We cannot allow irrational laws to impede our economy: President

May 15, 2020 (LBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that irrational laws should not obstruct the policies formulated to achieve the economic objectives of the people. The President stated this during a discussion with officials and ministry secretaries attached to the Plantation Industry sector at the Presidential Secretariat on May 14.The meeting was called to […]

Singer Finance Rs.1Bn debenture issue oversubscribed

May 15, 2020 (LBO) – Singer Finance (Lanka) PLC received a strong vote of confidence from investors with its recent Listed, Rated, unsecured, senior, redeemable three year and five year, one billion rupee debenture issue being oversubscribed. The subscription closed on Wednesday the 13th of May 2020. This Debenture issue is rated BBB (lka) by […]

President calls on banking sector to think out of the box to achieve economic revival

May 14, 2020 (LBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested the banking sector to deviate from conventional thinking and practice to support the country‟s striving to rebuild the economy badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The government was able to keep the corona virus under control. The biggest challenge we face right now is to […]

Commercial Bank operating profit down by 4.6-pct, PAT up due to concessions

May 14, 2020 (LBO) – Operating profit before taxes on financial services of Sri Lanka’s Commercial Bank for the first quarter declined by 4.6%, interim accounts showed. The bank posted a profit before income tax of Rs 5.229 billion for the three months, an increase of 9.51% as the taxes on financial services has been […]

Central Bank cuts minimum requirement of Liquidity Coverage Ratio to 90-pct

May 13, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has decided to reduce the minimum requirement of Liquidity Coverage Ratio and Net Stable Funding Ratio to 90 percent with enhanced supervision and frequent reporting. The Central Bank has also decided to permit licensed banks to consider certain assets as liquid assets in the computation of […]

Central Bank places restrictions on discretionary payments of banks

May 13, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has issued directions to licensed banks restricting their discretionary payments with the aim of maintaining appropriate levels of liquidity in licensed banks while managing cash flows prudently. The Monetary Board has considered the possible adverse impact on liquidity and other key performance indicators of licensed commercial […]

Sampath Bank operating profit down by 10.8-pct, PAT up due to concessions

May 13, 2020 (LBO) – Operating profit of Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank for the first quarter, which is the real return generated by utilizing the assets and liabilities, declined by 10.8%, interim accounts showed. The challenges brought by COVID – 19 and the recession brought on by the terrorist attack in April 2019 has lead […]

Sri Lanka delisted by European Commission from list of high risk 3rd countries

May 12, 2020 (LBO) – The European Commission has de-listed Sri Lanka from its list of High Risk Third Countries with Anti- Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Strategic Deficiencies published on May 07, 2020. Since the listing by the FATF, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) together with other stakeholders had taken a […]

‘s Banking and Financial sector: Advocata

May 11, 2020 (LBO) – The Advocata Institute hosted an online discussion on Zoom with Yvette Fernando (Assistant Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka), Manil Jayesinghe (President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka), Roshan Abeygoonewardena (Chairman, Finance Houses Association of Sri Lanka), Jonathan Alles (CEO, Hatton National Bank); moderated by Murtaza Jafferjee (Chair, Advocata […]

Central Bank urges financial institutions to reduce lending rates without delay

May 06, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank urges financial institutions to reduce lending rates without further delay. Failing which, the Central Bank said they will be compelled to take appropriate regulatory action to bring down market lending rates. “The Monetary Board noted, with disappointment, that market lending rates have not declined in line […]

Page 49 of 341