Category: Economy and Markets
IFC, CB partner to create Sri Lanka’s first national financial inclusion strategy
Jan 09, 2018 (LBO) – IFC, a member of the World Bank Group has partnered with the Central Bank to develop the country’s first National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS). The strategy will promote a more effective and efficient process to improve financial inclusion across Sri Lanka. IFC, over the course of the project, will provide […]
Sri Lankan Banks to Step up Basel III Tier 2 Issuance: Fitch
Jan 08, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lankan banks are likely to significantly boost issuance of Basel III-compliant Tier 2 instruments in 2018, says Fitch Ratings. Most banks will need to raise capital to meet higher Basel III requirements that take full effect in January 2019, and to support balance-sheet expansion, the rating agency said issuing […]
Treasury posts Rs22bn primary surplus in Budget, first time in 63 years
Jan 08, 2018 (LBO) – Government has achieved 21.9 billion rupees surplus in the primary balance of the fiscal accounts during the first ten months of 2017, for the first time in 63 years. Finance Ministry said in the post independent Sri Lankan history a surplus in the budget deficit was first recorded in 1954 […]
Proposed digital economy to uplift GDP by 1 to 3-pct in 2019: McKinsey
Jan 08, 2018 (LBO) – McKinsey & Company, a worldwide management consulting firm has confirmed that the proposed digital economy for Sri Lanka could uplift country’s GDP by 1 to 3 percent in 2019. Issuing a press release, Policy Development Office said McKinsey & Company has confirmed this while presenting their inception report for developing […]
Rajagiriya flyover to open today, speed of vehicles to increase eight-fold
Jan 08, 2017 (LBO) – President Maithripala Sirisena will declare open the Rajagiriya flyover on January 08, providing long term solutions for the heavy traffic congestion in the area. Issuing a statement the Presidents media unit said that during the times of heavy traffic congestion in Rajagiriya, the speed of the vehicles moving on this road […]
‘s Pvt sector has 5Mn employees and 500,000 vacancies: report
Jan 08, 2018 (LBO) – Around five million people were engaged in employment Sri Lanka’s private sector currently while around 500,000 vacancies are there in various job categories, a new report shows.. The highest number of employees was reported in the services sector and among the occupation group the highest number of employees was reported […]
Central Bank extends suspension of Perpetual Treasuries for 6 months
Jan 05, 2018 (LBO) – Monetary Board of the Central Bank has decided to extend the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited from carrying on the business and activities of a primary dealer for a period of six months. The Central Bank said this extension will be effective from today, in order to continue the investigations […]
US GSP withdrawal not country-specific, Impact on total exports small: AmCham
Jan 05, 2018 (LBO) – The American Chamber of Commerce says the decision to withdraw the GSP form Sri Lankais not being country-specific and is one stemming from the US Congress simply not re-authorizing the program before adjourning for the year 2017. With effect from the 1st of January 2018, the United States’ Generalized System […]
Fitch downgrades Sunshine Holdings to A-(lka), outlook stable
Jan 05, 2018 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has downgraded Sri Lanka-based Sunshine Holdings PLC’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A-(lka)’ from ‘A(lka)’. The Outlook is Stable. The downgrade reflects Fitch’s expectations that Sunshine’s net leverage – defined as lease-adjusted debt net of cash/operating EBITDAR, including proportionate consolidation of Estate Management Services (Private) Limited (EMSPL), the holding […]
Jetwing Symphony opens trading at CSE today
Jan 05, 2018 (LBO) – Jetwing Symphony Ltd, will open trading at the Colombo Stock Exchange from today following its successful Initial Public Offering last month. This is the CSE’s first listing of the New Year 2018. The company’s 750 million rupees IPO with 50.22 million shares will be utilised to complete Jetwing Symphony’s projects in […]
Banking sector to provide 25-pct average return over 1-Year: FC Research
Jan 04, 2018 (LBO) – First Capital Research expects the banking sector to have a steady phase during 2018E-20E with stable credit growth, improving GDP growth supporting lower Non Performing loans and lower interest rate volatility leading to stable net interest margins. “We expect our banking sector universe to provide 25% average return over 1-Year […]
If we are going for a sovereign bond, better to go early: CB Governor
Jan 04, 2018 (LBO) – Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy says if Sri Lanka wants to issue a sovereign bond this year, it is better to issue it as early as possible for three reasons. “One is that there are maturities at the beginning of the year in terms of ISBs,” Coomaraswamy told reporters Wednesday. […]