Category: Economy
World Bank warns of reform slowdown amid challenging political environment
Apr 17, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s growth is projected to rebound in 2018 and continue to be around 4.5 percent in the medium term, driven by private consumption and investment, the Wold Bank says in its latest report. “Inflation will stabilize at the mid-single digit level as the impact of natural disasters wears off, […]
SriLankan reports revenue of Rs.126.9Bn in 2017/18
Apr 16, 2018 (LBO) – National carrier SriLankan Airlines has achieved a un-audited annual passenger revenue of 126.9 billion rupees (US Dollars 830.7 million) for its just ended financial year of 2017/18. “This is the highest ever in the Company’s 38-year history,” the Airline said in a statement. The revenue comes on the back of recent […]
Asia will grow at 6-pct in 2018, Trade risk warnings: ADB
Apr 12, 2018 (LBO) – The Asian Development Bank raised its 2018 economic growth estimate for developing Asia to 6.0 per cent from 5.8 per cent, citing solid export demand, but said US protectionist measures and any retaliation against them could undermine trade. Growth in developing Asia would only ease slightly to 5.9 per cent […]
Sri Lanka Govt call for expediting activities related to exploration and production of petroleum
Apr 12, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has called for an action plan for expediting the activities related to exploration and production of petroleum. It has been planned to enter in to agreements with selected companies to explore the petroleum in Eastern Coastal area and shallow sea areas, a cabinet statement said. “The attention […]
President calls for proposals to solve problems in construction field
Apr 11, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena advised the Secretary for Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training to prepare a proposal for finding solutions to fill the shortage of workmen in construction field.The President further advised to form a special committee jointly headed by the Secretaries of Ministry of Skills Development […]
Sri Lanka targets USD2.5Bn in FDI in 2018, USD 5Bn by 2020:Fin Min
Apr 10, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government is looking at attracting up to US 2.5 billion dollars in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in 2018, and to double it to US 5 billion by 2020, a statement said. In 2017 the the highest FDI inflows came from China, followed by Hong Kong, India and Singapore, the […]
Sri Lanka’s debt burden is higher than Ethiopia, Uganda & Ghana
Apr 09, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government revenue as a share of GDP is lower than many peers, while the government debt-to-GDP ratio is much higher, Moody’s Investors Service said in a statement.Debt-to-GDP ratio in Ethiopia, Uganda and Ghana among other countries is lower than Sri Lanka even though revenue-to-GDP ratio in these countries […]
Sri Lanka trade deficit expands over USD1bn in January; imports USD2bn
Apr 09, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s trade deficit has expanded in January surpassing 1 billion US dollars for the second consecutive month due to significant level of imports offsetting the increase in export earnings. While earnings from merchandise exports increased, expenditure on imports also increased significantly outweighing the performance in export earnings during the […]
Fitch Ratings doubles stake in Sri Lanka unit
Apr 05, 2018 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has doubled its stake in itch Ratings Lanka Ltd. ,to approximately 89 percent through its acquisition of the equity interest of several shareholders. the Company said in a statement. “We are excited about Fitch’s commitment to Sri Lanka, one of Asia’s fastest-growing fixed-income markets,” said Maninda Wickramasinghe, Head of […]
Sri Lanka CB cuts policy rate ceiling by 25bps
Apr 04, 2018 (LB0) – Sri Lanka’s central bank has decided to reduce the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR), which is the upper bound of the policy interest rate corridor of the Central Bank, by 25 basis points, a statement said. The Monetary Board was of the view that the favourable developments in the economy […]
New IR act most progressive in SA, Will bring in extra Rs.60Bn in revenue
Apr 03, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance ministry says the government expects to earn a an additional revenue of 60 billion rupees each year through the new Inland Revenue Act (IRA). “This year, we expect the government to rake in 30 billion rupees,” S.R. Attygalle, deputy secretary of the Finance and Mass Media Ministry said. […]
Central Bank to continue exchange of altered currency notes
Mar 30, 2018 (LBO) – Central Bank has decided to continue the service of exchange of willfully mutilated, altered and defaced currency notes from CBSL until further notice.The decision has been made considering the difficulties faced by the general public in exchanging willfully defaced currency notes after 31 March, 2018.After 31 March, general public can […]