By Himani Vithanage Sri Lanka experienced six consecutive quarters of negative economic growth up to the third quarter of 2023. This downturn has had a direct impact on the labour market, leading to lower wage rates and discouraging workforce participation and skill development. As a result, productivity levels continue to fall, creating a vicious cycle…
By Priyanka Jayawardena The recent VAT revisions have hit the poorest the hardest, whereas the bottom 10% of income group households now spend about 10% of their income on VAT. The VAT burden has risen by approximately 50%, primarily due to the removal of VAT exemptions on around 100 items. This blog offers potential solutions…
Chinese leaders met two weeks back to set the nation’s economic working plan. Chinese plans to boost the economy with stimulus measures (which lifted the stock market to record highs) were announced last week. Below can be lessons for capitalists & socialists; Economy grew by 5% during Q1&2 in 2024 & market institutions predict a…
Fitch Ratings: Fitch Ratings believes Asia Pacific (APAC) regional credit conditions could be challenged by trade protectionism, weaker economic growth and mounting geopolitical tensions if Donald Trump wins a second presidential term. Our analysis focuses on the potential for major policy shifts if the Republican candidate wins November’s US presidential election. We do not assess…
A Nation’s Fight for Economic Survival and Sovereignty, A Strategic Blueprint for Sri Lanka’s Currency Revival By Jithendra Antonio A Nation at the Crossroads Sri Lanka’s currency, the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR), has faced an unrelenting battle over the years, weakening under the weight of global economic shifts, domestic instability, and mounting debt. The rupee’s…
Fitch Ratings: The Sri Lankan authorities’ confirmation that they endorse the targets set under the country’s IMF programme, and intend to implement debt restructuring based on the terms agreed with international sovereign bondholders in September, reduces risks to the debt treatment process associated with the outcome of the presidential election on 21 September, says Fitch…
Real estate is property in the form of land & buildings, rather than personal possessions (Refer Collins). A historic analysis of human conflicts proves that most revolved around real estate. King Elara of South India (111BC) managed Sri Lankan real estate for nearly half a century thus recording a notable conflict (Ref. Mahavansa). Genghis Khan…
India proves power of its policy through selfless action in The Maldives They say ‘blood is thicker than water’ to suggest that immediate family bonds will always take precedence over other loyalties. But in South Asia – neighbors are ‘thicker’. Ask anyone born in South Asia just to understand this idea. Families and communities grow…
On 19th September 2024, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (the “Republic”) announced agreements in principle on the restructuring of approximately USD 14.2bn of sovereign debt (as of end 2023) with the holders of its International Sovereign Bonds (the “Bonds”), following negotiations with the Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders (“AHGB”), a representative group of…
Export Performance in August 2024 As per the provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Customs, the merchandise export performance in August 2024 amounted to US$ 1,165.4 million, recorded an increase of 4.18 % compared to the month of August 2023. This was mainly due to the increase in earnings from export of Apparel &…
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