Category: Industry
”’ Rating on Watch Positive following proposed disposal
Fitch Ratings has placed Sri Lanka Telecom PLC’s (SLT) National Long-Term Rating of ‘A(lka)’ on Rating Watch Positive (RWP) reflecting the potential rating upside due to weakening linkages with SLT’s parent, the government of Sri Lanka (Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating: CC), due to the government’s plan to sell its 49.5% stake in the company. […]
Innovative Digital Marketplace to Help Sri Lanka’s Small Businesses
To expand the reach of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including women-owned small businesses, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is supporting the Commercial Bank of Ceylon (CBC) launch a digital marketplace in Sri Lanka, helping business owners connect with more customers locally and abroad. Named Commercial Bank LEAP, this one-of-its-kind initiative, which is supported under […]
Govt increasing tax burden on poor and working people on IMF conditions but not taxing capitalists: Eran
Oppositions MP Eran Wikramaratne has alleged that there is a bizarre situation in the implementation of the agreement with the International Monetary Fund, as the tax burden on the poor and working people was imposed even before the implementation of the IMF conditions. According to the report, the taxation of capitalists has been delayed until […]
‘s path to recovery
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva says that it is now important for the authorities and creditors to make swift progress toward restoring debt sustainability consistent with the IMF-supported program. “The authorities’ commitments to transparently achieve a debt resolution, consistent with the program parameters and equitable burden sharing among creditors in a timely fashion, are welcome,” […]
Ceylinco Life retains market leadership for 19th consecutive year in 2022
Ceylinco Life policyholders received a mammoth Rs 18.9 billion in net claims and benefits in 2022, as the Company achieved its 19th consecutive year of market leadership in Sri Lanka’s life insurance sector with gross written premium income of Rs 29.16 billion for the 12 months ending 31 st December. Premium income grew by a […]
Royal Thomian – An Outsider’s Perspective
March 19, 2023 (LBO) – I was born and schooled in the United States. In a very unlikely scenario, I ended up marrying a Sri Lankan, having a family, and settling down in Sri Lanka. In another unlikely scenario, I decided to send my boys to S. Thomas’ Preparatory school as opposed to international school. […]
Largest capacity crane in Sri Lanka unloaded at HIP
Last week, the largest capacity crawler crane in Sri Lanka was unloaded at Hambantota International Port. The crane, with a 750-ton lifting capacity, will be initially used for Hiruras Wind Power Project in Mannar. The German built Liebherr brand crane was being used in Japan and has now been imported to Sri Lanka for civil […]
Seylan Bank opens INR Nostro account to catalyse Indo-Lanka trade
Seylan Bank recently announced the opening of an Indian Rupee (INR) Nostro account with Indian Bank, Mumbai. This development will allow importers and exporters in the two countries to carry out trade transactions in a mutually beneficial manner. The move follows the recent declaration by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), making the Indian […]
Eran urges Govt to disclose contents in IMF agreement
Even though the present government said no, the Samagi Jana Balawega emphasized from the beginning that this country needs some sort of agreement and financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund because it gives a signal to the international market that there is a financial discipline in the country paving the way for bilateral and […]
First Capital maintains domestic debt restructuring probability low at 20-pct
First Capital maintains the domestic debt restructuring (DDR) probability at 20%, highlighting that the domestic debt restructuring probabilities stand low for Sri Lanka. Following are the arguments for and against presented by First Capital in terms of DDR. Arguments Against Local Debt Restructuring • Rupee investors equivalent to having suffered debt restructuring: With the steep […]
UK Government launches its new Developing Countries Trading Scheme in Sri Lanka
On 14th March 2023, the UK government held a series of events in Colombo for their new trade preferences scheme – the Developing Country Trading Scheme (DCTS), which will launch this year. Speaking at an event, the British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton OBE said: The UK’s new Developing Countries Trading Scheme provides Sri Lankan and […]
Opinion: HNB reiterates importance of developing a national savings culture
HNB Deputy General Manager – Retail and SME Banking, Sanjay Wijemanne As more Sri Lankans face concerns over their personal financial security, and that of the country, HNB is working to help raise awareness on the opportunities that every Sri Lankan can access, in order to develop their savings habits, and help drive an effective […]