Thread for News on CSE and SL Economy

200+ died & 400+ injured.... Apart from few tourists all are Sri Lanka's. Let's leave religion,cast,political party and think/act as human beings now on.


1.let's stop blaming,spreading hate among fellow Sri Lanka's.
2.let's change the systems for better future for our children cause all the decisions we took for last 71 years put this country down.
3.war against drugs,political agenda,terrorist or what ever cause this Easter bombing let the officials handle the situation and punish the responsible personal.
4.As a person bring the best out of you before change the others & country other wise Sri Lanka will be the only developing country till world ends.

wishing a speedy recovery who got injured today and RIP all who lost their lives today.

Sri Lanka banks, finance companies ordered to cut deposit rates
Apr 29, 2019 

Sri Lanka's central bank has ordered banks and finance companies to cut deposit rates, saying statutory reserve ratios have been cut and inflation is low and it will help lower lending rates.
Deposits of three months or less will be linked to the standing deposit facility rate of the central bank which is now at 8.00 percent, and longer term rates to the 12-month Treasury bill yield.

"Through the above measures, that would reduce excessive cost of funds borne by the financial sector, the Central Bank expects the lending rates to reduce by around 200 basis points to SMEs in the near term," the regulator said in a statement.

 "The reduction in SRR by 250 basis points in two steps in November 2018 and March 2019 has already reduced cost of funds and is expected to result in a narrower margin between deposit and lending rates. 
"The Central Bank will closely monitor the behaviour of interest rates of licensed banks and NBFIs on both deposits and loans and take further measures as appropriate in future."

https://economynext.com/Sri_Lanka_banks,_finance_companies_ordered_to_cut_deposit_rates-3-14244-1.html

Minority shareholder activist charges certain controlling shareholders on move to devalue stocks

10 May 2019

Urges SEC and Central Bank to intervene to protect minority shareholders 
 Reveals plans to create shareholder fatigue and engage in force selling of shares

A leading good governance advocate and minority shareholder activist in the country recently called on the Central Bank and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to intervene to protect the interests of public and minority shareholders, as certain controlling shareholders and related parties are allegedly on the move to devalue stocks by creating “shareholder fatigue.” 


Writing to the SEC Chairman Ranel T. Wijesingha and Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, former Chairman of Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI), K.C. Vignarajah warned that these parties want to unjustly enrich controlling interest (CI) and impoverish independent minority shareholders (IMS).


“It is common knowledge that the market has been manipulated and pushed down. It is now the focus of local and foreign experts, as well as policy makers, and the aid groups. They have commented on the lack of sufficient protection for IMS,” he stated. 


In order to create shareholder fatigue, Vignarajah said certain controlling shareholders have resorted to reduce public holding, to reduce profits by siphoning off profits to related parties, associates or subsidiaries, to lower the valuation of assets (sometimes on claim of IFRS standards) and to announce unfairly low dividend pay-out ratio/ percentage. 
Further, he alleged that some firms are conspiring with brokers and financial institutions to ‘force sell’ after driving down share prices due to liquidity, marketability of difficulties which were created by them.


Vignarajah noted that these illegal activities are subjected to related offenses such as insider dealing, market manipulation, criminal breach of trust and unjust enrichment of the controlling interest & related parties (CI&RP) whilst impoverishing the investing public. “The insidious economic and stock market terrorism is far more damaging and devastating than the horrific terrorism that surfaced on Easter Sunday” 

http://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Minority-shareholder-activist-charges-certain-controlling-shareholders-on-move-to-devalue-stocks/273-166855

Ahh, Vigna is still alive, good that someone makes some noise. Last sentence was a bit much though.

Special promotional packages for tourists to be finalised by next Wednesday



Hoteliers, travel management companies (TMCs) and airlines plan to finalise special promotional tour packages by next Wednesday, which are to be offered to tourists in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bombings, which led to a 60 percent decline in tourist arrivals to the country.


