Despite total merchandise export income surpassing US$ 1 billion, the export lag persisted into August, primarily attributable to the lackluster performance of Sri Lanka’s largest industrial export sector, apparels & textiles.
Sri Lanka’s lubricant market contracted in the second quarter of the year on a year-on-year (YoY) and a quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) basis, reflecting the reduced activity level in economy, following the unprecedented economic crisis that gripped the country last year.
Sri Lanka’s vehicle importers this week cried foul of the government’s move to permit electric and hybrid electric vehicle imports with zero tariff to one company, under the guise of electric and hybrid vehicle assembling in the country, which they claimed could deprive the state coffers billions of rupees while causing a massive foreign exchange outflow during the next two-year period.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Kristalina Georgieva yesterday received firsthand insights on Sri Lanka’s progress in its reforms efforts with President Ranil Wickremesinghe sharing details on key economic matters.
In a bid to further strengthen trade relations between Sri Lanka and the United States, both nations asserted the need to improve transparency and efficiency in approving foreign direct investment (FDI) in the island nation.
The United States (US) coming to Sri Lanka to discuss bilateral trade and investment speaks not only to the resilience of the Sri Lankan people but also to the hard work of Sri Lanka’s dedicated public servants, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said. Addressing the 14th Council Meeting of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in Colombo yesterday, Chung noted that the challenge looking ahead for Sri Lanka is not just one of su
The Monetary Board, as the custodian of the Employment Provident Fund (EPF), yesterday announced that it has considered the options available and has decided to opt for the Debt Exchange offer with a long-term view in the best interest
CNN: The European Union is launching an investigation into China’s state support for makers of electric vehicles as soaring imports of their cars stoke fears for the future of European auto manufacturers. Speaking to the European Parliament yesterday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe was open to competition but “not for a race to the bottom”.
Amidst strong opposition from exporters and the country’s business chambers, the government has decided to postpone the earlier decision to abolish the Simplified Value-Added Tariff (SVAT) system until April 1, 2025.
The Central Bank chief yesterday slammed the misleading views repeatedly shared by different sections of the economy on the Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO), doing more harm than good for the country. Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe did not mince his words yesterday in calling out the entities and individuals who have contributed to the brewing of negative sentiments regarding the whole debt restructuring exercise, which has given
Sri Lanka will be able to have a more predictable environment for economic and social development going forward, with the government yesterday setting in motion the much-awaited national evaluation policy framework.
Sri Lanka is stepping up efforts to improve the governance and legislation framework of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), with the primary goal of significantly enhancing their performance and simultaneously mitigating the adverse impact of certain loss-making SOEs on the overall state finances.
Although Sri Lanka’s access to international capital markets is expected to be restored “quite soon,” Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said there is no need for the government to explore that option.
Despite the temporary setback in tea production in Sri Lanka, due to the dry weather in August, the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) expects the tea output to exceed 260 million kilos this year and the prices to stabilise with winter buying during the next four months. Addressing the Annual General Meeting of the Tea Exporters Association held in Colombo last Friday, SLTB Chairman Niraj De Mel acknowledged that the unusual “hot August” slowed down the
Former Central Bank Governor and senior economist Dr. Indrajith Coomaraswamy sounded upbeat on the prospects of Sri Lanka satisfying the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the upcoming review this month as it has exceeded expectations in certain aspects.
Sri Lanka’s upcoming global tourism campaign is slated to showcase the island nation from a new perspective, highlighting a wider range of experiences to a broader audience. The concept of the global campaign, which was launched in the second week of August but shared with the media only on Tuesday (29), focuses on repositioning Sri Lanka as a destination worthy of revisits, instead of a mere bucket list destination.
Global digital payments leader Visa plans to launch its Visa Government Solutions (VGS) in Sri Lanka, to help improve the nation’s payment infrastructure. The VGS is expected to bring technologies to Sri Lanka, which will focus on transparency and the manner in which the government deals with its finances.
In a bid to quicken the decline in lending rates in the economy in line with the recent policy rate cuts, the Central Bank has directed banks to cut rupee loan rates by 250 basis points by October-end and by a further 100 basis points by December-end from the levels as of July-end in addition to announcing interest rate caps on select lending products.
Sri Lanka has a clear opportunity to deploy offshore wind generation, the World Bank (WB) said; however, there are important technical and economic challenges and risks that can make the opportunity less attractive to investors and project developers.
Tourist arrivals surpass 63,000 in first half of October
EDB gets new chief
Colombo welcomes Cinnamon Life
New Board of Directors appointed for SriLankan Airlines
Easter attack: controversy swirls further high
Catholic Church rebuffs Gammanpila’s allegations
Easter Sunday attack: Ravi Seneviratne’s name implicated
SL unveils new ’P’ series passport with enhanced security features