Business

Motor traders caution govt on sustainable electrification

Published

5 years ago

2021/09/12

The Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA), the most senior automotive association in South Asia welcomes the government’s view that Electric Vehicles (EVs) represent the future of mobility, not just in Sri Lanka, but around the world. While the benefits of EVs are very clear in terms of reduced emissions and fuel savings, the CMTA cautions that the transition from internal combustion engines (ICE) to EVs – commonly referred to as electrification – should be carried out with proper planning and informed decision making, to preserve the interests of the Government, consumers, and the industry.

Being the only Association, which has access to global EV manufacturers and represents them in Sri Lanka, the CMTA is concerned whether due diligence has been carried out prior to the re-introduction of EVs to Sri Lanka. In this regard, the Association on the advice of global manufacturers has decided to develop a detailed automotive industry roadmap with KPMG, covering among other topics the sustainable introduction of EVs. This roadmap will be presented to the government authorities for expert advisory on the automotive industry.

As per the recommendations of global EV manufacturers, the CMTA has put forward several considerations to policy makers. Firstly, High Voltage (HV) Battery and the power management systems of EVs should be suitable for local climatic conditions as they are highly sensitive and must be adapted by the manufacturer for the specific country/region of use. Further, a minimum manufacturer’s warranty on the HV batteries of at least 5 years for passenger vehicles and 3 years for 2/3 wheelers should be required to protect consumers from crippling expenses and to negate premature foreign exchange outflow for defective batteries and related parts replacements, considering the extremely high costs of these parts. In addition, EV repairers should comply with globally accepted safety standards on infrastructure, including safety equipment, training, and isolation areas for vehicles/HV batteries in a hazardous state (e.g. after an accident).

To promote a sustainable path to electrification, the CMTA urged the government to establish a legal framework regarding end-of-life handling of HV batteries and other components, as if not disposed properly, HV batteries can be extremely hazardous to the environment and groundwater systems, which can also have implications to public health. It also emphasized the need for minimum technical standards of HV battery imports to avoid low quality battery imports and encouraged joint ventures with foreign companies with the technical expertise to set up sophisticated HV battery recycling/rebuilding facilities in the country.

Public infrastructure is also key for a successful mass-scale electrification. Reputed global EV manufacturers all emphasize the necessity for developing a public fast-charging network to give EV users peace of mind and allow them to embark on longer journeys. In terms of training facilities and resources for EV repairs, it is mandatory to enhance the curriculum at technical training institutes to create a pool of certified EV technicians who can cater to future EV repair demands.

Commenting on the timely topic of EVs, the CMTA Chairman, Yasendra Amerasinghe said, “Vehicle electrification if implemented will bode well for a country like Sri Lanka with distances between major towns being within the range of most modern EVs. Electrification is – without a doubt – the future, and we would like to see the authorities taking the necessary steps to create a conducive environment for sustainable electrification, as an improper roll-out can cause harm to consumers and the industry.”

In making a balanced and informed decision on electrification, the CMTA points out that policy makers should be aware that transitioning passenger vehicles to EVs while continuing with fossil fuel commercial vehicles may not have the expected impact on fuel imports as a significant proportion of fuel is consumed by commercial vehicles. The issue of the existing older passenger vehicles in the country would also need to be addressed through a scrapping or re-export policy to have an appreciable impact on the country’s fuel consumption.

Authorities should also be mindful that the import cost of an EV model is 20-30% higher than its ICE equivalent, which is only offset by the reduced fuel consumption and maintenance costs over a few years.

The year 2015 witnessed the introduction of EVs to the Sri Lankan market at extremely low import duties without much forethought and against the recommendations of the CMTA at the time. The result was an influx of grey (used) vehicles, which now are a great burden to around 5,000 EV owners due to battery failures. To date, there is no viable solution for these customers who are forced to sell their vehicles at far below market value, convert them to gasoline engines and use them with illegal registrations or continue to use them with failed batteries with a limited range of around 40-60km. Looking ahead, the CMTA suggests learning from the mistakes of 2015 and considering the recommendations provided by reputed global EV manufacturers for sustainable electrification.

