Category: Economy and Markets
JKH recurring EBITDA grows 152-pct to Rs.39.26Bn for 2021/22
The Group witnessed a strong recovery momentum during the year under review with the recurring performance of most of our businesses reaching pre-COVID-19 levels. • Group revenue increased by 71 per cent to Rs.218.07 billion while recurring Group EBITDA increased by 152 per cent to Rs.39.26 billion. The significant growth in profits was driven by […]
UN assures assistance to Sri Lanka in addressing current economic challenges
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris met the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombo, Hanaa Singer- Hamdy on 23 May, 2022 to discuss multiple impacts arising out of the current economic situation in the country such as supply of essential items, concerns regarding food security and livelihood matters. The Minister underscored that the Government […]
Ceylon Chamber call for few more edits to the 21st amendment to the constitution of Sri Lanka
In a letter to the Minister of Justice, Constitutional Affairs and Prison Reform the joint Chambers of Commerce has called for a further strengthening of the 21st amendment through a few more amendments necessitated by past learnings and current context to meet the aspirations of the people, including the business community, who are seeking a […]
Financial services company Lazard & law firm Clifford Chance appointed for debt restructuring
The Cabinet has previously approved the provision of the services of an International Financial Adviser and an International Legal Adviser for the Restructuring of External Debt of the Government. According to the call for proposals, 28 proposals have been received regarding obtaining the services of a financial advisor and 23 proposals regarding obtaining the services […]
NCPI based headline inflation accelerated to 34-pct in April; food inflation increased to 45-pct
Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in the National Consumer Price Index increased to 33.8% in April 2022 from 21.5% in March 2022. This increase in Y-o-Y inflation was driven by the monthly increases of both Food and Non-Food categories. Subsequently, Food inflation (Y-o-Y) increased to 45.1% in April 2022 from 29.5% […]
Sri Lankan merchandise exports grew to an all-time record for the month of April
Earnings from the merchandise exports increased by 11.87% y-o-y to US$ 915.3 Mn in April 2022, the highest monthly value recorded for the month of April. This was mainly due to the increase in earnings from the export of Apparel & Textiles, Coconut based products, and Rubber-based products. Further, a sizable increase was recorded in […]
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Fitch Ratings has affirmed the rating on SriLankan Airlines Limited’s (SLA) USD175 million government-guaranteed 7% unsecured bonds due 25 June 2024 at ‘C’. The affirmation follows the 19 May 2022 downgrade of Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘RD’ from ‘C’, and the downgrade of its foreign-currency bonds issued in international markets […]
We will support govt in reinstating previous tax regime & IMF reforms: Eran Wickramaratne
Statement on Sri Lanka Defaulting on Foreign Debt Payments by Eran Wickramaratne M.P., Former State Minister of Finance On 12 April 2022, Sri Lanka suspended repayment on most of the government’s external foreign currency debt, including the International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) and bilateral debt. With the end of the 30-days grace period since the ISB […]
Transparency International presents 15 points on essential anti-corruption reforms to revive Sri Lanka
2022 has so far been a tumultuous year for Sri Lanka. With the country teetering dangerously close to defaulting, economists have noted that the situation will only get worse before it can get better. Transparency International Sri Lanka maintains its stance that the prevailing crisis has been caused by decades of misuse and mismanagement of public […]
‘s current rating associated with 35-pct to 65-pct recovery rate: Moody’s
On 18 May, Sri Lanka (Ca stable) defaulted on its international bonds for the first time, after failing to make its coupon payments that were due on 18 April within the 30-day grace period. The government announced that it would suspend external debt-service payments on 12 April and pursue comprehensive external public debt restructuring in […]
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Fitch Ratings has downgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency (LTFC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘RD’ (restricted default) from ‘C’. Fitch typically does not assign modifiers for sovereigns with a rating of ‘CCC’, or below. KEY RATING DRIVERS Grace Period Ends: The downgrade of Sri Lanka’s LTFC IDR to ‘RD’ follows expiry of the 30-day grace period […]
CBSL issues order imposing LC deposit margin requirement for over 700 non-essential items
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has directed commercial banks with immediate effect that Letters of Credit (LCs) should not be opened for the importation of non-essential goods (see below) unless such LCs are covered by a non-interest-bearing cash margin deposit requirement of 100 percent maintained at the time of opening the LC. Banks have further directed […]