Category: Policy
CBSL imposes caps on interest rates on pawning facilities, pre-arranged temporary overdrafts & credit cards
The Monetary Board has decided to impose caps on interest rates on pawning facilities at 18 percent, per annum; on pre-arranged temporary overdrafts at 23 percent, per annum; and on credit cards at 28 percent, per annum, for all licensed banks. Further, the Board was of the view that penal interest rates need to be […]
Central Bank maintains policy interest rates at their current levels
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank, at its meeting held on 23 August 2023, 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 11.00 percent and 12.00 percent, respectively. The Board had arrived at this decision following a […]
Central Bank reduces Statutory Reserve Ratio by 2-pct to inject liquidity into banking system
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 8 August 2023, decided to reduce the Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) applicable on all rupee deposit liabilities of Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs) by 200 basis points, from 4.00 per cent to 2.00 per cent, with effect from the reserve maintenance […]
‘s path to sustainable growth: Embracing a social market economy
● Sri Lanka’s Economic Challenge: A stark contrast between Tamil Nadu’s expected growth of 14% and Sri Lanka’s negative 3.5% this year. ● Ambitious Goal of High-Income Country: President’s vision to achieve high-income status by 2048, requiring 6.5% annual growth from now onwards. ● Bridging the Skill Gap: Concerns over the volume of skilled labor produced in India, […]
CFA Society Sri Lanka hosts CEO forum ‘Rebooting Sri Lanka Economy”
A CEO Forum organised by the CFA Society Sri Lanka (CFASSL) was held in Colombo recently with a focus on ‘Rebooting the Sri Lankan Economy – Post-Domestic Debt Optimisation’. The event was attended by regulators, senior government officials, business leaders, and CFA Charterholders. The forum was aimed at fostering a constructive dialogue among regulators and […]
Central Bank further reduces policy rates by 2-pct & urges banks to reduce lending rates
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank has decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) by 200 basis points to 11.00 percent and 12.00 percent, respectively. The Board expects that the market interest rates particularly lending rates, will adjust downwards adequately and swiftly and the financial […]
Banks welcome CBSL Governor’s assurances on anticipated Govt. announcement on DDR or DDO
The Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) has welcomed the assurance by the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe that financial sector stability will be maintained, and the clarifications provided by the Governor on the relevant process in this regard. In a statement, the SLBA noted that the Dr Weerasinghe’s […]
Harsha calls for legislative amendment to protect holders of domestic debt in a possible restructure
Opposition Parties Stand United for Careful Domestic Debt Restructuring In a press conference held at the Leader of the Opposition’s office, MP Harsha de Silva, expressed his thoughts and suggestions regarding the upcoming domestic debt-restructuring plan in Sri Lanka. He divulged that opposition parties, while cautious about the potential consequences, would discuss the need for […]
Ceylon Chamber calls for political and public support for debt restructuring process
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce stresses the importance of patience and trust in the domestic debt restructuring process. As emphasized by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, priority focus will be on maintaining financial system stability and ensuring that depositors will not be adversely impacted. It is vital that we collectively allow for comprehensive and […]
3 ways to make social protection work for Sri Lanka’s poor and vulnerable: WB
One-fourth of Sri Lankans are living in poverty, yet more than 50% are not covered by social protection schemes Fragmentation and poor governance have resulted in an inefficient social protection system Increased transparency, inclusion, adaptability, and accountability mechanisms such as citizen engagement are essential for building a better social protection system The COVID-19 pandemic and […]
Role of alternative financing mechanisms to address Sri Lanka’s debt overhang
By Imesha Dissanayake The common path followed by almost all IMF member countries in response to sovereign debt crises in recent decades, is to enter into an IMF supported stabilisation and structural adjustment programme. Sri Lanka has been a country that has followed this trend repetitively, having entered into 16 economic stabilisation programmes during 1965-2020, […]
Eran submits VAT amendment bill to restore Parliamentary powers on public finance
Opposition MP Eran Wickramaratne submitted a private members Bill to amend the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act, No 14 of 2002 to transfer the powers vested in the Minister of Finance to Parliament, Friday. The new bill proposes that any order made by the Minister of Finance shall come into force only upon the approval […]