Category: Economy and Markets
‘s Liability Management Bill presented to Parliament
Feb 20, 2018 (LBO) – The new Active Liability Management Bill, to improve public debt management, was presented to Parliament for the first reading, Monday. Through this new bill Sri Lanka’s public debt sustainability is to be managed at a national level. To avoid any possible risk, appropriate reform methods are to be followed. Following […]
Sampath Bank reports PAT of Rs12Bn
(PRESS RELEASE) – Sampath Bank posted a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs 12.1 Bn for the year ended 31st December 2017, an impressive 32.7% YoY growth compared to Rs 9.1 Bn recorded int he previous year. Similarly, Profit Before Tax (PBT) too grew by 31.8% YoY to reach Rs 16.6 Bn for the period under […]
‘s small businesses
Feb 16, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has decided to obtain an additional financing through a loan of US 75 million dollars from the Asian Development Bank to scale up the ongoing Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) line of credit project, the Finance Ministry said. The Government had earlier obtained ADB financial assistance of US […]
Insurance Industry records 15.5-pct growth in 3Q of 2017
Feb 16, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s insurance industry was able to report a growth of 15.53 percent (3Q, 2016: 16.97 percent ) in terms of overall Gross Written Premium (GWP), at the end of third quarter of 2017, recording an increase of 15,862 million rupees when compared to the same period in 2016. The […]
Construction sector challenged by continued labour shortage: report
RIU report 2018 – The construction industry is worth approximately USD 8 Bn and is already under strain owing to rising construction costs.This industry is challenged by a shortagein skilled construction workers due to two factors; firstly, there is a large number of potential labour who seek employment as trishaw drivers and secondly, due to worker […]
Piramal Glass Ceylon gross profit crosses Rs1Bn
For the nine months ended Dec 31, 2017 the overall turnover of Piramal Glass Ceylon was on par with the previous year’s sales of Rs.5 billion mark. The domestic sale for the period was Rs.3,375 million as against the previous year’s Rs. 4,065 million depicting a drop of 17%, whilst the export market showed a […]
CB keeps policy rates unchanged: Economy currently operating below potential
Feb 15, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will keep policy rates unchanged in February as the economy is stabilizing with improvements in trade figures, the islands central bank said. “The decision of the Monetary Board is consistent with the objective of maintaining inflation at mid-single digit levels over the medium term and thereby facilitating a sustainable growth […]
Sri Lanka needs to create an environment that rewards investment: Harvard economist
Feb 14, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka should move towards a simpler tariff structure, and implement direct taxes on things like income and property to maintain revenue, Harvard economist Robert Lawrence says. “90 percent of your tariffs should be in the simple schedule, and then there may be some exceptions,” Lawrence, faculty chair of the Practice of […]
‘s Industrial production up 4.3-pct in Dec 2017
Feb 14, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s industrial production has increased by 4.3 percent in the month of December, 2017 compared to the same month in 2016, latest official data shows. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is a key indicator of economic performance in most countries. Index numbers summarize past developments, facilitate forecasting of future […]
‘s RIL Property goes for Rs.1.6Bn Rights Issue
Feb 14, 2018 (LBO) – RIL Property Plc said they will be raising 1.6 billion rupees through one for three Rights Issues to settle part of the long-term loan facilities obtained by the company. Issuing a statement the company said that the it will issue 200 million shares in the proportion of one new ordinary voting […]
Sri Lanka – Iran sign mutual cooperation deal
Feb 13, 2018 (LBO) – Iran and Sri Lanka have inked a deal for further cooperation between the two nation in the areas of trade and economy. The agreements were signed following a two-day visit by an Iranian delegation to Colombo, over the last week-end, media reports said. Iran and Sri Lanka also agreed to finalise […]
Hayleys sees strong 9-month top line growth, Turnover up to Rs.112.3Bn
Strong top line performances across the Hayleys Group and the addition of recent strategic acquisitions resulted in a 37% YoY increase in turnover up to Rs.112.3 billion during the nine months to 31 December 2017 while gross profits expanded by 29% YoY up to Rs. 24 billion. Increases in raw material prices and adverse weather […]