Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka stocks up 1.0-pct on credit speculation
Nov 30, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed 1.1 percent up on speculation that the regulator may relax credit rule following a meeting with brokers with President Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier in the week. Brokers had also been warned that excessive credit can fire asset price bubbles. The regulator slapped credit curbs and the height […]
Sri Lanka firms can diversify with foreign talent
Nov 30, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan firms can diversify into new areas by acquiring international talent when local resources are in short supply, the head of an emerging diversified group said. “If you don’t have a particular expertise are you buy that expertise,” LOLC group managing director Kapila Jayawardena told a business forum in […]
Sri Lanka inflation eases to 4.7 percent
Nov 30, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s inflation rose to 4. 7 percent in November 2011 from a year earlier decelerating from 5. 1 percent in October, but prices rose 0.7 percent during the month, the state statistics office said. Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal has said that policy rates will be kept steady in […]
Sri Lanka overnight rates lower
Nov 30, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s average overnight rates have eased over the past two days after the Central Bank stopped its repo auctions to withdraw excess liquidity but some banks who are short of cash are still borrowing at high rates, dealers said. A 2013 bond was quoted at 8.85/9.00 percent. In forex […]
Sri Lanka stocks rally loses steam
Nov 29, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s main share index closed slightly weaker Tuesday after a morning rally on the back of Monday’s surge in prices lost steam on profit-taking, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index fell 0.04 percent (2.16 points) to 6,020.08, while the more liquid Milanka index rose 0.26 percent (13.39 […]
Sri Lanka forum in push for South Asian migration action
Nov 28, 2011 (LBO) – A unified South Asian institutional framework to handle migration issues would help improve the status of millions of expatriate workers and combat human trafficking, economists and officials said. Richard Denziger, chief of mission of IOM Sri Lanka said a regional consultative process would bring together governments and international organizations for […]
Sri Lanka stops repo auctions to stabilize rates
Nov 28, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank will stop repo auctions which drained money at rates higher than a 7. 00 percent standing facility and also allow banks to swap dollars for cash to stabilize money markets, an official said. “We are stopping the repo auctions,” Deputy Governor Dharma Dheerasinghe said. The repo […]
Sri Lanka to keep pat on rates to curb credit: CB Governor
Nov 28, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will maintain its policy rates and maintain reserve ratios for the moment despite falling inflation in a bid to curb credit, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. The rupee has come under pressure from excessive credit growth in recent months and there have been steady interventions in forex […]
Sri Lanka stocks end up 3.6-pct
Nov 28, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed sharply higher Monday with the main index jumping back over 6,000 points on optimism a meeting between stockbrokers and President Mahinda Rajapaksa could yield a relaxation of credit rules and price restrictions. Environmental Resources Investments warrants W0003 were the highest gainer of the day, closing at […]
Sri Lanka, Malaysia partners to promote Islamic banking, bonds
Nov 26, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Wealth Lanka Management (Pvt) Ltd, an investment house, and Al Tayseer Advisory Services Sdn. Bhd a Malaysia based consultancy has linked up to provide Islamic banking and bond market instruments, officials said. The firm advices on Islamic banking and corporate finance and advisory services for specialist industries like […]
Sri Lanka signal rate up
Nov 25, 2011 (LBO) – An effective signal interest rate in Sri Lanka has edged up over 30 basis points over the week with the monetary authority withdrawing excess liquidity through a cash auction a higher rate. The 3-month auction Treasury bill rate which is controlled by the monetary authority increased 44 basis points to […]
Sri Lanka food processing, education, heath interests UAE: visiting minister
Nov 25, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s food processing, education and health sectors and business process outsourcing sectors are of interest to the United Arab Emirates, visiting minister of foreign trade Lubna Al Qasimi has said. Minister Bathiudeen said Sri Lanka has free and preferential trade agreements with India and Pakistan and South Asia giving […]