Category: Economy and Markets
Constitutional Crisis – close to $ 100mn flees stock/bond markets last week
November 4, 2018 (LBO) – In the first full week of Sri Lanka’s constitutional crisis, foreign investors in Sri Lanka’s capital markets ran for the exits with nearly US0mn leaving the stock/bond markets during the past week.For the year 2018, the total net foreign outflow from Sri Lanka’s stock and bond markets totals Rs117bn.This is […]
Sri Lanka moves up 11 notches in Ease of Doing Business Index 2019
Nov 02, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka rose 11 notches in the Ease of Doing Business index 2019 being ranked 100 among 190 economies, the World Bank said. Sri Lanka has carried out four reforms which included making dealing with construction permits easier, while the introduction of online systems made it easier to pay taxes. […]
Finance Minister introduces changes to WHT, VAT, Income Tax, Telecom Levy
Nov 01, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister as the new Finance Minister has given direction to implement a range of initiatives to revive the economy including the changes introduced for WHT, VAT, Income tax and Telecommunication Levy. The Finance Ministry said necessary Gazettes for these tax-related proposals will be issued today and Cabinet approval […]
Teejay 6-month net profit up 20-pct to Rs.705Mn
Nov 01, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Teejay Lanka PLC, a textile manufacturer, has reported sales of 14.4 billion rupees and profit after tax of 704.8 million rupees at Group level for the six months ending 30th September 2018. This reflects a healthy growth of 25 percent and 20 percent respectively for the period, the […]
PropertyGuru doubles down on Southeast Asia with funding round
(PRESS RELEASE) Group bolsters its regional leadership with the new funding and full consolidation of Vietnam’s No. 1 property portal, Batdongsan.com.vn SINGAPORE, 31 October 2018 – PropertyGuru Group (‘PropertyGuru’ or ‘the Group’), Asia’s leading property technology group, today announced that it has secured S$200 million (approx.) [US$145 million] in a Series D round of funding […]
S R Attygalle assumes duties as new Secretary to Finance Ministry
Oct 31, 2018 (LBO) – Deputy Secretary to Treasury S R Attygalle who has been appointed as the Secretary to Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and the Secretary to Treasury by President Maithripala Sirisena assumed duties in his new post at the Ministry of Finance, Wednesday afternoon. Attygalle who is from the Central Bank […]
Bond vigilantes come to town as Sri Lanka sovereign debt tanks
October 31, 2018 (LBO) – To be updated
Central Bank releases publication with highlights of 2018 & prospects for 2019
Oct 30, 2018 (LBO) – Central Bank of Sri Lanka today released its half-yearly publication – “Recent Economic Developments: Highlights of 2018 and Prospects for 2019”. A summary of the performance of the Sri Lankan economy in 2018 as reflected in this publication is given below: [pdf-embedder url=”http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Press-Release-E.pdf” title=”Press Release (E)”]
Piramal Glass top line grew by 14-pct during half year ended Sept 2018
Piramal Glass Ceylon PLC has reported its results for the 1st half of the year FY 2018-19 with Rs. 3,586 million of Revenue and Rs. 38 million of Profit After Tax as against the similar period of the previous year which was Rs.3,082 million and PAT of Rs. 154 million. At half year the Company’s […]
‘s political standoff lifts refinancing risk: Fitch Ratings
Oct 30, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lankan president’s sudden replacement of the prime minister on 26 October highlights tensions within the coalition government and creates uncertainty over further progress on reform and fiscal consolidation, says Fitch Ratings. Prolonged political upheaval accompanied by deterioration of policy continuity could undermine investor confidence and make it more challenging […]
John Keells (JKH) stock flying – approaching 150/share as foreigners selling
October 30, 2018 (LBO) – Shares in Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) bellwether John Keells Holdings (JKH) are soaring with the stock approaching Rs150/share after recently hitting multi-year lows. The stock has had a strong near 20% bounce off the lows.Volume is light so far today even as the stock is up 4%.Yesterday there was heavy […]
Sri Lanka export income up in Aug 2018: Reserves at USD 8.6Bn
Oct 30, 2018 (LBO) – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka said the island’s external sector performance remained subdued in August 2018. “During the month, the deficit in the trade account narrowed marginally compared to a year earlier as the rise in export income outpaced the growth in import expenditure,” it said. Meanwhile, other inflows […]