Category: Economy and Markets
‘s growth prospects, Projected to fall to 2.2-pct in 2020: ADB
Apr 03, 2020 (LBO) – The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) flagship annual economic publication, the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2020, forecasts significant headwinds for Sri Lanka’s economy as it fights the spread of COVID-19, which comes less than 12 months after the terror attacks in April 2019. Sri Lanka’s economic growth is projected to fall to […]
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 […]
World Bank fast-tracks USD128Mn COVID-19 support for Sri Lanka
Apr 03, 2020 (LBO) – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors yesterday approved the $128.6 million Sri Lanka COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project to help the country prevent, detect, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen its public health preparedness. The new fast track package will benefit the entire Sri […]
Coronavirus intensifies pressure on Sri Lanka Finance Companies: Fitch Ratings
Apr 03, 2020 (LBO) – The coronavirus outbreak and the resultant prolonged business disruptions will put additional pressure on Sri Lankan finance and leasing companies’ (FLCs) earnings and asset quality, says Fitch Ratings. The ultimate economic and financial market implications of the outbreak are unclear, while Fitch considers the risks to NBFIs’ credit profiles to […]
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 […]
ComBank deploys mobile units in curfew areas
Apr 01, 2020 (LBO) – The Commercial Bank of Ceylon of Ceylon has announced it is deploying its ‘Bank-on-Wheels’ Mobile ATM units in areas where curfews are in force, to provide urgently needed access to cash to members of the public. The Bank said a schedule containing details of the locations and times that these […]
‘s headline inflation decreased to 5.4-pct in March
Mar 31, 2020 (LBO) – Headline inflation as measured by the year-on-year change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index declined to 5.4 percent in March 2020 from 6.2 percent in February 2020, the Statistics Department said. This was due to the decline in the prices of items in the Food category. Accordingly, Food inflation (Y-o-Y) […]
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 […]
CBSL implements extraordinary measures to facilitate banks to support businesses
Mar 30, 2020 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has decided to introduce several extraordinary regulatory measures to provide flexibility to Licensed Commercial Banks and Licensed Specialised Banks to provide some relief to businesses and individuals affected by the COVID-19 crisis. In deciding these measures, the Monetary Board has taken note […]
”: Economic impact of COVID-19 on Sri Lanka
Kithmina Hewage Over a quarter of the world’s population is currently under movement restrictions. For the first time in recent human history, coronavirus has shattered the myth that the economy must come first. While public health concerns, undoubtedly, should take precedence over all other considerations when dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be unwise […]
H2O1 in discussions with the Water Board on feasibility of implementing advanced water treatment technology in Sri Lanka
H2O ONE and its Singaporean technical partner ACE WATER met with Deputy General Manager Lasantha Weerasekara and staff members at the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) headquarters at Ratmalana. The H2O ONE and ACE WATER team also met with the officials of Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and leading private sector corporates as part […]