Category: Economy and Markets
Opinion: Sri Lanka needs GSP+ now more than ever
By Felix Fernando Much has been said of the potential economic costs to Sri Lanka, of losing the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus trade concessions to the European Union (EU). While these costs will be high, the social and human costs are likely to be even greater. Considering official statistics for 2021, available up […]
”; Outlook evolving
Fitch Ratings has downgraded Abans Finance PLC’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A-(lka)’ from ‘A(lka)’. The Outlook is evolving, a statement said. The rating agency has also downgraded the company’s proposed senior unsecured debt to ‘A- (EXP)(lka)’, from ‘A(EXP)(lka)’. KEY RATING DRIVERS The downgrade follows the downgrade of the National Long-Term Rating of Abans Finance’s parent […]
Central Bank launches National Remittance Mobile App
The Central Bank initiated a National Remittance Mobile Application branded as “Lanka Remit” providing Sri Lankans working abroad direct access to the existing remittance channels, as well as facilitate their ability to choose more convenient and cost-effective remittance channels to send money to Sri Lanka. Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank, Sampath Bank, Hatton National Bank, […]
Opposition SJB opposes imposing 25-pct tax on EPF funds, says Eran
The Opposition is totally opposed to levying a 25% tax on the EPF Fund, said Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne at a press conference held at the Opposition Leader’s Office yesterday. “This Government has decided in an unprecedented manner to impose a 25% surcharge on the income of the Employees Provident Fund. EPF has never been taxed […]
“Opposition calls on Govt for urgent dialogue with them,” MP Harsha
Opposition parliamentarians have urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to initiate a dialogue with them to better understand the current economic issues facing the nation and find solutions together. “We are all in this together,” Dr. Harsha De Silva, an opposition member of parliament said addressing a media briefing yesterday. “The Governor of the Central Bank reiterates […]
“Growing sense of insecurity among people despite years of development growth,” UN report
Global development progress does not automatically lead to a greater sense of security, according to a new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report on human security released Thursday. New data and analysis in the report, New Threats to Human Security in the Anthropocene, shows that people’s sense of safety and security is at a low […]
Sri Lanka will settle USD 1bn ISB maturing in July; no debt restructuring needed, says CBSL
The Government and the CBSL have already taken necessary measures to secure alternative forex inflows via a number of bilateral and multilateral funding arrangements to meet the upcoming debt obligations, including the US dollars 1 billion ISB maturing in July 2022, the Central Bank said. Releasing a statement, the bank said that with the realisation […]
Sri Lanka official reserves down to USD 2.36bn in January; Gold reserves down further
Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets were 2.4 billion US dollars (USD 2,361mn) by the end of January, down from 3.1 billion US dollars in December last year, the latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of January, the foreign currency reserves were 2,078 million dollars while the reserve position in the IMF was 67 […]
Venture Engine shortlists Sri Lanka’s top fundable startups
Venture Engine, Sri Lanka’s pioneering startup acceleration program, has entered the final phase of its tenth edition with the selection of its top 10 grouping of finalists. The program’s next, and final, stage is the showcasing of these finalists to potential investors as “Sri Lanka’s Top Fundable Startups” at the Venture Engine finale, which is […]
RigServ opens global resource centre in SL; Plans to empower local IT sector
Supply chain and technology consulting company, RigServ, recently commenced operations in Sri Lanka via its dedicated Global Resource Centre which employs 50 subject experts in their relevant industrial areas. RigServ offers clients industry expertise as well as data-driven, impartial, and creative solutions to their most difficult situations. RigServ was founded in 2014 by operational and […]
Sunshine Group 9-month revenue up 39-pct driven by Healthcare & Agribusiness sectors
Fueled by strong growth in all business sectors, diversified Sri Lankan conglomerate Sunshine Holdings PLC (CSE: SUN) reported impressive growth in top and bottom-line performances during the first nine months of the current financial year (9MFY22). During this period, the Group posted consolidated revenue of Rs. 24 billion, up by 39% Year-on-Year (YoY).Group’s Profit After […]
‘s economic policies
Explaining the economic policy of the future SJB government, Eran Wickramaratne M.P. said that the SJB has already decided to allow the use of chemical fertilizer in order to promote export- oriented value -added commercial agriculture. He also said that future SJB government will give priority to exports and the government will mediate directly to […]