Category: Policy
IMF staff mission concludes visit to Sri Lanka; stresses on reforms
Sept 28, 2018 (LBO) – Authorities should accelerate reforms to strengthen the Sri Lankan economy’s resilience to domestic and external shocks, given still significant vulnerabilities, concluding a recent visit, an IMF staff mission said. The IMF staff mission led by Manuela Goretti said the authorities should sustain reform efforts to support trade, investment, and inclusive […]
Collapse of rupee and yahapalana govt.’s economic mismanagement: MR
Sept 26, 2018 (LBO) – The Rupee has depreciated steadily against the US Dollar ever since the yahapalana government came into power – a trend which has now accelerated alarmingly. The value of the US Dollar which was Rs. 131 at the end of 2014 when I left office is now over Rs.170 and continuing […]
Appropriation Bill to parliament second week of October
Sept 25, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved the Appropriation Bill proposed by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, to be presented in Parliament during the second week of October, a statement said. The Appropriation Bill estimates, the total expenditure for 2019 without budget proposals is 4,376 billion rupees, the latest statement on cabinet decisions said. […]
‘s rupee hits record lows as Central Bank hold rates
Sept 21, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s rupee hit an all time low of 168.65/169.00 to the US dollar at the close of day Thursday down from 167.10 the day before as the Central Bank of Sri Lanka held rates. Sri Lanka’s Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera releasing a statement said that Sri Lanka has been […]
Sri Lanka to introduce an investment law for single window facilitation: PM
Sept 14, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will bring in a new legislation for the Single Window Investment Facilitation model, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said. The government, a few months ago established a Single Window Investment Facilitation Task Force (SWIFT) to fast-track investments through a virtual one-stop shop. Speaking at the Economic Summit 2018, Wickremesinghe said […]
We are not exporting at least 60 products under GSP+ list of 6,000 items: PM
Sept 14, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday draw the attention of the country’s top business leaders, the underutilized opportunities they have to enter into the international market. Wickremesinghe took the example of Vietnam that expanded mainly because of the Korean investors followed by Japan and China and FTAs with […]
New Executive Director at Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI)
August 22, 2018 (LBO) – Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI). The institute is Sri Lanka’s premier think tank, named after Sri Lanka’s long time Tamil Foreign Minister who was assassinated by the LTTE. Official statement follows: “LKI’s […]
Moody’s Investors Service annual credit analysis assigns Sri Lanka B1 Negative
Aug 17, 2018 (LBO) – Moody’s Investors Service says that the credit profile of the Government of Sri Lanka (B1 negative) is supported by the authorities’ progress in implementing reforms, which entail fiscal consolidation and a build-up of foreign exchange reserves. The agency said a rating upgrade is unlikely for Sri Lanka and they would even consider […]
Central Bank to assist “Enterprise Sri Lanka” loan programme with training
Aug 17, 2018 (LBO) – Finance Ministry is to conduct training programs for all new entrepreneurs covered under the “Enterprise Sri Lanka” loan programme, district wise, along with the Central Bank officials.The decision was taken at a meeting held yesterday between the Finance Ministry, the Central Bank and the Heads of Bank of Ceylon, Peoples […]
Singapore-SL FTA revenue protection not yet gazetted but published by Treasury
Aug 16, 2018 (LBO) – Department of Trade & Investment Policy has not yet published the extraordinary gazette pertaining to the revenue protection order which deals with the preferential rates applicable to the Singapore – Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. A preferential rate is leviable and payable under the Singapore – Sri Lanka Free Trade […]
Fitch maintains negative banking sector outlook for Sri Lanka in 2018
Aug 15, 2018 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings said it maintains a negative banking sector outlook for Sri Lanka as operating conditions remain challenging, which could put mild pressure on performance during the rest of 2018 and possibly 2019. The performance of Sri Lankan banks under Fitch’s coverage, however, remained fairly stable through 2017 and 1Q18, […]
Special Salaries Commission to remove public sector salary anomalies
Aug 14, 2018 (LBO) – Cabinet approval has been granted to appoint a special salaries commission to remove salary anomalies in the public sector including the Railway Department.The salaries commission will pay its attention and make an in-depth study on the provisions of the existing circulars dealing with payment of salaries and other allowances paid […]