IFRS Standards are permitted but not required for domestic public companies | ||
IFRS Standards are required or permitted for listings by foreign companies |
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Sri Lanka Financial Reporting Standards (which are IFRS Standards with some modifications) are required. |
The IFRS for SMEs Standard is required or permitted |
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Permitted. |
The IFRS for SMEs Standard is under consideration |
PROFILE IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW
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Has the jurisdiction made a public commitment in support of moving towards a single set of high quality global accounting standards?
Has the jurisdiction made a public commitment towards IFRS Standards as that single set of high quality global accounting standards?
What is the jurisdiction's status of adoption?
Additional comments provided on the adoption status?
If the jurisdiction has NOT made a public statement supporting the move towards a single set of accounting standards and/or towards IFRS Standards as that set of standards, explain the jurisdiction's general position towards the adoption of IFRS Standards in the jurisdiction.
For DOMESTIC companies whose debt or equity securities trade in a public market in the jurisdiction:
Are all or some domestic companies whose securities trade in a public market either required or permitted to use IFRS Standards in their consolidated financial statements?
If YES, are IFRS Standards REQUIRED or PERMITTED?
Does that apply to ALL domestic companies whose securities trade in a public market, or only SOME? If some, which ones?
Are IFRS Standards also required or permitted for more than the consolidated financial statements of companies whose securities trade in a public market?
For instance, are IFRS Standards required or permitted in separate company financial statements of companies whose securities trade in a public market?
For instance, are IFRS Standards required or permitted for companies whose securities do not trade in a public market?
The Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards Act No. 15 of 1995 defines a class of companies as Specified Business Enterprises (SBEs). SBEs include:
- Companies listed on a stock exchange.
- Banks.
- Insurance companies.
- Factoring companies.
- Finance companies.
- Leasing companies.
- Unit trusts.
- Fund management companies.
- Stockbrokers and stock dealers.
- Stock exchanges.
- Public corporations engaged in the sale of goods or the provision of services.
- Non-listed companies that have;
- annual turnover in excess of LKR 500 million;
- shareholders’ equity in excess of LKR 100 million;
- gross assets in excess of LKR 300 million;
- liabilities to banks and other financial institutions in excess of LKR 100 million;
- staff in excess of 1,000 persons.
All SBEs (other than those in item 12 above) are required to use full SLFRS even if their securities do not trade in a public market. The companies listed under the item no: 12 have the option to apply full SLFRSs or the SLFRS for SMEs.
Other than the above SBEs, companies are given the option to adopt full SLFRSs or the SLFRS for SMEs.
If the jurisdiction currently does NOT require or permit the use of IFRS Standards for domestic companies whose securities trade in a public market, are there any plans to permit or require IFRS Standards for such companies in the future?
For FOREIGN companies whose debt or equity securities trade in a public market in the jurisdiction:
Are all or some foreign companies whose securities trade in a public market either REQUIRED or PERMITTED to use IFRS Standards in their consolidated financial statements?
If YES, are IFRS Standards REQUIRED or PERMITTED in such cases?
Does that apply to ALL foreign companies whose securities trade in a public market, or only SOME? If some, which ones?
Which IFRS Standards are required or permitted for domestic companies?
The auditor's report and/or the basis of presentation footnote states that financial statements have been prepared in conformity with:
Does the auditor's report and/or the basis of preparation footnote allow for ‘dual reporting’ (conformity with both IFRS Standards and the jurisdiction’s GAAP)?
Are IFRS Standards incorporated into law or regulations?
If yes, how does that process work?
If no, how do IFRS Standards become a requirement in the jurisdiction?
Does the jurisdiction have a formal process for the 'endorsement' or 'adoption' of new or amended IFRS Standards (including Interpretations) in place?
If yes, what is the process?
CA Sri Lanka exposes for public comment all exposure drafts of new or amended IFRS Standards and draft interpretations. CA Sri Lanka also conducts CFOs’ round table discussions to identify the impact of the proposed standard in Sri Lanka. Afterwards, CA Sri Lanka forwards its views to the Board.
When the Board issues a final IFRS Standard or Interpretation, CA Sri Lanka reviews the IFRS Standard and related technical materials. In a few cases this review has resulted in modification or deferral of the standard for use in Sri Lanka.
Thereafter, the standard is translated into Sinhala and Tamil and published in the Extra Ordinary Gazette as required by the Accounting and Auditing Standards Act No: 15 of 1995 in Sri Lanka. Once gazetted, the standard becomes legally authoritative.
If no, how do new or amended IFRS Standards become a requirement in the jurisdiction?
Has the jurisdiction eliminated any accounting policy options permitted by IFRS Standards and/or made any modifications to any IFRS Standards?
Yes.
Sri Lanka Financial Reporting Standards comprise not only IAS Standards, IFRS Standards, and IFRIC and SIC Interpretations, but also:
- Statements of Recommended Practices (SoRPs, which address accounting for common control combinations and reporting by not-for-profit organisations);
- Statements of Alternate Treatment (SoATs); and
- Financial Reporting Guidelines issued by the Institute.
In adopting IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures as Sri Lanka Financial Reporting Standard (SLFRS) 7, Sri Lanka did not require comparative information for periods beginning before 1 January 2013. IFRS 7 would require such information. This was transitional relief rather than a modification of IFRS 7.
Sri Lanka has adopted an alternative treatment with respect to some right of use land on lease.
Sri Lanka has adopted an alternative treatment with respect to accounting for a new ‘super gain tax’ that is required by Sri Lankan law but that is inconsistent with paragraph 46 of IAS 12 Income Taxes.