Category: Economy and Markets
‘s consumer durable retailers
Oct 03, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s consumer durable retailers’ operating cash flow is likely to weaken following new government regulations that impose a 100 percent cash margin on the import of most types of consumer durables, Fitch Ratings says. The credit profiles of rated retailers, such as Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC (A-(lka)/Stable) and Abans […]
327 new Chartered Accountants, 158 conferred FCA designation: CA Sri Lanka
Oct 03, 2018 (LBO) – The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) conferred the distinguished Associate Chartered Accountants (ACA) designation to 327 new Chartered Accountants. 158 existing members of the institute, were conferred with the Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) status, elevating them to the highest stratum in their professional careers. Issuing […]
Govt. expenditure for 2019 Rs.4,376Bn : Budget deficit 4.1-pct
Oct 02, 2018 (LBO) – As per the Appropriation Bill, which was presented to the Cabinet recently by Finance and Media Minister, Mangala Samaraweera, next year’s annual state expenditure will be 4,376 billion rupee.The budget deficit will be 644 billion rupees, 4.1 percent of Gross Domestic Product, the Finance Ministry said issuing a statement. The Government […]
Sri Lanka reserves at USD7.3bn; used only USD184mn YTD to defend rupee
Oct 02, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank says the country currently has 7.3 billion US dollars worth foreign reserves and expects to close this year with around 8.3 billion dollars of reserves. Senior Deputy Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said that at the beginning of this year they expected to end the year with close […]
Sri Lankan rupee depreciates 9.7-pct YTD; CB says observed stabilizing exchange rate
Oct 02, 2018 (LBO) – Recent measures are expected to ease the excessive demand for foreign currency and therefore the pressure in the domestic foreign exchange market as already observed in the stabilizing exchange rate, the Central Bank said releasing its monetary policy review. In line with several other peer countries such as India, Philippines, […]
Central Bank of Sri Lanka maintains policy interest rates at current levels
Oct 02, 2018 (LBO) – Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 01 October 2018, has decided to maintain policy interest rates at their current levels. Accordingly, the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank will remain at 7.25 […]
‘s visit to Oslo
Oct 02, 2018 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) will host multiple events in Norway and Sweden with the participation of the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, who is visiting Oslo during 3rd to 5th October. The PM will be accompanied by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development […]
ADB & HNB ink USD20Mn agreement to strengthen microfinance institutions
Oct 01, 2018 (LBO) – Hatton National Bank announced the signing of a new partnership agreement with the Asian Development Bank in order to expand lending and provide guarantees of up to 20 million dollars to support the development of Sri Lanka’s burgeoning microfinance sector. Currently, many microfinance institutions struggle to access funds for growth […]
Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy appointed to the board of John Keells Holdings (JKH)
October 1, 2018 (LBO) – Former Under Secretary General of the United Nations Dr.Radhika Coomaraswamy has been appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Sri Lanka’s largest conglomerate John Keells Holdings (JKH). Global Diplomat Dr. Coomaraswamy served as UN Under Secretary General and Special Representative of the Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict from […]
Fitch affirms ratings on 9 Sri Lankan banks; outlooks stable
Oct 01, 2018 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) of nine Sri Lanka-based banks and has assigned a stable outlook for these banks. The rating action follows Fitch’s periodic review of the large bank peer group. – National Savings Bank (NSB) at ‘B+’; Outlook Stable – Bank of Ceylon (BOC) […]
Sri Lanka restricts vehicle imports for MPs, Ministries, state sector employees & others
Sept 29, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government in order to ease the pressure on the Sri Lankan rupee has decided to take the following measures temporarily effective from midnight today (29). – Issuing of Vehicle permits to Members of Parliament will be suspended for a period of one year. – Importation of vehicles for […]
Current policy stance desired, less probability for a rate hike: First Capital Research
Sept 29, 2018 (LBO) – First Capital Research believes that a policy rate change is not required at this moment considering the prevailing economic conditions of the country. First Capital Research also believes that the vulnerable external environment and lower GDP growth level provide less scope for the monetary board to increase rates.“The possibility of […]