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Governance issues, etc., will have to be sorted out to avert further debt restructuring: Verité Research

Published

3 years ago

2023/07/7

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Unless Sri Lanka addressed its governance issues, the country would have to restructure its debt again like most countries that had unsustainable levels of corruption, Executive Director of Verité Research Nishan de Mel said in a recent televised interview.

Dr. De Mel said that as the government had decided to pay the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) only 9% for its investment until 2038 instead of the average Treasury bond interest rate of 13.5 percent, it would lose 12 trillion rupees.De Mel also said that Domestic Debt Optimization (DDO) was a phrase that the Sri Lankan government coined.

“Domestic debt restructuring usually means making credit owners take a loss for the benefit of the government. The word commonly used for this is restructuring, optimisation is a word that we have come up with,” he said.

De Mel said that the government’s proposal was to reduce the interest paid on the money at EPF and other such funds to 9.1 percent until 2038. However, the average interest paid for Treasury bonds over recent years was 13.5 percent, which is almost 50 percent more than the proposed interest for EPF, he said.

“We know the interest rates for Treasury Bonds because the government has released information about the interest rates of bonds issued because foreign creditors have been asking for transparency. By the end of 31 May this year, the average interest rate given to bondholders was 13.5 percent,” he said.

There had been years when interest rates for Treasury bills were below 9.1 percent. However, it was unlikely that the interest rates offered on Treasury bills would fall below 9.1 percent, he said. Sri Lanka was going through an uncertain time and governments could only lure people into buying bonds by offering attractive interest rates, de Mel added.

“We still can’t borrow from bond markets. So, the government will offer higher interest rates when it borrows from the domestic market. During the past two years, the government has paid about 30 percent interest to borrow from the domestic market. It is unlikely that interest rates for bonds will be less than 13.5 percent in the future,” he said.

De Mel said that at present there are 3.4 trillion rupees at the EPF, and it will reach about 25 trillion by 2038 at 13.5 percent interest. However, EPF funds would only grow to 13 trillion at 9.1 percent interest.

“That’s 12 trillion rupees less at 9.1 percent,” he said.

The Central Bank had a Monetary Board taking decisions on the EPF and there was a conflict of interest as CBSL was also entrusted with restructuring debt, de Mel said.

“A lot of people ask me why I am using 13.5 percent to calculate the losses. They tell me that the EPF already receives less than 13.5 percent in interest. The EPF is late in producing annual reports. The last available report was for 2020. The Central Bank produces its annual reports every year, but the EPF reports are delayed. There are many allegations about what happened. If someone tells me that EPF receives lower interest rates than the market rate for treasury bonds, that is another serious problem. All private sector employees are compelled to be a member of the EPF, so why are EPF beneficiaries receiving less than market rates?” he asked.

There are several pension funds, and CBSL workers have a special pension fund. De Mel said he was not aware if that pension fund, too, had been restructured.Although the parliament had approved a resolution on the domestic debt restructuring, the government could not change the interest rates given to EPF without changing some laws, he said.

“The laws governing the EPF say that the Central Bank must publish all investments it makes with EPF money. However, when we look at EPF’s financial statements, they have misinterpreted the above clause. Instead of listing out every investment, they are listing out every type of investment. This way, people can’t figure out what’s going on,” he said.

Those who are EPF beneficiaries will lose about 70 percent of the real value of their money because of inflation and the lower market rate of interest. However, foreign investors are only getting a 30 percent loss, he said.

“This is unequal treatment. There are two factors needed for sustainable domestic debt restructuring. One is that foreign creditors must take a deep haircut—over 50 percent. Secondly, the governance issues in a country must be addressed. Most countries have to restructure their debt more than once. And these countries have serious governance issues. So, to attain sustainability, we need foreign creditors to get a deeper haircut and we have to address our serious governance issues,.”

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President chairs discussion on 2027 Budget Proposals for the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

Published

6 hours ago

2026/07/16

Priyan

A pre-Budget discussion to review the progress of projects implemented under the 2026 Budget allocations for the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and to discuss proposals for the 2027 Budget was held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (13) afternoon.

The progress of projects implemented by each division of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and the institutions under its purview using the 2026 Budget allocations, as well as proposals for the 2027 Budget, were reviewed separately during the discussion.

The President also focused on the current status of the programme to establish industrial zones in areas including Dambulla, Ingiriya, Valachchenai, Millaniya and Katunayake. Discussions centred on issues that have arisen in allocating land and developing infrastructure, including electricity, water and roads, as well as the urgent measures required to resolve these issues.

