Category: Economy
Sri Lankan banks likely to come under capital pressure from Basel III: Fitch
Jun 07, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lankan banks are likely to come under increased capital pressure from Basel III-related requirements, Fitch Ratings said in a statement. “We expect most banks will have to raise capital to meet the higher requirements, particularly if they are pursuing rapid growth,” it said. “The sector’s capital needs could be […]
Sri Lanka trade gap widens 34-pct in March
June 07, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s trade gap has widened 34.1 percent to 827.5 million US dollars in March from a year earlier, official data from the Central Bank showed. The cumulative trade deficit in the first quarter of 2017 has increased 35 percent to 2,505 million dollars from the same period last year. […]
Sri Lanka growth to accelerate to 4.7-pct in 2017: World Bank
June 05, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s growth is forecast to accelerate to a 4.7 percent rate in 2017 and 5 percent in 2018, a new World Bank report says. According to the World Bank’s June 2017 Global Economic Prospects growth will happen as international financial institution programs support economic reforms and boost private sector competitiveness. […]
Sri Lanka vehicle registrations drop in April: JB Securities
Jun 02, 2017 (LBO) – Total vehicle registrations in Sri Lanka fell to 33,438 units in April from 40,021 in March, with declines in all major categories except three-wheelers and tractors, JB Securities said in a research note, likely affected by the holiday season. Three-wheelers observed a 12 percent growth, month-on-month, to 1,452 units in […]
‘s Global Economy Programme
Jun 02, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s foreign policy think tank Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute has signed a memorandum of understanding with the MJF Group to establish a Global Economy Programme to focus on international trade, foreign investment, and tourism. The establishment of the programme at LKI reflects the increasingly key role of economic diplomacy in Sri […]
Opinion : Building the future, infrastructure in ASEAN and South Asia
By Anna Marrs ASEAN and South Asia are building infrastructure at an unprecedented rate. Anyone who travels the capital cities of this region knows it for a fact. Roads, railroads, bridges, ports and metros. All this construction is transforming the city centres and areas of economic activity, and the lives of 2.4 billion people. It […]
Sri Lanka to obtain USD200mn loan from Pakistan
Jun 01, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved obtaining of a loan worth 200 million dollars from Pakistan for the financing of priority development projects. The loan will be utilized for housing construction, development of livestock, importing equipment required for agriculture and dairy production, and development of the Industrial Technology Institute. Former Finance […]
Four Sri Lanka state ministers, three deputy ministers take oaths
May 31, 2017 (LBO) – Several state ministers and deputy ministers took oaths before Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday. The appointments are: Eran Wickremaratne – State Minister of Finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena – State Minister of Public Enterprise Palitha Rangebandara – State Minister of Irrigation Wasantha Senanayake – State Minister of Foreign Affairs […]
‘s economic success: Finance Minister
May 31, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s newly appointed finance minister says to bring sustained investment and growth, Sri Lanka has to ensure peace and reconciliation while also setting up corresponding globally recognized regulatory mechanisms and investment practices. “Without reconciliation and durable peace, without guarantees of non-recurrence of conflict, Sri Lanka cannot achieve economic success,” […]
Foreign relief aid pledged to Sri Lanka after floods
May 30, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s official flood death toll rose to 177 on Monday as the island sought international assistance. High Commissioners and Ambassadors from the United Kingdom, United States and Japan met with the newly appointed Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake and pledged their support in various forms of relief aid. Japan had […]
Ravi assumes duties as foreign minister, pledges to bring in more investment
May 26, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s new Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake who assumed duties at the ministry Thursday pledged to focus on bringing in investment to the island. “We will focus on bringing in investment from counties like the US, India and China,” he told reporters in Colombo while accepting his duties. “Sri Lanka […]
‘s trade deficit widens substantially this year
May 26, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s trade deficit widened substantially in the first two months of the year, while a moderation in tourist earnings and a modest growth in workers’ remittances resulted in a subdued external sector, the central bank said in a statement. “The deficit in the trade balance widened substantially to US […]