“We discussed extensively on tour packages, and we will come up with proposals next Wednesday. The hoteliers, airlines and TMCs agreed to lower the rates,” an industry source told Mirror Business.


Though the rate reductions are yet to be discussed in details, the hoteliers, airlines and TMCs said it would be a very attractive package.


Speaking to Mirror Business on behalf of the hoteliers, The City Hotels Association President and The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) Vice President M. Shanthikumar said, “As a national interest, we will definitely support the package. The government has extended maximum support to us and the private sector is also doing their best to bring in the tourists back to the country.”


Meanwhile, the Board of Airline Representatives (BOA) in Sri Lanka is scheduled to meet the Transport & Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga today to make their requests including a proposal to cut the current landing, passing and ground handling charges at the Bandaranaike International Airport in order to bring down airline rates.


The Cabinet Sub-Committee on tourism headed by the Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga earlier backed the industry proposal to cut down these charges.


The Cabinet Sub-Committee also had discussed the possibility of reducing these charges by 50 percent.


The stakeholders of the tourism sector have also agreed to request the government to issue a statement on the security situation of the country as soon as possible.

Shanthikumar pointed out this move would be essential to soften the travel advisories issued by 37 countries in the aftermath of Easter Sunday attacks.


He also noted that it would be a supportive measure for the industry to go ahead with the promotional packages.


According to Shanthikumar, five countries have advised their citizens to only undertake essential travel assignments to Sri Lanka while the rest of the countries have advised their citizen to minimize travel to the Island nation.


The occupancy rates of hotels across the country continue to remain below 10 percent.


Despite the travel warnings, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) stated that around 1700 tourists arrive in the country daily on average while most of them being free independent travellers (FIT).

Alternative economic system needed

12 May 2019



A global economy which is driven by greed and materialistic consumerism does not help foster peace and harmony in the world. The solution is to introduce an alternative economic system which is governed not by wealth but by social principles and public interest, Senior Lecturer, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Chairman of the Committee of Economic Policies, National Intellectual Organisation, Dr. Anil Fernando said.

He said such a system would use physical and human resources of the economy to cater to the needs of people in a sustainable manner. Awareness of such a society has not grown to a satisfactory level.

“The global outlook and forecasts show a slow growth in the global economy in coming years. Many of the countries are facing new economic challenges mainly due to the wrong economic policies adopted. Those policies have created a market society where everything is up for sale resulting in social disparity,” Dr. Fernando said.

Having the above as a long term target the country should focus on ways to rectify weaknesses in the present economic system at least to face the current challenges. The policy makers should focus on measures to increase production in agriculture, agro-based industries, equipment, and other areas where we can play a role in global supply chains. Human capital development, education and health development will play a pivotal role in facing global challenges in the future.

On the impact of the recent attacks on key establishments of the country, Dr. Fernando said the government should take strong measures to consolidate security arrangements to assure the safety of people and build confidence among foreign visitors. The meaning of the word security could be wrongly interpreted and used with negative connotation. It does not mean ensuring the security of a privileged few but the entire nation.

In the long run, there should be one uniform legal system for the country. This requires democratic debate and a wide range of discussions with policy makers, experts and stakeholders. Diversity in laws would create many social and political issues.

It is a fact that we live in a country where people have different identities in terms of nationality, language, political ideas, religion, region and cast. Even though this particular attack was carried out in connection with extreme and dogmatic beliefs mixed with religious interpretations, no religion promotes extremisms and terror. Therefore, any kind on extremism based on nationality or religion should not be tolerated. Politics and national policies should be kept away from religion. No national policy should aim to serve or discriminate a particular religion but better focus on public interest and common needs instead.

On the other hand, educational policies should also be developed in such a manner to promote national harmony, civic rights, respect, love and empathy. In fact, policy makers can consider, though it is debatable, the necessity of keeping religion as a subject to be taught in schools and assessed in examinations. Schools can provide facilities for students to practice their religion. Policy makers should consider the danger of allowing schools to function based on either religion or nationality.

