*Softlogic Stockbrokers* *News Alert –11th February 2025* *Power crisis deepens as Norochcholai shutdown extends blackouts* • Norochcholai coal power plant remains offline till Friday, delaying full grid restoration • Rolling power cuts continue, causing frustration and raising concerns over grid stability • CEB schedules power cuts • for four groups, with • 1.5-hour outages between 3:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. • PUCSL questions legitimacy of power cuts, stating it only approved scheduled cuts for two days • No clear explanation for six-hour blackout on Sunday https://www.ft.lk/top-story/Power-crisis-deepens-as-Norochcholai-shutdown-extends-blackouts/26-772917 *Prime lending rate dips below 8%* • Decline driven by reduction in treasury bill yields and stable inflation • Central Bank’s monetary policy continues to support lower borrowing costs https://www.themorning.lk/articles/9INoXzFqrTIk9NZ9tFzi *Rupee strengthens against US dollar* According to the daily exchange rate chart released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), the buying price of the US dollar stood at Rs. 293.18 yesterday (10), while the selling price was recorded at Rs. 301.74. https://www.themorning.lk/articles/BDB7lWWEVCRoLahi0zLI *Sri Lanka prepares for key anti-money laundering evaluation ahead of global scrutiny* Sri Lanka is set to undergo its third Mutual Evaluation on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), a process coordinated by the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG). https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Sri-Lanka-prepares-for-key-anti-money-laundering-evaluation-ahead-of-global-scrutiny/44-772916 *Tourism Malaysia launches Sales Mission to Colombo* Tourism Malaysia yesterday announced the launch of its Sales Mission to Colombo, aimed at rejuvenating its presence and strengthening ties with the Sri Lankan tourism market. https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Tourism-Malaysia-launches-Sales-Mission-to-Colombo/44-772915 *January tea sales average rises in rupees, slips in dollar terms* Sri Lanka’s national tea sales average for January 2025 edged up slightly in rupee terms but saw a marginal decline in dollar value, the data from the Sri Lanka Tea Board showed. https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/January-tea-sales-average-rises-in-rupees-slips-in-dollar-terms/273-302094 *Ceylon Chamber unveils ‘Outlook 2025 Report* Sustained fiscal discipline, governance improvements and investments in digital infrastructure are vital to ensuring Sri Lanka’s economic recovery transitions into sustainable growth. https://www.dailynews.lk/2025/02/11/business/721364/digital-infrastructure-vital-for-ensuring-lankas-sustainable-growth/ *Small Businesses stand tall during times of crisis – Founder of AMF Hermawan Kartajaya* “In a time of crisis, small businesses are the ones that can be managed more easily said the founder of Asia Marketing Federation (AMF) and Asia Small Business Federation (ASBF), Hermawan Kartajaya. https://www.dailynews.lk/2025/02/11/business/721361/small-businesses-stand-tall-during-times-of-crisis-founder-of-amf-hermawan-kartajaya/ *Jetwing delivers solid financial performance on higher tourist arrivals* Jetwing Symphony PLC reported improved top and bottom-line performances for the three months ended in December 2024, reflecting how the rising arrivals at macro level are translating into better incomes and profits for the resort and hotel operators and changing the fortunes of those both in and outside the industry. https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Jetwing-delivers-solid-financial-performance-on-higher-tourist-arrivals/273-302095 _Softlogic Research_