Category: Forex
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 […]
Sri Lanka bombings increase economic, external risks; IMF key: Fitch Ratings
May 17, 2019 (LBO) – The tragic Easter bombings in Sri Lanka will result in lower economic growth this year and could increase external financing pressures, Fitch Ratings says. Full Statement: Fitch Ratings-Hong Kong/London-16 May 2019: The tragic Easter bombings in Sri Lanka will result in lower economic growth this year and could increase external […]
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 […]
IMF approves extension & USD164mn disbursement; grants waivers to Sri Lanka for performance criteria
May 14, 2019 (LBO) – The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund has completed the fifth review of Sri Lanka’s economic performance under the program supported by an extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). Completion of this review, upon the granting of waivers of nonobservance for the end‑December 2018 performance criteria on […]
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, […]
Sri Lanka Central Bank maintains policy interest rates at current levels
Apr 08, 2019 (LBO) – Monetary Board of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank at its meeting held today decided to maintain policy interest rates at their current levels. Accordingly, the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank will remain at 8.00 percent and 9.00 percent, respectively. “The Board […]
Sri Lanka official reserves improve to USD 7.6 billion by end March
Apr 05, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 7,621.9 million US dollars by the end of March, up from 6,035.16 million US dollars in February this year, latest Central Bank data showed.By the end of March, foreign currency reserves were 6,728.6 million dollars while the reserve position in the IMF was 66.4 […]
50 percent probability for a policy rate cut in April: First Capital Research
Apr 02, 2019 (LBO) – First Capital Research allocates a 50 percent probability for a policy rate cut in Apr 2019 as they are of the view that policy intervention is appropriate to address the overly sluggish economic growth.Sluggish sentiment in Sri Lanka’s economy has been a major concern with the latest GDP growth for […]
Sri Lanka rupee gains: Stocks marginally down
Mar 19, 2019 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka rupee ended firmer at 178.25/40 to the US dollar Monday compared to Friday’s close of 178.40/55 while shares were little changed, brokers said. ‘Inflows from a sale of US 2.4 billion dollar sovereign bond are expected to boost the rupee,’ brokers said. The rupee has climbed 2.4 percent […]
Sri Lanka official reserves at USD 6.0 billion by end February
Mar 08, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 6,005.5 million US dollars by the end of February, down from 6,152.2 million US dollars in January this year, latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of February, foreign currency reserves were 5,091.5 million dollars while the reserve position in the IMF was 66.9 […]
‘s upcoming USD bonds an expected rating of B (EXP)
Mar 07, 2019 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has assigned Sri Lanka’s upcoming US dollar-denominated bonds an expected rating of ‘B (EXP)’. The rating agency said the expected rating is in line with Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of ‘B’ with a stable outlook. The agency, however, said that the rating would be sensitive […]
Central Bank decides to reduce SRR & keep policy rates unchanged
Feb 22, 2019 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of the Central Bank, at its meeting held on 21 February 2019, has decided to reduce the Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) applicable on all rupee deposit liabilities of commercial banks by 1.00 percentage point to 5.00 percent with effect from 01 March 2019. The Board also decided to […]