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Business

Trust, security and collaboration seen as pillars of growth in digital payments

Published

9 hours ago

2026/07/21

Thilina Walpola

Experts at the Visa-led forum

Visa successfully hosted the Visa Sri Lanka Cybersecurity Conclave 2026 on 25 June 2026, convening leaders from the banking sector, Government, regulators and industry bodies to foster dialogue on evolving cyber threat landscape and the collective action needed to strengthen cyber resilience across Sri Lanka’s digital economy.

As digital payments continue to expand, cybersecurity remains critical to sustaining trust, protecting consumers and businesses, and supporting a more inclusive digital economy. The conclave served as a focused platform for industry dialogue on emerging cyber threats, fraud prevention, regulatory readiness and public-private collaboration in safeguarding consumers, businesses and the wider financial ecosystem.

The event featured expert-led sessions by Visa leaders, covering Cyber Threat landscape, AI-driven Cybersecurity, Visa Cyber Solutions and Advisory, Risk landscape and AI-powered Fraud Prevention introducing Featurespace. Discussions underscored the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks and fraud patterns, particularly as AI-enabled threats create new challenges for financial institutions, regulators, and businesses.

A senior-level panel discussion brought together Sirikumara Kudagama, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka; Waruna Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy; Brigadier K.V.P. Dhammika, Director of Cyber Command and Information Warfare Centre; Mr. Kapila Hettihamu, Chief Risk Officer of Commercial Bank of Ceylon; and Avanthi Colombage, Country Manager, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Visa. The panel delved on Sri Lanka’s changing cyber risk environment and the need for stronger preparedness across the financial sector, with emphasis on proactive threat intelligence, real-time response capabilities, stronger information sharing, capacity building, robust regulatory frameworks and the adoption of advanced security solutions to help institutions stay ahead of emerging risks.

Waruna Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, said, “As Sri Lanka advances its digital transformation, cybersecurity is a national priority and a critical enabler of trust in the digital economy. The expansion of digital payments and technology-enabled commerce presents significant opportunities, but also requires coordinated action, strong safeguards and trusted partnerships. Initiatives such as the Visa Sri Lanka Cybersecurity Conclave 2026 are valuable in bringing together government, regulators, financial institutions and industry leaders to exchange insights, address emerging risks and strengthen collective resilience. We value the role that global payments leaders such as Visa continue to play in supporting Sri Lanka’s digital ecosystem through expertise, innovation and collaboration. This conclave was a timely effort to reinforce the shared responsibility needed to build a secure, resilient and inclusive digital economy for the country.”

Commenting on the success of the conclave, Avanthi Colombage, Country Manager, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Visa, said, “As Sri Lanka’s digital economy continues to grow, cybersecurity is fundamental to building trust in digital payments. At Visa, we are committed to working closely with regulators, financial institutions and ecosystem partners to support safer, more resilient digital commerce for consumers and businesses. Strengthening cyber resilience is not the responsibility of one institution alone. It requires collaboration, preparedness and continued investment across the ecosystem. Through initiatives such as the Visa Sri Lanka Cybersecurity Conclave 2026, Visa continues to support Sri Lanka’s financial ecosystem with global expertise, practical insights and security-led solutions that help protect the future of digital commerce in Sri Lanka.”

Business

First Capital maintains Bond Yield Outlook for 2026, identifies market recovery potential in 2027

Published

10 hours ago

2026/07/21

Thilina Walpola

First Capital Holdings PLC, a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group) and a key player in Sri Lanka’s capital markets landscape, has maintained its outlook for Sri Lanka’s fixed income and equity markets, forecasting stable bond yields through 2026 while identifying potential opportunities emerging in 2027 as economic conditions improve.

