Category: Economy and Markets
COVID-19: out of chaos comes opportunity. But opportunity must be seized to become reality.
By Jekhan Aruliah Tinned fish to tin houses: in the weeks of the 2020 Corona curfews we frequently saw on television and on Facebook fish in metal tins donated to families in metal huts. The Covid-19 Crisis shone a stark light on the large segment of our population in Sri Lanka living in chronic dire […]
Private sector supports establishment of a Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory at IDH
May 04, 2020 (LBO) – A new Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH) was declared open on 28 April 2020 by Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Director-General of Health Services. The new Laboratory was made possible due to funding and pledges received from private sector donors Melstacorp PLC, John Keells Holdings PLC, […]
Dialog commences critical ICU development at Negombo general hospital
May 04, 2020 (LBO) – As the first stage of the recently pledged 200 million rupees towards urgently required ICU capacity development in hospitals selected by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, commenced immediate civil reconstruction for the expansion and provision of all equipment to establish a fully […]
Local oil palm industry ready to support govt. domestic agriculture drive: POIA
May 04, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s oil palm cultivators can provide tangible support to the government’s efforts to promote local agriculture and import substitution as a response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the national economy, the sector’s apex industry association has said. In a statement, the Palm Oil Industry Association (POIA) […]
Resumption of civilian life and office work begins from May 11
May 04, 2020 (LBO) – While the curfew is in force in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam, the resumption of civilian life and state and private sector activities will begin from Monday, 11th May, the Presidents office said. In order to ensure return to normalcy in civilian life and to revive the […]
Central Bank extends deadline for submitting requests for debt moratoriums
May 01, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has extended the deadline (30.04.2020) for submitting requests for debt moratoriums and 4 percent per annum refinancing facility for two months working capital, until 15 May 2020. The decision has been taken after considering the difficulties faced by some customers of financial institutions affected by the […]
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 […]
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Apr 30, 2020 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has downgraded the rating on SriLankan Airlines Limited’s (SLA) USD175 million government-guaranteed 7% unsecured bonds due 25 June 2024 to ‘B-‘, from ‘B’. KEY RATING DRIVERS The rating action follows the downgrade of Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign- and Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings to ‘B-‘, from ‘B’, with […]
Mobitel empowers Sri Lanka Police with hi-tech body cameras
As part of supporting the nation’s fight against COVID-19, Mobitel, Sri Lanka’s National Mobile Service Provider introduced the latest Body Cameras to Sri Lanka Police at an event held at the Police Park Headquarters recently. The landmark event which took place under the patronage of the Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Sri Lanka Police, […]
‘s liquidity & external risks: Moody’s
Apr 29, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka (B2 review for downgrade) is facing simultaneous domestic and external shocks amid the global coronavirus outbreak, Moody’s Investors Service said in an issuer in-depth analysis. According to the analysis, capital outflows, marked local currency depreciation, wider risk premia and a further decline in real GDP growth will raise […]
Mangala asks President to re- summon Parliament to approve public expenditure
Apr 29, 2020 (LBO) – Former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has urged him to exercise his powers as the Head of State at this critical time and to summon the Parliament as soon as possible with the support of all parties represented in Parliament. He said that this […]