Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka’s outlook remains stable but is conditional on reforms: World Bank
June 28, 2018 (LBO) – World Bank says a challenging domestic political environment has already taken a toll, slowing down some reforms and complicating the stable medium-term outlook and an impending election cycle which will only elevate this risk. World Bank, releasing its June 2018 edition of the Sri Lanka Development Update said the reforms are […]
Central Bank says no involvement in manipulating GDP estimates
June 28, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank says allegations that the Central Bank is involved in manipulating Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates are totally unfounded. Central Bank issuing a statement said the sole responsibility of compiling GDP estimates is vested with the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) since 2007. “However, the Central […]
Noteworthy asset quality deterioration in Sri Lankan finance companies
June 28, 2018 (LBO) – ICRA Lanka, a group company of Moody’s Investors Service is cognisant of the asset quality deterioration in licensed finance companies in Sri Lanka, during the financial year ended March 31, 2018. “As per our analysis about 100bps increase (5.82% in March 2018 vis-s-vis 4.89% in March 2017) in gross NPA (non-performing […]
Anilana (ALHP) investor to make mandatory offer at 18% premium
June 28, 2018 (LBO) – The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) has approved investment into Anilana Hotels and Properties (ALHP) by Singapore based SOMAP International. The investment by way of private placement will result in an infusion of Rs667mn (US$4.2mn) into the company at Rs1.3/share. After the private placement SOMAP will own […]
More pain as afternoon selloff takes Sri Lanka stocks to lowest close in 2018
June 26, 2018 (LBO) – The Colombo Stock Exchange sold off in the afternoon after being up for the first half of the session. The selloff took the market to the lowest close year to date, ahead of a poya (full moon) holiday tomorrow. The broader indices were both weak, with the ASPI closing down […]
IMF working paper suggests new Keynesian models for monetary policy decisions
June 26, 2018 (LBO) – An International Monetary Fund (IMF) working paper released yesterday suggested the Central Bank of Sri Lanka use new Keynesian models for monetary policy analysis and forecasting purposes. IMF working paper said small new Keynesian models, which are increasingly used in central banks for monetary policy analysis and forecasting purposes are […]
Vallibel Finance crosses Rs.1Bn mark for net profits
Jun 26, 2018 (LBO) – Vallibel Finance PLC crossed the one billion rupee net profit mark with the company announcing its income statement for the financial year ended on 31 March, 2018, recording growth across key indicators including income and profitability. Gross income for the financial year grew 35 percent over the previous year to reach 6.9 […]
Apartments only 1.7-pct of Colombo’s living units: Pradeep Moraes
Jun 26, 2018 (LBO) – Contrary to popular perception, apartments currently account for only 1.7 per cent of Colombo’s residential facilities despite the scarcity of land to cater to rapid urbanisation, an industry leader has disclosed. Representing Altair as a Director of the iconic development and the Condominium Developers Association of Sri Lanka (CDASL) as its […]
Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) turnover starts the week at embarrassing levels
June 25, 2018 (LBO) – Colombo stocks started the week slowly with both major Sri Lanka equity indices (ASPI and S&P SL 20) finishing slightly in the red. Turnover was Rs176mn (US$1.1mn), one of the lowest figures for 2018. Experts say that these levels of turnover depict a market that appears nonfunctional, particularly to foreign […]
Sri Lanka development bond issue oversubscribed, 4 year bids rejected
June 25, 2018 (LBO) – The issue of Sri Lanka development bonds amounting to 700 million US dollars have been oversubscribed with 937 million dollars of bids received from investors. The central bank received 829.60 million bids for the 2 years 10 months bond and accepted 693.89 million dollars worth bids at a weighted average […]
Enterprise Sri Lanka to strengthen local entrepreneurs: President
Jun 25, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena says as we introduce Credit Programmes for entrepreneurs, a joint programme implemented by all the relevant institutions is also needed in a similar manner, to offer a good market and reasonable price for their produce as well as measures to prevent importation of those products […]
SEC, CSE launch ‘Empower’ for SME’s
Jun 25, 2018 (LBO) – The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) together with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) will launch “Empower” – the SME Board to attract Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to the CSE, creating a platform to attract SMEs to the CSE. The official launch is scheduled to be held on […]