Category: Policy
CBSL raises policy rates by 50bps; urges banks to swiftly increase deposit interest rates
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has decided to adopt several policy measures with a view to strengthening macroeconomic stability. Accordingly, in consideration of the current and expected macroeconomic developments, the Monetary Board at its meeting held on 19 January 2022, has decided to: a) increase the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility […]
National single window: Paving way for paperless trade
By Mithara Fonseka and Kavishka Indraratna In 2016, Sri Lanka ratified its Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) with the WTO and in 2017 a Secretariat was established for the National Trade Facilitation Committee to drive much needed trade reforms in the country. Currently, the rate of Sri Lanka’s implementation commitments under TFA stands at 34.9% with […]
15-pct food price increase in a single month; Advocata
Advocata’s Bath Curry Indicator (BCI) , which tracks the monthly changes in the retail price of food, recorded an increase of 15% from November 2021 to December 2021. Much of this increase is driven by rising prices of vegetables. 100g of Green Chillies at Rs18 increased to Rs 71. This is a 287% increase in […]
Opinion: Government heavy-handedness to blame for our currency woes
By Vinuja Singharachchige: Much is being said nowadays about the pressures the Sri Lankan Rupee is facing, but it is important that we understand the mechanics and greater economic context. Currency crises have been common in our modern history with countries facing sudden devaluations to the point where we can predict the patterns. There was […]
“Dark future looming as foreign reserve drop to USD 1.5Bn, lowest in history” Eran
The opposition alleged in Parliament that foreign reserves have dropped to US 1.5 billion dollars which included the gold reserves of US 300 million dollars. The Govt. did not refute the opposition claim that the available cash reserve was only USD 1.5 billion less than one month’s import payment, lowest in history. He told a […]
CBSL maintains policy rates; further acceleration of headline inflation expected
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank has 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 5.00 percent and 6.00 percent, respectively. The Board noted the recent acceleration of inflation, driven mainly by supply disruptions and the surge […]
Is wealth tax the solution to Sri Lanka’s low tax revenue collection?
By Sathya Karunarathne IntroductionSuccessive governments have run fiscal deficits. Inadequate revenue collection and unrestrained government expenditure have worsened the country’s fiscal position. Tax revenue which averaged over 20% of GDP in 1990 has declined to under 10% of GDP inAd hoc tax policy changes have significantly eroded the tax base. Weak tax administration has also […]
Monetary Policy Consultative Committee reconstituted
The Monetary Policy Consultative Committee (MPCC) of the Central Bank has been reconstituted with effect from 5 October 2021. The reconstituted MPCC comprises 12 eminent personalities from the private sector and academia and is chaired by Sunil Lankathilake, Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and a Member of the Securities and […]
CBSL maintains policy rates; near term supply side developments do not warrant policy tightening
The Monetary Board has 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 5.00 percent and 6.00 percent, respectively. The Board said it arrived at this decision after considering the macroeconomic conditions and expected developments on the domestic and […]
Central Bank may consider maintaining policy stance: First Capital Research
First Capital Research believes that the Central Bank may consider maintaining the same policy stance in this policy review but given the considerable improvement in high-frequency indicators to prevent an overheating of the economy, there is a considerably high probability that CBSL may hike its policy rates. “We believe that there is a significant probability […]
Sri Lanka projected to grow by 3.3-pct : Shifting gears to services-led growth can help build back better
Sri Lanka’s economy is projected to grow by 3.3 percent in 2021, but the medium-term outlook is clouded by pre-existing macroeconomic weaknesses and the economic scarring from the COVID-19 pandemic. A gradual recovery will likely lead to corresponding improvements in labor market conditions. Most countries in South Asia are far from pre-pandemic trend levels, says […]
Sri Lanka official reserves slightly improve to USD 3.6bn by end August
Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 3,550.7 million US dollars by the end of August, up from 2,805.9 million US dollars in July, the latest Central Bank data showed. This does not include the swap facility signed with the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) of RMB 10 bn (equivalent to approximately USD 1.5 bn). By […]