Category: Economy and Markets
Weekly AWPR declines to single-digit levels after April 2016: Central Bank
Dec 30, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank says that the weekly Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) has declined to single-digit levels by 27 December 2019, the first time since 29 April 2016. According to the Central Bank, the overall weekly AWPR has declined by 230 basis points from 12.24 percent as at […]
First Capital Research trims down its rate cut probability to 50-pct
Dec 24, 2019 (LBO) – Considering the recent major policy changes, First Capital Research has trimmed down its rate cut probability to 50 percent from the previous expectation of 100 percent probability, specifically due to the tax benefits, moratorium on loans and easing of capital adequacy to stimulate the consumer demand and revive growth in […]
‘s Central Bank
Dec 24, 2019 (LBO) – Professor W D Lakshman has been appointed as the new Governor of Central Bank of Sri Lanka. An official at the Central Bank told LBO that he assumed duties as the Governor of Central Bank today morning. Deshamanya Weligamage Don Lakshman commonly known as W D Lakshman is a Sri […]
Sri Lanka nationwide inflation decreased in November
Dec 24, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s headline inflation as measured by the year-on-year change in the National Consumer Price Index decreased to 4.1 percent in November from 5.6 percent in October contributed by the statistical effect of the high base prevailed in October 2018. According to the Statistics Department, Year-on-year food inflation has decreased […]
Fitch revises Outlook on Sri Lanka Telecom to Negative; affirms at AA+
Dec 23, 2019 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlook on Sri Lanka Telecom PLC’s (SLT) National Long-Term Rating to Negative from Stable and affirmed the rating at ‘AA+(lka)’. They have also affirmed the National Ratings on SLT’s outstanding senior unsecured debentures at ‘AA+(lka)’. The rating action follows Fitch’s revision of the Outlook on […]
CA Sri Lanka, CMA & SAFA launches Digital Competency Maturity Model for SMPs
Dec 23, 2019 (LBO) – With digitization expected to have profound implications on Small and Medium-Sized Practices (SMPs), the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) together with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) and the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka (CMA Sri Lanka) launched the Digital Competency […]
Government directs banks to suspend recovery of SME loans
Dec 20, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry says the government has issued directives to Chairmen and CEOs of all banks to suspend the recovery of loans obtained by the SME sector. Finance Ministry statement President, PM direct all banks to suspend recovery of SME loans President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa […]
President appoints tech-studded ICTA board to drive digital Sri Lanka
Dec 20, 2019 (LBO) – In line with his vision for a Sri Lanka driven by technology, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a tech-studded board for the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA). Steering the board as Chairman is Jayantha De Silva, Co-Founder of IFS Sri Lanka, the country’s first FDI-funded technology […]
Sri Lankan authorities dispute revision of outlook to Negative by Fitch Ratings
Dec 19, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lankan authorities stress that the recent rating action by Fitch Ratings to revise the country’s Outlook to ‘Negative’ has been hastily done without considering facts on the ground and such action is untimely and constitutes a rush to judgement. Releasing a statement the Finance Ministry said that it is […]
Sri Lanka records 2.7-pct growth in third quarter of 2019
Dec 19, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s national accounts estimates of the third quarter still reflect the impact of ‘Easter Sunday Attack’ especially in some services sector related economic activities, the statistics office said. When compared to the third quarter of 2018, the ‘Accommodation, food and beverage service activities’ even in this quarter have contracted […]
Cabinet appoints 4-member committee to study MCC compact
Dec 19, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet has decided to appoint an expert committee to study and look into the issues of the MCC compact and report back to the cabinet. Accordingly, Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan, Architect Nalaka Jayaweera, Former Secretary to the Transport Ministry D S Jayaweera and President’s Counsel Nihal Jayawardhana has been […]
Sep quarter earnings declined by 9.6-pct for 264 companies: FC Research
Dec 19, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s First Capital Research says that quarterly earnings have been dipped for listed companies amidst weaker consumer spending albeit recovers relative to previous quarters. September quarter earnings dipped by 9.6 percent YoY to 45.8 billion rupees primarily due to sluggish performance in Insurance (-48%YoY), Consumer Services (-495%YoY), Capital Goods […]