Analysis

Businesspeople downgrade their hopes of brighter prospects from a month ago

The Economy – Economic Sentiment Wavers A notably cautious economic and business outlook has settled over corporates with PepperCube Consultants reporting a more tempered perspective in biz circles. This is line with the mighty fall in business confidence in April. THE ECONOMY The latest LMD-PEPPERCUBE Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey, conducted in the first week of April,…

(0)Comments | May 9, 2025 1:53 pm

Trade War Hits Emerging Market Growth, Weaker Dollar Eases Some Risks

Fitch Ratings: Emerging-market (EM) issuers are variously exposed to direct and indirect impacts from the global trade war, Fitch Ratings says in a new report. Credit pressures may become most evident in EMs where tariff effects combine with aggravating factors or add to pre-existing pressures, even if direct US tariff exposures are small. APAC’s high…

(0)Comments | May 9, 2025 10:54 am

Business Sentiment: Tariff Turmoil Shatters Confidence

Business confidence takes a nosedive leaving the recent record highs in the rearview mirror In a dramatic move on 2 April, US President Donald Trump imposed a 44 percent tariff on goods from Sri Lanka and many other countries (ranging from 10% to 90%) through an executive order, citing it as a reciprocal measure to…

(0)Comments | May 5, 2025 10:15 am

Financing the Future: Sri Lanka Embraces Sustainable Finance Through GSS+ Products

By Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) in collaboration with the technical expertise sourced from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has facilitated the Regulatory Framework for issuing and trading a suite of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) related Bond products at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE)….

(0)Comments | May 2, 2025 11:40 am

China Pakistan Relations: Lessons for National & Regional Conflict Prevention

By Prof. Samitha Hettige After the attacks in Kashmir, Indo-Pakistan relations are discussed in length. 8 weeks before Sri Lanka signed many agreements with the visiting Indian PM, in February 2025 at a high level meeting in Beijing, China & Pakistan renewed their all weather strategic partnership known as a choice by history & by…

(0)Comments | April 29, 2025 1:56 pm

A Revolutionary Step in Insurance: Optional Compensation Scheme for death or permanent disability of third-parties due to motor vehicle accidents

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport & Highways and key stakeholders in the transport sector, has implemented the Optional Compensation Scheme (OCS) to compensate for death or permanent disability of third-party victims due to motor vehicle accidents. This innovative scheme marks a significant milestone in the…

(0)Comments | April 25, 2025 2:23 pm

Economic Sentiment Perks Up

Economic optimism reaches a six month high amid heightened business activity There’s been a ground swell surrounding the economic outlook among businesspeople with the gauge of sentiment marking a six month high in March. PepperCube Consultants says this reflects robust sales volume projections and increased activity. “A significant portion of companies are maintaining a growth…

(0)Comments | April 21, 2025 11:25 am

Manufacturing PMI hits 4-year high in March amid seasonal demand surge

Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Manufacturing  (PMI – Manufacturing) reached 63.9 in March 2025, recording its highest value in four years. All sub-indices posted month-on-month expansions, reflecting a notable improvement in manufacturing activities, driven by the strong seasonal demand. The sharp increases in the New Orders and Production sub-indices, particularly within the food and…

(0)Comments | April 18, 2025 6:54 am

Donald Trump & Xi Jinping: A Man & A Civilization

By Prof. Samitha Hettige The US electorate picked Donald Trump as their President for a 2nd term. Though some view that USA has a track record of de-establishing democratic processes of many countries including Sri Lanka (Ref 2022 July), those who respect democracy should respect the rights of the US citizens to elect the President…

(0)Comments | April 17, 2025 3:56 pm

Impact of USA Reciprocal Tariff on Sri Lanka Tea Exports to USA

Why USA is a critical Tea market and need to request full Tariff free access for the future of our Tea industry? USA is an important tea market and rank as the second largest buyer of tea in the world in terms of value of tea imports. As per available information it has imported over…

(0)Comments | April 17, 2025 2:13 pm