Category: Markets
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 […]
First Capital Research cuts ASPI target to 5,000 for June 2020
Apr 03, 2020 (LBO) – First Capital Research has reduced its ASPI target to a mere 5,000 for June 2020 as earnings of most companies are likely to be negative during the 2Q & 3Q2020. The research arm, however, said a possible recovery in 4Q2020 may push the index towards 6,000 by December 2020. With […]
Sri Lanka suspends all restrictions on foreign currency inflows
Apr 02, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has decided to suspend all restrictions on foreign currency inflows into the Island during the COVID-19 preventive period, defined as the three months commencing 2 April 2020. Releasing a statement, the Central Bank Governor Professor W D Lakshman invites all in Sri Lanka and abroad […]
Central Bank facilitates finance & leasing companies to support businesses
Mar 31, 2020 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to introduce a number of measures to provide flexibility to Licensed Finance Companies (LFCs) and Specialised Leasing Companies (SLCs) facilitating them to support businesses and individuals affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. In line with this initiative, the […]
CSE to remain closed for trading from tomorrow until curfew is lifted
Mar 31, 2020 (LBO) – Colombo Stock Exchange will remain closed for trading from 01 April 2020 until the curfew is lifted, the exchange said in a notice. CSE further stated that the decision has been taken pursuant to a guidance received from the Securities and Exchange Commission. The extraordinary measures taken by the government […]