Category: Banking and Finance
Fitch Affirms Ratings on 15 Sri Lankan Banks; Removes Watch Negative; CBL on Negative Outlook
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Bank of Ceylon’s Long-Term Local-Currency Issue Default Rating (IDR) at ‘CCC-‘ and removed it from Rating Watch Negative (RWN). The Outlook is Stable. At the same time, Fitch has affirmed the National Long-Term Ratings of the following banks, removed them from RWN and assigned Stable Outlooks: BOC at ‘A(lka)’ People’s Bank […]
World Bank expects solid growth but risky outlook for South Asia
South Asia is expected to grow by 5.8 percent this year—higher than any other developing country region in the world, but slower than its pre-pandemic pace and not fast enough to meet its development goals, says the World Bank in its twice-a-year regional outlook. Released today, the latest South Asia Development Update, Toward Faster, Cleaner Growthforecastsgrowth to […]
Sri Lanka slips in economic freedom: Report
Lanka—Sri Lanka ranks 116 out of 165 jurisdictions included in the Economic Freedom of the World: 2023 Annual Report, released by Advocata Institute in conjunction with Canada’s Fraser Institute. The current ranking represents a decline in the economic freedom of the country which ranked 104th during 2020. The report measures the economic freedom of individuals—their […]
””; Outlook stable
S&P Global Ratings today raised its long- and short-term local currency sovereign credit ratings on Sri Lanka to ‘CCC+/C’ from ‘SD/SD’ (selective default). At the same time, we affirmed our ‘SD/SD’ long- and short-term foreign currency ratings. The outlook on the ‘CCC+’ long-term local currency rating is stable. We also raised the issue rating on […]
Sinopec pledges to fuel Sri Lanka as it commences operations
Sinopec announced its official entry into Sri Lanka’s dynamic fuel retail market at the felicitation event for local distributors held on the 25 th of September in Colombo. This momentous occasion also marked the commencement of fuel supply to Sri Lanka’s filling stations.With the entry, Sinopec is committed to giving full play to its advantages, […]
CB Governor of Viet Nam compliments improvement of Sri Lankan economy
The Governor of the Central Bank of Viet Nam, known as State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV), Nguyen Thi Hong, expressed optimism and encouraging sentiments about the improvement of the economy of Sri Lanka during the last 12 months, when the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Viet Nam Prof. A. Saj U. Mendis met her […]
Emirates and SriLankan establish reciprocal interline partnership
Emirates and SriLankan Airlines have signed a reciprocal interline agreement to boost connectivity for passengers of both airlines. The partnership will enable access to new points on each other’s networks via Colombo and Dubai, utilising a single ticket and enjoying the convenience of baggage transfers. Tickets are now on sale for travel effective immediately as […]
ADB names ComBank its ‘Leading Partner Bank’ in Sri Lanka for 3rd year
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has once again been declared the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB’s) ‘Leading Partner Bank’ in Sri Lanka for trade and finance transactions, in a significant reaffirmation of the Bank’s contributions in that sphere to the national economy. This is the third consecutive year that Commercial Bank has been honoured with this […]
Sri Lanka Financial Institution Ratings Not Affected by Sovereign Downgrade: Fitch Ratings
Sri Lanka bank ratings are unaffected by the downgrade of Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating to ‘RD’ from ‘C’, says Fitch Ratings. On 14 September 2023, Fitch downgraded the sovereign’s Long-Term Local- Currency Issuer Default Rating following the completion of an exchange of treasury bonds for longer-dated ones, which forms a part of […]
Opinion: From education to employment, Understanding the gender gap in the workforce
Thathsarani Siriwardana The issue of female labor force participation in Sri Lanka has remained a subject of discussion for several decades, yet tangible progress in improving it has been elusive. As the country grapples with its most severe economic crisis since gaining independence,it is important to take a hard look at our labour force to […]
Ceylon Chamber welcomes SVAT repeal deferment
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) expresses its appreciation to the Government and to the President in particular for the decision taken to postpone repeal of the SVAT scheme. The Bill provided to repeal the Simplified Value-Added Tax Scheme (SVAT) effective from January 1, 2024. This raised several concerns among various sectors, including exporters registered […]
Corporate Governance Awareness Session hosted by Compliance Forum of Finance Houses Ass concludes
The ‘Corporate Governance Awareness Session’ organized by the Finance Houses Association of Sri Lanka (FHA), the apex body of all registered Finance Ccompanies, was held at the Siyapatha Tower on the 11 th August 2023. Held in collaboration with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), the main objective of this event was to enhance […]