Category: Economy
Emerging market currencies fall on chance of Fed rate hike
June 01, 2016 (LBO) – Emerging-market currencies fell this week on the possibility that the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates in June or July. Fed Fund futures predict a 23 percent chance of a U.S. rate hike in June, which rises to 59 percent by July, after Fed Chair Janet Yellen said the strengthening […]
Colombo inflation accelerates 4.8-pct in May 2016
May 31, 2016 (LBO) – Consumer prices in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo has accelerated 4.8 percent in May 2016 from a year earlier, up from 3.1 percent in April 2016 with the inflation index gaining 2.4 percent in the month, the state statistics office said. For the month of May, on year to year basis, […]
Japan extends 38 billion yen development loan to Sri Lanka
May 28, 2016 (LBO) – Japanese Prime Minister has offered a 38 billion yen (USD344 million) development assistance loan to Sri Lanka for water purification projects for Kidney diseases and establishment of electricity transmission lines connecting the entire country. Prime Minister Abe has also thanked President Sirisena for raising Asia’s voice and explaining the Asian perspective […]
Sri Lanka increases taxes for cars over 1000cc
May 27, 2016 (LBO) – Prices of vehicles above 1000 cubic centimeter engine capacity will increase following the increase of the minimum unit tax from today, the Vehicle Importers Association said. “Prices may go up by about 100,000 to 150,000 rupees while larger cars and Sports Utility range will see a steeper rise,” the association […]
World Bank team concludes visit to Sri Lanka
May 27, 2016 (LBO) – The World Bank Board of Executive Directors completed a five-day visit including site inspections on work being implemented under the Bank supported projects in the island. During the five-day visit, the team met with President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake to understand the current […]
Sri Lanka seeking to borrow USD3.5 bln through foreign debt: Finance Minister
May 25, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is in the process of borrowing up to 3.5 billion dollars from foreign sources via syndicated loans, sovereign bonds, and sukuk, the country’s finance minister said on Wednesday. The borrowing plan comes as the South Asian nation seeks to fix its precarious balance of payments position after a […]
Sri Lanka inflation accelerates 4.3-pct in April 2016
May 23, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s consumer prices as measured by National Consumer Price Index rose 4.3 percent in April from the 2.2 percent inflation reported a month earlier on year-on-year basis, data from the state statistics office showed. Year-on-year inflation of Food Group reported for the month of April 2016 was 4.9 percent […]
Twilight of the Petrostate and the rise of alternatives
May 23, 2016 (LBO) – Russian billionaire Petr Aven and two Moscow economists have published an article titled the “Twilight of the Petrostate” warning of alternative energy sources and cheaper extraction techniques that could hurt revenues of oil exporting nations. “The influence of the Petroleum Leviathan — the handful of producing countries with the ability […]
Sri Lanka holds rates unchanged after policy meeting
May 20, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s monetary board held interest rates unchanged after a monthly policy meeting taking into account among other things the Extended Fund Facility expected from the IMF and the others, that would enhance the country’s resilience to external shocks and improve investor confidence in the economy. The full statement is below: The […]
Ravi K says Japan agrees USD2.5bn development loan to Sri Lanka
May 19, 2016 (LBO) – Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told Parliament Thursday that Japan has agreed to provide about 2.5 billion US dollars worth development policy loan to Sri Lanka. This has been revealed yesterday when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Special Representative Hiroto Izumi called on Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe, Finance Minister said.“Mr. Izumi also […]
Sri Lanka could issue Islamic finance sovereign bonds: official
May 18, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka could issue Islamic finance sovereign bonds or ‘Sukuks’ and take the lead in becoming a regional centre for Islamic financial services, an official said. “We can think of being an Islamic Banking and Finance hub for the region,” Shibly Aziz, President Bar Association said while delivering the keynote […]
Upper limit for Sri Lanka bank leasing to be imposed: Finance Minister
May 18, 2016 (LBO) – Several changes to Sri Lanka’s financial services will be enacted soon such as leasing services offered by banks, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said, speaking at a forum in Colombo. A proposal in the budget that banks should stop leasing from June 1 will be modified, he said. “Finally, it is […]