Author: lbostgadmin
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Fitch Ratings has downgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘CC’, from ‘CCC’. Fitch typically does not assign Outlooks or apply modifiers for sovereigns with a rating of ‘CCC’ or below. Related: S&P downgrades Sri Lanka; Central Bank disputes
We hope to transform ICT & BPM businesses into USD 3bn export sector soon, President assures Parliament
Transforming future Sri Lanka into a technologically driven country, the government hopes to transform ICT / BPM businesses into a USD 3 billion export sector soon, addressing the Parliament, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said. Ceremonially opening the 2nd Session of the 9th Parliament on Tuesday he said that the Government is using state-of-the-art technology in the […]
Gravely concerned about looming economic crisis in Sri Lanka: Bar Association
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) calls upon the government to seek the assistance of acknowledged independent and non-partisan experts both domestically and internationally and also of multilateral institutions that have a proven record of providing resources financially as well as in the form of technical expertise that will enable sustainable solutions to the […]
Opinion: Why marketers need to be empathetic now than ever
By Thanzyl Thajudeen As leading marketers, we have lately been focusing much of our efforts towards data, digital and the metaverse. We have more channels, content, and technology we need today to reach our potential customers, but this has unfortunately led us to cultivate a mindset of treating them as mere numbers and transactions rather […]
Sri Lanka’s Sovereign Foreign Debt: To Restructure or Not?
By Dr. Dushni Weerakoon: Sovereign debt restructuring can be pre-emptive or post-default. A default is inherently costly as it can result in a sustained loss of access to capital markets. That leaves pre-emptive restructuring when a country deems itself unable to service outstanding debt. The complex creditor landscape of today though makes governments reluctant to […]
S&P downgrades Sri Lanka; Central Bank disputes
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank says that S&P’s assessment to downgrade the rating has clearly failed to recognise the recent progress made by the Government and the CBSL in securing foreign exchange inflows to meet the government’s forthcoming debt obligations. Standard and Poor’s has downgraded Sri Lanka to ‘CCC’ from ‘CCC+’ with the outlook negative.
Hela Apparel Holdings IPO oversubscribed on opening day
The initial public offering (IPO) of shares of Hela Apparel Holdings Limited (Hela Clothing), one of the largest IPOs ever in Sri Lanka, received an overwhelmingly positive response, being oversubscribed within hours of the offer opening on the 12th of January 2022. Having successfully raised LKR 4 billion in equity capital for Hela Clothing, the […]
Second phase constructions of Eastern Container Terminal at Colombo Port commenced
The construction work of the second phase of Eastern Container Terminal at the Colombo Port commenced this morning (12) under the patronage of the President and Prime Minister.Construction works of the terminal, which will be conducted in three phases, are scheduled to be completed in 2024.The Terminal which is spread over an area of 75 […]
Opinion: Repay foreign debt or finance essential imports
By Chair of our Academic Programme and former Economic Adviser at the World Bank, Dr. Sarath Rajapatirana, and our Senior Research Fellow, and former Director of CBSL, Dr. Roshan Perera The available foreign reserves of the country can be used to either repay foreign creditors or to finance imports of essential goods and services required […]
Fitch Ratings Now Forecasts Two Fed Rate Hikes This Year, Four in 2023
Fitch Ratings expects the Fed to raise rates twice in 2022 and four times in 2023, taking the Fed funds rate (upper bound) to 1.75% by end-2023 from 0.25% currently. Fitch’s updated US interest rate forecasts reflect the major pivot by the Fed at its policy meeting on 14-15 December 2021, prompted by evidence that […]
How Samsung foldables are defining the future of smartphone innovation
When Samsung Electronics revealed its first prototype of a flexible display back in 2011, few people realized they were witnessing a glimpse into the mobile industry’s future. Now, a decade later, Samsung has shipped 4 times more foldable devices in 2021 than in 2020, exceeding the three-fold market growth that analysts expected. Consumer enthusiasm for […]
ADB is ready to provide funds to restructure several SOEs in Sri Lanka, VP informs President
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Shixin Chen stated that the Bank is ready to provide funds to restructure several state-owned enterprises. Vice President Chen made these remarks when he met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat, today (10). He further said that the Bank will support the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector […]