Business
CSE hits Rs. 23 billion record turnover; Browns Investments transactions account for 73 per cent

By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The CSE recorded its highest ever turnover yesterday amounting to more than Rs. 23 billion, with crossings and retail tradings in Brown Investments shares contributing approximately 73 percent to the turnover. Companies belonging to Ishara Nanayakkara, namely Oxford Capital Pvt Limited and Churchill Capital Pvt Limited sold their shares in Browns Investments to Brown and Company, stock market analysts said.
It is said that Oxford Capital held 1.1 billion and Churchill Capital 985 million of Browns Investments shares and together they sold 2.6 billion shares to the tune of Rs. 16.85 billion, with each share being traded at Rs. 5.40. With the crossings Brown and Company which held a 46.06 percent stake in Browns Investments increased its shareholding to 60.64 percent, stock analysts said.
Amid those developments, in the early session of the day the CSE witnessed some selling pressure. However with the Browns Investments crossings or internal transactions, the market became normal, but both indices indicated a downward trend. All Share Price Index went down by 101 points and S and P SL20 went down by 77.57 points. Turnover stood at Rs. 23.75 billion with the crossing in Browns Investments.
In the retail market top five companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were, LOLC Holdings Rs. 1.37 billion (2.6 million shares traded), Sampath Bank Rs. 590 million (2.94 million shares traded), Expolanka Rs. 515.5 million (9.8 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs. 514 million (76.4 million shares traded) and Vallibel One Rs. 513 million (6.2 million shares traded). During the day 86 billion share volumes changed hands in 42246 transactions.
In terms of volume of shares and number of trades, the performance in January was unprecedented. Over 10 billion shares changed hands via 960,300 trades. In comparison just 84 million shares in January last year and 163 million in 2019. The number of trades in January of 2020 and 2019 were 19,790 and 22,854 respectively.
CSE saw rapid net foreign selling though analysts opined they can’t be blamed as they are making rightful capital gains exiting when the market was on the rise. This was evident by the fact that Sampath Bank, which rose on the share sub division move, saw Rs. 1.9 billion in net selling. JKH saw Rs. 891 million worth of exits.
Friday’s net foreign selling was Rs. 2.3 billion, highest in nine months and took the year to date figure to Rs. 8.5 billion. Foreign investors sold Rs. 4.57 billion net last week as opposed to Rs. 2.36 billion a week earlier.
Sri Lanka rupee quoted stronger at 191/192 levels in the spot market yesterday, while bond yields were flat in dull market trade, dealers said. The rupee closed around 191.25/192 to the US dollar on Friday.
Business
National Trade Facilitation Committee Secretariat to be established

In an effort to accelerate trade facilitation commitments and bolster the business landscape in Sri Lanka, a high-level review of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) was conducted at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (7).
The review focused on assessing the progress of trade facilitation commitments and scrutinizing the performance of the NTFC Secretariat. The private sector also voiced their views on expediting actions to ensure the completion of measures ahead of the projected timeline of 2025-2030.
In order to streamline compliance and optimize performance, several directives were issued during the meeting. Firstly, it was decided to establish the NTFC Secretariat under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance. Secondly, immediate measures to be taken to address the staffing requirements of the Secretariat and lastly, the budget allocated for the NTFC Secretariat in 2023, currently under the Department of Customs, was to be transferred to the Ministry of Finance to prioritize pending actions such as the development of the NTFC website and progress reporting system.
During the meeting, deliberations took place concerning the proposed National Single Window, a system aimed at simplifying and expediting trade processes. The participants agreed to expedite the submission of the proposal in a sequential manner to ensure its swift implementation.
Business
PM discusses ADB future projects in Sri Lanka with ADB DG and new Country Director

Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Director General for South Asia Kenichi Yokoyama and newly appointed Country Director Takafumi Kadono held discussions with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Thursday (June 8) at the Temple Trees in Colombo.
The Prime Minister, while welcoming the new Director General thanked the outgoing DG, Chen Chen for the support extended to Sri Lanka during the height of Covid pandemic and the economic crisis. He thanked the ADB for extending short term, immediate contingency support which has helped Sri Lankan economy to recover from the unprecedented crisis within a short period of time. ADB loan funds amounting to USD 380 mn were targeted for enhancing fiscal space and efficient public financial management system as well as strengthening the SME sector with access to finance. Further USD 250 mn was obtained as budgetary support to develop Capital Market.
The Prime Minister made a special mention about ADB’s US$ 333 million emergency assistance to support import of essential items such as fertilizer, medicines and chemicals for water treatment, working capital support to SMEs, and cash transfer to most poor and vulnerable to mitigate the impact of economic crisis.
ADB Director General for South Asia Keinichi Yokohoma, praised the recovery made by Sri Lankan economy and briefed the Prime Minister about the ADB’s mid-term and long-term projects for economic progress and infrastructure development.
Business
ADB provides Sri Lanka access to concessional financing to facilitate sustained and inclusive recovery

Low interest -rate financing broadens country’s options to bridge urgent development financing needs
ADB support now comes in concessional and market-based financing, technical assistance, policy advice, and knowledge solutions
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved the eligibility of Sri Lanka to access concessional financing. The availability of concessional assistance, offered at low interest rates, broadens Sri Lanka’s options to bridge its urgent development financing needs to restore economic stability and deliver essential services, particularly to the poor and vulnerable.
Eligibility for concessional resources among the developing member countries of ADB is based on gross national income per capita and creditworthiness. ADB’s decision was considered based on a request from the Government of Sri Lanka in view of the severe and unprecedented economic crisis that has reversed hard-won development gains.
“ADB is committed to further enhancing its support for the people of Sri Lanka as the country responds to this deep crisis that has severely undermined their livelihoods and well-being,” said ADB Director General for South Asia Kenichi Yokoyama. “The availability of concessional assistance will help Sri Lanka to lay the foundation for economic recovery and sustained, inclusive growth.”
Sri Lanka is now eligible for ADB support including concessional and market-based financing, technical assistance, policy advice, and knowledge solutions that together comprise a comprehensive suite of options to address the crisis. Access to concessional financing will also ease debt servicing pressures through more favorable lending terms.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
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