Headline inflation as measured by the year-on-year change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI, 2013=100) decreased to 4.1 per cent in November 2019 from 5.6 per cent in October 2019 contributed by the statistical effect of the high base prevailed in November 2018. Year-on-year (Y-o-Y) Food inflation decreased substantially to 4.0 per cent in November 2019 from 7.3 per cent in October 2019 while Non-food inflation (Y-o-Y) declined marginally to 4.2 per cent in November 2019 from 4.3 per cent in October 2019.
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Inflation decreased in November 2019
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Response to the Revision of Sri Lanka’s Rating Outlook by Fitch Ratings
Following the Fitch Ratings’ announcement on the revision to the Outlook on Sri Lanka's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) on 19 December 2019, the Ministry of Finance, Economic and Policy Development has issued a response, which can be found on the link below:
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Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index - November 2019
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.
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External Sector Performance - October 2019
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.
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Central Bank of Sri Lanka holds its 12th International Research Conference
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.
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Public Awareness on Moneylending Activities
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.
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Mobilization of Funds from the Public by Issuing Various Instruments
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.
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Cancellation of the License Issued to Lankaputhra Development Bank Limited
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.
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Revoking of the Suspension of Business of Natwealth Securities Limited
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.
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Monetary Policy Review - No. 7 of 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.