Category: Economy and Markets
Central Bank approves Rs. 28bn loans at 4-pct among 13,861 businesses; Phase-II ready
Jun 24, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank says that they have approved 13,861 loan applications under the Phase-I of Saubagya Covid-19 Scheme so far, totaling Rs. 27.9 billion, out of which the licensed banks have already disbursed Rs.14.8 billion among 7,274 affected businesses island-wide. These loans carry a concessional interest rate of 4 […]
Nations Trust Bank launches Rs.7Bn “Nations Diriya” fund to support economic revival
Jun 24, 2020 (LBO) – Nations Trust Bank announced the launch of 7 Billion rupees internally generated funds dedicated to extending financial support to key industries, enabling them to recommence their businesses and in turn boost the national economy. With the “Nations Diriya” support fund, the Bank will reach out to exporters under “Nations Apanayana […]
Sri Lanka’s external strains set to persist beyond elections: Fitch Ratings
Jun 24, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stressed external liquidity position is set to remain a weakness for the country’s credit profile, says Fitch Ratings. According to Fitch Ratings, policymakers may be able to offer more clarity about their economic agenda once elections are held on 5 August, but hurdles to accessing additional external financing […]
John Keells Holdings secures USD 175 mn long-term financing facility from IFC
Jun 23, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s diversified John Keells Holdings on Tuesday entered into a long-term financing agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for US Dollars 175 million to support funding of the Company’s investment pipeline. The company said in a stock exchange filing that this facility is IFC’s largest investment to-date in […]
How to determine the best cloud service provider for your business.
As the COVID-19 pandemic encouraged most businesses to shift to remote work environments, it’s the cloud that made this possible. Although popularity for cloud computing increased in the wake of this pandemic, businesses have long since being depending on its services to make operations faster, simpler and more productive. With businesses that function by otherwise […]
Rooster Jobs launched to help businesses steer recruitment during Covid-19
Jun 23, 2020 (LBO) – Rooster Jobs is a free of charge end-to-end recruitment platform and Applicant Tracking System (ATS) designed to help businesses source suitable candidates. The platform was launched on 11th of May with the motive to assist businesses navigate hiring efficiency amidst the turbulent environment created by Covid-19. Within a short span […]
Nation Lanka Finance appoints Suresh Amerasekera as CEO
Jun 23, 2020 (LBO) – Nation Lanka Finance (NLF) announced the appointment of Suresh M. Amerasekera as their new CEO with effect from 9 June 2020.He was functioning as the COO of NLF, from September 2, 2019. Suresh is a Senior Banker, with over 35 years of experience in the Finance Industry.He last held the […]
HNB records sharp spike in cardless transactions during COVID lockdown
Jun 23, 2020 (LBO) – Leading private sector bank HNB PLC, reported a 70 percent increase in the use of its cardless cash withdrawal facility, Cash to Mobile during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the period of January to May 2020, the bank witnessed an average (month-to-month) increase of 60 percent on Cash […]
Sri Lanka electricity generation down 22.7-pct in Apr 2020
Jun 21, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s total electricity generation (excluding non- conventional electricity as solar, wind, mini-hydro & biomass) stood at 964,043 MWh in the month of April 2020, down 22.7 percent from 12,46,863 MWh in the month of January 2020, data submitted by Ceylon Electricity Board shows. The reduction of the electricity generation […]
Sri Lanka should adopt extreme tourism targeting, covering high-end and backpackers
Jun 23, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tourism industry can adopt extreme targeting, covering not only the high-end but also the lower end backpackers, an industry professional said. “They are more prone to travel during this period. It is about targeting early adopters both consumers and logistics/market-wise,” Vickum Nawagamuwage Founder CEO of Santani Wellness Resort told a […]
‘s headline inflation decreased further in May
Jun 22, 2020 (LBO) – Headline inflation as measured by the year-on-year change in the National Consumer Price Index decreased further to 5.2 percent in May from 5.9 percent in April. This was mainly driven by the statistical effect of the high base that prevailed in May 2019. Meanwhile, Food inflation (Y-o-Y) declined to 11.1 […]
Ranjith Kodituwakku appointed People’s Bank CEO
Jun 22, 2020 (LBO) – Ranjith Kodituwakku has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer/ General Manager of People’s Bank with effect from June 19, 2020. He had previously served as the Deputy General Manager (Commercial Banking and Digitalization). The appointment as CEO/GM follows the retirement of M.A. Boniface Silva – Acting CEO/GM. Ranjith Kodituwakku […]