Category: Economy and Markets
SL Purchasing Managers’ Index for construction industry expands at slower pace in Aug 2024
Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Construction (PMI -Construction) expanded at a slower pace in August 2024 over the significantly higher level reached in the previous month, recording an index value of 51.4. Further, most of the other indices were also around the neutral threshold, indicating that the operations of the construction industry broadly remained […]
Sri Lanka’s August 2024 Merchandise Exports Rise by 4.2-pct to USD 1.2 Bn
As per the provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Customs, the merchandise export performance in August 2024 amounted to US$ 1,165.4 million, recorded an increase of 4.18 % compared to the month of August 2023. This was mainly due to the increase in earnings from export of Apparel & Textiles, Tea, Rubber based products, […]
Japan to Restart 11 Stalled Projects in Sri Lanka with Government Support
The Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, MIZUKOSHI Hideaki, affirmed that the Japanese government is committed to fully supporting efforts to combat corruption and irregularities, a key priority of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration. He expressed readiness to continue close collaboration with Sri Lanka. Ambassador Mizukoshi made these remarks during a meeting with the Secretary to […]
Central Bank maintains policy interest rates at their current levels
The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 26 September 2024, decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at their current levels of 8.25 per cent and 9.25 per cent, respectively. The Board arrived […]
Vote on Account first; 2025 Budget early next year: NPP Economic Council
The new President plans to introduce a vote on account to cover expenditures until a fully-fledged budget is presented next year, according to Professor Anil Jayantha, Chairperson of the Economic Policy Committee of National People’s Power. “We are proceeding with a vote on account this year to facilitate the IMF’s third review,” Professor Jayantha stated. […]
Navigating new EU sustainability and labelling requirements: Challenges and opportunities
By Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) The European Union (EU), with its vast market of over 448 million consumers, has always been a key destination for Sri Lankan apparel exports. Known for its high-quality and ethically produced garments, Sri Lanka has secured a strong foothold in this competitive space. However, new sustainability and labelling requirements […]
Planters’ Association of Ceylon welcomes new President : Calls for collaborative efforts to transform sector
The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) congratulates NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election as the 9 th Executive President of Sri Lanka and called for renewed collaboration to secure sustainable growth and livelihood empowerment within the plantation sector. The Association called on President Dissanayake to initiate a transformative era for the plantation industry […]
IMF Congratulates Newly Elected President
The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, extended her congratulations to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election as the new President of Sri Lanka. In her special message, she reaffirmed the IMF’s commitment to remaining a strong partner to Sri Lanka and expressed her hope to further strengthen the mutually beneficial […]
Fitch Affirms Sri Lanka at Restricted Default; Policy Uncertainty Following Elections
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Sri Lanka’s LongTerm Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘RD’ (Restricted Default) and Long-Term Local-Currency IDR at ‘CCC-‘. Fitch typically does not assign Outlooks to issuers with a rating of ‘CCC+’ or below. Sri Lanka’s September 2024 Presidential election was won by one of the opposition leaders. “Fitch believes the result […]
‘s Ratings: Political change unlikely to derail reform trajectory but underscores fiscal challenges
Moody’s Ratings suggests that the broad appetite for reforms will remain intact, and the agency does not foresee significant disruptions to the country’s reform agenda or macroeconomic policies, which include ongoing debt restructuring and structural adjustments under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. Moody’s notes that while the reform agenda is expected to continue, some […]
Looks forward to collaborating with new President & discussing 3rd review timing: IMF Spokesperson
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed optimism about working with President Dissanayake and his administration to build on the progress Sri Lanka has made towards economic recovery. The country has been on a challenging path since facing one of its worst economic crises in 2022. An IMF spokesperson stated, “We look forward to working […]
JAAF congratulates new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), Sri Lanka’s apex body for the textile and apparel industry, warmly congratulates NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on being elected as the new President of Sri Lanka. As the country enters a new phase of leadership, JAAF highlights the immense importance of the apparel sector, a key driver of […]