Category: Markets
Restrictions on outward remittances on capital transactions extended by 6 months
Jan 05, 2021 (LBO) – The Central Bank says that the restrictions imposed on outward remittances on capital transactions have been extended by a further six months to preserve the foreign currency reserve position of Sri Lanka. Accordingly following restrictions on outward remittances on capital transactions will be effective till 1 July 2021. Suspension of […]
CBSL to establish permanent single-digit interest rate structure in economy
Jan 04, 2021 (LBO) – Capitalising on the achievement of 12-years of single-digit inflation, the Central Bank intends to establish a permanent single digit interest rate structure in the economy, Governor W D Lakshman said. Introducing the monetary and financial sector policies for 2021, Governor said that they will remain focused on maintaining market interest […]
ASPI recorded a growth of 10.5-pct in 2020; market turnover highest since 2011
Jan 01, 2021 (LBO) – The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) of Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed 2020 recording a growth of 10.5%, the highest annual increase the index has seen since 2014. The ASPI ended 2020 on 6774.22 points. Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 index, which features the CSE’s 20 largest and most liquid […]
Fallout from Pandemic prompts an unprecedented rate cut: FCR
Jun 30, 2020 (LBO) – First Capital Research (FCR) believes that there is a higher likelihood of 90% that CBSL may provide a rate cut to ensure the continued supply of credit at a low cost of funding. The firm also believes that there is a probability of 40% for a 100bps rate cut to […]
SEC continues engaging with capital market stakeholders
As part of its continuing efforts to reach out to market participants Viraj Dayaratne PC, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) along with other Commission Members met with representatives of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Law Firms and Stockbroker Firms. These interactions were held as part of a series of […]
Trade deficit widens in April; import expenses on personal vehicles up, no tourism earnings
Jun 22, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s trade deficit widened in April 2020 to US dollars 840 million, from US dollars 797 million in April 2019, as the decline in exports exceeded the decline in imports. Expenditure on merchandise imports declined notably, on a year on year basis, by 29.6 percent to US dollars 1, […]
100bps rate cut on the cards to push banks for lending: First Capital Research
Jun 19, 2020 (LBO) – First Capital Research allocates a policy rate cut expectation of 100bps bringing the SDFR and SLFR to 4.50% and 5.50%, respectively. Despite prevailing the low-interest-rate environment it will have a ripple effect on the overall economy, First Capital Research said in a new research note. “We believe that the Central […]
‘s Central Bank further reduces Statutory Reserve Ratio
Jun 16, 2020 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of the Central Bank has decided to reduce the Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) applicable on all rupee deposit liabilities of licensed commercial banks (LCBs) by 200 basis points to 2.00 percent, with effect from the reserve maintenance period that commenced on 16 June 2020. According to the […]
‘ stresses: Fitch Ratings
Jun 16, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lankan banks’ operating environment and financial profiles ace escalating risks from the economic fallout of the coronavirus. Fitch Ratings now expects Sri Lanka’s real GDP to contract by 1.3% in 2020, worsening from our earlier forecast of a 1.0% contraction published 24 April 2020 due to the pandemic. Deterioration […]
SEC Chairman calls on Central Bank Governor
Jun 14, 2020 (LBO) – The Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Viraj Dayaratne PC, paid a courtesy call on Professor W.D. Lakshman, Governor of the Central Bank recently. He was accompanied by Director-General of the SEC, Chinthaka Mendis. This meeting provided an opportunity for the Governor and the Chairman to share and […]
SEC approves rules for digitalization of Colombo Stock Market
Jun 02, 2020 (LBO) – The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) has approved amendments to the Stockbroker Rules, Central Depository Systems (CDS) Rules and Listing Rules submitted by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), which will enable the stock market to transition from a paper-based to an electronic-based environment. Under the amended rules, […]
Ceylon Chamber proposes multi-sectoral approach for economic revival
May 20, 2020 (LBO) – The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has submitted its multi-sectoral proposals to the Task Force for Economic Revival and Poverty Alleviation. This was building on the submission made to the President on a Shared Vision for Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery. The sectors included in the document covered immediate, medium, and long-term proposals […]