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Fitch Ratings has affirmed the rating on SriLankan Airlines Limited’s (SLA) US dollar-denominated government guaranteed bonds at ‘BB-. KEY RATING DRIVERS The national carrier’s bonds are rated at the same level as SLA’s parent, the state of Sri Lanka, due to the unconditional and irrevocable guarantee of principal and interest of the notes provided by […]

Sri Lanka trade deficit widens 1 pct in 11 months to Nov

Jan 28, 2016 (LBO) Sri Lanka’s trade deficit for the first eleven months of 2015 marginally increased by one percent to 7.6 billion dollars, the central bank said. Worker remittances declined 7.2 percent to 574.5 million dollars in November 2015, year-on-year, although cumulative inflow from remittances was up marginal 0.8 per cent to 6.4 billion […]

Sri Lanka foreign reserves estimated at USD7.3bln end Dec: CB

Jan 28, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were estimated at 7.3 billion US dollars by end December 2015, the Central Bank said. The figure remained unchanged from end November equivalent to 4.6 months of imports, while total foreign assets amounted to 9.1 billion US dollars, equivalent to 5.7 months of imports. During […]

Sri Lanka stocks close higher 0.05-pct

Jan 28, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed higher 0.05 percent with gains in some tobacco and beverage stocks, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed higher 3.34 points at 6,319.89 up 0.05 percent. S&P SL20 closed 4.35 points up at 3,279.77 up 0.13 percent. Turnover was at 548 million rupees, […]

Chances of March Fed rate hike drop after FOMC statement

Jan 28, 2016 (LBO) – The chances of a U.S. Fed rate hike in March dimmed after a FOMC policy statement on Wednesday acknowledged global economic risks, as analysts interpreted the carefully worded statement. The FOMC decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 1/4 to 1/2 percent after a two-day […]

Government should engage with public on FTAs: Deshal De Mel

Jan 28, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government needs to engage with the public when negotiating Free Trade Agreements with other countries, economist Deshal De Mel said. De Mel on his blog stated that local manufacturing and services enterprises may have disruptive impacts through the Free Trade Agreement with China. “It is curious that there […]

OPA worried about professional services agreement with India

Jan 27, 2015 (LBO) – The Organisation of Professional Associations (OPA) in a statement yesterday said it was deeply concerned about Sri Lanka’s intended bilateral agreement with India named “Economic Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA).” “OPA with 46 Associations of professionals of the country, having substantial professional resources in the country in any discipline, is of […]

‘t cause recession: BofA

Jan 27, 2016 (LBO) – Whatever does cause the next global recession, it probably won’t be China, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Their analysts believe the world’s second-largest economy will avoid a hard landing and risks from financial market turbulence can be contained by the Chinese government, according to a Bloomberg report. “We […]

‘s Rebirth, blog by Joseph E Stiglitz

By Joseph E. Stiglitz COLOMBO – Sri Lanka has been deservedly praised for the progress it has made since the end of the war against the separatist Tamil Tigers in 2009. The economy has grown at an average annual rate of 6.7%, and education and health statistics are impressive. All developing countries face myriad challenges, […]

Sri Lanka stocks closed down 0.5-pct

Jan 26, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed down 0.50 percent with the negative sentiment of the investors continuing for a second consecutive day with losses in index heavy stocks, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed lower 31.96 points at 6,322.87 down 0.50 percent. S&P SL20 closed 22.23 points down […]

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