Category: Economy
Debt Restructuring: Govt has failed to strike a deal favorable to Sri Lanka – Harsha de Silva
According to a recent press release, the government of Sri Lanka has failed to secure a deal that benefits its people, says Harsha de Silva, the economics spokesperson for the main opposition SJB and Chairman of the COPF. He voiced his disappointment over the lack of transparency in the government’s debt restructuring process, despite his […]
Sri Lanka announces end of initial talks with members of ad hoc group of bondholders
The Government of Sri Lanka announces today that it has held restricted discussions over the past three weeks with nine members of the steering committee who agreed to take part in the restricted discussions of the Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders of its International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs). The Steering Committee as a whole comprises ten […]
SL debt repayment period to be extended from 2028 to 2042, with a lowered interest rate of around 2-pct
Sri Lanka is in the final stages of negotiations with its creditors, spearheaded by Japan, to suspend debt repayments until 2028. The repayment period will be extended from 2028 to 2042, with a lowered interest rate of approximately 2%. Despite Sri Lanka’s appeal for further debt reduction, Nikkei Asia reports that no additional cuts are […]
SOE Losses Costing LKR 141,809 per Sri Lankan Household
The soft pedaling by the government to carry out crucial reforms of State Owned Enterprises is forcing taxpayer’s wallets to take the brunt of the hit, says Colombo based think tank, Advocata Institute. Dhananath Fernando, the Chief Executive Officer of the Advocata Institute said, taking into account the upcoming election cycle, the Advocata Institute, urged […]
ADB partnership strategy 2024-28 for SL to foster sustainable recovery, build resilience, and revive growth
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a new country partnership strategy (CPS) for Sri Lanka covering the period 2024–2028. The strategy will focus on restoring the country’s macroeconomic stability, reviving growth, and establishing the foundation for sustainable recovery and resilience. “This new partnership strategy will build on ADB’s ongoing assistance to support the country’s efforts to […]
‘s growth forecast to 2.2-pct in 2024
In Sri Lanka, growth is expected to turn positive, to 2.2 percent in 2024, a 0.5 percentage point upgrade from the previous forecast, with modest recoveries in reserves, remittances, and tourism. According to the World Bank’s the Sri Lanka Development Update, Bridge to Recovery, released today, inflation is expected to remain within the central bank’s target range and […]
Despite strong growth, South Asia remains vulnerable to shocks: World Bank update
Growth in South Asia is expected to be strong at 6.0 percent in 2024, driven mainly by robust growth in India and recoveries in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. But persistent structural challenges threaten to undermine sustained growth, hindering the region’s ability to create jobs and respond to climate shocks, says the World Bank in its […]
The Future of Work: Adapting to Changing Trends and Technologies
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IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on the Second Review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility
IMF staff and the Sri Lankan authorities have reached staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the second review of the 4-year EFF-supported program and the 2024 Article IV Consultation. Once the review is approved by IMF Management and completed by the IMF Executive Board, Sri Lanka will have access to SDR 254 million (about […]
New Secured Transactions Registry to Help Expand Financing for Small Businesses in Sri Lanka
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka are set to benefit from the newly established Secured Transactions Registry (STR), which aims to facilitate the use of moveable assets as collateral for loans while ensuring financial stability and fostering economic growth in the country. With technical assistance from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the new […]
Merchandise Exports Dip 0.77-pct in January 2024, Reaching USD970.7 Mn
The merchandise export performance in January 2024 amounted to US$ 970.7 million, recorded a 0.77 % decline compared to January 2023. Compared to January 2023, agricultural exports shown a modest increase of 3.58%, reaching US$ 225.43 million in January 2024. However, industrial exports experienced a decline of 2.08% during the same period, dropping to US$ […]
Sri Lanka trade balance deteriorated by 3.6-pct in January 2024
The deficit in the merchandise trade account widened to US dollars 541 million in January 2024 from US dollars 445 million recorded in January 2023, mainly with higher increase in imports. In addition, trade deficit in January 2024 widened compared to the deficit of US dollars 487 million in December 2023. Earnings from merchandise exports […]