*Almas News Bulletin 19th February 2025* *For more live news updates,* categorized by company and sector, check out the news tab on the almasONE Insights Portal: https://insights.almasequities.com/dl/News 🗞 *IMF Exec. Board to decide on fourth tranche next week* https://www.themorning.lk/articles/L3ZnsUcd3uX11C2Xer34 🗞 *Sri Lanka’s budget likely to lead to slower fiscal consolidation: Moody’s* https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Sri-Lankas-budget-likely-to-lead-to-slower-fiscal-consolidation-Moodys/108-302648 🗞 *Budget 2025 aims to extend stability, policy consistency: Deputy Finance Minister* https://www.ft.lk/top-story/Budget-2025-aims-to-extend-stability-policy-consistency-Deputy-Finance-Minister/26-773193 🗞 *SriLankan growth curbed by debt and govt. finances* https://www.themorning.lk/articles/YpA1R9KqjHVjUvV9rTiv 🗞 *Over 48% Lankans borrow from non banking or unsolicited channels* https://www.dailynews.lk/2025/02/19/business/726410/over-48-lankans-borrow-from-non-banking-or-unsolicited-channels/ 🗞 *Sri Lanka Banks’ Association welcomes budget as “Positive”* https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Sri-Lanka-Banks-Association-welcomes-budget-as-Positive/273-302667 🗞 *UAE keen on investing in Sri Lankan energy sector* https://www.dailynews.lk/2025/02/19/business/726425/uae-keen-on-investing-in-sri-lankan-energy-sector/ 🗞 *HNB with Abans Auto offers leasing for Hyundai buyers* https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/HNB-with-Abans-Auto-offers-leasing-for-Hyundai-buyers/273-302662 🗞 *Sampath Bank tops Rs. 46 b PBT in 2024* https://www.themorning.lk/articles/PrsVoAwdg91snVQWn2cm