Category: Economy
Trade deficit narrows marginally in Nov with imports, exports declining
Jan 17, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s trade deficit contracted marginally in November 2019 (year-on-year), with both imports and exports declining, the latest Central Bank data showed. The deficit in the trade account declined in November to US dollars 762 million, from US dollars 785 million in November 2018. The trade deficit contracted by US […]
S&P revises Sri Lanka’s outlook to negative; ratings affirmed at ’B/B’
Jan 16, 2020 (LBO) – Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s said it revised its outlook on Sri Lanka’s credit rating to negative from stable, citing increased risks from a deteriorating fiscal position. “Sri Lanka’s fiscal position deteriorated following the Easter Sunday attacks,” S&P said. “Although a recovery is expected, we expect a widening of the […]
World Bank forecasts Sri Lanka’s growth at 3.3-pct in 2020
Jan 14, 2020 (LBO) – The World Bank has forecast Sri Lanka’s economic growth for 2020 at 3.3 percent, the bank said in a statement. In its latest report of “World Bank’s January 2020 Global Economic Prospects,” the World Bank said for 2021 and 2022, it maintains the same forecast of 3.7 percent of economic […]
President requests Japan to invest in high tech assembly plants in Sri Lanka
Jan 13, 2020 (LBO) – Measures will be taken to further strengthen long-standing bilateral relations between Japan and Sri Lanka, Japanese State Minister for Regional Revitalization Kozo Yamamoto said. Minister Yamamoto made these remarks when he paid a courtesy call on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today (13). Sri Lanka is secured and […]
Sri Lanka official reserves improve to USD7.6bn by end December
Jan 09, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 7,638.5 million US dollars by the end of December last year, up from 7,520.4 million US dollars in November, the latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of December, the foreign currency reserves were 6,609.1 million dollars while the reserve position in the […]
Sri Lanka achieves 1.9Mn revised tourists arrival target for 2019: SLTDA
Jan 07, 2020 (LBO) – Despite 2019 being a tough year for the tourism industry, Sri Lanka has achieved the revised tourists’ arrival target for 2019 which stands at 1,913,702 as of 31st December. It is a decline of 18 percent from 2018 when 2,333,796 of tourists had visited the country during the same period, […]
‘s new Banking Act to facilitate banks in Colombo Intl. Financial Centre
Jan 06, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has initiated drafting a new Banking Act and expects to complete its enactment in 2021. The new Banking Act will contain provisions to extend regulations for banks, which are to be established in the Colombo International Financial Centre. Key concepts of the proposed Act include provisions […]
‘s Central Bank to maintain inflation within 4 to 6-pct
Jan 06, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank expects to maintain inflation within a range of 4-6 percent through a transparent, coherent, and accountable monetary policy framework going forward. Announcing the road map of the Central Bank for this year, Governor W D Lakshman highlighted that maintaining inflation at stable levels would help improve […]
CB Chief urges Sri Lanka banks to rethink its credit disbursement policies
Jan 06, 2020 (LBO) – Central Bank Governor Professor W D Lakshman urged Sri Lanka’s banking sector to rethink its credit disbursement policies, as the traditional ‘risk averse’ mindset has deprived emerging entrepreneurs and new ventures of much needed initial capital. Announcing the road map of the Central Bank for this year, Lakshman said credit […]
‘Manufacturing in 2020: Connecting machines to networks and companies to end-consumers’
Antony Bourne – President- IFS Industries While change is buffeting the industrial manufacturing industry from a number of directions, the most disruptive changes will be those which manufacturers can and should make for themselves. Many of these manufacturers are already taking advantage of technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and as we head into […]
Sri Lanka bans Ethanol importation for liquor production
Jan 01, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance and Planning has decided to suspend the importation of Ethanol from other countries. The Finance Ministry said the import of Ethanol for liquor production will be suspended from today (1st January) on the directives of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Finance. This […]
IRD issues circular to banks about new Withholding Tax structure
Jan 01, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department has issued a new circular to banks and financial institutions detailing the new Withholding Tax structure which will be effective from today to 31 March 2020. According to the circular, for the period from today to 31 March, aggregate interest income from all the accounts […]