Category: Industry
‘s Central Bank reduces bank rate
Apr 16, 2020 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of the Central Bank at its meeting held yesterday, having observed the cumulative reduction of the key policy interest rates of SDFR and SLFR by 200 basis points each since 31 May 2019, has decided to allow the bank rate to automatically adjust in line with the […]
Temporary suspension of SriLankan flights extended to 30th April
Apr 15, 2020 (LBO) – SriLankan Airlines says that they are compelled to extend the temporary suspension of its scheduled passenger flights till April 30, as the travel restrictions imposed by the countries in their global network continue to be in place due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The Airlines’ cargo services will continue to […]
Relief measures for tourist guides during COVID -19 outbreak
Apr 14, 2020 (LBO) – Due to the effect of COVID-19 on the tourism industry, the annual renewal of the guide license fee for the year 2021 will be waived for all tour guides. 1. As a relief measure, the annual fee for guide licenses of all four categories – National, Chauffeur, Area and Site […]
PUCSL extends electrical and plumbing issues
Apr 14, 2020 (LBO) – A special service to provide solutions for electrical systems and plumbing issues of households during the curfew period which has already been launched in the western province is now being extended to other districts of Sri Lanka. This service is jointly implemented by the Sri Lanka Police, National Water Supply […]
ADB triples COVID-19 response package to USD20Bn
Apr 14, 2020 (LBO) – The Asia Development Bank (ADB) has tripled the size of its response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic to US20 billion dollars and approved measures to streamline its operations for quicker and more flexible delivery of assistance. The package expands ADB’s $6.5 billion initial response announced on 18 March, adding $13.5 […]
South Asia must ramp up COVID-19 action to protect people, revive economies
Apr 14, 2020 (LBO) – Amid the mounting human toll and global economic fallout triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, South Asian governments must ramp up action to curb the health emergency, protect their people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, and set the stage now for fast economic recovery, says the World Bank in its […]
Joint Apparel Association Forum predicts USD1.5bn reduction in June quarter exports
Apr 10, 2020 (LBO) – The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) foresees an immediate contraction of 1.5 billion US dollars in Sri Lankan apparel exports during the 3-month period ending in June when compared to the last fiscal year. “However, the damage does not stop there as we expect further demand contractions that could result […]
First bunkering ship discharges low sulphur fuel at Hambantota Intl. Port
Apr 08, 2020 (LBO) – Bunkering vessel Mt. Melody docked at the Hambantota International Port (HIP) last week to discharge approximately 25,000 MT of oil into the port’s newly furbished tanks. With the first shipment of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) 380 CST in their tanks, HIP will soon begin bunkering for ships that […]
‘ risks to persist despite regulatory measures: Fitch Ratings
Apr 08, 2020 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings believes that the extraordinary regulatory measures announced by the central bank – focusing on the relaxation of capital expectations and classification of loans for banks – should relieve immediate pressure on the banks’ financial profiles, but will not prevent medium-term deterioration. Statement from Fitch Ratings Fitch recently revised […]
WhatsApp introduces limit to message forwarding
With billions of people unable to see their friends and family in person due to COVID-19, people are relying on WhatsApp more than ever to communicate. People are talking to doctors, teachers, and isolated loved ones via WhatsApp during this crisis.That’s why all your messages and calls on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted by default to […]
COVID-19 prevention program proceeds with professional expertise: President
Apr 06, 2020 (LBO) – Presided by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a discussion took place at the Presidential Secretariat to review the progress of the COVID-19 prevention program and to decide on the steps needed to take this program forward. President of Government Medical Officers Association Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya analyzed the manner this virus had affected […]
‘s Hatch and LAN gear up to launch first fintech accelerator
Apr 06, 2020 (LBO) – In April 2020, Hatch in partnership with Lankan Angel Network (LAN) and through the support of the Ford Foundation, will officially launch the first chapter of its start-up accelerator programme ‘HatchX’, establishing Sri Lanka’s first fintech accelerator. The programme’s strategic partner will be the Fintech Association of Sri Lanka (FASL). […]