Category: Economy
CBSL maintains policy rates; near term supply side developments do not warrant policy tightening
The Monetary Board has decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at their current levels of 5.00 percent and 6.00 percent, respectively. The Board said it arrived at this decision after considering the macroeconomic conditions and expected developments on the domestic and […]
Interview: Futureproofing banking sector through digital-first mindset
There is a good reason why digitalisation is a top priority for banking. When done correctly, it enables paradigm shifting improvements in customer experience and accessibility. For the average customer, it means, they are able to utilize the full range of our products and services seamlessly, through the platform of their choice. While prior to […]
Regulating prices: From price mandates to more competition
Regulating prices: from price mandates to more competition The government recently removed the maximum retail price (MRP) on rice with a decision to import a buffer stock of rice to prevent any shortages. This is an important step in the right direction. Opening up the market for more competition will reduce the market power of […]
Sri Lanka projected to grow by 3.3-pct : Shifting gears to services-led growth can help build back better
Sri Lanka’s economy is projected to grow by 3.3 percent in 2021, but the medium-term outlook is clouded by pre-existing macroeconomic weaknesses and the economic scarring from the COVID-19 pandemic. A gradual recovery will likely lead to corresponding improvements in labor market conditions. Most countries in South Asia are far from pre-pandemic trend levels, says […]
‘s Six-Month Road Map at a glance
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank on Friday outlined the key measures and tools they will use to ensure macroeconomic & financial system stability in the country for the next six months. • Intervene in the FX market by providing the funds to finance the country’s energy bills, and thereby to infuse liquidity • Promote investments in […]
Central Bank removes cash margin deposit requirement on non-essential imports
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has decided to discontinue the 100 percent cash margin deposit requirement against the importation of selected goods of non-essential/non-urgent nature with immediate effect. The decision to impose a cash margin deposit requirement was expected to support the efforts to preserve the stability of the exchange rate and foreign currency market liquidity, […]
Central Bank requests Govt to tax export profits at 28-pct where forex is not repatriated & converted
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank requests the government to tax profits of exporters at 28 percent and not 14 percent where forex is not repatriated & converted. Unveiling the Six-Month Road Map for Ensuring Macroeconomic & Financial System Stability, Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said that there will be specified limits. Service related foreign exchange inflows will […]
ADB Annual Meeting 2022 in Sri Lanka; MoU signed
Sri Lanka’s government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to hold the 55th Annual Meeting of the ADB in Colombo, Sri Lanka next year. It was signed on behalf of the Asian Development Bank by its Director General, South Asia Department, Kenchi Yokoyama, and SR Attygalle on behalf […]
CBSL to announce 6-month road map for ensuring macroeconomic & financial stability on Friday
The Central Bank is to announce “A Six-Month Road Map for Ensuring Macroeconomic & Financial System Stability” on Friday, 01 October 2021. Accordingly, Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal will announce the road map to the officials of the Government and the financial sector institutions. Due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation and in keeping with required […]
Central Bank recommends complete repatriation of export proceeds within reasonable period
Steps must be taken to strengthen the systems to ensure monitoring and to implement measures that lead to the complete repatriation and conversion of export proceeds within a reasonable period, the Central Bank said. Releasing an information series note on the current status of the export earnings, the Central Bank justified that it would be […]
‘s exports exceed USD 1Bn for third consecutive month in August
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports in August 2021 recorded an increase of 14.4 % to US$ 1,083.56 Mn as compared to US$ 947.2 Mn recorded in August 2020 as per the data released by Sri Lanka Customs. Table 1: Merchandise Export Performance Values in US$ Mns Exports of Goods Jan-Aug 2019 Jan-Aug 2020 Jan-Aug […]
”s Investors Service
Coupled with limited external financing options and pandemic-related lockdown weighing on the recovery of non-debt generating inflows, the FX reserves data points to a rising risk of debt default, Moody’s Investors Service said in a new report. According to the report, without sizeable external financing that is relatively secure and long-term, they expect foreign exchange […]