People’s Bank announced the results for its quarter ended March 31, 2023 reporting total consolidated operating income and pre-tax profit amounting to LKR 24.0 billion and LKR 7.2 billion, respectively (Q1-2022: LKR 42.6 billion and LKR 11.0 billion). Similar to 2022, the quarter continued to be characterized by higher interest costs; due to the high […]

UBS is suspending work on its application for a wholly owned mutual fund company in China as it focuses on completing its acquisition of Credit Suisse and resolving regulatory issues raised by the new combination, according to people familiar with the matter. The rushed takeover of Credit Suisse in March complicated an effort by UBS […]

Even though China is South Korea’s top trading partner, Seoul’s tightening ties with the U.S. and other wealthy democratic countries reveal its interest in countering Beijing’s economic coercion, experts say. After a monthlong diplomacy effort that included summits with the U.S. and G-7 leaders, “reducing our reliance on China” and “diversifying our trading part...

ECONOMYNEXT –Sri Lanka’s personal income tax hikes have hit economic activity in the first quarter though despite currency stability helped businesses cut prices, Hemas Holdings, a top consumer goods group has said.As the currency stabilized, as central bank ended contradictory money and exchange policy conflicts, businesses had cut prices. Mainstream economists generally claim that price […...

Upon completion of its mission to Sri Lanka, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) review team has said that maintaining the economic reform momentum and ensuring timely implementation of the IMF-supported programme’s commitments are essential for Sri Lanka to emerge from the current economic crisis. The mission discussed recent economic developments and the implementation of the […]

Prices for nonferrous metals like copper and zinc have slumped this month despite predictions of shortages just a few weeks ago, on concerns that the shortfalls could turn into surpluses if Chinese demand recovers more slowly than expected. Three-month zinc futures on the London Metals Exchange, an international benchmark, fell to $2,483 per tonne at one point […]

Caught in a quagmire between political instability and economic turmoil, the development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have been delayed in Pakistan, angering China, reported The Friday Times. China is angry in particular as it recently helped Pakistan out by rolling out loans and extending much-needed support. Diplomatic sources say Chinese authorities are […]

By Hema Senanayake hemasenanayake@yahoo.com IMF has an ideology, a system of ideas and ideals which forms the basis of its decisions and policy prescriptions for which the recipient country of the loan claims as of its own. The most important idea does not originate from economic theory but international trade theories instead. The Great Recession […]

ECONOMYNEXT –The main opposition SJB would fight to defeat the government’s plans to restructure domestic debt, opposition leader Sajith Premadas said, offering the opposition’s assistance in sending a strong message to the international community. Premadasa said at a meeting with representatives of the Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union on Thursday May 18 that the opposition is […]

Tourism is bouncing back after the Easter attack, Covid-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the economic stake holders are optimistic and working hard towards a better future.The General Manager of Shangri-la Hambantota Refhan Razeen welcomed 2023 with a positive note with much expectations this year. having overcome the challenges of the past years. We Sri […]

The Bank succeeded in raising Rs 10 Bn in Tier 2 capital via a debenture issue in February 2023. Despite the depressing economic outlook in the Country, the issue was oversubscribed – a testament to the investor confidence placed in Sampath Bank and widespread acceptance of the stability and prudent governance of the Bank. The […]

CPC, CEB need to recover costs until end of Fund’s loan package By Rathindra Kuruwita The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had to recover costs until the end of the IMF programme, Sarwat Jahan, IMF Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, told a press conference in Colombo yesterday. The IMF also wanted the […]

Sri Lanka Telecom Group (SLT Group), the National ICT Solutions Provider, recorded positive consolidated revenues of Rs. 26.6 Bn for Q1 2023, an increase of 2.1%, compared to the same period last year, led by robust growth at company level from SLT, demonstrating resilience and optimism in the future undeterred by the challenging environment. The […]

Islamabad [Pakistan], April 28 (ANI): Amid a rise in inflation and a shortage of foreign exchange reserves, people in Pakistan have started to face difficulties in performing Haj, Pakistan vernacular media reported. The Haj quota is now available for the first time in Pakistani history, but fewer people are making the pilgrimage. Most Pakistanis are […]