CBSL warns general public over pyramid-type schemes in Sri Lanka

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has requested the Attorney General to consider instituting criminal proceedings against three pyramid-type prohibited schemes operating in the country.

Accordingly, the CBSL has carried out investigations to ascertain whether the entities Fast 3Cycle International (Pvt) Ltd (F3C), Sport Chain App, Sports Chain ZS Society Sri Lanka and the OnmaxDT have violated the provisions of 83C of the Banking Act. 

In relation to the examination conducted, the CBSL has determined that the three relevant entities and Directors, Founders and Promoters of those entities have conducted prohibited schemes in contravention of the provisions of the said act.

The CBSL had further notified the general public regarding the matter, in a special notice published in local newspapers.

Cabinet approval for divestment of govt’s stake in SLT & Lanka Hospitals

The Secretary to the Treasury has informed the Board of Directors of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT) and Lanka Hospitals PLC that the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval in principle for the divestment of the stakes held by the Treasury Secretary in the two companies. 

Accordingly, the Secretary to the Treasury has informed the Board of Directors of SLT and Lanka Hospitals that the Cabinet of Ministers has granted its approval in principle for the divestment of the stake held by the Treasury Secretary in the respective companies. 

The companies have announced that they have received the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to sell the shares owned by the government in Sri Lanka Telecom PLC and Lanka Hospital PLC, which are two companies listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), as per the policy decision of the government.

Notifying the Colombo Stock Exchange of this decision, Sri Lanka Telecom says that the divestiture will be implemented in the near future by the State-Owned Enterprise Restructuring Unit of established  under the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policy, subject to following the due process. Meanwhile, Ceylon Hospital PLC has also issued an announcement stating the same.

The Treasury holds a 49.50% stake of the issued share capital of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC.

Meanwhile, a 51.34% stake of the share capital of Lanka Hospital PLC is held by the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, representing the Government of Sri Lanka.

IMF Executive Board approves Sri Lanka’s program

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that the IMF Executive Board approved Sri Lanka’s program under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). 

The program will allow Sri Lanka to access financing of up to US$ 7 billion from the IMF, International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and multilateral organizations.

This is a historic milestone for the country as the Government seeks to restore macroeconomic stability and achieve debt sustainability. 

Earlier this month, Sri Lanka received IMF-compatible financing assurances from its official creditors, including Paris Club members, India and China, allowing the IMF to convene an Executive Board and consider Sri Lanka’s request for a loan. 

The program is expected to provide much-needed policy space to drive the economy out of the unprecedented challenges and instill confidence amongst all the stakeholders.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed the announcement:

“In the 75 years of Sri Lanka’s independence, there has never been a more critical period for our economic future. Our official creditors have declared their support following continuous and positive engagements over the last few months, and we are pleased that the IMF Executive Board approved our program, enabling Sri Lanka to access up to US$ 7 billion in funding from the IMF and IFIs. From the very start, we committed to full transparency in all our discussions with financial institutions and with our creditors. I express my gratitude to the IMF and our international partners for their support as we look to get the economy back on track for the long term through prudent fiscal management and our ambitious reform agenda.

Since taking office last July, it has been my priority to stabilize Sri Lanka’s economy and achieve sustainable levels of debt. To do so, we have taken some tough decisions, but we did so with a commitment to widening our social safety nets, protecting the vulnerable, rooting out corruption and ensuring we can grow an inclusive and internationally attractive economy. The IMF program is critical to achieving this vision for our country, and we are committed to successfully completing the IMF program and achieving debt sustainability. We will continue to engage with all our creditors, and I encourage both our bilateral and commercial creditors to strengthen and foster coordination in the context of our forthcoming engagement. The IMF program will also be imperative to improving Sri Lanka’s standing in and access to international capital markets, and it will demonstrate that Sri Lanka is once again a country attractive to talent, investors and tourists.”