Category: Economy and Markets
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 […]
Opinion: Central Bank intervention likely to exacerbate foreign selling of Sri Lanka bonds
September 29, 2018 (LBO) – The main subject of discussion on the Colombo cocktail circuit has been the Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR) and its significant recent weakness against the U.S. dollar (USD). The LKR seems to have halted its slide, hovering just under Rs170 to the dollar. This recent price stability in the LKR is […]
MTD Walkers (KAPI) restructures debentures due September 30th, changes auditors
September 28, 2018 (LBO) – In Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) filings filings released today, listed construction company MTD Walkers (KAPI), announced a restructuring of maturing debentures, change of auditor, and 2 directors deciding not to stand for re-election. Prominent directors Niranjan Deva Aditya and Albert Rasiah have decided not to stand for re-election at the […]
IMF staff mission concludes visit to Sri Lanka; stresses on reforms
Sept 28, 2018 (LBO) – Authorities should accelerate reforms to strengthen the Sri Lankan economy’s resilience to domestic and external shocks, given still significant vulnerabilities, concluding a recent visit, an IMF staff mission said. The IMF staff mission led by Manuela Goretti said the authorities should sustain reform efforts to support trade, investment, and inclusive […]
ADB provides USD300Mn for elevated highway
Sept 28, 2018 (LBO) – The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) has approved a US 300 million dollar loan to help in the construction of about 5.3 kilometers (km) of elevated toll highway with related facilities between the New Kelani Bridge (NKB) and Galle Face in central Colombo in Sri Lanka. The new highway is expected […]
Sri Lanka launches first social impact funds to support social entrepreneurs
Sept 27, 2018 (LBO) – Two Memoranda of Understanding were signed today in New York, launching Sri Lanka’s first social impact funds aimed at supporting social entrepreneurs access innovative financing, to help achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.The signings were witnessed by Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana and Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, at a special […]
Shareholders of Morison reject resolution to delist from CSE
Sept 27, 2018 (LBO) – Morison PLC said in a stock exchange filing that their resolution to delist the company from the Colombo Stock Exchange was not adopted by the shareholders at the EGM.Morison PLC last month proposed to delist ordinary voting shares and ordinary non-voting shares of the company from the official list of […]
Uncertainty surrounds MTD Walkers (KAPI) upcoming Rs2.1bn debenture maturity
September 26, 2018 (LBO) – Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) listed MTD Walkers (KAPI) has left debt market investors on the edge with regard to the company’s upcoming debenture maturity. KAPI will have to refund Rs2.1bn to investors at the end of the week on September 30th 2018. The debenture is maturing after its three year […]
NDB rights issue in question as shares trade below rights issue price of 105
September 26, 2018 (LBO) – The woes of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) threaten to disrupt the capital raising efforts of one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent financial institutions. CSE listed National Development Bank (NDB) is attempting to raise funds via a rights issue to bolster the capital of the bank. The bank is trying […]
