July trade deficit expands on surging imports; exports recover

Sri Lanka’s trade deficit continued to expand in July 2021 from a year ago levels, as imports surged surpassing the increase in exports, amid the rise in global commodity prices and higher imported volumes.

Data shows signs of front-loading of certain import goods up to July

There were signs of excessive imports of certain categories up to July this year, reflecting front-loading by a section of traders, a claim, which was repeatedly made by the Central Bank, while partly attributing it to the current undue pressure on the dollar-rupee exchange rate.

CB Governor Lakshman to step down on Sept. 14

Central Bank Governor Prof. W.D. Lakshman yesterday formally announced that he is stepping down from the post prematurely, with effect from the 14th of this month.

Grip on imports further tightened to mitigate pressure on currency

Amid a slew of measures taken in the recent past to alleviate the pressure on the currency, the Monetary Board of the Central Bank this week decided to further limit importation of some 623 products under 11 categories, which are deemed “non-essential /non urgent,” unless such imports are covered by 100 percent cash margin.

No lockdown travel restrictions for tourists

Quoting a health communiqué issued by Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, on September 3, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) yesterday in a statement said the prevailing lockdown and travel restriction rules would not apply to international tourists visiting Sri Lanka.

CB asks banks not to quote above Rs.200 when buying dollars

The Central Bank has written to banks asking them not to quote outside Rs.200/Rs.203 level for US dollars on all foreign exchange transactions as banks were quoting Rs.238 for a dollar by Monday amid exporters continuing to withhold selling dollars in the domestic market to book massive conversion profits hoping that the rupee would further shed value.

Govt. says no to addition of any new coal-fired power plants

The government has ruled out any coal-based capacity additions or new coal-fired power plants as it reaffirms on the target set for the country’s power sector to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 while meeting 70 percent of the country’s power generation through renewable energy sources by 2030.

Lending rates respond to policy rate hike as Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate crosses 6%

Market lending rates have began responding to the policy rate and banks’ reserves ratio hikes announced on August 19, as prime customers witness their loans becoming pricier for the third straight week as the benchmark rate climbed above 6.0 percent last week.

Food shortage will worsen with excessive price controls, cautions Advocata

The government moving to implement harsh price controls will have detrimental effects on the economy and the people are likely to experience further difficulties as the food shortages could further worsen.

CB extends loan moratorium, other relief to pandemic-affected borrowers till December

Borrowers who continue to be battered by the pandemic-induced restrictions on their income generating activities are given further four months of loan relief and a host of other concessions, effective from September 01, 2021. The fresh round of payment holidays for affected borrowers came as the most recent relief scheme—third since the start of the pandemic.

Govt. announces plans for new foreign currency term loan

In a fresh attempt to rebuild the country’s foreign reserves ahead of external debt services running into billions next year, the Finance Ministry this week called for proposals from banks, investment houses and institutional investors to raise a foreign currency term loan denominated in US dollars, euro, renminbi or Japanese yen.

Govt. prepares for austerity measures; no decision on IMF assistance yet

Although the government is yet to reach a definite decision whether to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or not, it has begun preparations for austerity measures such as freezing new recruitments and restructuring welfare programmes in order to curtail government expenditure in the upcoming budget 2022 amid a narrowing fiscal path.

Despite policy rate hike, CB stresses still in easing cycle

Pushing back on claims made to the effect of reversal in the monetary policy towards a hawkish stance from a dovish stance, the Central Bank said it hasn’t made a turnabout and the measures last week were predominantly aimed at addressing some of the imbalances cropped up in the last few months in the foreign exchange market and also to pre-empt signs of some price pressures.

Budget deficit expands in 1H despite higher tax revenue

Sri Lanka’s fiscal deficit expanded slightly despite higher revenues during the first six months of 2021 compared to the same period last year, made possible by the higher tax revenues collected during the first three months of the year from a burst in economic activities, before things began to sour thereafter due to virus related restrictions on the economy.

S&P revises down SL’s outlook to negative; ‘CCC+/C’ rating affirmed

S&P Global Ratings yesterday revised its outlook on Sri Lanka’s long-term ratings to negative, from stable, while affirming its ‘CCC+’ long-term sovereign credit ratings and ‘C’ short-term ratings on Sri Lanka.

