Category: Economy and Markets
CBSL reduces policy rates by 1-pct to accelerate downward adjustment in lending rates
The first monetary policy review by the Monetary Policy Board under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023 (CBA) was held on 04 October 2023. In this review, the Board decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by […]
World Bank expects solid growth but risky outlook for South Asia
South Asia is expected to grow by 5.8 percent this year—higher than any other developing country region in the world, but slower than its pre-pandemic pace and not fast enough to meet its development goals, says the World Bank in its twice-a-year regional outlook. Released today, the latest South Asia Development Update, Toward Faster, Cleaner Growthforecastsgrowth to […]
David Cameron kicks off Port City Colombo’s global investment drive
Representatives of top corporations in the UAE, accompanied by high-potential investors, property developers, hotel owners, and leaders in the hospitality and real estate industries, converged in the iconic settings of the Ritz Carlton in Abu Dhabi and the Armani Hotel at Burj Khalifa in Dubai to explore, understand, and assess the investment potential of Sri […]
SL economy to grow by 1.7-pct:Revenue mobilization fundamental for sustainable fiscal path
Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to grow by 1.7% in 2024 after contracting by 3.8% in 2023, says the World Bank in its twice-a-year update, while signaling that the outlook is clouded with uncertainty and that growth prospects depend on progress with debt restructuring and the implementation of critical structural reforms. Released today, the Sri Lanka […]
Sri Lanka slips in economic freedom: Report
Lanka—Sri Lanka ranks 116 out of 165 jurisdictions included in the Economic Freedom of the World: 2023 Annual Report, released by Advocata Institute in conjunction with Canada’s Fraser Institute. The current ranking represents a decline in the economic freedom of the country which ranked 104th during 2020. The report measures the economic freedom of individuals—their […]
‘CTO – the Psychologist’: A role banking tech leaders must master to ensure digital change
By Janaka Ediriweera Dr. Corrie Block, an Organizational Behavior Expert and a business coach in the UAE, asks, ‘If you were to go in for heart surgery, buy a new car, or say your wedding vows to someone knowing that there was an 84% chance of failure…would you even bother?’ He uses this metaphor to […]
”’ from Restricted Default
Fitch Ratings has upgraded Sri Lanka’s Long- Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘CCC-‘ from ‘RD’ (Restricted Default). Fitch typically does not assign Outlooks to sovereigns with a rating of ‘CCC+’ or below. The Long-Term Foreign-Currency IDR has been affirmed at ‘RD’ and the Country Ceiling at ‘B-‘. The Short-Term Local-Currency IDR has been […]
CCPI-based headline inflation decreased to 1.3-pct in September 2023
Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2021=100)1 decreased to 1.3% in September 2023 from 4.0% in August 2023. The decline in the headline inflation is mostly in line with the projections envisaged by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) in July 2023. The Food […]
We will continue discussions with the goal of reaching a staff-level agreement in the near term: IMF Staff Mission
The team will continue its discussions in the context of the First Review with the goal of reaching a staff-level agreement in the near term, says the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission. “As Sri Lanka is restructuring its public debt which is in arrears, Executive Board approval of the first program review requires the completion […]
””; Outlook stable
S&P Global Ratings today raised its long- and short-term local currency sovereign credit ratings on Sri Lanka to ‘CCC+/C’ from ‘SD/SD’ (selective default). At the same time, we affirmed our ‘SD/SD’ long- and short-term foreign currency ratings. The outlook on the ‘CCC+’ long-term local currency rating is stable. We also raised the issue rating on […]
Sinopec pledges to fuel Sri Lanka as it commences operations
Sinopec announced its official entry into Sri Lanka’s dynamic fuel retail market at the felicitation event for local distributors held on the 25 th of September in Colombo. This momentous occasion also marked the commencement of fuel supply to Sri Lanka’s filling stations.With the entry, Sinopec is committed to giving full play to its advantages, […]
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports surpassed USD 1 billion mark in August
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increased by 6.98 % to US$ 1,091.6 Million in August 2023 compared to July 2023 as per the provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Customs. However, it is a 10.91 % decrease when compared to the value recorded in August 2022. The decline in merchandise exports is due to decreased […]