*BRS News Flash 18.02.2025* • The broader ASPI closed up 1.30 percent, or 219.36 points, at 17,156.05; while the more liquid S&P SL20 Index closed up 1.41 percent, or 71.19 points, at 5,106.40. After a month of continued downward trend, a net foreign inflow of 777 million rupees was recorded. This was the highest inflow in 2025. 📈💵📊 Source: https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-aspi-nears-all-time-high-amidst-budget-205690/ • Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Manufacturing (PMI – Manufacturing) recorded an index value of 59.0 in January 2025, indicating a further expansion in manufacturing activities, the Central Bank said yesterday. 🏭📊📈  Source: https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/PMI-Manufacturing-and-Services-indices-indicate-expansions-in-January-2025/273-302578 • The government has allocated Rs. 3,000 million for digital development as part of its strategy to achieve its ambitious goal of generating US$ 15 billion through the digital economy by 2030. 💻📈💰 Source : https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-247/Govt-to-invest-Rs-3-000-Mn-to-fund-digital-economy/395-302553 • Sri Lanka is aiming for an economic growth of 5 percent in the medium terms President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said while presenting the Budget 2025. 📊🇱🇰📈 Source: https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/SL-expects-5-economic-growth/108-302544 • Serendib Flour Mills, together with Prima, the leading flour manufacturers in Sri Lanka, have collaborated with the Ministry of Trade to support the government’s cost of living reduction initiatives.🌾🍞🤝 Source : https://www.themorning.lk/articles/ws7iO5bRLavHbND8k0Sv • Though the Sri Lankan government did not stray from the IMF’s target expectations in its budget for 2025, by committing to a 2.3% primary balance surplus, it raises concerns over the long-term impact of increased public sector wages and the challenges of balancing welfare spending with fiscal discipline, experts speaking to The Daily Morning Business said. 💰⚖️📉 Source : https://www.themorning.lk/articles/fJ6wWkJjR0QR6fVylsw1 • Dialog Axiata PLC announced its consolidated financial results for the year ended 31 December 2024, on 14 February. 📑📊🏢 Source : https://www.themorning.lk/articles/63j1cfjjf2u6V3hRQs8D • As attempts to divest the state ownership and attract private investments have been unsuccessful, national carrier SriLankan Airlines is slated to receive Rs.20 billion to repay the old debts. ✈️💰📉 Source : https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/SriLankan-Airlines-receives-Rs-20bn-to-settle-old-debts/273-302574 • President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the employers are in agreement to increase the monthly minimum wage of the private sector workers to Rs.30,000 by 2026.💰📈👷 Source : https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Private-sector-monthly-minimum-wage-to-be-increased-to-Rs-30-000-by-2026/273-302577 • Sri Lanka is aiming for a budget deficit of 6.7 percent of gross domestic product in 2025, after achieving a 6.8 percent out-turn in 2025, according to a budget for 2025.📉📊📑 Source : https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-revenue-target-15-pct-in-2025-budget-deficit-6-7-pct-205619/ • Sri Lanka’s 2025 budged has allocated funds to establish dedicated industrial zones for chemical manufacturing for domestic consumption and rubber products as well as automobile manufacturing for export markets, the official budget document showed. 🏭🛠️📈 Source : https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-to-establish-three-industrial-zones-for-manufacturing-205770/ • Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Disanayake in his maiden full-year budget has not implemented the imputed rental income tax which the previous government agreed to implement from 2025, while expecting majority of the revenue from vehicle imports. 🚗💰📉 Source : https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-2025-budget-delays-tax-on-rental-expects-vehicle-imports-to-bring-bulk-revenue-205699/ *BRS Equity Research*