Category: Economy
CBSL requests Govt to phase out remaining import restrictions; official reserves surpass USD 3bn
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank requests the Government to consider phasing out the remaining restrictions on most items of merchandise imports. The exchange rate, which is allowed to be determined by market forces, continues to reflect positive market sentiments underpinned by the improvement in liquidity in the domestic forex market. The Central Bank […]
Sri Lanka headline inflation down to 25.2-pct in May 2023
Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2021=100)1 decreased to 25.2 percent in May 2023 from 35.3 percent in the previous month. The decline in the headline inflation is broadly in line with the disinflation path envisaged by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) in […]
Merchandise exports decreased by 16-pct in April 2023 compared to April 2022
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports decreased by 16.15 % to US$ 814.1 Million in April 2023 compared to April 2022. Moreover, it is a 0.5 % decrease when compared to April 2021. Declining trend in merchandise exports further continues due to the negative trends shown in major export products. i.e., Apparel & Textiles, Rubber & Rubber […]
IMF staff concludes visit; says restructuring agreements by first review essential to restore debt sustainability
Achieving timely restructuring agreements with creditors in line with the program targets by the time of the first review is essential to restoring debt sustainability, concluding the visit to Sri Lanka, the IMF staff mission said. An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Peter Breuer and Masahiro Nozaki conducted a staff visit to Colombo […]
IMF asks Sri Lanka to resolve uncertainty surrounding local debt restructuring
The International Monetary Fund is requesting Sri Lankan authorities to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the domestic debt restructuring and control the interest rates. “We have taken note that this uncertainty has elevated interest rates in the country,” Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka told reporters in Colombo. “So, we are encouraging the authorities […]
Harsha proposes GDP growth-linked instrument for domestic debt optimisation
During a recent press conference, Opposition MP Harsha de Silva warned against the potential risks of domestic debt optimization, stressing the need for extreme caution. De Silva cautioned that if not managed carefully, domestic debt optimization could become a burden rather than a relief for the economy. Citing the net debt relief Laffer curve, de […]
Creditor Committee wants debt treatment on terms at least as favorable as ones agreed by them
The official Creditor Committee comprised of 17 countries stresses the importance for private creditors and other official bilateral creditors of Sri Lanka to provide a debt treatment on terms at least as favorable as the ones agreed by the Creditor Committee. Releasing a statement after the first meeting of the Creditor Committee for Sri Lanka, […]
PUCSL Chair calls for 20-pct price drop in electricity rates
The Chairman of Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Janaka Ratnayake says that the electricity consumers should get a 20 percent tariff reduction based on a slowdown in electricity demand plus the exchange rate and reduced of fuel prices. “According to the tariff requested by CEB on 5th January this year, CEB had estimated an […]
SJB opposes selling of strategically important SoEs but wants an end to monopoly
SJB Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne assured that main opposition was ready with plan and strategies to implement projects for the wellbeing of the people no sooner it comes to office after an elections due shortly. People of this country are eagerly awaiting to oust this government which has no mandate or even proper plan to implement […]
Sri Lanka Central Bank assures banking sector stability in debt restructuring process
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has assured the banks that the regulatory stance in the on-going Domestic Debt Optimization (DDO) discussions with the diverse stakeholders will be that, the banking sector stability cannot be put at risk, a statement said. Presently the banking sector is well capitalized with average Capital Adequacy Ratio over 15% and […]
Sri Lanka exports decreased by 2-pct to USD 1,037 Mn in March
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports decreased by 1.96 % to US$ 1,037.5 Million in March 2023 compared to March 2022. Moreover, it is a 5.14 % decrease when compared to March 2021. Less demand created for major products in major markets due to the current economic situation further continues. Figure 1: Monthly Merchandise Export Performance 2020- […]
Sri Lanka joins hands with UNDP to align tax & fiscal policies to achieve SDGs
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. But it requires fundamental changes to the way the economy and fiscal policies are organized. In order to offset challenging market conditions faced by developing countries and […]