Policies are also needed for media practices. If you carefully analyse news and information circulating these days in all types of media, with respect to its authenticity, use, relevance, they have by and large ignored negative consequences and the social responsibility either knowingly or unknowingly. I do not think that good media practices could be established in society by imposing rules and regulations, but it would be possible to introduce a best code of practice and ethics to govern it.

“The recent attacks have a direct economic impact of losing national income due to shock, fear and other reactions.

The tourism industry has been badly affected. Cancellation of planned trips and hotel reservations will directly reduce revenue.

Hotel occupancy rate have already dropped to a low level and hotels now offer huge discounts to attract local guests, he said.

“The negative impact is reflected by the poor performance of the Colombo Stock Exchange in terms of low turnover and continuous decline in share prices. The Stock market is unlikely to attract new investors. Instead, existing investors are pressurised to leave the market,” Dr. Fernando said. 

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2019/05/12/business/%E2%80%98alternative-economic-system-needed%E2%80%99

6 % of EPF funds in stock market

12 May 2019
The Central Bank (CB) confirmed this week that 6 per cent of EPF funds would be invested in the Colombo stock market.

This information was conveyed by CB Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy and his senior officials to a group of trade union leaders during a mid-week meeting at the CB headquarters in Colombo. This was a continuation of several meetings trade unions have had with the CB over the EPF issue.

“Unions wanted it recorded that they were opposed to the EPF investing in the stock market. Though they had faith in the Governor, they had no faith in the political leadership,” said trade union leader Palitha Athukorala, who was present at the discussion. The EPF investment in the market will increase from a current 4 per cent of its portfolio.

According to the CB’s 2018 annual report, total investment income of the Fund amounted to Rs. 222.4 billion, down by 0.1 per cent over the previous year.

Mr. Athukorala quoted the Governor as saying that he would not bow to political pressure in the use of EPF funds and also that this is the time to buy since blue chip companies were at rock bottom prices.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190512/business-times/6-of-epf-funds-in-stock-market-348544.html

Thanks Ruwan

ruwan326 wrote:6 % of EPF funds in stock market

12 May 2019
The Central Bank (CB) confirmed this week that 6 per cent of EPF funds would be invested in the Colombo stock market.

This information was conveyed by CB Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy and his senior officials to a group of trade union leaders during a mid-week meeting at the CB headquarters in Colombo. This was a continuation of several meetings trade unions have had with the CB over the EPF issue.

“Unions wanted it recorded that they were opposed to the EPF investing in the stock market. Though they had faith in the Governor, they had no faith in the political leadership,” said trade union leader Palitha Athukorala, who was present at the discussion. The EPF investment in the market will increase from a current 4 per cent of its portfolio.

According to the CB’s 2018 annual report, total investment income of the Fund amounted to Rs. 222.4 billion, down by 0.1 per cent over the previous year.

Mr. Athukorala quoted the Governor as saying that he would not bow to political pressure in the use of EPF funds and also that this is the time to buy since blue chip companies were at rock bottom prices.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190512/business-times/6-of-epf-funds-in-stock-market-348544.html

EPF is back ???????? When you see the way JKH buying it seems EPF is back

Sri Lanka stocks rebound, ends two week fall
May 16, 2019
Sri Lanka's stocks rebounded 1 percent Thursday, reversing a two week fall on the back of buying interest on Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) and John Keells Holdings (JKH).
The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed 51.81 points higher at 5,251.79, making steady gains throughout the day to an intra-day high of 5,259.13 prior to easing minutes before trading close.
 
The more liquid stocks on the S&P SL20 Index closed 0.55 percent or 13.33 points higher at 2,454.73.
Market turnover on Thursday was 552.4 million rupees with 90 stocks gaining and 39 falling. There was heavy foreign selling, with net outflows of 358 million rupees from the market.
 
