Category: Economy and Markets
Cabinet approval to initiate discussions with IMF for technical assistance
Cabinet approval has been granted to initiate a discussion with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for technical assistance, Co-Cabinet Spokesman, Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said. “Cabinet approval has been given to the finance minister to go ahead and discuss with the IMF and their representatives are already in Sri Lanka. We are getting their […]
Advisory committee appointed to advise National Economic Council
The cabinet nod has been received to appoint an advisory committee to advise the National Economic Council after the council came under fire for the absence of expert economists and business leaders. The 16-member advisory committee comprises Prof. H D Karunaratne, Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda, Dr. Dushni Weerakoon, Dhammika Perera, Krishan Balendra, Ashroff Omar, Dr. Hans […]
”’s proposed subordinated debt
Fitch Ratings has withdrawn the expected National Long-Term Rating of ‘BBB+(EXP)(lka)’ assigned to HNB Finance PLC’s (HNBF; A(lka)/Stable) proposed Sri Lankan rupee-denominated subordinated unsecured debentures on 21 September 2021. Fitch is withdrawing the expected rating as the issuance is no longer expected to convert to a final rating in the near future. KEY RATING DRIVERS […]
Central Bank issues new rules on repatriation of export proceeds into Sri Lanka
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank has issued new rules in respect of the receipt of export proceeds into Sri Lanka and the conversion of such export proceeds into Sri Lanka rupees.
Central Bank indicative spot exchange rate surpasses Rs250 per USD
The indicative USD spot exchange rate of the Central Bank has surpassed 250 rupees (251.97 rupees) per dollar on Friday even though they earlier expected forex transactions to take place at levels that are not more than 230 rupees per dollar. Accordingly, the indicative USD spot exchange rate which is the weighted average rate of […]
Will continuously support Sri Lanka’s development: ADB President
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa and Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met Thursday (10th) in Colombo and it was reaffirmed by the Bank leadership that it would continue to support the islands recovery path from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Asakawa commended the government’s rapid vaccination drive, which has been critical to […]
Bond yields to extend further surge; rate hike expectations for 2022E increased: FCR
In light of the weaker economic conditions, First Capital Research believes that the CBSL will maintain the momentum on tightening policy rates resulting in yields to further surge at an accelerated pace, and expect it to move further over upcoming months. Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves were recorded at USD 2.3Bn in Feb 22 and due […]
Ceylon Chamber welcomes CBSL move towards a more flexible exchange rate
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce commends the Governor and his team at Central Bank for permitting greater flexibility in the exchange rate. This action has been proposed by the Ceylon Chamber, on its own and along with other chambers on numerous occasions in the recent past. Hence, the Chamber is pleased to note this announcement […]
Sri Lanka maintains official reserves at USD 2.3bn in February
Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets were 2.3 billion US dollars (USD 2,314mn) by the end of February, slightly down from 2.3 billion US dollars (USD 2,361mn) in January this year, the latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of February, the foreign currency reserves were 2,025 million dollars while the reserve position in the […]
CBSL allows greater flexibility in exchange rate with immediate effect; not more than Rs 230 per USD
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank says that greater flexibility in the exchange rate will be allowed to the markets with immediate effect. Releasing a statement, the bank said that they are also of the view that forex transactions would take place at levels which are not more than Rs. 230 per US dollar. Full Statement Policy […]
Nation branding of Sri Lanka on global stage requires a more collaborative approach
Nuwan Gamage, Vice President of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing Sri Lanka is currently facing several economic challenges and in order to steer the country out of this difficult situation, it is imperative that Sri Lanka takes bold steps that will make the country ‘future ready’. Among them, Nation Branding is an approach that can […]
Joint Chambers urge govt to resolve forex shortage; commence foreign debt restructuring & pursue IMF support
The Joint Chambers of Commerce met on March 3rd, 2022 and deliberated on the on-going forex crisis in the country and its impact on business activity and the economy. Consequent to this meeting, 9 Chambers (whose logos are shown above the text) have agreed to unanimously release the following statement. The on-going forex crisis has […]