Category: Economy
IFC looks to fund Sri Lanka infrastructure, tourism and energy
Jun 13, 2016 (LBO) – The International Finance Corporation, a part of the World Bank group, said they are focusing on financing financially viable projects in Sri Lanka, and highlighted potential areas such as infrastructure, tourism, agribusiness, energy and also finance. “The project IFC gets involved should be viable and also should have a development […]
IMF confirms Sri Lanka has additional Rs1.3 trillion liabilities
June 09, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government has been informed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that they have identified 1.3 trillion rupees (8.9 billion dollars) of additional liabilities as at the end of 2015. Prime Minister told Parliament that the fiscal affairs department of the IMF, with the help of treasury officials, recently […]
Sri Lanka to introduce capital gains tax & remove exchange control: PM
June 09, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government will remove exchange control regulations before the end of this year with improved inflows coming into the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said. Speaking at the debate of the no-confidence motion against Finance Minister, the Premier said the proposal will be implemented with the 2017 budget proposals. […]
Sri Lanka approves funds for reservoirs and Southern roads
Jun 08, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved several reservoir and road development projects including the lower MalwathuOya reservoir and roads under the Southern transport projects. “The proposed lower MalwathuOya reservoir project will directly benefit people in Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, and Mannar districts and will facilitate 12,425 hectares of land under the Yoda Wewa and […]
Sri Lanka exports, imports decline; trade gap shrinks in February
June 07, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s exports fell 1.7 percent to 887.7 million US dollars in February, while imports fell at a faster 5.9 percent to 1,439.3 million US dollars from a year earlier, official data showed. The trade gap has shrank 11.9 percent to 551.7 million US dollars from a year earlier. On […]
Sri Lanka eyes 10 to 20 year sovereign bond issue
June 07, 2016 (LBO) – Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told reporters today that the government is looking at a sovereign bond issue with a tenor of 10 to 20 years. Without revealing particulars, Finance Minister said the exact information on the bond issue will be announced in the coming days. Karunanayake also revealed that the […]
‘s comments, jobs report
June 07, 2016 (LBO) – U.S. interest rates may rise gradually after comments from Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen on Monday, along with a surprisingly weak jobs report released on Friday. Yellen she said Friday’s jobs report was “disappointing” and “on balance, concerning,” but cautioned against placing too much significance on one economic report. The […]
Asia stocks hit 5-week high after cautious Yellen
June 7 (Reuters) – Asian shares hit a five-week high on Tuesday after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said U.S. interest rate hikes are likely on the way, held back any reference to the timing. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.5 percent while Japan’s Nikkei average firmed 0.2 percent. The Fed […]
China wants JV projects in Sri Lanka with Indian companies
June 06, 2016 (LBO) – China wants its projects in Sri Lanka to be joint ventures either with local companies or international companies, including Indian companies, the Chinese Ambassador in the island, Yi Xianliang, said.According to a New Indian Express report, the ambassador said the perception that Chinese projects are primarily meant to bolster China’s […]
IMF approves 36-month EFF facility of USD1.5 Bln to Sri Lanka
June 04, 2016 (LBO) – The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a 36-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to Sri Lanka for 1.5 billion dollars, to support the country’s economic reform agenda, the IMF said. The arrangement aims to meet balance of payments needs arising from a deteriorating external environment and […]
Ethics crucial to business, says SEC Chairman Karunaratne
June 03, 2016 (LBO) – Ethics is crucial to business in the context of redefining our social order, Thilak Karunaratne, the chairman of Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission said, speaking to the Junior Chamber International Biz Meet. It is imperative that we “redefine the current social order and revitalize our actions and thoughts in […]
Sri Lanka Monetary Board statement on treasury bond auctions
June 02, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Monetary Board, in a statement, says a market based mechanism has been in place since February 2015 in auctioning of Treasury bills and bonds, in response to allegations of lack of transparency in processes followed. The full statement is below: This refers to the recent articles and discussions […]