Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka unemployment up to 4.6-pct in Q4 2018
May 21, 2019 (LBO) – The number of unemployed persons is estimated as 389,406 during the fourth quarter 2018 or 4.6 percent, up from 4.0 percent a year ago, data from the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) shows. During fourth quarter of 2018, the total number of employed persons in Sri Lanka is estimated […]
Sri Lanka official reserves fall to USD 7.2bn by end April; YTD rupee appreciation 3.7-pct
May 18, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 7,212.7 million US dollars by the end of April, down from 7,621.9 million US dollars in March, latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of April, foreign currency reserves were 6,325.2 million dollars while the reserve position in the IMF was 66.3 million […]
‘s stocks as EPF enters the market
May 17, 2019 (LBO) – Foreign institutional investors were net sellers of Sri Lankan equities for the past three consecutive days as the country’s largest pension fund entered the market after a long hiatus. Net foreign selling in Sri Lanka’s stock market was approximately Rs1.3bn (US$7.5mn) for the past week. Year to date net foreign […]
Sri Lanka bombings increase economic, external risks; IMF key: Fitch Ratings
May 17, 2019 (LBO) – The tragic Easter bombings in Sri Lanka will result in lower economic growth this year and could increase external financing pressures, Fitch Ratings says. Full Statement: Fitch Ratings-Hong Kong/London-16 May 2019: The tragic Easter bombings in Sri Lanka will result in lower economic growth this year and could increase external […]
CBSL to resume FX purchases to rebuild net intl reserves to USD6.9bn by end Dec
May 17, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank said it is committed to rebuild reserves and allow the exchange rate to function as the first line of defense to external shocks. As per the memorandum of economic and financial policies contained in the Letter of Intent to the IMF, the Central Bank has recognized […]
Sri Lanka projected to grow 3.6-pct in 2019; reach 5-pct over medium term: IMF staff report
May 17, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s economic growth is projected to recover to 3.6 percent in 2019, and gradually reach 5 percent over the medium-term, with inflation in the mid-single digits, the IMF staff appraisal revealed. Inflation is expected to rise to 4.5 percent by end-2019, as economic activity recovers and food prices stabilize, […]
Dipped Products posts healthy growth: Group pre-tax profit up 32-pct in 2018/9
May 17, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Dipped Products Group pre-tax profit was up 32 percent to 1,643 million rupees in 2018/9, the company said. The Group achieved a profit before tax of 1,643 million rupees for the year ending 31st March 2019, a growth of 32 percent over the previous year. Profit after tax […]
Nedal Salem takes helm of Ceylon Tobacco Company
May 16, 2019 (LBO) – Nedal Salem was appointed managing director andchief executive officer of Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC) effective 15th May 2019. During his career spanning over two decades at British American Tobacco (BAT), Nedal has held various senior Management roles in nine markets across three continents. He holds a Bachelor of Arts […]
Opinion: Fresh frontiers of pharmaceutical innovation
By Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry For centuries, human beings have waged a relentless battle against a litany of diseases that have ravaged countless generations. From early influenza epidemics that decimated towns and villages to devastating pandemics such as the Black Death and AIDS, illness has stood as an eternal adversary to human wellbeing […]
Haycarb 2018/9 turnover Rs.20.9Bn: Raw material cost impacts negatively
May 16, 2019 (LBO) – Haycarb PLC reported revenue of 20.9 billion rupees, profit before tax of 1.35 billion rupees and profit after tax of 1.08 billion rupees for financial year 2018/19. The earnings per share of equity holders of the company increased to 32.16 rupees for the year. The Chairman of Haycarb PLC and […]
Sampath Bank’s Net Interest Income up by 23-pct in Q1 2019
Sampath Bank reported a net interest income of Rs. 10.2 Bn for Q1 2019 reflecting a noteworthy growth of 23.2% over the figure reported in Q1 2018, a significant achievement given the challenging economic conditions that prevailed throughout the period. The bank recorded a profit after tax of Rs. 2.2 Bn, a negative growth over […]
Central Bank extends regulatory action on The Finance Company for another three months
May 15, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has decided to extend the regulatory action currently in place on The Finance Company for another three months, in order to consider the business restructuring proposal submitted by the company. Monetary Board of the Central Bank initiated a number of regulatory actions, as temporary measures, on […]