Category: Economy and Markets
Asanga Seneviratne elected to CSE Board of Directors
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) announces the appointment of Asanga C. Seneviratne as a Director of the CSE Board with effect from 23rd September 2021. Seneviratne has previously served on the Board of the CSE as a Director during the period from 2013 to 2017. He is presently the Chairman of Nation Lanka Equities (Pvt) […]
Interview : A closer look at Bancassurance with Vindya Cooray
Bancassurance is a relatively novel concept in the financial services industry of Sri Lanka. It enables consumers to fulfill both financial needs and insurance needs under one roof through their preferred banking partner. In an exclusive interview with Lanka Business Online, Vindya Cooray, the Chief Bancassurance Officer of Union Assurance PLC, explained the concept and […]
‘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 […]
CSE implements new OTC Platform to conduct REPO Transactions on Debt Securities
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) announces the introduction of a new Over the Counter (OTC) Platform to facilitate the Repurchase (REPO) Transactions on Corporate Debt Securities with effect from today (16th September 2021). The new OTC Platform is a significant step in the product expansion line-up of the CSE and is projected towards establishing a […]
”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 […]
Newly appointed CBSL Governor Nivard Cabraal to announce a policy package soon
Central Bank will need to take the required steps that will reflect its own commitment towards economic stability, and will therefore soon announce a policy package in the form of a short-term Road Map, that could then be followed by all stakeholders, said newly appointed Governor Nivard Cabraal. Releasing an initial statement upon taking office […]
Transparency International Sri Lanka recommends enhanced scrutiny in operation of tax amnesty
Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) is deeply concerned regarding the new Finance Act passed on 7th September 2021 that aims to grant tax amnesty for individuals who voluntarily disclose their undisclosed income and assets. TISL warns that this amnesty scheme could be abused for the purpose of money laundering unless regulatory authorities take extra measures […]
Sri Lanka official reserves slightly improve to USD 3.6bn by end August
Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 3,550.7 million US dollars by the end of August, up from 2,805.9 million US dollars in July, the latest Central Bank data showed. This does not include the swap facility signed with the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) of RMB 10 bn (equivalent to approximately USD 1.5 bn). By […]
High probability that Sri Lanka may consider moving into an IMF program: FCR
First Capital Research believes that there seems to be a high probability that Sri Lanka may consider moving into an IMF program. Though there are rumours of negotiations, so far such a program has not materialized, but the Govt has obtained the Rapid Funding Facility of USD 787Mn from the IMF. “Analysing the economic indicators […]
First Capital Looks to Future Growth with a Performance First Outlook
First Capital Holdings PLC, a Janashakthi Group Company with over 35 years of industry knowledge, recently concluded its Annual General Meeting presenting the Annual Report 2020-21 on the theme of ‘Performance First’ to its shareholders. The group recorded an exceptional year reaching new financial and non-financial performance milestones, recording Rs. 2.09 billion in Profits After […]
Central Bank imposes 100-pct cash margin deposit requirement for non-essential goods imports
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank has decided to impose a 100 percent cash margin deposit requirement against the importation of selected goods of non-essential/non-urgent nature made under Letters of Credit and Documents against Acceptance terms with Licensed Commercial Banks and National Savings Bank, with immediate effect. The decision to impose the cash margin […]
Sri Lankan import restrictions at odds with WTO rules hurt welfare of citizens: Economists
A panel of eminent economists urged that the Government take credible and decisive action to carry out immediate trade reforms. Advocata’s Academic Chair Dr. Sarath Rajapatirana, emphasised that “Countries that have grown very fast, especially in east asia have understood the importance of trade reform”. Further adding that the first step of such a reform […]