News
Central Bank expects inflation to “gradually stabilize”
Sri Lanka’s inflation is anticipated to gradually stabilise around the targeted level of five per cent over the medium term, following a short-lived acceleration of inflation in the near term on account of the recent tax adjustments and supply-side disruptions, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said in its monetary policy report for February.
In the report, the CBSL said that headline inflation is expected to peak in the third quarter of 2024, mainly on account of the unfavourable base effect stemming from sharp disinflation recorded in the third quarter of 2023.
However, the near-term surge in headline inflation is unlikely to persist due to subdued demand conditions, as the economy is projected to operate below its full capacity for an extended period, the Bank said.
The CBSL observed that the rebound of domestic economic activity witnessed in the third quarter of 2023 is expected to continue, assisting the economy to gradually reach its potential over the medium term with the help of appropriate policies.
It predicted that the gradual relaxation of monetary policy will impact the broader market interest rates, and the resultant normalisation of nominal interest rates, are anticipated to stimulate growth towards its potential level by fostering investments, enhancing consumer spending, and ultimately boosting aggregate demand, thereby alleviating the ongoing contractionary impact on output.
The Central Bank said that they expect a negative trade-weighted foreign output gap to last for around two years, thereby impacting the domestic economy through exports. Improving productivity and addressing growth impediments by minimising structural limitations, such as the weak doing-business environment, remain pivotal to achieving a sustainable growth path and elevating the economy’s potential, it added.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.
The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.
News
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.
He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.
Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.
He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.
Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.
Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.
In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during
Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.
After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.
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