Category: Featured
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 […]
Sri Lanka updates HRC on measures taken to advance human rights, peace and security
Jun 26, 2019 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka delegation to the Human Rights Council briefed the Council on progress made in addressing human rights concerns, national security imperatives, as well as reconciliation priorities. Sri Lanka’s intervention under agenda item 2 of the council, followed the oral update provided by the UN High Commissioner for Human […]
Sri Lanka GDP accelarates to 3.7-pct in Q1 2019
June 20, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s economic growth rate is estimated as 3.7 percent for the first quarter of 2019, data from the state statistics office show. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at constant (20 I0) prices for the first quarter of 2019 recorded as 2,326,273 million rupees and GOP reported for the first […]
Sri Lanka CB launch roadmap for sustainable finance
Jun 20, 2019 (LBO) – The Central Bank launched the roadmap for sustainable finance in Sri Lanka and hosted a high-level seminar for senior officers of financial institutions and stakeholders, recently. This was the national launch of the roadmap for sustainable finance which was unveiled globally in April 2019 at the sustainable banking network global […]
Advocata commends Government’s decision to shut down SaluSala
Jun 19, 2019 (LBO) – Advocata Institute commends President Maithripala Sirisena’s directive to shut down the loss-making, state-owned handloom enterprise Salu Sala. While we commend this decision, we are also anticipating the official gazette enacting this statement. The SaluSala, now a white elephant to society, was once the only state textile trading enterprise in the […]
Govt provides sovereign guarantee to RDB Bank to obtain USD 50mn loan from ADB
Jun 15, 2019 (LBO) – Government has facilitated the Pradeshiya Sanwardana Bank, by providing a sovereign guarantee, to obtain a loan amounting to 50 million US dollars from the ADB which is operating islandwide providing financial and advisory services to Micro, small and medium enterprises. The Finance Ministry said the project will increase employment opportunities […]
Data on violence against women crucial to understanding magnitude of issue: Report
Jun 14, 2019 (LBO) – One in three female homicides in Sri Lanka are related to intimate partner violence and 69 percent of such incidences go unreported, according to a study done in five provinces commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). In 2018, the High Commission of Canada to Sri Lanka issued a […]
Cabinet nod for implementation of promotion programs to minimize effects attacks on tourism
May 30, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has approved several relief packages for the tourism industry in the island. Approval was given to a proposal presented by Johm Amaratunga, minister of Tourism Development, Wild Life and Christian Religious Affairs for the implementation of a combined promotion program with overseas tour operators who […]
Sri Lanka exports up 5.6-pct: Imports down
May 29, 2019 (LBO) – Export earnings increased by 5.6 percent (year-on-year) while import expenditure declined by 19.3 percent during the first quarter of 2019, the Central bank said. The deficit in the trade account contracted to 1,661 million US dollars from 2,982 million dollars recorded in the first quarter of 2018. In March 2019, […]
Advocata supports recommendations from experts on restructuring of SriLankan
May 24, 2019 (LBO) – During the ten year period when the management of SriLankan Airlines was under Emirates, the airline enjoyed a decade of profits. This is in stark contrast to the period of 2009-2017, when SriLankan Airlines was under state management, and accumulated losses of Rs. 148,707 mn. The restructuring is critical as […]
Hayleys revenue up 34-pct YoY to Rs.219Bn in FY 18/19
May 22, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Hayleys PLC, group revenue expanded by 34 percent yoy to 219 billion rupees while operating profit before interest increased by 40 percent yoy to 15.9 billion rupees in the financial year ended 31st March 2019 (FY18/19). The group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for FY […]
Sri Lanka arrests suspects of mob violence in the island
May 15, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Police continued to arrest and remand dozens of persons linked to communal attacks in several towns in the island, which erupted countrywide starting Monday night. Issuing a statement the Police said they had arrested 14 suspects from Minuwangoda while another 60 persons have been arrested in the Wayamba […]