Category: Economy
‘s Central Bank to remain unchanged
Nov 29, 2019 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to maintain its accommodative monetary policy stance. Accordingly, the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) will remain at their current levels of 7.00 percent and 8.00 percent, respectively. The Board said it […]
Sri Lanka announces tax reliefs; cuts VAT to 8-pct, removes PAYE, WHT & Capital Gains Tax
Nov 27, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s new Cabinet of Ministers has given its approval to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) and various other taxes, Co-Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardana said. “Required amendments and gazette notifications are currently being prepared,” Gunawardana told reporters. “This will be a stimulus to all areas of the economy and […]
4IR: A challenge or an opportunity for gender equality
Institute of Policy Studies – IPS These technological advances of the hold significant implications on existing gender structures and balances, especially in the labour market. While optimists point out to opportunities for strengthening women’s position through greater gender equality through the 4IR, counterarguments that are put forward signal the 4IR would be ‘gender blind’. Entrenched […]
Government puts Enterprise Sri Lanka loan scheme on-hold for review
Nov 26, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s newly formed government has decided to put Enterprise Sri Lanka along with other concessionary loan schemes launched by the previous government on hold until a systematic study is carried out. The government’s position is that existing credit schemes should be identified and implemented in priority areas of the […]
Central Bank expresses its strong objection to statement released by Fitch Ratings
Nov 21, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank says that it strongly objects to the statement released by Fitch Ratings today as it depicts the complete opposite of the realised positive market response, followed by the assumption of duties by the President. Releasing a statement, the Central Bank said the domestic foreign exchange market, […]
Sri Lanka election result increases policy uncertainty: Fitch Ratings
Nov 21, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s presidential election significantly increases policy uncertainty and could prompt loosening that exacerbates fiscal weaknesses and a rollback of reforms, Fitch Ratings says. However, whether these risks materialise remains to be seen as a clear policy direction may only start to emerge after parliamentary elections. Gotabaya Rajapaksa of the […]
Sri Lanka stocks up after GR election victory
Nov 18, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s All Share Index rose 94 points or 1.56 percent to 6,117 points in the first half of the day of trading following the election victory of Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the new President. Stock indexes were up across the board with index heavy John Keells Holdings showing a gain […]
Sri Lanka Prosperity Index increased in 2018 with improvements in all sub-indices
Nov 15, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Prosperity Index (SLPI) that measures the level of prosperity of the country increased to 0.783 in 2018 from 0.548 recorded in 2017, the Central Bank data showed. SLPI is a composite indicator compiled by the Statistics Department of the Central Bank and comprises three sub-indices measured using 43 […]
Attorney General advises Central Bank not to make Forensic Audit reports public
Nov 12, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Attorney General has opined that the findings of the Forensic Audit reports should be treated as having the potential to be evidence in investigations and access should be limited to those who have statutory authority to access them. Given the nature of findings, the Monetary Board sought the […]
Sri Lanka official reserves at USD7.8bn by end October
Nov 08, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 7.8 billion US dollars (USD7,783.6mn) by the end of October, up from 7.6 billion US dollars in September, the latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of October, the foreign currency reserves were 6,757 million dollars while the reserve position in the IMF […]
US Embassy explains next steps for MCC grant
Nov 06, 2019 (LBO) – With presidential elections approaching, the United States anticipates working toward grant signing and parliamentary approval with the Government of Sri Lanka after November 16, 2019, the US Embassy said. Welcoming the cabinet decision to approve the grant, the embassy explained the next steps for the Millennium Challenge Corporation Development Assistance […]
Sri Lanka economy remains vulnerable to adverse shocks: IMF
Nov 05, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s economy remains vulnerable to adverse shocks given the high public debt and low reserves, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stressed. Releasing the country report following the sixth review of the country’s EFF, the IMF said the risks have intensified in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks, amid […]