Category: Economy and Markets
BOI & Hutchison Lanka signs deal to set up warehouse facility to strengthen telco infrastructure
May 27, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment on Monday said they signed a supplementary Agreement with Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka to permit the enterprise to set up a warehouse facility to be used for storage at Diyabula Estate, Wattala. The Agreement was signed on behalf of the BOI by Mangala Yapa, Chairman of […]
First Capital Research allocates 95-pct probability for a policy rate cut
May 27, 2019 (LBO) – First Capital Research has allocated a 95 percent probability for a policy rate cut in May 2019 as they are of the view that policy intervention is inevitable to revive the overly sluggish economy and credit growth. “Despite the Road Map towards a single policy rate, we believe a rate […]
Strong possibility of a rate cut; interest rate decline to boost stock market: Capital Trust
May 26, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy has hinted a strong possibility of a policy rate cut at the next monetary policy review meeting scheduled on 31 May 2019. According to the Governor there is a strong case for relaxing monetary policy. “All options are there, it could be a […]
Foreign outflow from Sri Lanka government bonds reverses in past week
May 24, 2019 (LBO) – Foreign investors moved back into Sri Lanka government bonds during the past week slightly reversing significant outflows that were experienced in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Foreign investors were net purchasers of Rs2.1bn (US$12mn) worth of Sri Lanka’s government securities during the past week. This comes on […]
‘s shareholding in JKH nears 10%
May 24, 2019 (LBO) – Harry Jayawardena, perhaps Sri Lanka’s wealthiest man, now controls close to 10% of the outstanding shares in Sri Lanka’s most important company. The latest published shareholder list of John Keells Holdings (JKH) states that Melstacorp PLC is a 9.8% shareholder in the company as of March 31, 2019. Jayawardena controlled […]
Fitch upgrades Union & Cargills Banks; affirms 5 small & mid-sized Sri Lanka banks
May 24, 2019 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings Lanka has upgraded the National Long-Term Ratings of Union Bank of Colombo to ‘BBB-(lka)’ from ‘BB+(lka)’ and of Cargills Bank to ‘A-(lka)’ from ‘BB(lka)’ with stable outlooks. The agency has also affirmed the National Long-Term Ratings of Amana Bank, Nations Trust Bank, Pan Asia Banking Corporation, SANASA Development […]
IMF wants SEC to streamline enforcement program; expedite high-profile criminal actions
May 23, 2019 (LBO) – International Monetary Fund (IMF) advises Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) to streamline the current enforcement program and bring several high-profile criminal actions soon that will have a positive impact on the public’s confidence in the SEC as a regulator. Releasing the technical assistance report for enhancing the […]
Circular issued to pay Rs 2500 monthly interim allowance to all public officials
May 22, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry said all public sector employees will be paid a special interim monthly allowance of 2500 rupees effective from July 01, 2019 as proposed in the Budget. A circular in this regard has already been issued by the Ministry of Public Administration and Disaster Management with the […]
Fishing For Sustainable Profits in the Northern Province
By Jekhan Aruliah I have so often heard from well meaning cash rich Diaspora that they can’t find sensible investment opportunities in the North. As the Good Book says, “seek and ye shall find”. For example, look at the Northern fisheries industry. It may surprise you to hear that the Northern Province has about 40%* […]
Sri Lanka inflation increased to 3.6-pct in April
May 22, 2019 (LBO) – Headline inflation as measured by the year-on-year change in the National Consumer Price Index increased to 3.6 percent in April from 2.9 percent in March due to the monthly price increases of Food and Non-food items, Central Bank data showed. In April, year on year Food inflation was -1.2 percent […]
CBSL intends to cut ownership limits of LFCs to 25-pct; invites stakeholder inputs
May 22, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank invites stakeholders to submit observations on the drafted master plan that intends to introduce ownership limits to the Licensed Finance Companies (LFCs). The Department of Supervision of Non-Bank Financial Institutions (DSNBFI) is in the process of introducing ownership limits for LFCs to strengthen the corporate governance […]
Hayleys revenue up 34-pct YoY to Rs.219Bn in FY 18/19
May 22, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Hayleys PLC, group revenue expanded by 34 percent yoy to 219 billion rupees while operating profit before interest increased by 40 percent yoy to 15.9 billion rupees in the financial year ended 31st March 2019 (FY18/19). The group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for FY […]