Melco Resorts and Entertainment is making a significant investment in Colombo with its new $1 billion project, ‘City of Dreams Sri Lanka,’ aiming to tap into the burgeoning Indian tourism market. According to brokerage firm Morgan Stanley, the integrated resort, featuring a casino, could generate around 50% of its EBITDA from gaming operations. The venture,
A delegation from CPA Australia, a leading global accounting body, has visited Sri Lanka to explore potential collaborations with local government bodies, professional organizations, universities, and banking institutions. The visit aimed to strengthen ties and enhance opportunities in the accounting and finance sectors. Professor Dale Pinto (FCPA), Global President and Chair of the Board at
Former Finance Minister and Presidential National Organiser Ravi Karunanayake has underscored that Sri Lanka is on a path to economic recovery and transitioning from brain drain to brain gain. He emphasized the importance of leveraging the potential of the nearly 3 million Sri Lankans living abroad, many of whom are excelling in various fields. To
Sri Lanka’s private sector credit saw a notable expansion of 146 billion rupees during the first half of 2024, according to official data. This growth contrasts with a reduction in credit extended to the government, although government credit continued to surpass private sector lending. In the six months leading up to June 2024, commercial bank
The Central Bank has reduced its key policy rates by 25 basis points, bringing the Standing Lending and Deposit Facility rates to 9.25% and 8.25%, respectively. This adjustment, while largely symbolic, underscores the Bank’s commitment to an easing monetary policy. Since shifting to a more relaxed policy stance in June 2023, the Central Bank has
The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has announced a reduction in both the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) by 25 basis points each. Effective July 22, 2024, the new rates are 8.25% for the SDFR and 9.25% for the SLFR. This decision follows
Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has signed an agreement with the Capital Market Development Authority (CMDA) of Maldives to facilitate the cross-listing of companies in Colombo. This agreement primarily enables secondary listings of Maldivian companies on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and promotes mutual collaboration, capacity-building assistance, and regulatory information exchanges between the
The Government of Japan has officially decided to resume disbursement for Yen Loan Projects in Sri Lanka, which were suspended following the country’s default in 2022. This decision was announced at a joint press conference by the Sri Lankan Finance Ministry, the Embassy of Japan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Sri Lanka Office.
Sri Lanka’s merchandise export performance for June 2024 reached $1,031.2 million, marking a 2.58% increase compared to June 2023. This growth was driven by higher earnings from apparel & textiles, tea, rubber-based products, coconut-based products, food & beverages, and spices & concentrates. Compared to May 2024, exports in June 2024 rose by 1.97%. Services exports
The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on July 23, 2024, decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) by 25 basis points (bps) to 8.25 percent and 9.25 percent, respectively. This decision followed a careful assessment of current