Economy

India writes off US$100mn in debt to Sri Lanka

Published

1 year ago

April 7, 2025

India has converted 100 million dollars of loans into grants, visiting Prime Minister Narenda Modi said in Colombo, effectively writing off the debt.

“In the last 6 months alone, we have converted loans worth more than 100 million dollars into grants,” Prime Minister Modi said at a briefing with President Anura Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

Sri Lanka defaulted on its foreign debt in 2022 after extreme macro-economic policy inflation flexible inflation targeting and potential output targeting, shattered the balance of payments.

About 1,366 million dollars of Indian debt, not counting interest in areas was included in debt slated to restructure.

Bilateral debt of Middle Income countries are usually restructured by extending maturities and reducing interest rates. However, India has written off 100 million dollars of debt to Sri Lanka.

Source – Economynext

Economy

Govt saving Rs. 5.7B through price regulation of 13 expensive medicines

Published

1 day ago

October 4, 2026

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The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) says the government’s estimated savings from regulating the prices of 13 major high-priced medicines amount to Rs. 5.7 billion.

NMRA Chairman Specialist Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama made this statement at a media briefing held in Colombo today (01).

He further said that the savings to the public would vary depending on the medicines they purchase.

He noted that the medicines whose prices had been reduced are mainly those that patients require for long-term use.

Economy

CBSL Governor says Fitch upgrade reflects Sri Lanka’s progress on economic reforms

Published

6 days ago

September 29, 2026

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The Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said Sri Lanka’s sovereign rating upgrade by Fitch Ratings from ‘CCC+’ to ‘B-’ with a Stable Outlook reflects ongoing progress in macroeconomic stabilization and reforms.

Speaking at the 49th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) on September 23, Dr. Weerasinghe stated that the restoration of stability following the severe economic crisis has provided a stronger foundation for the country’s next development phase.

“This progress has also been recognised by the upgrade of Sri Lanka’s sovereign rating by Fitch Ratings to ‘B-’ from ‘CCC+’, with a Stable Outlook, announced, reflecting the continued progress in macroeconomic stabilisation and reforms,” he added.

Economy

Sri Lanka ranked among top 10 global risers in tourism

Published

1 week ago

September 28, 2026

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Sri Lanka has been ranked among the top 10 countries in the world for the fastest improvement in the Travel and Tourism Development Index between 2024 and 2026, according to the 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index released by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Sri Lanka has been ranked 10th on the list, with its Travel and Tourism Development Index score increasing by 4.33% in 2026 compared to 2024.

Albania ranked first, recording a 7.0% increase in its index score.

Vietnam and Laos ranked second and third, respectively, with increases of 6.3% and 6.1% in their index scores.