Market sentiment among locals was buoyed by unconfirmed speculation that a state fund may have started to buy stocks.
The ASPI reversed a two week fall which began on April 30. The market had been declining since April 23, when the market reopened after the Easter Sunday Bombings and recorded the worst daily fall in seven-years to reach a seven-year low, followed by a rally until April 30.
 
Prior to the bombings, the market had shown upward momentum for three weeks.The market rebounded on Thursday despite gloomy news from the banking industry, which suffered from rising loan losses and shrinking balance sheets in the March quarter.The S&P/CSE Banking Index closed 1.06 points higher on Thursday.
 
Index-heavy JKH accounted for 77.7 percent of the daily turnover, closing 50 cents higher at 136 rupees a share with selling by foreign funds, dealers said.
CTC closed 33.90 rupees higher at 1,340 rupees a share, contributing most to the ASPI gain.
Ceylon Cold Stores closed 37.90 rupees up at 598.60 rupees a share, and Sri Lanka Telecom closed 1.30 rupees higher at 21.30 rupees a share, also contributing to the benchmark gain.

https://economynext.com/Sri_Lanka_stocks_rebound,_ends_two_week_fall-3-14461-3.html

Thanks Ruwan

Waiting for the Thanamalwila Ganja IPO.

‘Certain controlling shareholders and related parties are allegedly on the move to devalue stocks’ – Vignarajah

May, 17, 2019

Representing Minority shareholders of CSE, K.C. Vignarajah urge SEC and Central Bank to protect their interests


Sri Lanka’s one of the key minority shareholder of several listed companies who had been continuously representing monitory shareholders’ interests of Sri Lanka’s stock market traders, and a leading good governance advocate, and former Chairman of Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI), K.C. Vignarajah has called upon the Central Bank and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to intervene to protect the interests of public and minority shareholders, ‘As certain controlling shareholders and related parties are allegedly on the move to devalue stocks by creating “Shareholder Fatigue”.



Reports outlined that in letters addressed to SEC Chairman, Ranel T. Wijesinha, and Governor, Central Bank, Dr. Indrajith Coomaraswamy, Vignarajah says that it is common knowledge that the market has been manipulated and pushed down. It is now the focus of local and foreign experts, as well as policy makers, and the Aid groups. They have commented on the lack of sufficient protection for Independent Minority Shareholders (IMS).



Further in a letter addressed to the Governor of Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), he says, that the bankers well know and have an Eagle Eye view of the oppressive Controlling Interest and Related Parties (CI&RP) as well as the oppressed investing public and the robbed Independent Minority Shareholders (IMS).”



“The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has a major role in directing policies with effective follow up action to ensure macro-economic fundamentals which would rapidly restore investor confidence (local and foreign) supporting Enterprise Society (ES) of which an efficient stock market with Good Corporate Governance (GCG) of all companies is at the core. The widely held public listed companies (PLCs) and an effective cooperative system which embraces entrepreneurship talent and the amazing skills of our people will enhance the image of our country. “The Independent minority Shareholders (IMS) investors are accorded all the support of low interest rates, sufficient loan capital to which stand adversity, and access to timely information.



The letter further highlights following:



1) Investors from the Average Decent Citizens (ADC) have to deal with:



a) A debilitating era of bad governance, uncertainty, inconsistency, opaque processes and procedures - the wrongdoers in government and public/private actors in the capital/ stock markets,



b) The oppression and mismanagement, price manipulation and malpractices in the Stock market, which have caused much loss to the investing public, economy, the image and the reputation of our country as an investment destination where good governance, peace, harmony and law and order prevail,



c) Our country and Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) need much more Equity investments, (instead of the country’s and corporate debt). Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is a critical need for our economic growth, and for settlement of foreign debt.



We need a clean, efficient stock market to grow an equitable Enterprise Society (ES), sharing the benefits of such enterprise. Many honest, knowledgeable persons have also demanded the same. It is the sacred duty of the CBSL and the banking community. They should achieve this by advising, and act in consultation with the Government to give moratorium on loan repayments and interest rate reductions. The AWPLR in Nov 2014 was 6.45% and in recent months it was double this.



