Category: Economy
Central Bank of Sri Lanka further reduces policy rates to support economic activity
May 06, 2020 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at a special meeting held on 06 May 2020, reviewed the current monetary policy stance and decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 50 basis points […]
COVID-19: out of chaos comes opportunity. But opportunity must be seized to become reality.
By Jekhan Aruliah Tinned fish to tin houses: in the weeks of the 2020 Corona curfews we frequently saw on television and on Facebook fish in metal tins donated to families in metal huts. The Covid-19 Crisis shone a stark light on the large segment of our population in Sri Lanka living in chronic dire […]
Resumption of civilian life and office work begins from May 11
May 04, 2020 (LBO) – While the curfew is in force in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam, the resumption of civilian life and state and private sector activities will begin from Monday, 11th May, the Presidents office said. In order to ensure return to normalcy in civilian life and to revive the […]
‘s liquidity & external risks: Moody’s
Apr 29, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka (B2 review for downgrade) is facing simultaneous domestic and external shocks amid the global coronavirus outbreak, Moody’s Investors Service said in an issuer in-depth analysis. According to the analysis, capital outflows, marked local currency depreciation, wider risk premia and a further decline in real GDP growth will raise […]
Mangala asks President to re- summon Parliament to approve public expenditure
Apr 29, 2020 (LBO) – Former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has urged him to exercise his powers as the Head of State at this critical time and to summon the Parliament as soon as possible with the support of all parties represented in Parliament. He said that this […]
‘s growth forecast to 1.5-pct in 2020
Apr 28, 2020 (LBO) – Central Bank expects that the real GDP growth in Sri Lanka to decelerated to around 1.5 percent in 2020 before the economy recovers to attain its envisaged potential over the medium term. “The COVID-19 pandemic will adversely impact the progress of the economy during the year, contrary to previous expectations […]
Sri Lanka records a subdued growth of 2.3-pct in 2019: CBSL Annual Report
Apr 28, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lankan economy recorded a subdued growth of 2.3 percent in 2019, compared to the growth of 3.3 percent in 2018, as per the provisional estimates of GDP of the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS). All major sectors of the economy recorded positive, but modest growth rates, releasing its […]
WTO, IMF call on countries to remove recent trade restrictions
Apr 24, 2020 (LBO) – The World Trade Organization (WTO) and The International Monetary Fund (IMF) call on governments to refrain from imposing or intensifying export and other trade restrictions and to work to promptly remove those put in place since the start of the year. Releasing a joint statement on trade and the COVID-19 […]
”; outlook negative
Apr 24, 2020 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has downgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign- and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) to ‘B-‘, from ‘B’ with a negative outlook. Full statement KEY RATING DRIVERS The downgrade of Sri Lanka’s IDRs reflects the following key rating drivers. The shock to Sri Lanka’s economy from the coronavirus pandemic will […]
SL appoints Presidential task force on economic revival and poverty eradication
Apr 23, 2020 (LBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a Presidential Task Force in charge of Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication. It has been established under the powers vested in the President by the Constitution. The Task Force is responsible for reviving the economy and eradication of poverty while paying special attention to the […]
Sri Lankan consumer retail, construction, hotels most affected: Fitch Ratings
Apr 22, 2020 (LBO) – Fitch-rated Sri Lankan corporates in consumer goods retail, construction and hotels will be among the most affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Sri Lanka, says Fitch Ratings. Full statement Companies in consumer goods retail and construction-related activities also have lower rating headroom than in most other sectors. The ultimate impact […]
Opinion: COVID-19 and foreign exchange woes: Can Sri Lanka find a way out?
Bilesha Weeraratne Growing pressure on Sri Lanka’s scarce foreign exchange resources, due to the wide spread of COVID-19 across the globe, is now more real than ever before. To ease this pressure, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has taken many measures to attract as well as retain more foreign exchange in Sri Lanka. […]