The Central Bank of Sri Lanka yesterday cut its main lending rate for the second time in three months, hoping to lift the economy as its struggles in the wake of the devastating Easter attacks that hit the key tourism sector.
The bank said the rate at which it lent to commercial banks was reduced by 50 basis points to 8 percent.
It added that the 50-basis-point cut in May had not translated into cheaper credit for consumers and expected the latest move to reflect in market lending rates.
“It is essential that market lending rates are lowered by bank and non-bank financial institutions in response to their reduced cost of funds, thereby boosting credit flows to productive sectors, and in turn help the revival of the economy,” the bank said in its monthly economic review.
Sri Lanka’s economic growth slowed to 3.2 percent last year from 3.4 percent in 2017, but had been expected to pick up this year until the devastating attacks by a homegrown militant group that killed hundreds, and hammered tourism and consumer spending.
“Although economic growth is expected to recover gradually towards its potential in the medium term, domestic and global headwinds are likely to delay this recovery,” the bank said.
Sri Lankan Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera expected revenues from tourism — one of the nation’s biggest income earners — to plunge US$1.5 billion this year, because of cancelations by foreign tourists after the bombings, but the industry expects a faster recovery.
The government allowed a state of emergency to lapse on Thursday, as authorities announced they had arrested or killed those directly responsible for the attacks.
The IMF released a delayed loan installment to Sri Lanka following the bombings, helping government efforts to stabilize the economy.
The global lender released US$164 million under a three-year US$1.5 billion bailout that was suspended in October last year during a power struggle between the president and the prime minister.
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