Business
Ceylon Dollar Bond Fund gains on recovering Sovereign Bonds
The Covid-19 financial crisis led to a crash in SL Sovereign Bond prices from $ 100 to an all-time low of $
48.15 in May as investors ran to the safety of US treasuries exiting Asian bonds. The run was common to all Asian Bonds including SL sovereign Bond (ISB).
Most other Asian ISBs had recovered except for Sri Lankan sovereign bonds due to concerns about SL ability to repay the $ 1 billion ISB maturity on the 4th of October 2020. SL was downgraded to B- by the rating agencies (Fitch, S&P & Moody’s) in April 2020 while some international media articles discussed the possibility of Sri Lanka defaulting.
However, with Sri Lanka receiving confirmation of currency swaps for $ 3 billion with India ($ 1.4 bn) and China ($1.63 bn) in July, while the Trade Deficit halved by 50% in May 2020 (YoY). The government has also entered into a $ 1 billion Repo (repurchase agreement) with US although the facility has not been drawn yet. The Central Bank has specifically committed to repay the $ 1 billion sovereign bond maturity in October out of the foreign currency reserves. The above factors along with Sri Lanka’s success in battling the epidemic has increased the confidence of foreign investors. As a result, the 2030 maturity sovereign bond price has increased to $ 74.5 reflecting a yield of 12.1% p.a on July 31, 2020.
Once Sri Lanka honours the $ 1 billion repayment on October 4th, 2020, analysts expect foreign investor confidence to return to SL sovereigns. As a result, investors can expect substantial capital gains in addition to the yield of 12.1% due to an increase in sovereign bond prices.
The Ceylon Dollar Bond Fund (CDBF) invests exclusively in Sri Lanka government guaranteed dollar Sovereign Bonds and Development Bonds. Ceylon Asset Management competes with international USD bond managers in operating the Ceylon Dollar Bond Fund (CDBF), Sri Lanka’s first international sovereign bond fund that navigates global market conditions. The fund reported a performance of 10.3% in US dollar during 2019.
The CDBF is managed by Ceylon Asset Management (CAM) while Deutsche Bank AG serves as the Trustee and Custodian of the fund. CAM is an associate company of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd.
Local individual investors who hold a Personal Foreign Currency Account (PFCA), corporate investors with a Business Foreign Currency Account (BFCA) and Foreign Investors are eligible to invest in the fund. Investors can exit at any time without penalties, and repatriate dollars to the originating bank account.
The CDBF is the only dollar-denominated Unit Trust in Sri Lanka licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and approved by the Central Bank.
Past performance is not an indicator of future performance, investors are advised to read and understand the contents of the explanatory memorandum on www.ceylonam.com.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