President Dissanayake instructed officials to make every effort to complete all projects already initiated under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development within the stipulated timeframes. He also highlighted the need to clearly identify the Government’s role and limitations in relation to the industrial sector.

Attention was also drawn to the current situation regarding the development of state-owned enterprises, while issues affecting the sugar and salt industries and alternative proposals to address them were also discussed.

The current status of the process to consolidate institutions under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development was also reviewed. The President pointed out that large institutions had been established at different times to meet various needs, ultimately creating a situation in which such institutions had to be maintained using taxpayers’ money.

He stressed that the consolidation of these institutions should not only improve their efficiency but should also result in a relative reduction in operational expenditure compared with the costs incurred prior to consolidation.

Officials also briefed the President on the proposal to establish the Entrepreneurship and Industry Transformation Authority (EITA) and the programme proposed under the Authority.

Attention was also focused on the challenges faced by exporters and industrialists in carrying out their activities. The President instructed officials to submit proposals on general concessions that could be provided to encourage exporters and industrialists.

The President further pointed out that Sri Lanka could develop distinctive expertise by identifying several key areas within the industrial sector and providing the facilities necessary for their development.

Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando; Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe; Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Chief of Presidential Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi; Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma; and Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara, along with officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, participated in the discussion.

[PMD]

News

Prime Minister meets the Amir of the State of Qatar and conveys condolences on the passing of the Father Emir

Published

6 hours ago

2026/07/16

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, visited the State of Qatar to convey condolences on the passing of the Father Emir, at Lusail Palace in Doha on Wednesday (15 July).

Upon her arrival, the Prime Minister was received by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of Interior of the State of Qatar. The Prime Minister subsequently met with His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya conveyed to the Emir the deepest condolences of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani; Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, Speaker of the Shura Council; senior members of the Royal Family.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Current El Niño Status in Sri Lanka

Published

17 hours ago

2026/07/16

Priyan

At present, El Niño conditions have developed and are classified as being at a weak level. Forecasts indicate a 63% probability of a very strong El Niño event developing during the period from November 2026 to January 2027. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is approximately a one-third probability that El Niño will remain below a very strong intensity.

Typical Climatic Conditions Associated with El Niño
Based on analyses of past El Niño events that occurred between 1950 and 2025:
• Rainfall during July and August may be below normal, particularly in the dry zone areas.
• From October onward, rainfall is generally expected to be above normal.
• If a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) develops, enhanced rainfall conditions may continue until December.

Sectors Requiring Attention
• Appropriate measures should be taken for water resource management during July and August.
• Increased rainfall expected from October onward may lead to floods and landslides, requiring preparedness and close monitoring. The forecasts are important for sectors such as, Agriculture /Water management /Livestock /Health /Energy /Other climate-sensitive sectors
• Attention should be paid to official information issued by the Department of Meteorology.

Actions by the Department of Meteorology
The Department of Meteorology continuously monitors the evolving situation and issues:
• Weekly and monthly seasonal forecasts and Monthly analyses of rainfall data to monitor meteorological drought conditions.
As weather conditions are influenced not only by El Niño but also by other climatic factors, updated forecasts and advisories are regularly shared with relevant stakeholder organizations (Irrigation/ Water Management Committee /Department of Agriculture/National Building Research Institute/Disaster Management Centre (DMC)/Ministry of Health /Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation…etc). The Department also provides technical support to the committee established through a Cabinet decision to address climate-related impacts. The Department’s monthly rainfall outlook for July to September 2026 is attached

Monthly Rainfall Forecasts for July, August and September 2026
Month Rainfall forecast
July 2026

During July 2026, there is a higher probability of having near normal rainfall across most parts of the Western and Southern Provinces. The remainder of the country is expected to experience below normal rainfall.

August 2026

There is a higher probability of having below normal rainfall across most parts of the country during month of August 2026.

September 2026

There is a possibility of above-normal rainfall across most parts of the Western and Southern Provinces, while near-normal rainfall is expected in the Sabaragamuwa Province. Below-normal rainfall is likely in the remaining areas during September 2026.

Note: These long-range forecasts may change due to strong day-to-day atmospheric variability associated with the movement of weather systems such as atmospheric disturbances, low-pressure areas, and depressions, as well as intra-seasonal oscillations such as the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO). Therefore, in addition to the weekly and monthly forecasts, it is important to pay attention to the Department’s official announcements, weather advisories and warnings, as well as the daily weather forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology.