Category: Policy
Central Bank maintains policy interest rates at their current levels
The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at their current levels. The Board arrived at this decision following a comprehensive assessment of domestic and international macroeconomic developments in order to maintain inflation at the […]
‘s illicit markets
Research Intelligence Unit (RIUNIT) continues its groundbreaking efforts in shedding light on critical policy matters concerning Sri Lanka’s economic landscape. Their latest series of reports highlights the significance of illicit markets that operate within and beyond the island’s borders. Focused on combating illicit markets and their impact on the nation’s economy, RIUNIT’s latest policy papers […]
IMF Staff Mission Recommends Avoiding Further Monetary Policy Loosening in Sri Lanka
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission visiting Sri Lanka has concluded that further loosening of monetary policy could be detrimental to the country’s economic recovery and advised against such measures. The mission emphasized the need to avoid “a faster-than-warranted monetary policy loosening” due to the potential for elevated inflation risks.They cautioned that such a […]
Monetary Policy Board further reduces policy interest rates by 1-pct
The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 23 November 2023, decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 100 basis points (bps) to 9.00 per cent and 10.00 per cent, respectively. The Central […]
CSE creates awareness on Regulated Short Selling (RSS) through Stock Borrowing and Lending (SBL)
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) conducted a series of virtual workshops and intends to continue more workshops on Regulated Short Selling (RSS) through Stock Borrowing and Lending (SBL), creating awareness on the two features to diverse groups of individuals. The virtual workshops are being conducted in Sinhala, English and Tamil with the intention of reaching […]
Privatisation is the need of the hour:Advocata
“At the interim budget last year, a list of SOEs reforms were provided to be restructured. 14 months later nothing has changed even in one SOE.”- Prof. Rohan Samarajiva, a policy expert and an advisor of the Advocata Institute. He made these comments at Advocata’s press briefing, organised to highlight the urgency of carrying out […]
CBSL reduces policy rates by 1-pct to accelerate downward adjustment in lending rates
The first monetary policy review by the Monetary Policy Board under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023 (CBA) was held on 04 October 2023. In this review, the Board decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by […]
World Bank expects solid growth but risky outlook for South Asia
South Asia is expected to grow by 5.8 percent this year—higher than any other developing country region in the world, but slower than its pre-pandemic pace and not fast enough to meet its development goals, says the World Bank in its twice-a-year regional outlook. Released today, the latest South Asia Development Update, Toward Faster, Cleaner Growthforecastsgrowth to […]
SL economy to grow by 1.7-pct:Revenue mobilization fundamental for sustainable fiscal path
Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to grow by 1.7% in 2024 after contracting by 3.8% in 2023, says the World Bank in its twice-a-year update, while signaling that the outlook is clouded with uncertainty and that growth prospects depend on progress with debt restructuring and the implementation of critical structural reforms. Released today, the Sri Lanka […]
””; Outlook stable
S&P Global Ratings today raised its long- and short-term local currency sovereign credit ratings on Sri Lanka to ‘CCC+/C’ from ‘SD/SD’ (selective default). At the same time, we affirmed our ‘SD/SD’ long- and short-term foreign currency ratings. The outlook on the ‘CCC+’ long-term local currency rating is stable. We also raised the issue rating on […]
Newly established Governing Board of Central Bank convenes
The newly established Governing Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, constituted under the provisions of the recently promulgated Central Bank Act No. 16 of 2023, was held yesterday, the 21st of September 2023, at the Board Room of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The Newly established Governing Board, succeeds the Monetary Board […]
Opinion: From education to employment, Understanding the gender gap in the workforce
Thathsarani Siriwardana The issue of female labor force participation in Sri Lanka has remained a subject of discussion for several decades, yet tangible progress in improving it has been elusive. As the country grapples with its most severe economic crisis since gaining independence,it is important to take a hard look at our labour force to […]