Business

Cabraal and Central Bank responds to debt default fears

Published

5 years ago

2021/02/28

Recent commentary on Sri Lanka’s credit outlook ignores the numerous policy initiatives of the Government of Sri Lanka, which have already started yielding results

The Government of Sri Lanka observes that the concerns expressed in the media in reference to recent reports on Sri Lanka’s ability to service its debt obligations by international banks are one sided, and do not take into consideration the numerous of policy measures that have been introduced to revive the economy and ensure macroeconomic stability. These innovative policy measures are not restricted to traditional debt-based solutions to service the current debt obligations. Measures to build resources through non-debt solutions, the preservation of foreign currency resources and the gradual phasing down of the relative share of foreign debt are already yielding desired results, with a high likelihood of harnessing further improvements during the remainder of the year and beyond.

Certain media reports published recently attempts to raise concerns about Sri Lanka’s ability to honour its debt service obligations, based on backward looking and linear assumptions, thus ignoring the expected outcome of the novel policy regime currently in place. While gross official reserves have moderated somewhat since end December 2020, such moderation is not expected to continue. When all relevant facts are considered, it becomes apparent that the fears raised in certain reports are, in fact, merely hypothetical. The Sri Lankan economy, which is over US dollars 80 billion, has major natural and regular sources of foreign exchange inflows, including merchandise and services exports, workers’ remittances, programme and project related inflows, equity investment, and other financial flows. Aided by the post-COVID revival of the economy, such foreign exchange inflows are projected at US dollars 32 billion in 2021, even without major forms of borrowings, such as floating International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs). These projected inflows are expected to increase by about US dollars 2-3 billion annually in the period ahead with the support of well targeted policies and strategies of the Government. At the same time, authorities will continue to take measures to build up official reserves with the help of measures already implemented and further measures as necessary in the period ahead. It is noteworthy that the Government has launched a major drive towards promoting real inflows of foreign exchange through actively facilitating various merchandise and services exports, in both traditional and non-traditional sectors. The import curtailment measures and the steady recovery in export earnings would continue to improve liquidity in the domestic foreign exchange market. Further, envisaged equity investment flows through the Colombo Port City and Industrial Zones and the reprioritisation of project financing would help reduce the share of foreign debt notably in the period ahead, thereby dispelling concerns about debt sustainability.

In this context, settling the maturing ISBs of US dollars 1.0-1.5 billion, per year, over the medium term, need not be viewed as a major source of concern, given the entire stock of outstanding ISBs account for only 16.7 per cent of Sri Lanka’s total government debt as of end February 2021. It is also stressed that lenders in the majority of 83.3 per cent of the debt stock have raised no concern whatsoever about Sri Lanka’s ability to honour debt obligations. The authorities remain committed to honoring all upcoming debt obligations, leaving zero probability of any form of default on any obligation, which would jeopardise the longstanding relations with stakeholders and the impeccable credit history of the country.

The engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continues at staff level and as a member state in technical exchanges of know-how. Exploration of liquidity facilitation arrangements with regional central banks is also continuing, with some discussions are at an advanced stage.

As indicated in the Budget 2021, the Government has adopted a novel approach in relation to foreign financing, while enhancing the effectiveness of already secured financing channels, aimed at reducing the share of foreign financing of the budget deficit over the medium term. Reflecting the impact of measures already put in place by the Government, the relative share of outstanding external debt has already declined notably. The Government aims to reduce its external debt over the medium term to around a third of the total debt, and already the share of external debt has declined to around 40 per cent by end 2020 from over 48 per cent at end 2019.

The measures introduced to manage non-essential imports helped ease trade deficit to USD 5,978 million in 2020 from USD 7,997 million in 2019. The trade deficit is further expected to shrink in 2021 to around USD 4 billion. Export facilitation is expected to continue through allowing intermediate goods imports unhindered and promoting domestic value chain improvements, which would result in export earnings of about USD 13 billion in 2021.

