Trade deficit widens in March for first time in almost a year

Trade deficit in March widened for the first time nearly in a year as imports recovered almost at the same pace as exports partly driven by seasonal demand, leading to a widening of the trade deficit in the first quarter, the latest data released by the Central Bank showed.

CB largely expected to hold rates on Thursday

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 third wave in the country, First Capital Research (FCR) is largely ruling out a possible rate cut and expects the Central Bank (CB) to hold policy rates at the fourth monetary policy review announcement of the year scheduled for this Thursday (20th).

BoC first quarter profit soars on surge in loans

Profits at Bank of Ceylon (BoC) soared as the State lending giant saw a burst in loans in the three months ended in March (1Q21) as the economy was off to a robust start while the lender was also at the forefront in channelling billions of funds into priority economic sectors promoting the government’s economic agenda.

WB expects worker remittances to SA to moderate this year

The World Bank (WB) projects that the inward remittance flows to South Asia will slow slightly to 3.5 percent year-on-year (YoY) this year, after rising by around 5.2 percent YoY in 2020, defying the predictions.

World Bank says informal sector issues could slow recovery from COVID-19

Governments in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) such as Sri Lanka are urged by the World Bank (WB) to adopt a comprehensive set of policies to address the drawbacks of informal sectors,

Presidential Task Force to push Sri Lanka towards green socio-economy

Sri Lanka yesterday saw the establishment of a Presidential Task Force to help the country transition to a green socio-economy with sustainable solutions to climate change.

EPF’s asset base grows in 2020; but returns to members slip

The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), Sri Lanka’s largest retirement savings fund, grew by 11.2 percent or Rs.283.9 billion in assets in 2020, albeit the returns afforded to the member accounts slipped amid the fast descent seen in the country’s interest rates.

Commercial agriculture sector fears worst from proposed fertilizer ban

While calling for wide stakeholder consultations in implementing the announced ban on chemical fertilizers and agrochemicals in Sri Lanka, the country’s tea, rubber, coconut and fruit & vegetable growers in commercial agriculture warned of far reaching implications from such a ban.

CB hints at when it could apply brakes on record stimulus

For the first time since the current dovish policy run began in January 2020, the Central Bank recently insinuated that at which point it could either end or reduce providing more gas by way of monetary stimulus, which was unleashed to power the current expansion seen in the economy.

Five-year consolidation plan for NBFI sector

The Central Bank says it would put in place a five-year consolidation plan for the non-bank financial institution (NBFI) sector, embarking on a time-bound execution framework to reduce the number of finance companies to 25 from the current 40.

Central Bank mulls dedicated AMC to manage sour assets

NBFI sector NPLs rose sharply to 13.9% in 2020, from 10.6% in 2019, steadily rising from 5.3% in 2016 Sri Lanka is planning to set up a dedicated institution where the banks can sell their distressed assets for third party institutions for their separate management,

State borrowings soared in March ahead of festive season

The State sector borrowings soared in March as salaries and bonuses fell due for the country’s bloated public sector while supplier bills needed settlement ahead of New Year holidays.

SL overshoots budget deficit as pandemic puts strain on state revenue

Sri Lanka’s fiscal deficit for 2020 exceeded both the deficit target for the year and the deficit in 2019, as the pandemic-induced economic disruptions put a strain on revenues, while the tax cuts failed to produce their desired economic resurgence.

March worker remittance income soars over 24%

Remittance incomes from Sri Lankans working abroad continued its climb for the eleventh consecutive month as March earnings accelerated over 24 percent over the same month in 2020, marking the recent highest jump since the current run began in May last year.

Central Bank releases 2020 annual report

In terms of Section 35 of the Monetary Law Act No. 58 of 1949, the seventy first annual report of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka was presented to Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa by Central Bank Governor Deshamanya Prof. W.D. Lakshman.

Private sector players forward 25-point list on Tourism Act amendment

The private sector stakeholders of the tourism sector continue to advocate halting the amendments to the current Tourism Act, however should the legislation governing the industry be changed, the sector players said it is essential for the relevant authorities to take into account a list of their requirements.

Merchandise export earnings almost touch US $ 3bn in 1Q

Sri Lanka’s merchandise export earnings nearly touched the US $ 3 billion mark in the first quarter of the year, after March earnings topped US $ 1 billion for the first time since last September.

Firms raise record debt making the most of low rates

A record amount of money has been raised by Sri Lankan companies as historically low interest rates have drawn them to the debt capital market, looking for the best deal in town with the aim of locking in low cost funds at least for the next five to seven years.

CB issues priority sector lending targets to banks

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank has issued priority sector lending targets to banks as part of its wide-ranging efforts to direct funding to the sectors identified as priority and deemed as high potential in generating jobs, export earnings and overall economic growth.

Sri Lanka-India air bubble likely to be put on hold

With the suspension of the inaugural flight to Kushinagar Airport, India, it is likely that the travel bubble pursued between Sri Lanka and India to boost tourism be put on hold.

Top Chinese academic advises Sri Lanka to consider joining RCEP

A leading Chinese academic and free trade zone expert urged Sri Lanka to consider joining the newly formed multilateral trade pact, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), to reap the full benefits of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

CB plans to raise up to US $ 750mn in SLDBs ahead of record maturities

The Central Bank (CB) plans to raise up to record US $ 750 million in Sri Lanka Development Bonds (Treasury Bonds denominated in US dollars) ahead of the US $ 694 million SLDB maturity scheduled for May 1, this year.

Port City to add US$ 30bn to Sri Lanka’s economic output

The Colombo Port City (CPC) project is estimated to add a mammoth US$ 30 billion in fresh economic output to Sri Lanka’s gross domestic product through 2041, propelling the country towards the developed country club, according to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Sri Lanka’s current gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to be around US$ 84 billion.

Local producers begin to feel rise in cost of production

Sri Lanka’s producers are beginning to feel higher cost of production, potentially activating what could be a vicious cycle of higher producer prices,

Rupee to stabilise at Rs.175- 180 range against dollar by year end: Cabraal

State Minister of Money & Capital Markets and State Enterprise Reforms, Ajith Nivard Cabraal expects Sri Lankan rupee to stabilise at Rs.175-Rs.180 range against US dollar by end of this year, supported by anticipated boost from proposed increase in International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Special Drawing Rights (SDR) combined with expected improvements in the country’s external account.

Cabraal defends Colombo Port City Commission Bill

While dismissing claims on Colombo Port City (CPC) is on the verge of becoming a Chinese colony and concerns on potential money laundering activities, Money and Capital Markets and State Enterprise Reforms State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal defended the Colombo Port City Commission Bill, stressing that it is in line with the country’s Constitution and it will attract foreign investments to CPC to become an international business hub.

CB extends suspension on banks from buying sovereign bonds

The Central Bank has extended the suspension on banks from purchasing Sri Lanka-issued international sovereign bonds (SLISBs) till April 23 in a bid to ward off the pressure on the rupee.

Prime lending rate touches fresh low

The prime lending rate touched a fresh low last week after the Monetary Board said it would maintain the current accommodative monetary policy, reaffirming markets that low interest rates are required to further support the current revival seen in the economy.

Tourism industry stakeholders slam SLTDA over new Act

The key stakeholders of the local tourism industry yesterday slammed the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) for pushing the drafting of a new Tourism Act, without consulting the private sector.

Central Bank keeps policy interest rates unchanged

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank yesterday left policy interest rates unchanged at current levels as the economy appears have responded positively to earlier measures taken to provide extraordinary support to individuals and businesses beset by the pandemic.