Further in his letter to Chairman, SEC, he points out a few remedial measures which he had suggested many years earlier as well.



1. Re reduction of Public Holding (PH) below stipulated minimum Public Holding (PH).



a) Automatic cancellation of transactions which breach the minimum PH and imposition of severe penalties for the offenders-The Chairman, CEO, Company Secretary and Brokers who are or should be aware of the manipulations,



b) Make the voting shares of Controlling Interest & Related Parties (CI&RP) ‘Non Voting’ if they are in breach of the limit of (PH),



c) To create liquidity and marketability make “share splits”, “scrip dividends”, “Bonus shares”, etc to keep the price below Rs.100 per share,



d) Revalue Assets and capitalize all the Capital Reserves,



e) Declare dividends to ensure that 50% of Net Profit after Tax (NPAT) is distributed as dividends, subject to capital expenditure requirements of confirmed approved plans for expansion,



f) Offer substantial discounts on Companies Products to shareholders in proportion to their shareholding.

http://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/certain-controlling-shareholders-and-related-parties-are-allegedly-on-the-move-to-devalue-stocks-vignarajah/

Backstage wrote:Waiting for the Thanamalwila Ganja IPO.

Well, in the future you might see it in CSE as TGPL or TKPL
There was a plan to export to us as medicine.

Growing taste for Sri Lankan tea among Chinese youth triggers export boom

ECONOMYNEXT- Chinese youth are acquiring a taste for Sri Lanka’s black tea, with shipments to China, mainly a green tea market, growing strongly this year, Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Lucille Wijewardena said.

“From nothing about three to five years ago, last year they bought 10 million plus kilos of tea,” Wijewardena told economynext.com in an interview.

In the first quarter of this year, almost 2.8 million kilos of ‘Ceylon tea’ were exported to China, up 210,300 kilograms or 8.2 percent from a year ago.

China’s market share of total Sri Lankan tea exports in the first quarter was 3.77 percent, up slightly from a year ago..

“These numbers are huge,” Wijewardena said. “And this is a great opportunity for our industry as we are now open to a market with the highest population in the world.”

Wijewardena attributed the surge in tea exports to China mainly to Chinese youth developing a liking for consuming black tea with milk.

“And that is going to be a big market for us,” he said, noting that they expect exports to China to increase further.

China was the seventh highest export market for ‘Ceylon tea’ in March this year, ahead of other key markets like Syria, Germany and Japan.

Iraq was the top buyer of Sri Lankan tea in 2018, importing almost 10 million kilograms of tea, up by 4.02 percent from a year ago.

Prices for Sri Lankan tea are higher when compared with other competing countries like Kenya.

Wijewardena said Sri Lankan tea carries a premium quality image, which attracts higher demand and global recognition.

That’s why consumers in a big market like China resort to buying Sri Lankan tea instead of many others like CTC type tea which is what Kenya mainly produces.

“Fortunately the ethnic problem has not affected us.” Wijewardena said referring to recent turmoil within the country. “Transportation takes place and auctions are going on as usual.

“We didn’t have a single auction which was canceled. We got security for such possible cases and so far no disruptions were seen.”
(COLOMBO 21 May 2019)

ඇතුවත් බැරි නැතුවත් බැරි චීන්නු  

NIRMALSG wrote:Growing taste for Sri Lankan tea among Chinese youth triggers export boom

Mandatory 33% is not a bad choice instead of 50% is my thinking.

ruwan326 wrote: Declare dividends to ensure that 50% of Net Profit after Tax (NPAT) is distributed as dividends, subject to capital expenditure requirements of confirmed approved plans for expansion,

Thanks Nihal
At least Share Holders can push for dividends in companies likes of LOFC if this go forward.

Thanks Nihal for sharing the news. My worry is whether the CB will be able to implement this. The CSE too has a similar rule for minimum public ownership in listed companies. However, many listed companies have not complied with this requirement.