Category: Featured
Re-designing Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, “need of the hour”: Eran
Sri Lankan’s economy is not standalone, but is interlinked with foreign policy, says SJB parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne. “Whilst our internal decision making is decisive, international decision making and events play a key role in our economy, lifestyle and security, more so, because we are a small island nation,” he says. Wickramaratne is of the view […]
Recognizing contribution of women in Sri Lanka towards food security and sustainable economic recovery
Achieving gender equality and empowering women is not only the right thing to do but is a critical ingredient in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition. As the world celebrates International Rural Women’s Day on 15th October each year, the day shines a spotlight and recognizes the significant contributions of women to global […]
”’, Removes RWN
Fitch Ratings has downgraded Sri Lanka-based Senkadagala Finance PLC’s (Senka) National Long-Term Rating to ‘BBB(lka)’ from ‘BBB+(lka)’. The Outlook is Stable. Fitch has also downgraded Senka’s subordinated debt rating to ‘BB+(lka)’ from ‘BBB-(lka)’, and removed the Rating Watch Negative (RWN) from all of Senka’s ratings. KEY RATING DRIVERS Weakened Asset Quality Drives Downgrade: Senka’s exposure […]
Borders and Budget: Visa reform will boost tourism and reverse brain drain
By Daniel Alphonsus Three million tourists are set to visit our shores next year. We will issue nearly as many online visas – millions too many. ETAs are a tourist’s bane: rather than dreamy sun, sea and sand, the weary salaryman’s getaway begins with the tedium of forms. The tourist’s ayubowan to Sri Lanka begins […]
Privatisation is the need of the hour:Advocata
“At the interim budget last year, a list of SOEs reforms were provided to be restructured. 14 months later nothing has changed even in one SOE.”- Prof. Rohan Samarajiva, a policy expert and an advisor of the Advocata Institute. He made these comments at Advocata’s press briefing, organised to highlight the urgency of carrying out […]
‘ ratings; off RWN; Outlooks stable
Fitch Ratings has affirmed the support-driven National Long-Term Ratings of four Sri Lankan bank subsidiary finance and leasing companies (FLCs). The Outlooks are Stable. The four FLCs are: CBC Finance LTD (CBCF) at ‘BBB+(lka)’; HNB Finance PLC (HNBF) at ‘BBB+(lka)’; Siyapatha Finance PLC at ‘BBB+(lka)’; and UB Finance PLC (UBF) at ‘BB(lka)’. At the same […]
CSE integrates with TradingView to facilitate advanced charting via MyCSE
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is proud to announce the integration of TradingView Technical Charts which facilitates advanced charting via MyCSE portal, to enhance investor experience with effect from 06 th October 2023. TradingView is the leading global provider of advanced charting and analytical tools. The facility is available in two forms as in real-time […]
Lower global growth forecasts for 2023 and 2024: IMF
The World Economic Outlook October Update says global growth is forecast to slow from 3.5 percent in 2022 to 3.0 percent in 2023 and 2.9 percent in 2024. The projections remain below the historical (2000–19) average of 3.8 percent, and the forecast for 2024 is down by 0.1 percentage point from the July 2023 Update […]
”; Outlook stable
Fitch Ratings has upgraded Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) National Long-Term Rating and the rating on CEB’s senior unsecure debentures to ‘BB+(lka)’, from ‘B(lka)’. The Outlook is stable. The upgrade follows the 28 September 2023 upgrade of the Sri Lankan sovereign’s Long- Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘CCC-‘, from ‘Restricted Default (RD)’. CEB’s ratings […]
CICT crowned best container terminal of its capacity in Asia for 7th consecutive year
Beats terminals in China, Indonesia and Thailand to win coveted AFLASaward in Under 4 million TEUs category Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) has been declared the Best Container Terminal in Asia in 2023 in the Under 4 million TEUs category, winning the coveted title for the seventh consecutive year. CICT’s impressive triumph on the global […]
Eran exposes SL’s plight of human capital flight; Govt. not bringing any solution to preserve health sector
Eran Wickramaratne, Member of Parliament of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya, accused the government of not bringing any solution or alternative arrangements to preserve the health sector of the country as it asserts the right to life of the citizens. Though the health sector now faces a brain drain with increasing numbers of the sector fleeing […]
Harsha proposes tax reforms to relieve burden on middle class and professionals
MP Harsha de Silva’s Tax Reform Proposal: Simplify PAYE tax structure and introduce surcharge.Surprising Revenue Figures: PAYE collection surpasses expectations, while PIT falls short.Inequality in Tax Burden: Current system disproportionately impacts middle-class professionals.MP’s Evidence-Based Approach: Proposed reforms aim to balance government revenue and reduce the tax burden.Combatting Tax Fraud: Efforts to address LKR 60 billion […]