Category: Commodity
EU opposes death penalty; €2.2bn exports under GSP+ from June 2017 – May 2018
Feb 15, 2019 (LBO) – The European Union (EU) has reiterated its opposition to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and encouraged Sri Lanka to maintain its moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty. The EU and Sri Lanka held their 22nd meeting of the Joint Commission yesterday […]
Sri Lanka Customs chief P.S.M. Charles reinstated
Feb 06, 2019 (LBO) – P.S.M. Charles has been reinstated as the Director General of Customs following the its trade union alliance launching a work-to-rule campaign since January 30 on her removal from office. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera is said to have withdrawn the proposal to appoint retired navy officer Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando as the […]
Sri Lanka inflation decreased to 0.4-pct in December 2018
Jan 21, 2019 (LBO) – Headline inflation measured by the National Consumer Price Index has decreased to 0.4 percent in December 2018 from 1.0 percent in November 2018, the Central Bank data showed. The Central Bank said the decrease observed in year-on-year inflation in December is driven by the decrease of prices of items in […]
I think we are understating Sri Lanka’s GDP under new methodology: CB Governor
Jan 02, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor on Wednesday pointed out that the authorities need to look at carefully whether they are recording the GDP of the country accurately.According to Coomaraswamy’s own view, the growth in 2018 should be somewhere between 3.5 and 4 percent. “I don’t think this is a 3 […]
Sri Lanka inflation 2.8-pct in Dec 2018
Jan 01, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Consumer Price Index was down to 2.8 percent in December 2018 from 3.3 percent in November 2018, data shows. “The YoY inflation as measured by CCPI is 2.8 percent in December 2018 and inflation calculated for November was 3.3 percent,” the latest data from the Department of Census and Statistics […]
First Capital increases equity exposure as global funds reversing towards Asia
Dec 28, 2018 (LBO) – First Capital Research has upgraded its equity exposure to 60 percent with the belief that the events that have unfolded globally may benefit Sri Lanka and the equity market over the next few months positively impacting earnings and possibly leading to net foreign inflows. Over the last 3 months, they […]
Mangala says Singapore Platts price of refined petrol down 12-pct since Oct 10
Nov 05, 2018 (LBO) – Mangala Samaraweera says that the Rajapaksa administration is attempting to revert to the opaque, politicized regime of fuel pricing that resulted in the CPC being landed with a huge debt which is eventually borne by taxpayers. Samaraweera said that there has been a 12 percent reduction in the Singapore Platts […]
Parliament passes resolution to raise Rs.310Bn under Active Liability Mgmt
Oct 26, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Friday passed a resolution to raise up to 310 billion rupees by way of loans, in or outside Sri Lanka under the Active Liability Management Act. The Active Liability Management Act provides the legal framework for the government to raise loans for management of public debt […]
Sri Lanka plans new import controls for non essential goods
Oct 17, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed the Finance Ministry to study the current imports and submit a report on goods of which the imports can be temporarily restricted. President has made these remarks at the 20th session of the National Economic Council, which was held at the Presidential Secretariat […]
Sri Lanka introduces national standard for mobile QR code payments
Oct 12, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has introduced a National Quick Response (QR) Code Standard for local currency payments with the aim of establishing a standard for payments carried out through mobile phones. The Central Bank said this new standard called LANKAQR came into effect from this week. All Licensed Banks, Licensed […]
Sri Lanka revises fuel prices: Diesel not increased
Oct 10, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government increased the prices of petrol and super diesel with effect from midnight Wednesday. Issuing a statement the Ministry of Finance said the price of 92 octane petrol will be increased by six rupees to 155 rupees a litre.95 octane petrol will go up by eight rupees to […]
Price controls dominate political debate but may not help consumers: Report
Oct 10, 2018 (LBO) – A new report by The Advocata Institute, titled “Price Controls in Sri Lanka: Political Theatre” finds that consumer price controls lead to unintended outcomes including lower quality.Politicians have imposed price controls on a variety of items in the belief that capping prices will lower costs but our survey shows that […]