News
Private creditor debt restructuring to be completed by March
From June to November 2023, the Central Bank had reduced the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) by about 6.5 percent, Assistant Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. K. G. Harischandra said.
That move had been made in response to the successful management of inflation, prompting the Central Bank to ease its previously tight monetary policy.
“Simultaneously, there was a gradual decrease in interest rates; however, this decline occurred at a measured pace. The transmission of policy rate adjustments to the money market is not instantaneous, requiring a certain period for full effect. During the Monetary Policy Board meeting conducted on January 22, 2024, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka opted to maintain the existing policy interest rates. This decision was based on the belief that additional time was needed for the money market to fully incorporate the earlier 6.5 percent reduction in interest rates, thus influencing a more comprehensive adjustment.,” he said.
Harischandra mentioned a decline in both lending rates and interest rates associated with Treasury bills. The Assistant Governor further indicated that forthcoming adjustments would involve a reduction in both lending rates and deposit interest rates.
“In December 2023, the inflation rate stood at approximately four percent. Interest rates for deposits persist in the range of nine to 10 percent, providing depositors with continued value for their savings. With the ongoing economic recovery, there is an opportunity to bolster it by lowering lending rates. This, in turn, would facilitate more accessible borrowing and encourage increased investment. Notably, the fourth quarter of 2023 marked a positive turn, breaking a streak of six consecutive quarters of negative growth, signaling encouraging economic progress.,” he said.
Harischandra emphasized the necessity of reducing lending rates to sustain the current positive economic momentum. He noted that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka aims to keep inflation at approximately five percent, enabling interest rates to range between eight and 10 percent. This strategy aims to provide depositors with the benefit of seeing an appreciation in their funds, while simultaneously offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to borrow at more affordable rates.
Harischandra said in late 2022, inflation was at 70 percent. In January 2024, inflation will be around seven percent because of the hike in the Value Added Tax (VAT). Inflation can happen because of supply-side and demand-side pressures.
“There is no inflationary pressure stemming from demand because the purchasing power of the population remains low. Over the course of 2022 and 2023, the prices of goods experienced a considerable increase of about 70 percent. While the value of the rupee saw a substantial 45 percent decline in 2022, it only appreciated by 12 percent in 2023. Currently, exchange rates are stable, and there is no inflationary pressure arising from that aspect. Additionally, with the price of crude oil staying below 80 dollars per barrel, we are confident that even if inflation reaches seven percent in January, it will likely be a temporary spike,” he said.
The Assistant Governor noted that an inflation rate of approximately five percent is considered typical in emerging markets and is viewed as an indicator of economic well-being. Nevertheless, the growth of purchasing power among the populace will require some time.
He further said, “a considerable number of individuals are opting to leave the country, prompting many companies to increase salaries. This adjustment has become necessary to retain the essential labour force for their operations. However, it’s important to clarify that these salary hikes may not be deemed sufficient.”
Harischandra said they had restructured domestic debt. International debt comes in two categories, i.e., international sovereign bonds and bilateral debt. Significant progress has been made in restructuring bilateral debt..
“Paris Club, China and India have agreed to help us. We now have to deal with the international sovereign bonds. We are working with the IMF and debt advisors. Furthermore, we hope to come to preliminary agreements by the end of this quarter,” he said.
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
