News
‘DDO will cause loss of over Rs. 97 bn to banking sector’
‘CBSL employees receiving higher interest rate of 29 percent’
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader and dissident SLPP MP Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (04) said that though the government insisted that its Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO) programme would have no impact on the banking sector, banks could lose as much as Rs 97 bn.
Addressing the media at the PHU office at Pita Kotte, Attorney-at-Law Gammanpila said that examination of the Cabinet Memorandum on DDO, along with the Central Bank’s presentation to the Cabinet, had revealed the true situation.
The former Power and Energy Minister said: “According to Page 3 of the Cabinet Memorandum, dated 28.06.2023, presented by Minister of Finance Ranil Wickremesinghe, the outstanding value of Sri Lanka Development Bonds is $886 million, or Rs 272 billion. According to Page 29 of the Presentation of the Central Bank, there will be a capital reduction of 30% of the SLDB, which is known as haircut. Accordingly, there will be a haircut of Rs 81.6 billion.
85% of the SLDBs are held by domestic banks. Hence, the loss to be incurred to the banks because of the haircut is Rs 69 billion. Further, a 30% haircut is applicable to FCBU loans amounting to $323 million, or Rs 92 billion. 30% of this amount is Rs 28 billion. Accordingly, the total loss from both Bonds and FCBU loans are Rs 97 billion. Additionally, there will be an interest rate reduction of approximately 35%. We have not calculated the loss associated with interest rate reduction. Hence, definitely, there will be an adverse impact on commercial banks’ liquidity and profitability from the domestic debt optimisation process.”
The PHU leader questioned how the EPF had given special status to Central Bank employees, much to the disappointment of other members of the country’s largest social security scheme. Declaring that the responsibility of the Central Bank is to invest EPF funds wisely and provide sufficient and equal returns to the members, MP Gammanpila said that in 2022 Central Bank employees were paid 29 percent interest whereas others received nine percent. How come the EPF managed by the Central Bank treated beneficiaries differently, the MP asked.
The PHU leader demanded that the Central Bank employees’ EPF be merged with the main body and administered as one unit.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
Belgian prince loses bid for benefits on top of £300k royal allowance
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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