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Sri Lanka economy managed in ‘alternative’ way: CB Governor
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s economy is managed through new policies in an ‘alternative way’ but critics are using the downturn seen in the second quarter of 2020 to make, doom and gloom predictions for 2021, Central Bank Governor W D Lakshman said on Friday.
The alternative policy now being deployed seemed to be criticized based on a political or ideological basis in his view, he said.
It was important to have a positive view he said. A pick-up in business confidence has been seen in the purchasing managers’ index.
Alternative Policy
“It is important to note the government’s determination to move away from the, so far, heavy dependence on imports for foodstuffs,” he said. “That is indeed a really significant long term policy approach despite in the short run there is an adverse impact in the prices.”
Sri Lanka was already growing enough turmeric he said. Sri Lanka banned the import of turmeric and as prices shot up to 200 rupees for 50 grams (about 4,000 rupees a kilogram) smuggling commenced.
But now nobody is talking about turmeric, he said.
The Navy was deployed to stop smuggling. Sri Lanka had seen similar smuggling in the 1970s.
Most negative analysis and critiques were based on the performance of the economy in the second quarter of 2020, but conditions for 2021 were different, he said.
The country was now using limited closures of areas instead of national lockdowns and business activity was picking up with people starting to move around.
Tourism, which was the most badly hit was also now starting to unlike in 2020, he said.
The government was moving towards a mass vaccination campaign which would also help.
The International Monetary Fund has forecast global economic growth to pick up to around 5.5 percent in 2021.
Pick Up
Gross domestic growth of 5.5 to 6.0 percent in 2021 was expected, recovering from a 3.9 percent contraction in 2019. The low base will also help the recovery number, Governor Lakshman said.
Per capita GDP is expected to be 4,000 dollars.
Inflation of 4-6 percent is targeted in 2020. Private credit is expected to grow by 850 billion rupees.
There were challenges in the fiscal side and external sector. But we will repay debt and maintain our unblemished record of debt repayment.
Year end gross official reserves were targeted at 5.5 billion US dollars. Negotiations were underway with multilateral lenders, and foreign central banks as well as commercial banks for credit and swaps, details of which would be announced as they are finalized, he said.
It was not correct to simply add debt repayments and compare against foreign reserves. The foreign share of central government debt was expected to fall to 35 percent in 2021 according to Central Bank projections. In 2020, foreign loans were repaid partly by using foreign reserves and selling Treasury bills to the Central Bank. Despite stronger private credit a 500 million dollar surplus in the current account is also forecast.
Inflows in 2021
Exports are targeted tat 13 billion US dollars, with apparel at 6.0 billion USD, tea 1.5 billion dollars, gem and jewelry 1 billion dollars. Imports are expected to be 17 billion USD. Among services, IT/BPO is expected to be 1.75 billion USD and tourist earnings 1.75 billion USD.
Worker remittances would be around 7.5 billion US dollars and foreign direct investments would be about 2.0 billion US dollars. Port City lease sales would bring in an additional billion US dollars.
Sri Lanka had recorded a surplus in the current account for part of 2020 for the first time in decades.
In 2020 up to October the government had repaid foreign debt on a net basis. Up to August 2020, private credit was negative, and the second quarter GDP was negative, which will also help create a current account surplus, analysts say.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