Additionally, despite the projections of downturn in workers’ remittances, Sri Lanka recorded an increase of over USD 400 million remittances in 2020 with an aggregate of USD 7.1 billion. The policy measures to further incentivise remittances flows were facilitated with the Budget 2021 announcement of an additional Rs. 2 for conversion of per USD remittance, and the banks were required to sell 10 per cent of such remittance conversion to the Central Bank. The Central Bank has already commenced such absorption of conversions into its foreign exchange reserve. Further arrangements to improve foreign currency liquidity have been introduced, including a mandatory conversion of ¼ of export proceeds.

The Government is also in the process of channeling in official credit sources, with priority being envisaged for policy loans with a significantly high liquidity component. In addition, the commercial external financing component of the already lined-up term financing facility and other market financing components are envisaged in line with Budget 2021.

Sri Lanka Development Bonds (SLDBs) and loans of Overseas Banking Units (OBUs) also remain sources of foreign currency financing mainly from domestic foreign currency earning entities. The recently introduced measures to entice foreign investors to the government securities market and the real economy through an attractive foreign exchange swap arrangement are also likely to help enhance foreign currency inflows in the near term.

Real investment flows to the country remain a promising source based on the Colombo Port City related developments. The land reclamation work had been completed and the required legislation is being finalised. In December 2020, the Sri Lankan conglomerate, LOLC Group, signed an agreement with the Port City developers for a Mixed Development Project valued at USD 1 billion, which is set to break ground in mid-2021.

In this context, the Government reiterates its utmost commitment on meeting its external debt obligations, which will be facilitated not only through direct and indirect financing arrangements but also through highlighted policy measures and the current work plan to increase non-debt creating forex inflows.

The Government wishes to reiterate that even in the midst of various concerns raised by many parties on Sri Lanka’s debt service capability at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government was able to service its total external debt of around USD 4.3 billion in 2020.

The recent research reports indicate different figures of external debt obligations for 2021. The external debt obligations of the Government for 2021 amount to around USD 3.7 billion including the amortisation payments of USD 2.5 billion. Of this amount, thus far in 2021, the Government has settled over USD 500 million.

Sri Lanka will engage freely with all its investment and development partners and implement the envisaged measures to build up reserves through non-debt creating inflows while reviewing closely the international capital market developments.

Investors are invited to approach the Sri Lankan policy authorities at the highest levels who always remain open for constructive dialogue and will welcome any one-on-one engagement or roadshow discussions, without being dissuaded by premature one-sided opinion expressed without factoring the ground realities and the actual outcomes of policy measures introduced by the Government of Sri Lanka.

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Business

GREAT 2025–2030: Sri Lanka’s Green ambition meets a grid reality check

Published

2 hours ago

2026/02/7

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka’s Renewable Energy Project Development Plan, branded GREAT 2025–2030 (Green Energy Acceleration Targets), reads like a confident pivot toward a cleaner, cheaper power system. With more than 2,600 MW of new renewable capacity planned—dominated by solar and wind—and a strong push on storage and grid stabilisation, the strategy signals intent. Yet beneath the headline numbers lies a harder business truth: generation is racing ahead of the grid, and unless infrastructure and control catch up fast, value will leak from an otherwise compelling transition.

At the core of GREAT is scale. Solar leads with 1,571 MW across multiple zones, while wind contributes 1,004 MW, primarily from Mannar, Kilinochchi and the North-Western belt.

Smaller but steady additions are planned in mini-hydro (51 MW) and biomass (38 MW). On paper, the mix lowers marginal costs, cuts imports, and insulates the economy from fuel price shocks—outcomes financiers and policymakers both welcome.

But a senior retired electrical engineer, who spent decades inside Sri Lanka’s power system, cautions that capacity alone doesn’t create reliability—or returns.

“We are adding megawatts faster than we are adding visibility and control,” he said. “Rooftop solar has already exceeded 1,350 MW, much of it invisible to operators. From a grid perspective, that is unmanaged generation, and unmanaged generation is risk.”

The business implications are immediate. Transmission bottlenecks, particularly delays in 220 kV and 400 kV lines, are constraining renewable evacuation. Projects commissioned on time can still face curtailment, eroding project IRRs and shaking investor confidence.

