Newly listed Melstacorp wants to blend revenue streams

Dec 30, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s newly listed Melstacorp is to blend the revenue streams the group receives through its different sources to ensure an appropriate blend, Managing Director Amitha Gooneratne said. He emphasized that the company wants to maintain its diversified interests and income generation going forward. “The greatest challenge of Melstacorp would […]

Sri Lanka Amana Bank seeks foreign investors for capital enhancement

Dec 30, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Amana Bank today said its director board is currently in discussions with prospective foreign investors to enhance their capital in line with Central Bank requirements. The budget 2017 proposed to increase the minimum core capital level from the current 10 billion to 20 billion rupees for all licensed […]

Sri Lankan rupee falls nearly 4 pct in 2016; spot reference rate at record low

Dec 30, 2016 (Reuters) – The Sri Lankan rupee fell 3.9 percent in 2016, with the spot currency reference rate hitting a record low on Friday, as higher imports and private sector credit as well as lower export earnings weighed on the currency throughout the year. Rupee forwards were active, with one-month forwards closing flat […]

Sri Lankan shares fall about 10 pct in 2016; directions on rupee, rates awaited

Dec 30, 2016 (Reuters) – Sri Lankan shares fell on Friday, posting a yearly decline of about 10 percent, in thin trade due to year-end holidays, while investors waited for directions from the central bank on the rupee and interest rates. The central bank is most likely to keep its key interest rates steady at […]

Market Watch: Eyes on policy decision, liquidity in surplus (Updated)

(Updated with 330 billion rupee CBSL holding of government securities) Dec 30, 2016 (LBO) – All eyes were on the Sri Lanka monetary policy decision to be announced later on Friday, with secondary market bond yields ticking slightly higher. Dealers said the central bank was likely to keep rates steady, though there was pressure to […]

2017 will be decisive for Sri Lanka: Mahinda Rajapaksa

2017 will be the year in which the future of Sri Lanka will be decided. The government’s devolution package to divide the country into what they call ‘distinct spheres of authority’, the ETCA with India to open up Sri Lanka to Indian service providers and workers, the privatisation of the Hambantota harbour and other government […]

Sri Lankan rupee falls ahead of c.bank decision on policy rates

Dec 30, 2016 (Reuters) – The Sri Lankan rupee traded weaker on Friday due to unusual year-end dollar demand from importers and ahead of an announcement on monetary policy by the central bank later in the day, dealers said. Sri Lanka’s central bank is most likely to keep its key interest rates steady on Friday, […]

Group of Sri Lankans in UK protest against proposed constitution

A demonstration was held on the 16th of December, biting cold and freezing weather outside the Sri Lankan High Commission in UK by a group of Sri Lankans vehemently protesting against the proposed ‘federal’ constitution. The group complained that as per the wishes of the TNA and the countries like US, UK, EU and Canada, […]

Sri Lanka’s business leaders meet Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake

Dec 30, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lankan business personalities met Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake at an intimate dinner event in Colombo recently organized by the Horton Debate Society. Minister Karunanayake explained the economic policies of the government, at the post-budget event, while members of the networking group were able to discuss some of the proposals […]

‘s share of Chinese FDI going into Asia low: policy paper

Dec 30, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka, which runs a trade deficit with China, should aim to increase the island’s share of Chinese FDI going into Asia, a policy paper by the Lakshaman Kadirgamar Institute says. The paper argues that Sri Lanka’s relatively low rank among China’s economic partners challenges some claims about China’s contributions […]

‘s Mahinda Rajapaksa opposes land for Chinese investment

Dec 29, 2016 (Reuters) – Sri Lanka’s former leader Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday criticised a government plan to grant 15,000 acres for Chinese investment in his constituency, saying it will deprive people of agricultural land. Rajapaksa, chided by the West and India for his close relations with China during his rule, is now agitating against […]

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