Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lankan shares close 0.7-pct down
Nov 09, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed down Tuesday as investors stayed out expecting further falls in future following a ban on stock brokers extending credit beyond January 01, 2011, brokers said. The Colombo All Share Index was down 0.72 percent (47.81 points) to 6,592.38 points, while the Milanka Index of more liquid […]
Sri Lanka unemployment lower in 2Q, but industry jobs fall: survey
Nov 08, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s unemployment fell to 5.4 percent of jobseekers in the second quarter of 2010, down from a peak of 6.2 percent a year earlier, but there was fall in industrial workers. Compared to the first quarter of 2010, unemployment rose from 5. 0 percent. In the first quarter farming […]
Sri Lanka gets World Bank loans for small business, tourism
Nov 08, 2010 (LBO) – The World Bank said it will give Sri Lanka 125.4 million US dollars for three projects to support Small and Medium Enterprises, tourism and local service improvements in the former north-east war zone. “The three projects will help Sri Lanka reap maximum benefits of the peace dividend and make further […]
Sri Lanka stocks close weaker
Nov 08, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed weaker Monday, with trading dull except for a private deal in Commercia Bank, as investors waited for the government budget, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 6,640. 19, down 0.27 percent (18.26 points) while the more liquid Milanka index rose 0. 15 percent […]
Sri Lanka credit pick up may reduce excess liquidity: Deputy Governor
Nov 06, 2010 (LBO) – Growing credit and imports may reduce excess rupee reserves in Sri Lanka’s banking system which built up as the central bank bought foreign exchange to stop the currency appreciating, deputy governor Dharma Dheerasinghe said. “Credit is moving,” he said. “Total credit growth is now about 15 percent.” In 2009 credit […]
Sri Lanka stocks edge down despite good company earnings
Nov 04, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed lower Thursday, continuing a downtrend despite a crop of improved company quarterly earnings in what appears to be a cooling off after the market hit record highs, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 6,658.45, down 0.25 percent (16.46 points) while the more liquid […]
Sri Lanka stays in place in Doing Business 2011 ranking
Nov 04, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka was retained its place at 102 in a ranking of 183 countries for ease of doing business, by the World Bank group for 2011 though some of its neighbors made gains. Maldives moved up to 85th place from 96, Bangladesh moved up to 107 from 11, and India […]
Sri Lanka would like foreigners to buy private debt in future: Deputy Governor
Nov 04, 2010 – (LBO) – Sri Lanka is not looking to increase Treasuries sales to foreigners but would like them to buy private debt once capital markets are opened further, central bank’s deputy governor Dharma Dheerasinghe said. Sri Lanka’s rupee market has more than a 100 billion rupees as excess bank reserves which are […]
Sri Lanka investment agency says will honour obligations
Nov 04, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment (BOI) said it will continue to honour all contractual obligations and to accept new investment applications with priority being given to identified ‘thrust’ sectors. The investment promotion agency said in a statement it was clarifying reports that the BOI) has suspended the acceptance of investment […]
Sri Lanka buys Shell LP Gas unit
Nov 03, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government has bought liquefied petroleum gas distribution operations of Royal Dutch Shell in the island for 63 million US dollars, officials said. Another 24 million US dollars had been invested in building other infrastructure. Hiran Seneviratne, a company official, said the agreement was signed at 11.00 am. Sri […]
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Nov 03, 2010 (LBO) – A 2011 budget that will broaden the tax base and cut tax holidays will help improve the outlook on Sri Lanka’s credit rating, but an contingent liabilities can undermine its credit, Moody’s Investors Services has said. Aninda Mitra, senior analyst and vice president of Moody’s Investors Services said the rating […]
Sri Lankan stocks close 0.5-pct down
Nov 03, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed lower with the fall softened by large deals on some high value shares, while Cargills Ceylon entered the dairy farm business with its takeover of Kotmale Holdings, brokers said. John Keells Holdings closed at 301.10 rupees, up 1.10 (0.37 percent), while Aitken Spence closed at 180.60 […]