Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka targets deficit of 6.2-pct in 2012
Aug 19, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will budget for a deficit of 6. 2 percent of gross domestic product in 2011 down from a planned gap of 6.8 percent in 2010, information minister Keheliya Rambukwelle said. The government will keep state investments at 6. 0 percent of GDP. The state is planning to bring […]
Sri Lanka first half foreign direct investment US$413mn: Central Bank
Aug 19, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s foreign direct investment for the first half of 2011 reached 413 million US dollars putting the country on track for a full year goal of a billion dollars, the Central Bank said. Foreign reserves had reached an all time high of 8,158 million US dollars by August 16. […]
Sri Lanka credit expands faster than expected, policy rates steady
Aug 19, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s policy interests rates are held steady at 7. 00 percent to deposit excess money and 8.50 percent to inject fresh money, though credit growth was higher than expected at 34. 4 percent in July, the central bank said. Credit disbursed to the private sector increased by 34.4 per […]
World population will reach 7 billion this year: study
PARIS, August 17, 2011 (AFP) – The world population will reach seven billion later this year, with increases in the number of people in Africa off-setting birth rate drops elsewhere, according to a new French study published Thursday. “It has increased seven-fold over the last two hundred years, topping seven billion in 2011, and is […]
India and China to lead gold demand: WGC
MUMBAI, August 18, 2011 (AFP) – Gold, at record-breaking levels as global economic worries mount, will see sustained demand from key markets India and China this year despite high prices, the World Gold Council said on Thursday. Global demand for the second quarter to June was 919. 8 tonnes, down 17 percent year-on-year, from 1,107 […]
” rating
Aug 18, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holding’s ‘AAA(lka)’ rating with a stable outlook was confirmed by Fitch Ratings which said the its gearing at holding company was low and dividends from operating units were strong. JKH’s record in funding acquisitions and expansion with a combination of pre-issued equity and retained profits helped […]
Sri Lanka stocks up 0.2-pct, speculative trading rise
Aug 18, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka stocks closed flat Thursday with an active retail and high net worth investor participation and more speculative trading, brokers and analysts said. Colombo’s benchmark All Share Price Index closed up 16.74 points or 0.24 percent at 7,030.85 while the Milanka Index of liquid stocks closed down 0.42 percent […]
‘s home town
HAMBANTOTA, August 17, 2011 (AFP) – When the 2004 Asian tsunami hit Sri Lanka, the sleepy fishing region of Hambantota was flattened and 3,000 people perished. Now it is riding a massive wave of construction. Hambantota, the home constituency of President Mahinda Rajapakse, is not only emerging as a commercial and logistics hub of Sri […]
Sri Lanka central bank relaxes forex controls
Aug 17, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank has relaxed some exchange controls allowing citizens and foreign residents to engage in a series of forex transactions without seeking permission from the state, improving economic freedoms. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka said the new moves would “enhance investor confidence, strengthen the foreign reserves in […]
Sri Lanka Treasuries yields flat
Aug 17, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields were flat at Wednesday’s auction with 3-month bills yields 7.11 percent at Wednesday’s auction, the government’s debt office said. The 6-month yield was flat at 7.19 percent and 12-month yield was 7.25 percent. The government said it had sold 3.5 billion rupees in 3-month bills, […]
Sri Lanka Pan Asia banks to sell 5-year bonds
Aug 17, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s PABC Bank will sell 5-year bonds to raise two billion rupees to boost regulatory capital amid strong loan growth, Fitch Ratings Lanka which rated the securities ‘BBB-(lka)’ said. Pan Asia Bank itself is rated one level higher. Both are investment grade ratings. The subordinated bonds, which will be […]
Sri Lanka stocks down 0.5-pct
Aug 17, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka stocks closed 0.5 percent lower Wednesday as euphoria over a relaxed credit rule eased but punters chased a few speculative stocks, brokers said. The stock traded at 86 times annualized quarterly profits of 30 cents a share. Panasian Power closed at 5.20 rupees up 40 cents or 8.33 […]