‘s borrowing costs go up, speculation of a possible rate hike ahead of polls

Sri Lanka’s borrowing costs went up by about 10-15 basis points at this week’s treasury bill auction, leaving room for speculation that the Central Bank may hike its benchmark interest rates on Wednesday.Sri Lanka’s borrowing costs went up by about 10-15 basis points at this week’s treasury bill auction, leaving room for speculation that the […]

Marxist JVP claims its not opposed to private sector or foreign investors

The JVP (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna) says it is changing fast and it no longer opposes the private sector or foreign investors.The JVP (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna) says it is changing fast and it no longer opposes the private sector or foreign investors. Top rungers in the UPFA at an evening meeting at Colombo Hilton said anti-business […]

Hot Air

The Court of Appeal has ruled the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) cannot control Shell Gs Lanka prices by categorizing LP gas as an essential item.The Court of Appeal has ruled the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) cannot control Shell Gs Lanka prices by categorizing LP gas as an essential item. The court awarded the case in […]

Easy Prey

Sri Lanka is just recovering from a bad bout of inflation. But inflation actually helps the Treasury balance its books, by boosting nominal revenues, and imposing cuts in wages and other expenditure in real terms. Sri Lanka is just recovering from a bad bout of inflation. But inflation actually helps the Treasury balance its books, […]

Better Management

Top economic advisor to the Prime Minister Ajith Nivard Cabral says big government is possible despite the lack of Fiscal space.Top economic advisor to the Prime Minister Ajith Nivard Cabral says big government is possible despite the lack of Fiscal space. Mr. Cabral, an accountant, used to be a member of the capitalist UNP.The Prime […]

Losing Faith

Treasury Secretary Dr P. B. Jayasundera says he has little faith in Central Bank numbers.Treasury Secretary Dr P. B. Jayasundera says he has little faith in Central Bank numbers. “I was at the Central Bank Public Finance Department and wrote these reports for 20 years.It is the same thing again and again. For us to […]

‘s daughter of destiny departs, reluctantly

Sri Lanka’s President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who steps down as president next week after serving her maximum two terms, leaves her parents’ party in turmoil and the country at a crossroads.Sri Lanka’s President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who steps down as president next week after serving her maximum two terms, leaves her parents’ party in turmoil and the […]

Kuwait lends US$ 20 mn for post tsunami reconstruction

The Kuwait Fund will lend US$ 20 mn to Sri Lanka to strengthen tertiary education and build administrative infrastructure in tsunami affected areas.The Kuwait Fund will lend US$ 20 mn to Sri Lanka to strengthen tertiary education and build administrative infrastructure in tsunami affected areas. The money will fund construction of educational facilities, student housing […]

Déjà vu

Operating losses at the Ceylon Electricity Board is threatening to snowball to Rs.18 billion by year end, as costs of generation soar with no new power plants in sight. Operating losses at the Ceylon Electricity Board is threatening to snowball to Rs. 18 billion by year end, as costs of generation soar with no new […]

Presidential Election 2005 : Outcome Revealed

The analysis appearing below is a sequel to the previous three scenario analysis. A re-cap of the three scenarios analyzed previously is as follows.The analysis appearing below is a sequel to the previous three scenario analysis. A re-cap of the three scenarios analyzed previously is as follows. Notation : UNP Candidate = RW                 UPFA […]

Adopted Kids

US based AIG Insurance shed its Rs.8.7 billion life portfolio of its Sri Lankan unit to Sri Lanka Insurance, to focus on general business, officials said Friday.US based AIG Insurance shed its Rs. 8.7 billion life portfolio of its Sri Lankan unit to Sri Lanka Insurance, to focus on general business, officials said Friday. Hayleys […]

Fighting cost push inflation with tight monetary policy

The debate over expansionary fiscal policy took a new turn with Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama making apparently contradictory statements in the budget, when defending himself against charges of igniting galloping inflation by printing money. “The Honourable Finance Minister’s statement is what I call an oxymoron,” says Dr. Harsha de Silva, a leading critic of the […]

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