IMF’s SDR allocation will only provide some breathing space for Sri Lanka: IIF

The Internal Monetary Fund’s (IMF) US$ 800 million Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) allocation to Sri Lanka is only likely to provide some breathing space to the debt-ridden nation to delay a much needed IMF programme for a possible debt structuring until early next year, according to the Institute of International Finance (IIF), a Washington-based global association of the financial services industry.

Central Bank imposes 5% maximum rate on forex deposits in local banks

Reinforcing an early cap imposed on the foreign currency-denominated deposits by the local banks, the Central Bank yesterday issued an order stipulating the maximum rate at 5.0 percent for deposits denominated in foreign currency up to one year, barring for special foreign currency deposits the regulator introduced last year.

PUCSL and CEBEU blame each other over arbitration case that could cost US$ 160mn to SL

The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) and Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) are throwing the blame at each other as a Malaysia-based renewable energy investor has resorted to arbitrary action against the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) for the cancellation of 35MW wind and solar power renewable energy project in Kankesanthurai while claiming US$ 160 million in damages from the Sri Lankan government.

CEB instructed to come up with fresh long-term generation plan

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has instructed the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to come up with a fresh Long-Term Power Generation Expansion Plan, complying with the 70 percent renewable energy power generation target set by the government for 2030.

Citibank doesn’t rule out further rate hikes by CB

Citibank in a note issued soon after last week’s monetary policy action said although the Central Bank would pause for sometime given the temporary respite they may get from the envisaged foreign inflows via swaps and others, it did not rule out further hikes in policy rates towards the end of the year and next year to keep external challenges in check.

July merchandise exports top US $ 1bn after four months

Sri Lanka’s merchandise export earnings surpassed the US $ 1 billion mark in July, after a lapse of four months, where a similar achievement was only recorded in March during this year.

CB ends pandemic era policy stimulus as key rates raised by 50bps

The Monetary Board yesterday raised policy interest rates, ending its unprecedented monetary support extended to the pandemic-hit economy in a bid to address recent external sector imbalances and ward off medium term price pressures to make sure the economy is on track to record 5.0 percent growth this year.

Local firms raise over Rs.77bn through CSE in first 7 months

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) evidently had been one of the most preferred options for local corporates of all sizes to raise capital in the first seven months of 2021.

Subdued economy to stay through Sept. as Delta wreaks havoc

The lingering virus could dampen the economic activities through the end of September, further delaying any hopes for a tangible recovery in the economy, which was continuously battered by half a decade of subdued growth before contracting last year.

July foreign reserves weaken after US$ 1bn bond settlement

Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves weakened as expected in July after the government settled a billion dollar bond with coupons among other obligations on July 27.

Trade gap widens for fourth consecutive month in June

The trade deficit continued to widen for the fourth consecutive month in June on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, as imports grew at a faster pace, driven by consumer and investment goods, surpassing the pre-COVID levels, despite a decline in the fuel import bill and import restrictions in place.

Hela plans Rs.4bn IPO on CSE to fund growth here and Africa

One of the fastest growing apparel manufacturers in Africa, Sri Lanka-headquartered Hela Apparel Holdings plans to raise up to Rs.4 billion (US$ 20 million) by offering 20 percent stake in the company through an initial public offering (IPO) on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) to fund growth initiatives in Sri Lanka and Africa, including its immediate expansion into Egypt.

Citibank says Sri Lanka’s ability to settle US $ 1bn bond mid next year “less than likely”

With no considerable foreign exchange inflows in sight,

Cement industry likely to be next victim of price controls

Sri Lanka’s cement industry could become the latest victim of controlled prices as manufacturers are contending with input and other costs, which are rising at a level that no longer enables them to stay solvent at the current retail price for cement.

SDAs with higher rate identified as catalyst for increased remittances

The Special Deposit Accounts (SDAs) introduced last year at the onset of the pandemic, offering a higher rate of interest for foreign currency deposits, are also playing a role in drawing more foreign earnings from the Sri Lankan expatriates working particularly in the developed countries, ICRA Lanka has observed.