At the same time, electricity demand has softened amid economic pressures, compressing the system’s ability to absorb intermittent power—especially on Sundays and holidays, when demand dips but solar output peaks.

“Low demand days are now the stress test,” the engineer noted. “Without storage and grid-forming assets, you’re forced to back down renewables or keep thermal units running for stability. Both options cost money.”

GREAT attempts to address this with 650 MW / 2,250 MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and 600 MW of pumped storage at Maha Oya by 2034, alongside synchronous condensers to maintain inertia. These are not optional add-ons; they are value enablers. Storage smooths volatility, captures excess midday solar, and shifts energy to peak hours—turning stranded electrons into bankable revenue.

Yet timing matters. Storage, controls, and transmission must arrive before or with new generation. Otherwise, developers face curtailment risk, lenders price in uncertainty, and tariffs fail to fall as promised.

The plan’s institutional fixes are equally commercial. A Renewable Energy Control Desk (from 2026), Distribution Control Centers in high rooftop solar areas, smart meter mandates, and grid digitalisation are designed to restore operational visibility. Time-of-use tariffs, paired with daytime EV charging and industrial load-shifting, aim to reshape demand—turning a system problem into a market opportunity.

“Tariffs are signals,” the engineer said. “If you want power used at noon, price it right. If EVs and factories move load to the day, solar becomes an asset, not a headache.”

For investors, the message is nuanced but clear. Sri Lanka’s renewable pipeline is real and sizeable.

The policy direction favours clean energy, and the cost curve is attractive. However, project bankability will increasingly hinge on grid-readiness—access to storage, firm evacuation paths, and participation in smart, controllable networks.

For policymakers, GREAT’s success will be measured not by megawatts announced, but by megawatt-hours delivered reliably and profitably. Accelerating transmission approvals, fast-tracking BESS procurement, and enforcing smart metering for distributed generation are the difference between a virtuous transition and a congested one.

“The transition is inevitable,” the engineer concluded.

“The question is whether we do it cheaply and safely, or pay twice—once for generation, and again for the fixes we delayed.”

GREAT 2025–2030 sets Sri Lanka on the right path. The business case now depends on execution—where grids, markets, and management must move at the same speed as ambition, he added.

By Ifham Nizam

Business

Zone24x7 enters 2026 with strong momentum, reinforcing its role as an enterprise AI and automation partner

Published

2 hours ago

2026/02/7

Thilina Walpola

Zone24x7 team

Zone24x7 concluded 2025 with significant industry recognition, securing seven awards across three leading technology competitions—marking one of the strongest years in the company’s 22-year journey. The awards recognized the Industrial Vending Machine solution developed for a client in Australia. It earned both national and regional honors, including Second Runner-up at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards 2025.

More than accolades, the recognition showcases Zone24x7’s ability to deliver practical, enterprise-ready solutions that create measurable business impact. Competing against leading technology companies across the Asia Pacific region, the wins highlight the company’s growing global footprint and its focus on translating innovation into operational value for customers.

Neschae Fernando, CEO of Zone24x7

Zone24x7’s award run began at the SLASSCOM National Ingenuity Awards 2025, where the company secured National Winner for Best Innovative Product in Manufacturing, National 1st Runner-up for Best Innovative Product (General), and two Provincial Winner titles in the Western Province. This success continued at the National ICT Awards (NBQSA 2025), with Gold in Manufacturing, Engineering & Construction, and the IoT Technology of the Year Award.

“2025 validated our approach of building technology around real business needs,” said Neschae Fernando, CEO of Zone24x7. “As we move into 2026, our focus is on helping enterprises improve productivity, visibility, and decision-making by applying AI, automation, and connected systems in ways that go far beyond standalone tools or chat-based solutions.”

Headquartered in the United States with a world-class technology hub in Sri Lanka, Zone24x7 serves over 50 enterprise customers across multiple industries. The company specializes in integrating artificial intelligence, IoT, and enterprise platforms to solve complex operational challenges at scale.

