Category: Economy
‘s earnings from exports reached USD 908Mn in January
As per the Customs statistics, earnings from merchandise exports recorded a negative growth of 9.64% in January 2021 with US$ 908.07 Mn compared to US$ 1,004.9 Mn recorded in January 2020. The exports which started to grow since last July continued the positive performance till September 2020 with minor contractions with reduced figures from October […]
Central Bank & IFC launch Sri Lanka’s first National Financial Inclusion Strategy
Sri Lanka’s first National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS), launched today, aims to make financial services more accessible, efficient, and affordable for all households and businesses in the country. The NFIS is a joint effort led by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka—with technical and financial assistance from IFC, a member of the World Bank Group—under […]
Laws still restrict women’s economic opportunities despite progress: Study
Countries are inching toward greater gender equality, but women around the world continue to face laws and regulations that restrict their economic opportunity, with the COVID-19 pandemic creating new challenges to their health, safety, and economic security, a new World Bank report says. Reforms to remove obstacles to women’s economic inclusion have been slow in […]
Veemansa Initiatives’ discussion on ‘external debt situation in Sri Lanka
Delivering the keynote address on the topic, External Debt Situation in Sri Lanka: Our Route to Resolution, the Governor of the Central Bank, Deshamanya Professor W D Lakshman said that despite the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact Sri Lanka will maintain its unblemished records of debt service. The Governor made these comments at the […]
Export proceeds repatriation & conversion not uncommon in other regional economies: CBSL
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank says that the repatriation and conversion requirements related to export proceeds are not uncommon in other regional economies, which have displayed strong export performance. Releasing a statement, Central Bank emphasized that in fact, the requirements are more stringent in numerous aspects in these countries. Full Statement Repatriation and Conversion of Export […]
Sri Lanka January inflation at 3.7-pct
The overall rate of inflation as measured by NCPI on Year-on-Year basis is 3.7 percent in January 2021 and inflation calculated for December 2020 was 4.6 percent. Year-on-Year inflation of both food group and non food group have decreased from 7.5 percent in December 2020 to 5.9 percent in January 2021 and from 2.2 percent […]
Economy at a glance for 2020:Double whammy blow
Highlights ICRA Lanka estimates Sri Lanka’s GDP growth rate in 2020 to be -4%. In addition, our estimates indicate industry, services, and agricultural sectors to have contracted by 7.3%, 1.7% and 1.3% respectively. By mid-March the COVID crisis took center stage and the CBSL implemented a series of policy rate cuts further bringing the short-term […]
Veemansa policy development & advocacy group to discuss debt sustainability of Sri Lanka
Veemansa Initiative a newly launched, Sri Lanka based, policy development and advocacy group promoting dialogue on sustainable and inclusive development will be hosting a webinar on ‘External debt situation in Sri Lanka; Are we heading for a resolution or crisis?’ on 24th February 2021 at 10 am. The discussion will be aired through multiple social […]
I ask you to be confident; ongoing negotiations will produce results soon: CBSL Governor
Governor of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank, Professor W D Lakshman requests people to be confident as ongoing negotiations with overseas agencies will produce results within one and a half months time. Speaking to journalists in Colombo yesterday (12), the Governor emphasized that in spite of the doomsday predictions, they will continue to maintain the country’s […]
Sri Lanka on positive and steady path for economic recovery, says Cabraal
Feb 08, 2021 (LBO) – State Minister of Finance, Capital Markets, and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabral says Sri Lanka is on track now to enacting an effective economic recovery to swiftly close the gap between pre and post-COVID-19 output losses. He says the island’s growth prospects are now positive, underscored by a stabilizing currency and sound debt […]
Sri Lanka inflation at 3-pct for Jan 2021
Feb 02, 2021 (LBO) – The overall rate of inflation as measured by CCPI on Y on Y basis is 3.0 percent in January 2021 and Y on Y inflation calculate for the month of December 2020 was 4.2 percent. As per the Statistics Department, Year on Year inflation of both the Food Group and […]
‘s foreign currency reserves fall below foreign debt obligations
Sri Lanka’s foreign currency reserves which were at USD 5.7Bn as of December 2020, have now marginally fallen below the foreign debt obligations for the first time in the recent past as foreign currency reserve cover falls below 1.0x. Official reserve assets of the country stood at USD 5,665Mn as of 31 December 2020 while […]