Category: Economy and Markets
” education crisis worsens: report
Apr 26, 2010 (LBO) – A crisis in Sri Lanka’s state-run ‘free’ education system funded by people’s taxes has worsened with 47 percent of students failing a key junior high school test leaving them stranded with no prospects, a report said. At Sri Lanka’s general certificate of education – ordinary level, equal to a junior […]
Sri Lanka public investments increasing: Treasury chief
Apr 26, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s public investments are on the rise as government builds new infrastructure for a post-war revival, laying the foundation for more private investment, Treasury secretary P B Jayasundera said. “Now we have around 25 percent of total investment. ” In 2009 the government invested the equivalent of 6.7 percent […]
Sri Lanka rubber plantations shares in demand
Apr 26, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks edged higher Monday as investors bought selected blue chips and midcap stocks, as well as rubber plantation shares seen as doing well with the rise in rubber prices, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 4,136. 05, up 0.35 percent (14.41 points) while the more […]
Sri Lanka to expand first post-war cabinet
April 24, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s president will expand his new cabinet by five ministers but the government will still have far fewer members than the previous one, an official source said Saturday. President Mahinda Rajapakse, whose ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance took victory in this month’s parliamentary election, will bring in five more […]
Sri Lanka in attempt to better manage smaller state firms
Apr 24, 2010 (LBO) – A new ministry has been created with about 20 mostly loss making state enterprises, in a bid to make them more profitable and less of a burden on the people, officials said. Published data on state enterprises are not easily available. According to data in a report issued by the […]
Sri Lanka shares end up 1.08-pct
Apr 23, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks climbed further Friday with hotels remaining a favourtie among investors anticipating higher company earnings with an economic recovery after the end of a war and global recession, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 4,121. 64, up 1.08 percent (44.09 points) while the more liquid […]
World Bank opens data goldmine to all
Apr 22, 2010 (LBO) – The World Bank has opened its statistics spanning 50-years to and called upon the global community to use the data to help poor people in the developing world. “I believe it’s important to make the data and knowledge of the World Bank available to everyone,” a World Bank statement quoted […]
Developing nations call for finance reform
WASHINGTON, April 22, 2010 (AFP) – Delaying financial reform could put the global economic recovery at risk, a group of 24 developing nations warned on Thursday as they called for “vigorous” implementation of reforms. Visiting Wall Street — the epicenter of the global meltdown — Obama called on company bosses to help pass sweeping financial […]
Sri Lanka to present interim budget
Apr 23, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government is to present a ‘vote on account’ instead of a formal budget for the three-month May to July period and a ‘mini-budget’ thereafter to cover spending till year’s end, a spokesman said. This was because of presidential and parliamentary polls called ahead of schedule, both of which […]
Sri Lanka shares end up 0.96-pct
Apr 22, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stock market edged higher in record territory Thursday with interest in hotels extending to banks and the finance sector amid high investor confidence, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 4,077.55, up 0.96 percent (38.66 points) while the more liquid Milanka index rose 1.24 percent (57.30 […]
Sri Lanka to grow by 5.5-pct in 2010, but fiscally vulnerable: IMF
Apr 22, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to grow at a faster 5. 5 percent of gross domestic product in 2010 but the country is facing a danger from excessive deficit spending, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) official said. IMF’s forecast is slightly lower than Sri Lanka’s central bank forecast of a […]
Sri Lanka money supply, excess liquidity closely watched: Central Bank
Apr 22, 2020 (LBO) – Excess liquidity in Sri Lanka’s money markets were high and base money was growing faster since the last quarter, but the Central Bank will ‘closely monitor’ changes and take action if needed, the monetary authority said. “Reserve money has been expanding at a higher rate since the last quarter of […]