Its portfolio includes Generative AI capabilities that enhance workflows, system intelligence, and human productivity; AI-powered automation platforms that connect digital and physical data sources; and a Cognitive Vision Analytics Platform that delivers real-time insights from video and image data. In addition, Zone24x7 provides RFID-enabled solutions and Warehouse Management Systems that improve inventory accuracy, asset visibility, and supply chain performance.

“The value we bring lies in how we combine hardware, software, and AI into cohesive solutions that fit seamlessly into existing enterprise environments,” said Vipula Liyanaarachchi, General Manager at Zone24x7. “As organisations look ahead to 2026, we are focused on helping them scale efficiently, modernise operations, and unlock greater value from their data without disruption.”

The award-winning Industrial Vending Machine reflects this approach, integrating IoT hardware, intelligent software, and analytics to automate inventory control and enhance efficiency in manufacturing and industrial settings. Rather than being a standalone product, it demonstrates how Zone24x7 partners with clients to design solutions aligned to specific operational goals.

With more than two decades of experience and a strong research and development foundation, Zone24x7 is now investing further in advanced AI-driven automation, intelligent analytics, and system-agnostic architectures. As businesses navigate rapid technological change, the company is positioning itself as a long-term partner—helping enterprises adopt AI responsibly, enhance workforce productivity, and build resilient operations into 2026 and beyond.

Business

India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders makes mandatory offer to buy remaining shares of Colombo Dockyard

Published

2 hours ago

2026/02/7

Thilina Walpola

India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has made a mandatory offer to buy the remaining shares of Colombo Dockyard at Rs 40 each, following a 41.73 percent stake acquisition last month.The mandatory offer targets 58.27 percent of the company.

At the recent rights issue, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders bought 164,916,229 ordinary shares of Colombo Dockyard from the unsubscribed rights entitlement of previous stakeholder Onomichi Dockyard Company.

Mazagon paid Rs 40 per share amounting to a total Rs 6,596,649,160 .

Both indices moved upwards. The All Share Price Index went up by 67.5 points, while the S and P SL20 rose by 23.57 points. Turnover stood at Rs 9.1 billion with 16 crossings.

Top seven crossings were reported as follows: Commercial Bank 9.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 1.2 billion and its shares traded at Rs 224.50, TJ Lanka 14.3 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 549.7 million; its shares sold at Rs 38.50, Renuka Hotels one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 250 million; its shares sold at Rs 250, Melstacorp one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 178 million; its shares fetched Rs 179, Sampath Bank 930,000 shares crossed for Rs 145 million and its shares traded at Rs 150, Sierra Cables two million shares crossed for Rs 74 million; its shares sold at Rs 37 and Lanka Milk Food one million shares crossed for Rs 71 million; its shares fetched Rs 71.

In the retail market companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Colombo Dockyard Rs 514 million (3.3 million shares traded), Ceylon Land Equity Rs 349 million (15.6 million shares traded), Sierra Cables Rs 339 million (1.4 million shares traded), Commercial Bank Rs 307 million (1.4 million shares traded), TJ Lanka Rs 247 million (6.5 million shares traded), Luminex Rs 232 million (19.6 million shares traded) and Renuka Foods Rs 180 million (11 million shares traded). During the day 311 million share volumes changed hands in 50661 transactions.

It is said that the market showed mixed reactions. The banking sector actively participated, especially Commercial Bank. The manufacturing sector also performed well.

Yesterday the rupee was quoted at Rs 309.30/40 to the US dollar in the spot market, stronger from Rs 309.45/50 the previous day, while bond yields continued to edge lower on the the mid- to long end of the yield curve, dealers said.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2029 was quoted at 9.45/50 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.09.2029 was quoted at 9.50/55 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 was quoted at 9.52/58 percent, down from 9.55/60 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 was quoted at 9.68/71 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.10.2032 was quoted at 10.21/24 percent, down from 10.23/25 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.06.2033 was quoted at 10.55/60 percent, down from 10.57/60 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2034 was quoted at 10.77/80 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2035 was quoted at 10.80/86 percent, down from 10.82/87 percent

By Hiran H Senewiratne