Category: Policy
SL should aim for V-shaped economic recovery post COVID 19 : Cabraal
Jun 25, 2020 (LBO) – Ajith Nivard Cabraal, advisor to the Prime Minister on Economic Affairs says that Sri Lanka should aim for V-shaped economic recovery and aspire for high growth in the immediate future. Elaborating further on the topic Cabraal told Lanka Business Online exclusively. ……..
100bps rate cut on the cards to push banks for lending: First Capital Research
Jun 19, 2020 (LBO) – First Capital Research allocates a policy rate cut expectation of 100bps bringing the SDFR and SLFR to 4.50% and 5.50%, respectively. Despite prevailing the low-interest-rate environment it will have a ripple effect on the overall economy, First Capital Research said in a new research note. “We believe that the Central […]
Developing Asia to grow just 0.1-pct in 2020:ADB
Jun 19, 2020 (LBO) – Developing Asia will barely grow in 2020 as containment measures to address the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic hamper economic activity and weaken external demand, according to a new set of forecasts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In a regular supplement to its annual flagship economic publication, the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2020 released in […]
‘s Central Bank further reduces Statutory Reserve Ratio
Jun 16, 2020 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of the Central Bank has decided to reduce the Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) applicable on all rupee deposit liabilities of licensed commercial banks (LCBs) by 200 basis points to 2.00 percent, with effect from the reserve maintenance period that commenced on 16 June 2020. According to the […]
Housing for middle and low income families a priority: President
Jun 12, 2020 (LBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed the officials of the State Development and Construction Corporation to pay attention to the construction of housing schemes for middle and low income families. President gave this directive at a meeting to review the progress of the State Development and Construction Corporation held at the Presidential […]
Foreign Ministry helps local exporters overcome adverse impact of COVID 19
Jun 12, 2020 (LBO) – Comprehensive measures taken by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, in close coordination with the key Government Economic Agencies and the private sector to address and mitigate the impact of COVID 19 particularly on Sri Lankan exports, has helped in sustaining and regaining lost markets for traditional Sri Lankan exports, while […]
President wants quick solutions to fertilizer related issues
Jun 10, 2020 (LBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed officials to find immediate solutions to issues faced by farmers relating to the supply, distribution and use of fertilizer. The issue of fertilizer is a common occurrence in many districts when cultivation starts. Short, medium and long term solutions should be found to address the issue, […]
S&P lowers Sri Lanka’s credit rating to ‘B-’
May 21, 2020 (LBO) – Rating agency S&P has lowered Sri Lanka’s long-term sovereign credit rating to B- from B, with a stable outlook, citing the government’s worsening fiscal position. S&P expects the COVID-19 outbreak to push Sri Lanka’s economy into a recession in 2020, against earlier expectations of a rebound. This would weaken Sri […]
Sri Lanka official reserves at USD 7.9Bn at end Feb 2020
May 18, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves stood at 7.9 billion dollars at end February 2020, equivalent to 4.7 months of imports, the Central Bank said. Total foreign assets, which consist of gross official reserves and foreign assets of the banking sector, amounted to 10.9 billion dollars at end February 2020, equivalent […]
Sri Lanka trade deficit shrinks in Feb 2020
May 18, 2020 (LBO) – The deficit in Sri Lanka’s trade account widened in February 2020 to 574 million dollars, from 451 million dollars in February 2019, as the increase in imports surpassed the increase in exports. However, on a month on month basis, the trade deficit in February 2020 recorded a contraction. On a […]
Repatriation and replacement of lost foreign jobs: Handling labour migration during COVID-19
Bilesha Weeraratne Sri Lanka, which has been sending workers abroad for employment for decades, is now faced with the formidable challenge of repatriating large numbers of migrant workers affected by COVID-19. Having successfully brought back students from China, UK, Australia, and South Asia and pilgrims from India, the authorities are now making plans to repatriate […]
We cannot allow irrational laws to impede our economy: President
May 15, 2020 (LBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that irrational laws should not obstruct the policies formulated to achieve the economic objectives of the people. The President stated this during a discussion with officials and ministry secretaries attached to the Plantation Industry sector at the Presidential Secretariat on May 14.The meeting was called to […]