Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka trade deficit shrinks in Feb 2020
May 18, 2020 (LBO) – The deficit in Sri Lanka’s trade account widened in February 2020 to 574 million dollars, from 451 million dollars in February 2019, as the increase in imports surpassed the increase in exports. However, on a month on month basis, the trade deficit in February 2020 recorded a contraction. On a […]
Repatriation and replacement of lost foreign jobs: Handling labour migration during COVID-19
Bilesha Weeraratne Sri Lanka, which has been sending workers abroad for employment for decades, is now faced with the formidable challenge of repatriating large numbers of migrant workers affected by COVID-19. Having successfully brought back students from China, UK, Australia, and South Asia and pilgrims from India, the authorities are now making plans to repatriate […]
We cannot allow irrational laws to impede our economy: President
May 15, 2020 (LBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that irrational laws should not obstruct the policies formulated to achieve the economic objectives of the people. The President stated this during a discussion with officials and ministry secretaries attached to the Plantation Industry sector at the Presidential Secretariat on May 14.The meeting was called to […]
SLT Group 1Q 2020 operating profits grow by 28-pct to Rs.3.2Bn
May 15, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Telecom PLC Group released its financial results for the three months ending on 31st March 2020. The Total revenue for the quarter recorded Rs.22.1 Bn, which is a 3.8% growth compared to the Rs. 21.3 Bn during the same period in 2019. Stringent measures were taken to manage […]
COVID-19 economic impact could reach $USD 8.8TR globally: New ADB report
May 15, 2020 (LBO) – The global economy could suffer between $5.8 trillion and $8.8 trillion in losses—equivalent to 6.4% to 9.7% of global gross domestic product (GDP)—as a result of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, says a new report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today. The report, Updated Assessment of the Potential […]
Teejay ends 2019-20 with net profit up 28-pct
May 15, 2020 (LBO) – Textile manufacturer Teejay Lanka PLC has ended 2019-20 on an encouragingly strong note, despite its projected fourth quarter profit growth being eroded by production shutdowns at all plants in conformity with the lockdowns in Sri Lanka and India necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sri Lanka’s only multinational textile producer has […]
Singer Finance Rs.1Bn debenture issue oversubscribed
May 15, 2020 (LBO) – Singer Finance (Lanka) PLC received a strong vote of confidence from investors with its recent Listed, Rated, unsecured, senior, redeemable three year and five year, one billion rupee debenture issue being oversubscribed. The subscription closed on Wednesday the 13th of May 2020. This Debenture issue is rated BBB (lka) by […]
President calls on banking sector to think out of the box to achieve economic revival
May 14, 2020 (LBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested the banking sector to deviate from conventional thinking and practice to support the country‟s striving to rebuild the economy badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The government was able to keep the corona virus under control. The biggest challenge we face right now is to […]
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 […]
Commercial Bank operating profit down by 4.6-pct, PAT up due to concessions
May 14, 2020 (LBO) – Operating profit before taxes on financial services of Sri Lanka’s Commercial Bank for the first quarter declined by 4.6%, interim accounts showed. The bank posted a profit before income tax of Rs 5.229 billion for the three months, an increase of 9.51% as the taxes on financial services has been […]
Central Bank cuts minimum requirement of Liquidity Coverage Ratio to 90-pct
May 13, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has decided to reduce the minimum requirement of Liquidity Coverage Ratio and Net Stable Funding Ratio to 90 percent with enhanced supervision and frequent reporting. The Central Bank has also decided to permit licensed banks to consider certain assets as liquid assets in the computation of […]
Central Bank places restrictions on discretionary payments of banks
May 13, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has issued directions to licensed banks restricting their discretionary payments with the aim of maintaining appropriate levels of liquidity in licensed banks while managing cash flows prudently. The Monetary Board has considered the possible adverse impact on liquidity and other key performance indicators of licensed commercial […]