Category: Economy
In Sri Lanka Cash Transfers Give Essential Support to People Hit Hardest by COVID-19: World Bank
When the first lockdown was imposed in March 2020, Nayani’s financial woes worsened overnight. Struggling with partial loss of sight and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) the 36-year-old’s meagre savings evaporated like smoke from the incense sticks she sells to make a living. Nayani’s husband is blind and the couple struggled to make ends meet, especially […]
Online platform launched for Sri Lankan exporters seeking access to Chinese market
The Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing assisted the Hairong Technology Co. Ltd organised the introduction of the “Sri Lanka Platform” along with an investment promotion seminar (SEIC 2021) at the Embassy on 11 July 2021. The main objective of the event was to provide an online platform for Sri Lanka exporters seeking to access the […]
IFC & FCCISL Work with Businesses to Promote Increased Work-Life Balance
To help close the gender gap and promote greater work-life balance, particularly at a time of COVID-19 impacts, IFC and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Sri Lanka (FCCISL) have launched a new online learning series to strengthen business commitment towards flexible work and family-friendly practices to help employees. Over 40 Sri Lankan […]
June food prices increase by 14.3-pct: Advocata’s Bath Curry Indicator
June Food Prices Increase by 14.3–pct Advocata’s Bath Curry Indicator (BCI) which tracks the monthly changes in the price of food recorded a jump of 14.3% for the month of June 2021. The month of June experienced an increase in prices comparatively to the month of May, according to the basket of food tracked by […]
Sri Lanka seeks USD 150Mn loan from ADB for Responsive Vaccines for Recovery project
The Government of Sri Lanka is planning to borrow two loans amounting to USD 150 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to implement the “Responsive COVID-19 Vaccines for Recovery (RECOVER) Project”. The proposed total financial assistance from ADB is comprised of USD 84 million under Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX) and USD 66 […]
CBSL expects 5-pct GDP growth in 2021; inflationary pressures to be addressed with policy intervention
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank 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 4.50 percent and 5.50 percent, respectively. According to the Central Bank, the economy is likely to have recorded a higher than expected […]
Sri Lanka restricts outward remittances for 6 months to preserve foreign exchange position
With a view to assist and maintain the financial system stability by minimizing the pressure on the exchange rate and preserving the foreign currency reserve position of Sri Lanka, the Finance Minister with the recommendation of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank and the approval of the Cabinet has issued an Order under Section […]
Colombo Stock Exchange Signs MoU with CHEC Port City Colombo
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and CHEC Port City Colombo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the capital markets in Sri Lanka by taking advantage of the Port City Colombo’s special emphasis of the Colombo International Financial Center, in order to establish a regionally recognized financial exchange within the country’s borders. The MoU […]
PM Mahinda meets with Omani investors
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa met with an Omani investors delegation from Shumookh Investment and Services SAOC which is the investment arm of Madayn – The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates of the Sultanate of Oman, at Temple Trees on 21 June, 2021 in Colombo. The Omani delegation comprised of Ambassador of Oman to Sri Lanka Al-Sheikh Jumah Hamdan Al-Shehhi, […]
Central Bank expects at least USD 1.4bn inflows to Sri Lanka by August
While there may be short-term fluctuations in foreign reserves in the period ahead due to debt servicing of the Government, adequate financing strategies have been lined up to maintain reserves at sufficient levels, through inflows to the country, Governor of the Central Bank, Professor W D Lakshman said. Releasing a statement, he said that inflows […]
Sri Lanka records USD 884Mn exports in May 2021
Sri Lanka’s export sector performance has been able to manage its growth momentum in May 2021 with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. As per the statistics released by Sri Lanka Customs, Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports in May 2021 were US$ 884.2 Million, an increase of 50.71% over US$ 586.7 Million in May 2020. Sri […]
‘ Association appeals for cost-sharing from Business Partners
The Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association (SLRA), the apex body for organised retail in Sri Lanka, issued a communique requesting landlords, lessors, and business partners reduce leases and rentals for the Association’s membership. • Lease and Rental Reductions • Support towards loan repayments restructure • Utility and trade levy reduction/postponement SLRA President Murali Prakash appealed to […]