Category: Markets
Sri Lanka explores SWAP facilities with regional Central Banks
May 19, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is in the process of exploring SWAP facilities with regional central banks, while arrangements are also being made for syndicate financing with identified foreign sources, the Central Bank said. While reiterating its commitment to meeting all its financial obligations, the Central Bank said in a statement that the […]
Sri Lanka official reserves at USD 7.9Bn at end Feb 2020
May 18, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves stood at 7.9 billion dollars at end February 2020, equivalent to 4.7 months of imports, the Central Bank said. Total foreign assets, which consist of gross official reserves and foreign assets of the banking sector, amounted to 10.9 billion dollars at end February 2020, equivalent […]
Joint committee of SEC & CSE appointed to broadbase capital market awareness
May 14, 2020 (LBO) – The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) considers it important to identify measures that are required to broadbase the capital market as well as to educate and create awareness amongst the public. The proposals submitted by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) subsequent to discussions with the SEC also […]
CSE trading closes after S&P SL 20 drops over 10-pct
May 11, 2020 (LBO) – The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed trading for the day after the S&P SL 20 index dropped over 10 percent from the previous close. The market was closed within a few minutes of trading as per the new directive issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. SEC introduced a Three […]
Colombo Stock Exchange to recommence trading tomorrow
May 10, 2020 (LBO) – The Colombo Stock Exchange will recommence its operations on Monday in line with the decision made by the government to relax curfew regulations in the Western Province. Accordingly, the pre-open session will be from 10.30 to 11.00 a.m. with the open auction beginning at 11.00 a.m. Regular trading will commence […]
Sri Lanka gross official reserves down to USD7.2 bn by end-April
May 07, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 7.2 billion US dollars (USD7,179.9mn) by the end of April, down from 7.5 billion US dollars in March, the latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of April, the foreign currency reserves were 6,744.1 million dollars while the reserve position in the IMF […]
SEC grants relief measures; extends due date for submission of audit reports
Apr 30, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission having taken into consideration the challenges faced by the licensed entities in complying with certain regulatory requirements due to COVID-19, has decided to grant several relief measures. I. Extensions of time for the licensed/registered entities to submit reports to the SEC The due date […]
SEC introduces 3-Tiered Circuit Breaker attached to S&P SL20
Apr 30, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission has introduced a Three Tiered Circuit Breaker structure which is to be attached to the S&P SL20 Index in order to eradicate distortion in the S&P SL20 Index by providing a layered approach. The circuit breaker mechanism will take effect from the date the […]
Central Bank imposes maximum interest rates on pawning advances of banks
Apr 27, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has decided to impose maximum interest rates on pawning advances of licensed banks. The decision has been taken after considering the necessity to provide relief to low income individuals who are pawning gold jewellery to meet their short-term financing needs due to the adverse economic situation […]
Sri Lanka official reserves down to USD7.5bn by end-March
Apr 09, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 7.5 billion US dollars (USD7,525.7mn) by the end of March, down from 7.9 billion US dollars in February, the latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of March, the foreign currency reserves were 7,119.1 million dollars while the reserve position in the IMF […]
PwC expects real GDP growth in Sri Lanka to be less than 2-pct this year
Apr 09, 2020 (LBO) – PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) expects real GDP growth in the Island to be less than 2 percent this year even if the pandemic is contained by mid-2020. Prior to the Coronavirus outbreak, the Central Bank expected the economy to grow at 4.5-5 percent with a modest recovery from the Easter Sunday attacks […]
Central Bank further reduces policy interest rates by 25 basis points
Apr 03, 2020 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of the Central Bank today decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) by 25 basis points to 6.00 percent and 7.00 percent, respectively, effective from the close of business on 03 April 2020. The Central Bank said this […]