Category: Featured
Will Govt place entire burden of domestic treasury bond debt optimization on EPF? Harsha
In a recent press conference MP Harsha de Silva outlined several critical points regarding the IMF Program and expressed general agreement with the stabilization program but stressed the need for specific amendments to focus the program towards medium-term growth. De Silva questioned the four-year plan outlined in the IMF Program. He pointed out that while […]
UNDP and National Innovation Agency partner to mainstream social innovation in Sri Lanka
Social innovation is the process of developing and implementing innovative ideas, products, and services to address social and environmental challenges, and is important in development as it provides new and creative solutions to complex social problems, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. With the increase in complexity and scale of social challenges, there is […]
‘s tea industry with options for expansion
Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona attended the Belt and Road International Tea Trading Forum in Hefeng County, Hubei Province as a guest speaker. Hubei has over 700,000 hectares of immaculately tended tea gardens. Addressing the gathering of tea experts (including many academics), senior government and party officials, tea traders and diplomats, Ambassador Kohona, as an invited […]
Sampath Bank reports profit before tax of Rs 4.5Bn and profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 2.6Bn at 31st March
Sampath Bank succeeded in raising Rs 10 Bn in Tier 2 capital via a debenture issue in February 2023 and despite the depressing economic outlook in the Country, the issue was oversubscribed – a testament to the investor confidence placed in Sampath Bank and widespread acceptance of the stability and prudent governance of the Bank. […]
Sri Lanka economy expected to contract by 3-pct in 2023, Grow 1.5-pct in 2024: IMF
Given the weak external environment and domestic policy tightening, aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability, Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to contract by 3 percent in 2023, before registering a modest growth of 1.5 percent in 2024, Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said. Speaking at a […]
Comm Bank gross income grows 54.2-pct in Q1: LKR appreciation impacts loan book, deposits and assets
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon Group’s deposit base has surpassed Rs 2 trillion, a milestone it achieved in the first quarter of 2023 despite the continuing impacts of mercurial exchange rates and market interest rates, and the effects of the economic downturn on multiple sectors of business. The Group, comprising of Sri Lanka’s biggest private […]
Harsha proposes GDP growth-linked instrument for domestic debt optimisation
During a recent press conference, Opposition MP Harsha de Silva warned against the potential risks of domestic debt optimization, stressing the need for extreme caution. De Silva cautioned that if not managed carefully, domestic debt optimization could become a burden rather than a relief for the economy. Citing the net debt relief Laffer curve, de […]
Cabinet nod for World Bank funded social security programme
The proposed activities of the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility program include measures to implement a strong social safety net to protect the most vulnerable groups in society, a statement on Cabinet decisions said. This week’s Cabinet decisions statement says the World Bank has agreed to provide a loan of USD 200 million to […]
Sri Lanka – Thailand FTA scheduled for early 2024
The fourth round of talks on the proposed Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement was held recently with both parties agreeing to complete the negotiations and prepare the relevant agreement for signature by the first quarter of 2024. The final round of discussions are scheduled to be held on 27 and 28 June, where a delegation […]
PUCSL Chair calls for 20-pct price drop in electricity rates
The Chairman of Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Janaka Ratnayake says that the electricity consumers should get a 20 percent tariff reduction based on a slowdown in electricity demand plus the exchange rate and reduced of fuel prices. “According to the tariff requested by CEB on 5th January this year, CEB had estimated an […]
SJB opposes selling of strategically important SoEs but wants an end to monopoly
SJB Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne assured that main opposition was ready with plan and strategies to implement projects for the wellbeing of the people no sooner it comes to office after an elections due shortly. People of this country are eagerly awaiting to oust this government which has no mandate or even proper plan to implement […]
Bringing Swiss Precision to Killinochchi Agriculture
By Jekhan Aruliah I first met Kamilton Arumugam and Lieke Schroder by mistake. We met at my place in Jaffna about a project a mutual friend thought we had a mutual interest.We didn’t, but it was a lucky mistake. I met two rare people, Kamilton returning from Switzerland and Lieke coming from Holland, investing their […]