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Women in Sri Lanka call for stronger measures to protect their rights
Women leaders from four provinces in Sri Lanka have urged local government authorities to strengthen efforts to protect women, who have been affected by the country’s economic, political and COVID-19 crises this year. From March to September, UN Women hosted a series of Multi-party Dialogues on Women, Peace and Security in nine districts to identify and […]
Sri Lanka cabinet approves downgrade back to low income country
Cabinet has approved a proposal to downgrade Sri Lanka to “low income” category on the World Bank list with the aim of getting access to concessional funding from international organizations. “International organizations had informed the Finance Minister to downgrade Sri Lanka back to the lower income category as access to concessional funding would be easier,” […]
Fitch Ratings: What Is the Outlook for Tourism in Asia
The international tourism recovery in APAC has generally been trailing the rest of the world, due in part to more cautious easing of border restrictions and China’s stringent controls on cross-border travel. Fitch expects the recovery will gain greater traction and turn increasingly broad-based in 2023, underpinned by pent-up demand for travel, stepped-up reopening efforts […]
‘s financial institutions transition to green financing
Climate change today is affecting the financial system due to its far-reaching impact across all sectors and geographies. As risks associated with environmentally damaging products and services increase, it is expected that purchasing and investing in green alternatives will become the norm. This has led to the undertaking of initiatives to mitigate the negative impacts […]
Sri Lanka’s real GDP is expected to fall by 9.2-pct this year & a further 4.2-pct in 2023: World Bank
Sri Lanka’s economic crisis is deepening with unsustainable debt and a severe balance of payment crisis on top of lingering scars of the COVID-19 pandemic. Debt restructuring and the implementation of a deep reform program are critical for Sri Lanka’s economic stabilization, says the World Bank in its twice-a-year update, underscoring the need for Sri Lanka […]
Sri Lanka rejects resolution at the UN Human Rights Council
Sri Lanka categorically rejected resolution A/HRC/51/L.1 (Rev.1) titled “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” tabled by the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United States, which was adopted by a vote at the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, today (06 October 2022). Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry delivered […]
Dialog in Partnership with Sampath Bank Launches Tourist Fuel Pass; Unrestricted Access to Fuel for Tourists
Dialog Axiata PLC on the invitation of Ministry of Power and Energy and Ministry of Tourism partnered Sampath Bank PLC, to launch the Tourist Fuel Pass (TFP) that would enable tourists visiting Sri Lanka to obtain fuel without the standard quota restrictions. The TFP is a NFC-based stored value card that can be purchased on […]
CCPI inflation would start falling down from this month: CBSL Governor
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor expects that the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) will start falling down from this month and to follow a disinflation path in the period ahead. “We expect CCPI at the end of the month to be lower than what we saw in the last month,”Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said. “That trend […]
Central Bank of Sri Lanka maintains policy interest rates
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 05 October 2022, decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at their current levels of 14.50 per cent and 15.50 per cent, respectively. In arriving at this […]
Bileeta Partners with USAID CATALYZE Sri Lanka Private Sector Development (PSD) to offer tech support to SMEs
Bileeta, one of Sri Lanka’s top ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solutions providers, has joined hands with USAID CATALYZE Sri Lanka Private Sector Development (PSD), to provide cutting-edge ERP solutions to eligible SME customers, through a special grant programme. These solutions will be provided in collaboration with and through partnerships facilitated by PSD with financial institutions, […]