Category: Banking and Finance

Workers’ remittances are a key source of foreign exchange for developing countries, at more than 100 billion dollars a year and expected to rise, but transaction costs remain high, experts and officials say.Workers’ remittances are a key source of foreign exchange for developing countries, at more than 100 billion dollars a year and expected to […]

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank on Friday raised the minimum capital requirement for commercial banks by 400 percent to promote a robust and stable financial system.Sri Lanka’s Central Bank on Friday raised the minimum capital requirement for commercial banks by 400 percent to promote a robust and stable financial system. Licensed commercial banks will have to […]

The government says is it has not yet been able to set up a joint mechanism to fund the North and East, and is waiting for a word from the LTTE top brass.The government says is it has not yet been able to set up a joint mechanism to fund the North and East, and […]

Sri Lanka’s warring parties are yet to agree on how to disburse millions of dollars in foreign aid for tsunami survivors more than three months after the disaster, a senior minister admitted Thursday.Sri Lanka’s warring parties are yet to agree on how to disburse millions of dollars in foreign aid for tsunami survivors more than […]

The Public Enterprises Reform Commission (PERC) has billed just over a million rupees for the government so far, selling its minority stakes in listed companies.The Public Enterprises Reform Commission (PERC) has billed just over a million rupees for the government so far, selling its minority stakes in listed companies. Small parcels including stakes in Commercial […]

Switzerland on Wednesday gave Sri Lanka US$ 7 mn as aid for cash grants to rebuild houses outside the coastal buffer zone in tsunami affected areas.Switzerland on Wednesday gave Sri Lanka US$ 7 mn as aid for cash grants to rebuild houses outside the coastal buffer zone in tsunami affected areas. The grant funds will […]

Destitute Hambantota entreprenuers, who were hit by the tsunami, then battered by the government’s buffer zone rules, are now caught in another vicious trap as banks value their remaining land at rock bottom prices.Destitute Hambantota entreprenuers, who were hit by the tsunami, then battered by the government’s buffer zone rules, are now caught in another […]

People’s Bank said last year’s profits beat targets set in its restructuring plan despite increasing pressure on margins and higher provision for staff retirement. People’s Bank said last year’s profits beat targets set in its restructuring plan despite increasing pressure on margins and higher provision for staff retirement. However the State bank employees protested against […]

Treasury Secretary says the country’s risk-averse banking sector has failed to assist entrepreneurs especially in the small and medium sector.Treasury Secretary says the country’s risk-averse banking sector has failed to assist entrepreneurs especially in the small and medium sector. Doctor Jayasundera was speaking at the launch of the country’s first bank for small and medium […]

State-run People’s Bank is counting on an asset revaluation plus a Rs. 8 bn cash injection from the Asian Development Bank to stay afloat in the coming years.State-run People’s Bank is counting on an asset revaluation plus a Rs. 8 bn cash injection from the Asian Development Bank to stay afloat in the coming years. […]

The Insurance Board of Sri Lanka has posted Lasinee Seresinhe as it new Director General.The Insurance Board of Sri Lanka has posted Lasinee Seresinhe as it new Director General. Seresinhe was the Officer-in-Charge for the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka for over two years and has been serving the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as […]

Mar 31, 2005 (LBO) – The Millennium Challenge Corporation has asked Sri Lanka to whip its economic plan into suitable shape to access funds in its US$ 1 bn kitty. In 2003, Sri Lanka was among a first batch of 16 developing and least developed countries selected to apply for funding from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA). […]