Category: Policy
‘s economy
May 03, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank said recent indicators reflect positive sentiment expressed by external foreign parties regarding the performance of the Sri Lankan economy and its prospects. Central Bank’s response came at a time when serious concerns have been expressed regarding the performance of the Sri Lankan economy. “It is instructive […]
World Bank warns of reform slowdown amid challenging political environment
Apr 17, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s growth is projected to rebound in 2018 and continue to be around 4.5 percent in the medium term, driven by private consumption and investment, the Wold Bank says in its latest report. “Inflation will stabilize at the mid-single digit level as the impact of natural disasters wears off, […]
Sri Lanka’s debt burden is higher than Ethiopia, Uganda & Ghana
Apr 09, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government revenue as a share of GDP is lower than many peers, while the government debt-to-GDP ratio is much higher, Moody’s Investors Service said in a statement.Debt-to-GDP ratio in Ethiopia, Uganda and Ghana among other countries is lower than Sri Lanka even though revenue-to-GDP ratio in these countries […]
Sri Lanka CB cuts policy rate ceiling by 25bps
Apr 04, 2018 (LB0) – Sri Lanka’s central bank has decided to reduce the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR), which is the upper bound of the policy interest rate corridor of the Central Bank, by 25 basis points, a statement said. The Monetary Board was of the view that the favourable developments in the economy […]
New IR act most progressive in SA, Will bring in extra Rs.60Bn in revenue
Apr 03, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance ministry says the government expects to earn a an additional revenue of 60 billion rupees each year through the new Inland Revenue Act (IRA). “This year, we expect the government to rake in 30 billion rupees,” S.R. Attygalle, deputy secretary of the Finance and Mass Media Ministry said. […]
JO MP Balasuriya critical of active liability management bill
April 02, 2018 (LBO) – In a recent speech in Parliament, JO MP Tharaka Balasuriya highlighted some problematic technicalities in the Active Liability Management Bill. The bill has encountered some controversy, with the Supreme Court finally having to weigh in through a verdict confirming that the bill is in fact constitutional. Balasuriya highlighted that this […]
Opinion: Economic reforms in Sri Lanka: Salvation or a recipe for inaction?
By Kithmina Hewage & Harini Weerasekera Economic reforms have become an urgent need for Sri Lanka, with successive governments since independence, resorting to short-term, politically expedient economic strategies that have placed considerable macroeconomic pressures whilst reducing Sri Lanka’s global competitiveness. Vision 2025, the current government’s short and medium-term policy direction, is aimed atsteeringthe economy towards […]
Business mission from New Zealand to arrive in April
Mar 20, 2018 (LBO) – A group of 20 delegates representing 13 innovative New Zealand companies will arrive in Colombo on 2nd April for a 3-day visit to continue forging business and trade links with Sri Lanka. The delegation, led by New Zealand Trade Commissioner for Sri Lanka, Ralph Hays, builds on the momentum of […]
Sri Lanka must enhance fiscal income to offset narrowing external drains: Fin Min
Mar 19, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance minister says the island must optimize utilizing local resources with a well-managed and efficient tax system as a pro-growth catalyst. My contention is that the new Inland Revenue Act will bring a paradigm shift to taxation in this country that is in line with our policy of […]
Sri Lanka official reserves rebound to USD7.9bn in February
Mar 16, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves have improved to 7,914.33 million US dollars by the end of February from 7,672.75 million dollars in January, official Central Bank data showed. Reserves improved to 7,952.58 million dollars by the end of last year but reduced in January. Foreign currency reserves were 6,894.42 million […]
Reforms have progressed but vulnerabilities remain: IMF Staff Mission
Mar 11, 2018 (LBO) – Despite weather-related shocks and some delays in implementation, program performance remains broadly on track, said IMF Staff Mission after a recent visit to Sri Lanka. The IMF staff team led by Manuela Goretti visited Colombo from February 27 – March 9 to hold discussions for the fourth review of Sri Lankan […]
Not expecting rise in domestic interest rates: CB
Mar 05, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank responding to misleading news reports said it is not expecting a rise in domestic interest rates in the period ahead. “Based on its current projections, an increase in market interest rate is not expected in the near term,” the bank said issuing a statement regarding false […]