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The Central Bank publishes 'Recent Economic Developments: Highlights of 2020 and Prospects for 2021'

Today, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka released its report on “Recent Economic Developments: Highlights of 2020 and Prospects for 2021”. The Report can be downloaded from the website of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in all three languages.*

In addition to the regular update on economic developments, the Report also presents an update to the medium term macroeconomic projections published by the Central Bank in April 2020, taking into account the information available up to mid-October 2020. The publication of the Report this year comes at a crucial juncture as the economy continues to navigate through multipronged socio-economic challenges and uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cancellation of the Licence issued to Axis Bank Limited (Axis Colombo Branch) based on the request made by the Axis Bank Limited, India

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, having considered the request made by the Axis Bank Limited, India consequent to a policy decision taken in 2019 on its global operations, has granted approval to close down business operations of Axis Bank Limited in Sri Lanka and cancel the licence issued to it in terms of the provisions of the Banking Act, No. 30 of 1988, subject to several terms and conditions.

Upon the Director of Bank Supervision being satisfied with Axis Bank Limited complying with the terms and conditions imposed by the Monetary Board, the licence issued to Axis Bank Limited to carry on banking business, will be cancelled with effect from 30 October 2020.

CCPI based Inflation remained unchanged at 4 per cent in October 2020

Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2013=100), remained unchanged at 4.0 per cent in October 2020 due to the statistical effect of the high base prevailed in October 2019. Meanwhile, Food inflation (Y-o-Y) decreased to 10.0 per cent in October 2020 from 11.5 per cent in September 2020, whereas Non-food inflation (Y-o-Y) increased to 1.3 per cent in October 2020 from 0.9 per cent in September 2020.

Special Arrangements made by Employees’ Provident Fund Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to Provide Uninterrupted EPF Related Services to its Stakeholders

EPF Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka wishes to inform all its stakeholders on the arrangements that have been made to provide its services uninterruptedly amidst the difficult situation prevailing in the country due to Covid-19 pandemic. Services of settling refunds, collection of contributions, issuing of balance confirmations and contribution history reports and name and account amendments will be provided as follows.

Cancellation of the Licence issued to ICICI Bank Limited (ICICI Colombo Branch)

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, having considered the request made by the ICICI Bank Limited, India, has granted approval to close down business operations of ICICI Bank Limited in Sri Lanka and cancel the licence issued to it in terms of the provisions of the Banking Act, No. 30 of 1988, subject to several terms and conditions.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Continues its Accommodative Monetary Policy Stance

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 21 October 2020, decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at their current levels of 4.50 per cent and 5.50 per cent, respectively, thereby continuing the prevailing accommodative monetary policy stance. The Board noted the decline in overall market lending rates, following the unprecedented monetary easing measures taken by the Central Bank thus far during the year, and expects the broadbased downward adjustment in market lending rates to continue, thereby ensuring affordable credit flows to productive sectors of the economy in the prevailing low inflation environment.

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