Category: Economy
People’s Bank of China to consider renewing swap arrangement with CBSL for another 3 years: report
People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has indicated that it will consider renewing its swap arrangement with the CBSL in 2024 for another three years if there is no significant situation change, the IMF Staff Report highlighted. However, the PBOC swap ($1.4bn in 2022) will become usable once Gross international reserves (GIR) rise above 3 months […]
Ceylon Chamber congratulates Govt on securing IMF Program; stresses continued implementation of reforms
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce congratulates the Government on securing the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the IMF. Full Statement We appreciate the efforts of the Government led by the President, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Secretary to the Treasury, other key officials and independent experts who have assisted in this […]
Wealth transfer tax & inheritance tax to be introduced in Sri Lanka
To reach a primary fiscal surplus of 2.3 percent of GDP by 2025, Sri Lanka will revamp the property tax system and introduce a wealth transfer tax. In particular, Sri Lanka will introduce a nationwide real property tax, and adjust the system of transfers between the central and provincial governments. “Wealth tax is part of […]
IMF starts an in-depth governance diagnostic exercise on Sri Lanka, a first in Asia
The IMF is conducting an in-depth governance diagnostic exercise, which will assess corruption and governance vulnerabilities in Sri Lanka and provide prioritized and sequenced recommendations. Sri Lanka will be the first country in Asia to undergo a governance diagnostic exercise by the IMF. “We look forward to further engagement and collaboration with stakeholders and civil […]
IMF Executive Board Approves USD3 Bn Under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved today a 48‑month extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with an amount of SDR 2.286 billion (395 percent of quota or about US$3 billion). Sri Lanka has been hit hard by a catastrophic economic and humanitarian crisis.The economy is facing significant challenges stemming […]
Opinion: IMF Programme #17, Takes two to tango
By Daniel Alphonsus Countries never learn from others’ mistakes, they only learn from their own. Sri Lanka is an exception: we don’t even learn from our folly. Apparently neither does the IMF. Sri Lanka’s 17th IMF programme is set to be approved on March 20th. Is it welcome? Yes. Will it break Sri Lanka’s reform-regress-run […]
Sri Lanka records 7.8-pct negative growth for 2022
The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) states that the year-on-year GDP growth rate for the year 2022 has been estimated as a 7.8 percent negative growth, against the value reported in the previous year 2021. Further, the Gross Domestic Product for Sri Lanka for the year 2022 at the constant price (2015) has declined […]
Eran urges Govt to disclose contents in IMF agreement
Even though the present government said no, the Samagi Jana Balawega emphasized from the beginning that this country needs some sort of agreement and financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund because it gives a signal to the international market that there is a financial discipline in the country paving the way for bilateral and […]
World Bank Group invites public to provide feedback for new country partnership framework
The World Bank Group (WBG) is preparing its new partnership framework with Sri Lanka for the 2023–2026 period. The process involves consultations with a broad range of stakeholders – with representatives from government, international financial institutions, civil society organizations, think tanks, academia, and the private sector – to exchange views on opportunities for Sri Lanka’s […]
Opinion: HNB reiterates importance of developing a national savings culture
HNB Deputy General Manager – Retail and SME Banking, Sanjay Wijemanne As more Sri Lankans face concerns over their personal financial security, and that of the country, HNB is working to help raise awareness on the opportunities that every Sri Lankan can access, in order to develop their savings habits, and help drive an effective […]
Local-Currency IDR would be downgraded if govt announces plans to restructure or defaults on local debt: Fitch
The Long-Term Local-Currency IDR would be further downgraded if the government announces plans to restructure or defaults on its local-currency debt, says Fitch Ratings. Releasing a statement, the agency pointed out that the issue of whether to include local-currency debt in any restructuring will be one of the factors complicating debt negotiations. Fitch downgraded Sri […]
Sri Lanka’s Probable IMF Support Deal Positive for Debt Negotiations: Fitch Ratings
Fitch Ratings believes Sri Lanka is likely to secure financing support from the IMF after the fund’s Executive Board set a date of 20 March to review the USD2.9 billion staff-level agreement that the country signed with the IMF in September 2022. IMF funding should improve Sri Lanka’s external liquidity, but the timing of any […]