Author: lbostgadmin
Central Bank of Sri Lanka maintains policy interest rates at current levels
Oct 02, 2018 (LBO) – Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 01 October 2018, has decided to maintain policy interest rates at their current levels. Accordingly, the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank will remain at 7.25 […]
‘s visit to Oslo
Oct 02, 2018 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) will host multiple events in Norway and Sweden with the participation of the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, who is visiting Oslo during 3rd to 5th October. The PM will be accompanied by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development […]
ADB & HNB ink USD20Mn agreement to strengthen microfinance institutions
Oct 01, 2018 (LBO) – Hatton National Bank announced the signing of a new partnership agreement with the Asian Development Bank in order to expand lending and provide guarantees of up to 20 million dollars to support the development of Sri Lanka’s burgeoning microfinance sector. Currently, many microfinance institutions struggle to access funds for growth […]
Opinion: Sri Lankan rupee under pressure – How not to crack
By Economic Intelligence Unit of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce The Sri Lankan currency (LKR) has weakened against the US dollar in 2018 (9.4% as at 26 September 2018) with close to 4% of the depreciation being recorded in the last two weeks.Currencies like the Indian rupee, Indonesian rupiah and Philippines peso have also seen steep […]
Fitch affirms ratings on 9 Sri Lankan banks; outlooks stable
Oct 01, 2018 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) of nine Sri Lanka-based banks and has assigned a stable outlook for these banks. The rating action follows Fitch’s periodic review of the large bank peer group. – National Savings Bank (NSB) at ‘B+’; Outlook Stable – Bank of Ceylon (BOC) […]
Elon Musk settles SEC charges; requires him to step down as Tesla Chairman
Sept 30, 2018 (LBO) – The United States Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that Elon Musk, CEO and Chairman of Silicon Valley-based Tesla, has agreed to settle the securities fraud charge brought by the SEC against him last week. The SEC also today charged Tesla with failing to have required disclosure controls and procedures […]
Harsha defensive after social media backlash on request for austerity
September 29, 2018 (LBO) – State Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Harsha De Silva has been embroiled in a firestorm of backlash over comments suggesting that Sri Lankans restrict foreign travel and vehicle purchases in order to curb the drawdown of foreign exchange. In a situation where the general perception is of incompetence with regard […]
Current policy stance desired, less probability for a rate hike: First Capital Research
Sept 29, 2018 (LBO) – First Capital Research believes that a policy rate change is not required at this moment considering the prevailing economic conditions of the country. First Capital Research also believes that the vulnerable external environment and lower GDP growth level provide less scope for the monetary board to increase rates.“The possibility of […]
Facebook resets log in tokens of 90 million users after attackers exploited system
Sept 29, 2018 (LBO) – Facebook has discovered a vulnerability that affected almost 50 million accounts after an external actor exploited their systems.Facebook said it’s clear that attackers exploited a vulnerability in Facebook’s code that impacted “View As” a feature that lets people see what their own profile looks like to someone else. “This allowed […]
MTD Walkers (KAPI) restructures debentures due September 30th, changes auditors
September 28, 2018 (LBO) – In Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) filings filings released today, listed construction company MTD Walkers (KAPI), announced a restructuring of maturing debentures, change of auditor, and 2 directors deciding not to stand for re-election. Prominent directors Niranjan Deva Aditya and Albert Rasiah have decided not to stand for re-election at the […]
Construction work of Sri Lanka’s first LNG power plant to begin next month
Sept 28, 2018 (LBO) – Construction work of Sri Lanka’s first liquified natural gas (LNG) fuelled power plant will be commenced in Hambantota next month. As per the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Sri Lanka and China, this will be a joint venture between the Chinese government and the Ceylon Electricity Board. This LNG power […]
IMF staff mission concludes visit to Sri Lanka; stresses on reforms
Sept 28, 2018 (LBO) – Authorities should accelerate reforms to strengthen the Sri Lankan economy’s resilience to domestic and external shocks, given still significant vulnerabilities, concluding a recent visit, an IMF staff mission said. The IMF staff mission led by Manuela Goretti said the authorities should sustain reform efforts to support trade, investment, and inclusive […]