The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 50 basis points (bps) to 8.50 per cent and 9.50 per cent, respectively.

52nd Death Anniversary of Philip Gunawardena falls today by Dr. W. A. Abeysinghe The legendary revolutionary and pioneer of the Sri Lankan Marxist movement, Don Philip Rupasinghe Gunawardena, was born on 11 January 1901 in the rural village of Boralugoda in the Hevagam Korale. His father was Don Jakolis Rupasinghe Gunawardena, popularly known as Boralugoda […]

Fergus Cumming, Deputy Chief Economist of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), concluded a three-day visit to Colombo from 18 to 20 March, British High Commission said in a statement. Fergus engaged in constructive discussions with key stakeholders, including the State Minister of Finance, Central Bank Governor, IMF Representatives, Diplomatic counterparts, opposition parties, ...

In an unprecedented display of candor, Premier Li Qiang’s inaugural government work report delivered a scathing indictment of the myriad economic woes plaguing China at the recently concluded National People’s Congress in Beijing. The wide-ranging report pulled no punches in exposing the cascading domestic fragilities and external hostilities that threaten to derail the world’s second-largest [...

Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a period of high growth, driven by proactive government policies, strategic investments, and concerted efforts aimed at unlocking the region’s immense potential. • Jammu and Kashmir contributes approximately 0.8 percent to India’s GDP, in alignment with its population share of 0.9 percent and its FDI and exports are expanding, with […]

Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a period of high growth, driven by proactive government policies, strategic investments, and concerted efforts aimed at unlocking the region’s immense potential. • Jammu and Kashmir contributes approximately 0.8 percent to India’s GDP, in alignment with its population share of 0.9 percent and its FDI and exports are expanding, with […]

President Ranil Wickremesinghe participating in a friendly discussion organized by the ‘United Youth Union’ on the theme ‘Future of our Youth’ in Polonnaruwa on Saturday (23), stressed the necessity of a new economic reform program for the country’s economic recovery. He requested for collective support from all citizens to prevent the next generation from inheriting […]

By Rathindra Kuruwita Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said that he agrees with the recommendations given by Committee on Public Finance (COPF) on the recent salary increments given to CB employees. Dr. Weerasinghe said the CB has no issue with COPF recommendations but there is a slight problem with the COPF recommendation […]

People’s Bank has been named among the top 20 employers among AICPA and CIMA members in recognition of the bank’s contribution to the growth of management accountancy in Sri Lanka. The award was presented at the AICPA and CIMA Top Employer 2024 Award Ceremony held on recently at the Shangri-La, Colombo. The AICPA & CIMA […]

by Rajan Philips The Election Commission of India has set a staggering 44-day timetable for the country’s 18th Lok Sabha elections, between April 19 and June 1, with the results declared on June 4. There will be seven phases of voting – on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, […]

The bloodbath candidate by Vijaya Chandrasoma I concluded my essay last week with the prediction that, if Trump does not win re-election in November, “there is little doubt that Trump will, once again, call Foul and refuse to concede defeat. The nation will be plunged into political violence, tantamount to a civil war, for which […]

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) on Saturday (23) said that a majority of senior management and professionals of CBSL have made a collective decision to consider a revision to their salaries that sparked controversy.

By Saman Indrajith Appearing before the COPF (Committee on Public Finance) recently, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said the Central Bank (CB) had no issue with COPF recommendations but it was not possible to implement the COPF recommendation that salary increases at issue be suspended immediately. “The salaries of CB employees for March have already been processed […]

Inflation rate dropped to 5.1 percent in February from 6.5 percent in January, official data showed on Thursday.Food inflation increased from 4.1 percent to 5 percent and non-food inflation dropped from 8.5 percent to 5.1 percent. Sri Lanka’s inflation has been dropping steadily since September 2022, when inflation was at 69.8 percent. The Central Bank […]

After constructive discussions in Colombo, IMF Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer and Deputy Mission Chief Ms. Katsiaryna Svirydzenka issued the following statement: “The IMF team reached staff-level agreement with the Sri Lankan authorities on the second review under the economic reform program supported by a 4-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement and concluded the 2024 […]

… corruption cited as one of the three issues faced by the country Japanese Ambassador Hideaki Mizukoshi Thursday (21) urged Sri Lanka to turn the continuing economic, political and social crisis into an opportunity to achieve success. The Ambassador said that the country should take advantage of the continuing external pressure to adopt reforms, build-up […]

Following productive discussions, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Sri Lankan authorities have achieved a staff-level agreement on economic policies, marking a significant step in concluding the second review of the 4-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF)-supported program and the 2024 Article IV Consultation. This was stated by Mr. Peter Breuer, IMF Senior Mission Chief during […]

By Saman Indrajith The no-confidence motion against speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena was defeated in Parliament yesterday by a majority of 42 votes.The motion moved by the Opposition received 75 votes for and 117 against. The SJB, TNA, JVP/NPP and dissident SLPP MPs voted for the motion, while the MPs supporting the government voted against the […]

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached a staff-level agreement with the Sri Lankan authorities on the second review under the economic reform program supported by a 4-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement. The EFF arrangement was approved by the IMF Executive Board for a total amount of SDR 2.3 billion (about US$3 billion) on March […]

By Hiran H.Senewiratne Gloom surrounded the stock market yesterday due to political uncertainties stemming from the no-confidence motion against the Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and continuing speculation over elections. Consequently, negative investor sentiments manifested themselves. Amid those developments both indices moved downwards. The All Share Price Index went down by 64...

Acknowledging that the independence of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is an absolutely key pillar under its program, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that it is important to maintain a high degree of transparency to explain how the CBSL s decisions are benchmarked.