Manufacturing PMI expanded in November 2019 recording an index value of 56.0 mainly due to the expansion in New Orders, Production and Employment.
All the sub-indices indicated an expansion, yet at a slower pace compared to October 2019. New Orders and Production expanded at a slower rate mainly due to the slowdown in manufacturing of textile and wearing apparel. Employment slowed down marginally in line with these developments.
The trade deficit contracted in October 2019 (year-on-year), with the decline in expenditure on imports and a marginal decline in earnings from exports. The trade deficit contracted during the first ten months of 2019 compared to the corresponding period in 2018, as a result of the notable decline in cumulative expenditure on imports along with increased cumulative earnings from exports. Meanwhile, the drop in tourist arrivals was contained further in October 2019. Workers’ remittances improved (year-on-year) in October 2019, although a cumulative decline was recorded. In the financial account, foreign investment in the CSE recorded a net outflow while the government securities market recorded a marginal net inflow in October 2019. The exchange rate recorded mixed movements during the month of October and remained appreciated against the US dollar so far during the year.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka held its annual flagship event, the 12th International Research Conference at the John Exter International Conference Hall of the Central Bank on 09 December 2019. The Conference was aimed at stimulating theoretical and empirical research on various contemporary macroeconomic policy issues and provided researchers from diverse backgrounds a platform to discuss their views, findings and experiences from varied perspectives.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has observed that advertisements and other forms of communications are made through various channels,including print, electronic and digital media, offering loans. Complaints have been made on certain irregularities in this regard. There are some allegations regarding scams, while some are complaining on high interest rates, harassment to customers and misusing of confidential customer information by such moneylenders. A moneylender could be described as a person who carries on or advertises or announces himself or holds himself out in any way as a lender of money on interest, with or without security.
It has been observed that certain individuals and entities mobilize funds from the public by issuing various instruments. Promissory Notes, Commercial Papers and Debentures are few of them. It should be mentioned that certain categories of institutions raise funds by issuing the above mentioned instruments in order to meet their financial obligations. Though these products may be attractive in terms of return, individuals should ensure the appropriateness of such funds for their purposes.
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has granted approval in terms of section 76F read with section 9(9) of the Banking Act No. 30 of 1988 (as amended), to cancel the licence issued to the Lankaputhra Development Bank Limited in terms of the Banking Act, No. 30 of 1988 (as amended), with effect from 01st April 2019, with the completion of the merger of Lankaputhra Development Bank Limited with Pradeshiya Sanwardhana Bank, as proposed in the Government Budget 2016.
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, acting in terms of the Local Treasury Bills (Primary Dealers) Regulations No. 01 of 2009 and the Registered Stock and Securities (Primary Dealers) Regulations No. 01 of 2009, has decided to revoke the suspension of NatWealth Securities Limited from carrying on the business and activities of a Primary Dealer from 4.30 p.m. on 30th November 2019.
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 28 November 2019, decided to maintain its accommodative monetary policy stance with the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank remaining at their current levels of 7.00 per cent and 8.00 per cent, respectively. The Board arrived at this decision following a careful analysis of current and expected developments in the domestic economy and the financial market as well as the global economy. The decision of the Monetary Board is consistent with the aim of maintaining inflation in the desired 4-6 per cent range while supporting economic growth to reach its potential over the medium term.
The attention of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has been drawn to certain information published in newspapers and news websites on 26th November 2019 regarding the regulatory actions taken by the CBSL on The Finance Company PLC (TFC) and it wishes to clarify the following.
The CBSL issued a notice of cancellation of the licence granted to TFC to carry on finance business under the Finance Business Act No. 42 of 2011 (FBA) on 23rd October 2019. The CBSL also informed that in terms of the provisions of the FBA, the company has the right to submit an acceptable proposal for investment in TFC along with proof of funds for capital infusion and a Business Restructuring Plan for the consideration of the CBSL within 30 days from the date of issuance of such notice.
Headline inflation as measured by the year-on-year change in the National Consumer Price Index NCPI, 2013=100)1 increased to 5.6 per cent in October 2019 from 5.0 per cent in September 2019. The monthly increases of prices of items in the Food category contributed to this increase. Accordingly, Food inflation (Y-o-Y) increased to 7.3 per cent in October 2019 from 4.9 per cent in September 2019. However, Non-food inflation (Y-o-Y) recorded 4.3 per cent, continuing its decreasing trend observed since May 2019.
