Category: Economy and Markets
Opinion: Introducing import licenses will worsen Sri Lanka’s economic crisis
Advocata Extraordinary Gazette No 2270/18 of March 2022, imposes import restrictions on 367 goods determined as “non-essential” by the Ministry of Finance. These can now only be imported under a license issued by the controller general of imports and exports control. This move tightens already existing import restrictions on a series of imported goods ranging […]
Interview: Resilience, creativity and talent will make Sri Lankan apparel thrive globally
Sri Lanka’s apparel sector contributes 6% to the country’s GDP and accounts for almost half of all merchandise exports. The sector provides direct employment to 350,000 workers and an additional 700,000 Sri Lankans receive livelihood opportunities as part of the larger supply chain.Sharad Amalean, Chairman of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), talks about JAAF’s […]
Advisory Committee proposes five urgent recommendations to National Economic Council
The Advisory Committee appointed to assist the National Economic Council has made five recommendations that need to be implemented immediately.The members of the Advisory Committee met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and members of the National Economic Council for the first time this morning (21) and presented the set of proposals.The President appointed a 16-member Advisory Committee […]
CL Synergy announces forthcoming IPO as next step in growth strategy
CL Synergy Limited has received official approval from the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) for its Initial Public Offering, which is set to open on the 7th of April 2022. The anticipated IPO by one of Sri Lanka’s fast-growing freight forwarding solutions providers will issue an offer for a subscription of 63 million new ordinary voting […]
Proposed additional incentive scheme for workers’ remittances & exporters to be rescinded
Sri Lanka’s government has decided not to implement the proposed scheme for additional incentives for remittances by expatriate workers and net earnings of exporters. CBSL Media Release As a result of the decision of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to allow flexibility in the exchange rate, the exchange rate seems to have now reached […]
President says no truth in the report that the CBSL Governor was asked to step down
With reference to news reports that CBSL Governor was asked to step down, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today said, “The news stories that Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal has been requested to step down is completely false. Governor Cabraal enjoys my fullest confidence and trust and has been a tower of strength in responding to […]
Meeting held between President and IMF representatives
Several representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (15). The IMF delegation comprised of its Asia Pacific Department Director Dr. Changyong Rhee, Deputy Director Dr.Anne-Marie Gulde-Wolf and IMF Resident Representative for Sri Lanka and Maldives Dr. Tubagus Feridhanusetyawan. Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Secretary […]
Cabinet approval to initiate discussions with IMF for technical assistance
Cabinet approval has been granted to initiate a discussion with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for technical assistance, Co-Cabinet Spokesman, Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said. “Cabinet approval has been given to the finance minister to go ahead and discuss with the IMF and their representatives are already in Sri Lanka. We are getting their […]
Advisory committee appointed to advise National Economic Council
The cabinet nod has been received to appoint an advisory committee to advise the National Economic Council after the council came under fire for the absence of expert economists and business leaders. The 16-member advisory committee comprises Prof. H D Karunaratne, Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda, Dr. Dushni Weerakoon, Dhammika Perera, Krishan Balendra, Ashroff Omar, Dr. Hans […]
”’s proposed subordinated debt
Fitch Ratings has withdrawn the expected National Long-Term Rating of ‘BBB+(EXP)(lka)’ assigned to HNB Finance PLC’s (HNBF; A(lka)/Stable) proposed Sri Lankan rupee-denominated subordinated unsecured debentures on 21 September 2021. Fitch is withdrawing the expected rating as the issuance is no longer expected to convert to a final rating in the near future. KEY RATING DRIVERS […]
Central Bank issues new rules on repatriation of export proceeds into Sri Lanka
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank has issued new rules in respect of the receipt of export proceeds into Sri Lanka and the conversion of such export proceeds into Sri Lanka rupees.
Central Bank indicative spot exchange rate surpasses Rs250 per USD
The indicative USD spot exchange rate of the Central Bank has surpassed 250 rupees (251.97 rupees) per dollar on Friday even though they earlier expected forex transactions to take place at levels that are not more than 230 rupees per dollar. Accordingly, the indicative USD spot exchange rate which is the weighted average rate of […]