Category: Money
Perpetual Treasuries suspension of business activities extended by 6 months
July 05, 2019 (LBO) – Monetary Board of the Central Bank has decided to extend the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying on the business activities of a Primary Dealer for a period of six more months with effect from today. The Central Bank said the extension was made in terms of the […]
First Capital upgrades exchange rate outlook for 2019E to LKR 180 from 194
Jun 13, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s First Capital Research has upgraded their exchange rate outlook for 2019E to 1 USD: LKR 180 from 194 as their 65 percent base case scenario. The firm has also introduced a 12-month target for Jun 2020E of 1 USD: LKR 185 as a 60 percent base case scenario. […]
Central Bank will impose lending cap if Sri Lanka banks do not cooperate: CBSL Chief
Jun 03, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Monetary Board would need to consider whether they impose a lending cap if the banks are not cooperative enough to reduce the high lending rates, Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy warned. The Central Bank recently imposed a cap on deposit rates with the intention of bringing down lending […]
Central Bank suspends business activities of NatWealth Securities Limited
May 31, 2019 (LBO) – Central Bank having considered the continuous failure to comply with directions applicable to primary dealers has decided to suspend NatWealth Securities Limited (NWSL) from carrying on the business and activities of a Primary Dealer for a period of six months. The Central Bank, however, said it will take necessary measures […]
Amidst elevated market lending rates, private sector credit contracted notably: CBSL
May 31, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank on Friday said the market lending rates remained downward rigid, despite the measures already taken while the private sector credit showing a notable contraction. Sizable liquidity injections through the reductions in the Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) along with appropriate and prudent open market operations (OMOs) have […]
World Bank to allocate USD 250mn policy based guarantee to Sri Lanka for external borrowings
May 29, 2019 (LBO) – The World Bank has offered 250 million US dollars worth policy based guarantee to Sri Lanka for the external borrowings, the Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said. According to the Governor, under this facility Sri Lanka can leverage the guarantee four times over to borrow money from the international market […]
Sri Lanka rupee appreciated 3.8-pct against the US dollar up to 28 May 2019
May 29, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lankan rupee appreciated against the US dollar by 3.8 percent by end March 2019 compared to end 2018. “Along with the significant reduction in the trade deficit and significant inflows to the financial account, the Sri Lankan rupee appreciated against the US dollar by 3.8 percent by end March […]
First Capital Research allocates 95-pct probability for a policy rate cut
May 27, 2019 (LBO) – First Capital Research has allocated a 95 percent probability for a policy rate cut in May 2019 as they are of the view that policy intervention is inevitable to revive the overly sluggish economy and credit growth. “Despite the Road Map towards a single policy rate, we believe a rate […]
Sri Lanka official reserves fall to USD 7.2bn by end April; YTD rupee appreciation 3.7-pct
May 18, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 7,212.7 million US dollars by the end of April, down from 7,621.9 million US dollars in March, latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of April, foreign currency reserves were 6,325.2 million dollars while the reserve position in the IMF was 66.3 million […]
CBSL to resume FX purchases to rebuild net intl reserves to USD6.9bn by end Dec
May 17, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank said it is committed to rebuild reserves and allow the exchange rate to function as the first line of defense to external shocks. As per the memorandum of economic and financial policies contained in the Letter of Intent to the IMF, the Central Bank has recognized […]
Central Bank wants to reduce lending rates to SMEs by 200 bps in near term
Apr 29, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank expects the lending rates to reduce by around 200 basis points to SMEs in the near term that would reduce excessive cost of funds borne by the financial sector. The Central Bank said it observed high interest rates charged on lending products and excessively high interest rates […]
Policy rates could be reduced in future if current trends continue: Central Bank
Apr 08, 2019 (LBO) – Monetary Board of the Central Bank today said that they are of the view that, if the current trends in global financial markets, trade balance, and credit growth continue, policy interest rates could be reduced in the period ahead, given well-anchored inflation and inflation expectations. Projections, as well as inflation expectations, […]