Category: Policy
Monetary Board considers interim report on Primary Dealers
Oct 14, 2016 (LBO) – The Monetary Board, at a special meeting on Friday, considered an interim report on the operations of primary dealers, including their financial performance during last year and the current year. “It noted with concern the sharp disparity in the performance of primary dealers, as well as certain issues related to […]
Sri Lanka to draft new counter terrorism law: Cabinet
Oct 14, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has appointed a committee to draft a new counter terrorism law, a statement on cabinet decisions said. “A committee chaired by the Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development has been appointed to draft a new counter terrorism law instead of the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act, […]
Philippines visa waiver to benefit Sri Lankan diplomats & officials
Oct 11, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka and the Philippines have entered into a visa waiver agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders, a statement said. The Agreement facilitates holders of diplomatic and official passports of the two countries to enter and stay in the territory of either country up to thirty days without having […]
No 100 percent tax waivers given to Beer Company: Finance Ministry
Oct 04, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry says there is no truth that a beer manufacturing company has been given concessions for imports which would result in a revenue loss of 6 billion rupees to the state. In a statement the ministry said a beer manufacturing company in the country which was fully […]
Sri Lanka Central Bank holds key interest rates unchanged
Sept 28, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Monetary Board held key interest rates unchanged with slow second quarter growth in the economy, despite credit growth to the private sector continuing to remain high. The economy grew provisional 2.6 per cent, year-on-year, during the second quarter of 2016 compared to the growth of 7.0 per cent […]
POLL: CB to stand pat this wk, assessing impact of previous hikes
Sept 26, 2016 (Reuters) – Sri Lanka’s central bank is expected to keep its key interest rates steady on Wednesday, after cutting three times since December to fend off pressure on the fragile rupee currency and curb accelerating credit growth that has pushed up inflation. All 13 economists surveyed in a Reuters poll expect the central bank to keep its […]
‘s Financial Intel Unit signs MOU with Singapore authority
Sept 22, 2016 (LBO) – The Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (FIU) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Suspicious Transaction Reporting Office of Singapore (STRO) to facilitate exchange of information on money laundering and terrorist financing. The MOU has been entered into “within the framework of each […]
No liberalization of professionals under upcoming FTAs: Kelegama
Sept 20, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s bilateral free trade agreements that are currently being considered have no liberalization of professionals, a senior official confirmed. Sri Lanka is currently negotiating with India to deepen the existing Indo-Lanka FTA via Economic and Technology Cooperative Agreement (ETCA), and is talks with China and Singapore to sign bilateral […]
Sri Lanka to adopt chip card system before end 2017: Central Bank
Sept 09, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is looking at completely adopting the more secure and efficient chip card system before the end of next year, a Central Bank official said. This will be among several other initiatives lined up for implementing in the coming years under the 2020 road map for developing a national […]
Sri Lanka expected to hold rates steady in 2016: Stan Chart
(Corrected to reflect typo in report. USD/LKR seen at 152 by end 2017) Sept 02, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is expected to hold interest rates steady for the rest of 2016 as the impact of two previous rate hikes kick in, Standard Chartered said in a report analyzing the economies of Sri Lanka and […]
World Bank to improve transparency with new procurement system in Sri Lanka
Aug 22, 2016 (LBO) – The World Bank in keeping pace with global trends has introduced a new procurement framework in South Asia including Sri Lanka to improve development impact and transparency. The new system helps its partner countries that procure goods and services under Bank-financed projects make the best use of their public spending, […]
Sri Lanka expects USD671mn BOP surplus for 2016: Finance Minister
Aug 11, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told Parliament Thursday that the government expects 671 million US dollars worth surplus in the overall balance of payment account for 2016. Karunanayake said the government forecasts around 11,374 million US dollars of foreign exchange earnings and 10,703 million US dollars foreign exchange payments […]