Category: Policy
Sri Lanka CB maintains policy rates
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 18 May 2022, decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at the current levels of 13.50 per cent and 14.50 per cent, respectively. The Board is of […]
Sri Lankan mutual funds’ outflows rise amid economic turmoil: Fitch
The Sri Lankan mutual fund industry experienced large outflows in March 2022 with total assets under management (AUM) shrinking by more than 8% to LKR178 billion (around USD0.5 billion), based on Unit Trust Association of Sri Lanka (UTA) data, Fitch Ratings says in a new report. The country’s economic and social instability may have driven […]
Central Bank significantly tightens its monetary policy; decides to increase SDFR & SLFR by 700bps
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank at its meeting held today has decided to increase the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 700 basis points to 13.50 percent and 14.50 percent, respectively. The Board, having noted the inflationary pressures that could further intensify […]
ADB forecasts SL’s economic growth to dip to 2.4-pct in 2022
The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) annual flagship economic publication forecasts a muted recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID19) pandemic as Sri Lanka’s economy grapples with macroeconomic challenges arising from high debt, low foreign reserves, and inflationary pressures. ADB forecasts Sri Lanka’s economic growth to dip to 2.4% in 2022 and improve marginally to 2.5% in […]
From crisis to inclusive economic growth in Sri Lanka
By FARIS HADAD-ZERVOS, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka & HANS TIMMER , Chief Economist, South Asia, World Bank Sri Lanka has managed the health and safety aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic in a commendable way . The nation has been and continues to be swift in safeguarding the health of its population, including vaccinating […]
Opinion: Introducing import licenses will worsen Sri Lanka’s economic crisis
Advocata Extraordinary Gazette No 2270/18 of March 2022, imposes import restrictions on 367 goods determined as “non-essential” by the Ministry of Finance. These can now only be imported under a license issued by the controller general of imports and exports control. This move tightens already existing import restrictions on a series of imported goods ranging […]
Will continuously support Sri Lanka’s development: ADB President
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa and Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met Thursday (10th) in Colombo and it was reaffirmed by the Bank leadership that it would continue to support the islands recovery path from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Asakawa commended the government’s rapid vaccination drive, which has been critical to […]
Bond yields to extend further surge; rate hike expectations for 2022E increased: FCR
In light of the weaker economic conditions, First Capital Research believes that the CBSL will maintain the momentum on tightening policy rates resulting in yields to further surge at an accelerated pace, and expect it to move further over upcoming months. Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves were recorded at USD 2.3Bn in Feb 22 and due […]
Central Bank further tightens Monetary Policy Stance
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank, at its meeting held on 03 March 2022, has decided to reinforce its stance adopted in January 2022. Accordingly, it has been decided to; a) increase the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 100 basis points each, […]
Time for home-grown solutions is over; Seek international support immediately: Harsha
The country is in complete disarray today. Fuel is rationed at pumps, daily power cuts across the island, shortage of dollars to import essentials including medicine, food is to be rationed next, a current Parliamentarian and former Minister said. “Collapse is imminent if we continue to go this way, it is almost similar to a […]
“Opposition calls on Govt for urgent dialogue with them,” MP Harsha
Opposition parliamentarians have urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to initiate a dialogue with them to better understand the current economic issues facing the nation and find solutions together. “We are all in this together,” Dr. Harsha De Silva, an opposition member of parliament said addressing a media briefing yesterday. “The Governor of the Central Bank reiterates […]
‘s economic policies
Explaining the economic policy of the future SJB government, Eran Wickramaratne M.P. said that the SJB has already decided to allow the use of chemical fertilizer in order to promote export- oriented value -added commercial agriculture. He also said that future SJB government will give priority to exports and the government will mediate directly to […]