Category: Economy and Markets
‘s women entrepreneurs finance initiative
Jul 09, 2018 (LBO) – The Asian Development Bank has signed an grant agreement of US 9.5 million dollars for the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We – Fi) to support the ongoing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Financial inclusion for SMEs is important to realize the development objectives of the Government such as promoting exports, […]
Another down week at the CSE; Foreign selling continues
July 7, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka stocks finished the week lower. Socks hit 2018 lows on Wednesday before bouncing on Thursday and Friday. The ASPI was down 1.4% for the week, while the S&P SL20 was down 1.9%. Total market turnover was similar to the previous week at Rs2.9bn (US$18mn). Year to date for […]
Pradeep Moraes of Altair named Sri Lanka Real Estate Personality of the Year
The PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Sri Lanka) competition, which is being held for the very first time in Colombo on 12 July 2018, has chosen its first-ever Sri Lanka Real Estate Personality of the year. Pradeep Moraes, director at Indocean Developers – the company behind the twin tower Altair, designed by celebrated architect Moshe Safdie […]
Sri Lanka gross official reserves improve to USD 9.2 bn by end June
July 06, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserve position is estimated to have improved to around 9.2 billion US dollars by end June 2018, compared to 8.0 billion dollars at end 2017. The reserves include international sovereign bond issued in April, the receipt of the fifth tranche from the IMF, receipts from the […]
Central Bank maintains policy interest rates at current levels
July 06, 2018 (LBO) – Monetary Board of the Central Bank, at its meeting held on 05 July 2018, has decided to maintain policy interest rates at their current levels.Accordingly, the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) remain at 7.25 per cent and 8.50 per cent, respectively. The Board’s decision is […]
Perpetual Treasuries suspension of business extended by 6 months
July 05, 2018 (LBO) – Monetary Board of the Central Bank acting in terms of the regulations made under the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance and the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance, has decided to extend the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL). Accordingly, PTL will be further suspended from carrying on the business and activities of […]
Sri Lanka’s expenditure on tobacco use surpasses GSP+ export income
July 05, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lankan consumers’ annual expenditure on cigarettes and tobacco is so high it surpasses the annual export revenue from EU GSP Plus, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said. “Reports say that Sri Lankan consumers spend more than Rs 200 million per day for cigarettes,” Minister Bathiudeen said. “According to the World […]
Sri Lanka continues upward trend in tourist arrivals: June up 19.0-pct
Jul 05, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals was up 19.0 percent to 146,828 in June 2018 from an year ago driven by the islands two largest source markets India and China, official data shows. Almost 98 percent of tourists travelled by air to Sri Lanka. As at 31st June 2018, 1,164,647 tourists had visited Sri Lanka […]
Stocks continue slide to new 2018 lows as turnover dries up
July 4, 2018 (LBO) – The Colombo Stock Exchange continued its 2018 slide as stocks finished at new lows for the year. Both major stock market indices continued their drip lower finishing down just over .6%. Turnover was very weak at Rs261mn (US$1.65mn), with trades of market bellwether JKH accounting for almost 40% of total […]
Cabinet awards Rs1.5bn contract to ACL Cables for supplying aerial conductors
July 04, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal to award a contract of supplying 2,500 km of aerial bundle conductors to ACL Cables.The proposal presented by Power Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya shows that the value of the contract is 1,456 million rupees.Meanwhile, the government has also decided to establish a […]
JKH hits post war valuation lows as second Balendra era beckons
Jul 04, 2018 (LBO) – The Colombo Stock Exchange has had a tough 2018, and there is no stock where this is more apparent than John Keells Holdings (JKH). JKH has been referred to as Sri Lanka’s bluest of blue chips. To many foreign institutional investors, JKH is the only stock in Sri Lanka that […]
Transparency International calls for four key amendments to National Audit Bill
Jul 04, 2018 (LBO) – Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has released a legislative brief on the National Audit Bill detailing key amendments to be made in committee stage. The brief is being released ahead of a debate on the Bill in Parliament, Thursday. It highlights four key areas of concern with the provisions of the existing […]