Sri Lanka has transfered funds to repay a $1 billion bond by the Tuesday deadline, keeping intact its reputation for honoring debt as concern mounts about the nation’s overseas financing.
The money was transfered Monday, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the state minister for money and capital markets, said by phone. Moody’s Investors Service placed Sri Lanka’s ratings under review for a downgrade last week, citing its assessment of the country’s increasingly fragile external liquidity position and the risk of default.
“I have been saying right throughout that we will pay. Unfortunately some bondholders panicked due to rating actions and analyst reports and