*JKSB Opening Bell – News Snippets* 🔔 *17.02.2025* *Inflation set to climb this year, expected to peak in mid-2026: CBSL* “Sri Lanka’s inflation is expected to increase “sizeably” in the third quarter this year (3Q25), with the possibility of it hovering around 2 percentage points above the inflation target in mid-2026, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said in its monetary policy report that was released yesterday.” https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Inflation-set-to-climb-this-year-expected-to-peak-in-mid-2026-CBSL/108-302454 *Sri Lanka’s active credit cards up 2.8-pct in 2024* “Active credit cards in Sri Lanka rose by 2.8 percent or 53,045 in 2024, the latest Central Bank data showed, with the island nation’s economic recovery and strong promotions for credit cards amid falling interest rates.” https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-active-credit-cards-up-2-8-pct-in-2024-205168/ *February tourist arrivals up 17% to over 115,000 in 1H* “Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals have shown a strong growth, rising 17% year-on-year (YoY) in the first half of February with 115,043 visitors welcomed.” https://www.ft.lk/front-page/February-tourist-arrivals-up-17-to-over-115-000-in-1H/44-773092 *Less buying intensity at Colombo Tea Auction this week* “The Colombo Tea Auction this week saw less buying intensity, due to a combination of relatively higher volumes for the time of year and qualitative factors, a report from Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said.” https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Less-buying-intensity-at-Colombo-Tea-Auction-this-week/108-302449 *Hayleys delivers exceptional 9-month performance* “Sri Lanka’s most diversified blue chip, Hayleys Group has maintained its strong growth momentum during the first nine months of the financial year ending 31 March 2025, recording a 53% y-o-y increase in Profit Before Tax to Rs. 22.52 billion.” https://www.ft.lk/top-story/Hayleys-delivers-exceptional-9-month-performance/26-773093 *WindForce reports 22% growth in 9-month PAT; announces Rs. 1.35 b dividend payout* “WindForce PLC, yesterday announced a dividend of one rupee per share, totalling a payout of Rs. 1.35 billion for the financial year 2024/25.” https://www.ft.lk/front-page/WindForce-reports-22-growth-in-9-month-PAT-announces-Rs-1-35-b-dividend-payout/44-773091 *CBSL releases first Monetary Policy Report for 2025* “The Monetary Policy Report is published biannually, and the content of the current report is based on information, which the Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank considered in formulating the monetary policy decision during the January 2025 review.” https://www.themorning.lk/articles/nv7gB93iYbdYzP450jOq *BANKING SECTOR: NPLs decline to 12.3% in 2024* “Sri Lanka’s banking sector non-performing loans (NPLs) reduced to 12.3% at the end of 2024, indicating a gradual easing of credit risk in the sector, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said.” https://www.themorning.lk/articles/y2eJvyFXyPaMBN2FI2Jy