According to the First Capital Mid-Year Outlook 2026, bond yields are expected to remain within current forecast ranges during 2026, with a 50 basis point premium introduced to the longer end of the yield curve in the first half of 2027 due to continued concerns surrounding debt sustainability and the pace of structural reforms.

First Capital expects inflation to average 6% in 2026, with recent monetary policy tightening by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka supporting inflation stability. However, the higher interest rate environment is expected to weigh on economic growth and credit expansion, creating potential room for a rate reduction during the first half of 2027.

Commenting on the outlook, Dimantha Mathew, Chief Research & Strategy Officer of First Capital Holdings PLC, said, “The recent tightening in monetary policy has helped stabilise inflation expectations, although it is expected to moderate economic momentum in the near term. We believe investors should remain positioned within shorter tenures, providing a dual opportunity with potential capital gains as yields are expected to normalise and move down towards our targeted bands, whilst attractive carry opportunities remain available for investors. While progress on reforms remains critical, improving macroeconomic stability could create favourable conditions for market recovery over the medium term.”

First Capital forecasts the Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) to remain between 10.0%–11.0% during the second half of 2026, before easing to 9.5%–10.5% in the first half of 2027, supported by moderating GDP and credit growth and stabilising liquidity conditions.

The Sri Lankan Rupee is expected to remain within a range of LKR 325–335 against the US Dollar during the second half of 2026, with a gradual depreciation to LKR 335–345 anticipated in the first half of 2027 as external pressures and foreign exchange dynamics evolve.

In equities, First Capital maintains its 2026 All Share Price Index (ASPI) base case fair value target of 20,500 and introduces a 2027 target of 24,500, supported by expectations of softer inflation, earnings recovery, improving liquidity and a gradual easing of monetary policy. Given the expected near-term sideways movement in the market, First Capital recommends a higher cash allocation of 50% to enable investors to capitalise on potential entry opportunities ahead of a broader recovery.

The First Capital Mid-Year Outlook 2026 reflects the institution’s continued commitment to providing research-driven market insights and supporting investors in making informed investment decisions amid Sri Lanka’s evolving economic landscape.

Business

Bourse trading plunges in the wake of continuing US-Iran hostilities

Published

10 hours ago

2026/07/21

Thilina Walpola

The CSE was trending down yesterday as external environmental issues, especially the US-Iran hostilities, continued to impact the global economy adversely.

The All Share Price Index went down by 170.60 points, while the S and P SL20 declined by 43.39 points. Turnover stood at Rs 2.63 billion with four crossings.

Turnover stood at Rs 2.63 billion with four crossings. Those crossings were: CT Holdings crossed 1.1 million shares to the tune of Rs 551 million; its shares traded at Rs 510, Cargills Ceylon 856,000 shares crossed for Rs 145 million; its shares sold at Rs 630, LMF 232 million shares crossed for Rs 232 million; its shares sold at Rs 84 and Dialog 457,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 20 million; its shares sold at Rs 43.

In the retail market companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; JKH Rs 109 million (5.5 million shares traded), Haycarb Rs 93 million (535,000 shares traded), CCS Rs 60 million (447,000 shares traded), Bairaha Farm Rs 54 million (626,000 shares traded), Ambeon Capital Rs 48 million (1.6 million shares traded), LMF Rs 47 million (556,000 shares traded) and ACL Cables Rs 44 million (455,000 shares traded). During the day 56 million share volumes changed hands in 17347 transactions.

It is said that manufacturing sector counters, especially JKH, performed well. Further, beverage sector counters, especially Cargills and CCS performed significantly well.

Yesterday the rupee was quoted at Rs 336.20/30 to the US dollar in the spot market, from Rs 336.15/25 Friday, while bond yields edged up, dealers said.

The telegraphic transfer rate for the dollar was 331.80 buying, Rs 340.80 selling; the euro was 376.9467 buying, 390.8637 selling; and the pound was 445.4833 buying, 459.5289 selling.

By Hiran H. Senewiratne