Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lankan bill yields move up
Dec 16, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan Treasury bill yields edged up across maturities, at Wednesday’s auction, the government’s debt office said, despite only a part of the bids being accepted. The 3-month yield rose 09 basis points to 7.60 percent, the 6-month yield rose 09 basis points to 8.59 percent and the 12-month yield […]
Sri Lankan stocks close 1.22-pct up on large JKH sale
Dec 15, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed up Tuesday as big off-the-floor deals on blue chip John Keells Holdings (JKH) and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings pushed indices up, brokers said. Amaya Leisure closed at 52.00 rupees, up 1.25, Asian Hotels and Properties closed at 84.50 rupees, up 75 cents, John Keells Hotels closed […]
Sri Lanka women key beneficiaries of rural road project: ADB
Dec 15, 2009 (LBO) – The Asian Development Bank said it has approved a project to build roads linking isolated rural villages in Sri Lanka that will employ poor villagers, especially women. “At least 50 percent of the workers will be women, with opportunities extended to war widows and female heads of households.” The two […]
Sri Lanka must upgrade accounting rules: experts
Dec 15, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will have to keep pace with global accounting standards to attract foreign investments as competing regional economies like China adopt better book keeping rules and reduce risk premiums, senior auditors said. “Now premiums are coming down. China has to compete with the rest of the world for capital, […]
Sri Lanka forum to help politicians help people
Dec 15, 2009 (LBO) – A public seminar is to be held to educate politicians and their economic advisors on how best to meet the needs of people, ahead of scheduled elections in January. The seminar – ‘Unleashing the people’s potential: what should be done?’- will present the findings of a study and policy recommendations […]
Sri Lankan stocks close 0.55-pct down
Dec 14, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed down Monday as retail investors stayed away owing to political uncertainty, while a large tranche of Asiri Hospital and John Keells Holdings (JKH) shares boosted market volumes, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 3,039.78 down 0.55 percent (16.86 points) while the Milanka Price […]
Sri Lanka north to put on business expo
Dec 14, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is to host its first ever business expo in the North of the island, following the end of the country’s over three decade war. The expo is to be held from April 18 to April, 20 2010 at the Jaffna Central College. The trade fair is expected to […]
Sri Lanka holds policy rates, despite inflation pick up
Dec 14, 2009 (LBO)- Sri Lanka’s central bank said it was holding its key policy rate at which money is injected to the economy at 9.75 percent, and the rate at which money is drained at 7.50 percent, to support credit growth, despite a pick up in inflation. “Prospects for domestic economic activity have improved […]
Sri Lanka current account in surplus amid economic slump
Dec 14, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s external current account is expected to swing into a surplus in 2009, for the first time since 1977, the central bank said, as the island was gripped by a severe trade contraction and economic slump. The central bank has locked up over five billion US dollars in reserves […]
Sri Lankan shares dip 0.11-pct on retail profit taking
Dec 11, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed down Friday as retail investors took profits from gains made during the week, while volumes dropped owing to lack of foreign participation, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 3,056.64 down 0.11 percent (3.37 points) while the Milanka Price Index of more liquid stocks […]
Sri Lanka business says worker training key in former war zone
Dec 11, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s former war zones in the north and east need vocational training to raise worker productivity, corporate leaders have told a visiting American diplomat.Better water supply and cold storage facilities to bring fresh produce to markets were also critical requirements, they told US Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake […]
Lack of evidence based policy making can be disastrous: Sri Lanka policy forum
Dec 10, 2009 (LBO) – Ad hoc public policy formulation can be disastrous and both China and India are evolving evidence based processes to back effective government action, academics and researchers said at a policy forum in Colombo.“The strategic direction is set by the Party and State Council and the People’s Congress makes legislation,” Xue […]