Category: Policy
Mangala asks President to re- summon Parliament to approve public expenditure
Apr 29, 2020 (LBO) – Former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has urged him to exercise his powers as the Head of State at this critical time and to summon the Parliament as soon as possible with the support of all parties represented in Parliament. He said that this […]
SL appoints Presidential task force on economic revival and poverty eradication
Apr 23, 2020 (LBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a Presidential Task Force in charge of Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication. It has been established under the powers vested in the President by the Constitution. The Task Force is responsible for reviving the economy and eradication of poverty while paying special attention to the […]
COVID-19 prevention program proceeds with professional expertise: President
Apr 06, 2020 (LBO) – Presided by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a discussion took place at the Presidential Secretariat to review the progress of the COVID-19 prevention program and to decide on the steps needed to take this program forward. President of Government Medical Officers Association Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya analyzed the manner this virus had affected […]
Central Bank further reduces policy interest rates by 25 basis points
Apr 03, 2020 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of the Central Bank today decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) by 25 basis points to 6.00 percent and 7.00 percent, respectively, effective from the close of business on 03 April 2020. The Central Bank said this […]
”: Economic impact of COVID-19 on Sri Lanka
Kithmina Hewage Over a quarter of the world’s population is currently under movement restrictions. For the first time in recent human history, coronavirus has shattered the myth that the economy must come first. While public health concerns, undoubtedly, should take precedence over all other considerations when dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be unwise […]
Sri Lanka Central Bank eases monetary policy further to support economic activity
Mar 16, 2020 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank at an urgent meeting held today has decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) by 25 basis points to 6.25 percent and 7.25 percent, respectively, with effect from tomorrow. The board has also […]
Identify right model to develop the country: President tells researchers
Mar 13, 2020 (LBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa requested the heads of research organizations to find ways and means to uplift a small country like Sri Lanka with a comparatively small population and an economy. Since the current global economy is based on knowledge, ours should be developed centered around our workforce that can be […]
Fitch Ratings to review Sri Lanka national ratings assigned to tier 2 debt
Mar 11, 2020 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings will review the National Ratings assigned to the issues of Tier 2 debt of Sri Lankan banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) following the publication of its updated Bank Rating Criteria on 28 February 2020. Fitch’s ratings approach for the ratings of subordinated debt of NBFIs follows the […]
Policy interest rates of Central Bank of Sri Lanka to remain unchanged
Mar 05, 2020 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 04 March 2020, 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 6.50 percent and 7.50 percent, respectively, and […]
Our people-centric economic model aims at overcoming development slowdown:President
Mar 05, 2020 (LBO) – Accelerating our economic development is the primary challenge facing Sri Lanka today and most of the security issues that Sri Lanka has faced over the years have been due to the exploitation of the economically disadvantaged, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said. The proposed people-centric model takes this factor into account, said […]
Central Bank to introduce cost-reflective benchmark interest rate instead of SLIBOR
Feb 24, 2020 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has decided to discontinue the compilation of SLIBOR with effect from 01 July 2020. The Central Bank will continue to publish SLIBOR based on offered rates submitted by LCBs until 30 June 2020, in order to prevent inconvenience to any participant in […]
Sri Lanka trade deficit widens in Dec 2019
Feb 18, 2020 (LBO) – The deficit in the trade account widened in December 2019 to US dollars 784 million, from US dollars 701 million in December 2018, led by a decline in exports and a growth in imports on a year-on-year basis, the monthly external report said. However, on a cumulative basis, the trade […]