Category: Economy and Markets
World Bank classifies Sri Lanka as upper-middle income country under new revision
Jul 02, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has moved up to the upper-middle income category from lower-middle income category under the World Bank’s new country classification by income level. As of July 1, 2019, under the new revision, Sri Lanka’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita is 4,060 US dollars, up from 3,840 dollars reported […]
SriLankan Airlines incurs to Rs.13Bn loss in first 4 months of 2019
Jul 02, 2019 (LBO) – State-run SriLankan Airlines total loss has increased to 12,961 million rupees in the first four months of 2019, a new report said. The total debt of Sri Lankan exceeded US 750 million dollars, according to mid –year Fiscal Position Report -2019 of the Finance Ministry. “While the Government is currently […]
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July 01, 2019 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has assigned Sri Lanka’s 500 million US dollars, 6.35% bonds due 2024 and 1.5 billion 7.55% bonds due 2030 a final rating of ‘B’. The final rating is in line with the expected rating assigned on 24 June 2019. Key Rating Drivers The bonds ratings are in line […]
Fitch affirms 5 Sri Lankan finance companies; revises outlook on MIF to negative
July 01, 2019 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlook on Mercantile Investments and Finance PLC (MIF) to Negative from Stable and has affirmed the ratings. At the same time, Fitch has affirmed the ratings of the following Sri Lankan finance companies:– Central Finance Company PLC (CF)– LB Finance PLC (LB)– Senkadagala Finance PLC […]
Sri Lanka public servant pay hike effective from today
Jul 01, 2019 (LBO) – The salary increment and other allowances for public servants proposed by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in his budget 2019 is effective from today (July 01). Accordingly, all public servants will receive an additional monthly allowance of 2500.00 rupees, the Finance Ministry said issuing a statement. Also, allowance for security forces […]
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce inducts Hans Wijayasuriya as its new Chairperson
Jun 29, 2019 (LBO) – The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce inducted Hans Wijayasuriya as its new Chairperson during its 180th AGM on Friday. Dr. Wijayasuriya, who is the Corporate Executive Vice President and Regional Chief Executive of Axiata Group Berhad, succeeded veteran banker Rajendra Theagarajah as the Ceylon Chamber’s Chairperson. Additionally, Vish Govindasamy Group Managing […]
SLASSCOM and AWS collaborate to position Sri Lanka as hub for data science and AI
Jun 28, 2019 (LBO) – To position Sri Lanka as a hub for data science and artificial intelligence (AI) skills, the Sri Lanka Association of Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) today announced the launch of its knowledge and skills mission to train 50,000 engineering and non-engineering students in Sri Lanka. The students will receive training […]
Sri Lankan banks face rising NPLs, capital pressure: Fitch Ratings
Jun 28, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lankan banks face further increases in non-performing loans (NPLs) this year as the macro-economic environment remains difficult, Fitch Ratings said in a new report. Weaker asset quality and earnings will add to pressure on capital, and many small and medium-sized banks still need to raise equity capital to meet […]
Accountants can assist in implementing effective tax system: Inland Revenue COMNR GEN
Jun 27, 2019 (LBO) – The new Commissioner General of Inland Revenue, Nadun Guruge recently highlighted the important role Chartered Accountants can play in ensuring an effective and efficient tax system in the country. Speaking at the felicitation ceremony organized by CA Sri Lanka, Guruge who assumed duties as the 33rd Commissioner-General also noted that […]
People’s Bank will not be privatized: Finance Minister
Jun 26, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister says that the recent news report in the media quoting an opposition Parliamentarian to the effect that the People’s Bank is to be privatized is completely false and misleading. Certain political parties and the Trade Union affiliated to those parties had alleged the government is to […]
FastTrack Summer Internship Programme relaunched with Brandix, Fonterra & JKH to inspire young talent
Brandix Apparel Limited, Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. and John Keells Holdings PLC held the orientation for fifteen diverse, talented interns today (25th June 2019) at Hatch, Colombo, formally commencing the Fast Track Summer Internship Programme 2019. First introduced in 2011, the ‘FastTrack’ Summer Internship Programme returned in April 2019 to provide fifteen selected undergraduates […]
Sri Lanka securities regulator files charges on market manipulation
Jun 26, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed an action in the Magistrate’s Court against two investors on charges of having committed the offence of market manipulation with regard to the shares of E-Channelling PLC. The action was filed on the basis of evidence elicited during the course of […]