Economic

China continues to be the largest lender to Sri Lanka by making financial commitments amounting to $ 989 million in the first quarter of 2019, far ahead of development agencies such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and others, the latest report released by the Finance Ministry said.

By the end of April, the Government’s total outstanding external debt was $ 32.83 billion, the mid-year fiscal report released yesterday by the Finance Ministry revealed.

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka recently signed a supplementary agreement with J and D Venture (Pvt) Limited.

Securing the top spot in best travel destination list, Sri Lanka just managed to increase earnings from tourism marginally during the first four months this year despite the recent Easter Sunday attacks.

Fitch Ratings has assigned Sri Lanka’s $ 500 million 6.35% bonds due 2024 and $ 1.5 billion 7.55% bonds due 2030 a final rating of ‘B’.

AFP: Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is recovering faster than expected after the Easter Sunday suicide bombings shook the island nation, giving a much-needed boost to the economy, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera told AFP.

Sri Lanka’s unpopular government hell bent on providing more benefits, better jobs, higher salaries for the people in the edge of going to polls has failed to prune high state spending to satisfy masses.

REUTERS: Shares ended steady on Monday, hitting their highest close in more than a week, while the rupee edged up on dollar sales as month-end inward remittances surpassed greenback demand from importer, market sources said.

Taking a cue from the Business magnet multi billionaire, Dhammika Perera country’s new aspirant to become highest policy maker in the country, Sri Lanka takes the first step towards preparing a national strategy for Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Government efforts to increase direct tax revenue saw income tax earnings increase significantly by 9.6% to Rs. 104 billion in the first quarter, compared to Rs. 95 billion in the same period of 2018, the latest mid-year fiscal report from the Finance Ministry said.

Sampath Bank PLC said on Friday it has successfully raised Rs. 12.1 billion via its Rights Issue, including the placement of unsubscribed shares to select long-term investors.

Fitch Ratings yesterday said expectation of continued pressure on banks’ financial profiles due to the challenging operating environment, which includes heightened risks, largely on the macro front, with a sharp rise in non-performing loans (NPLs) likely this year.

The World Bank has changed Sri Lanka’s classification from a lower-middle income country to an upper-middle income country under its latest country income classifications for the 2020 fiscal year.

Sri Lankan government facing a cash crunch for implementing its budgetary programmes will be focused on collecting maximum revenue from excise duty much more than the budget estimate this year.

Expolanka Strategic Planning and Business Development Head Shiraz Imamudeen
Expolanka Holdings PLC yesterday rang the opening bell to commence trading at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

Reuters: Sri Lankan shares ended firmer for a third straight session on Tuesday, hitting their highest close in two weeks, while the rupee edged down on importer dollar demand, market sources said.

Sri Lanka is now compelled to make public investments only in selected priority projects due to financial constraints of the Treasury and the political instability in the country, official sources said.

Vehemently condemning President Maithripala Sirisena’s arbitrary action of resuming executions against convicted drug offenders, the European Union (EU) warns Sri Lanka of serious consequences even on GSP plus facility by sending a wrong signal to international community and investors.