Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka exporters to get incentives next month
July 21, 2009 (LBO) – Over 200 Sri Lankan firms have qualified for a government export incentive scheme the first payments of which are expected next month, but many claims have been rejected owing to errors in applications, officials said. “It is a reward to direct exporters in manufacturing processing industries who have survived the […]
Sri Lankan stocks rally on IMF loan deal
July 21, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares rallied Tuesday on news the government had secured a long-awaited loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that brokers said could boost investor confidence and bring in more foreign investors. Share prices shot up over 2.5 percent in early morning trade as news broke the government had […]
Sri Lanka plans ambitious 7.0-pct deficit under IMF program
July 21, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is planning a budget deficit of 7.0 percent of its economy under a plan agreed with the International Monetary Fund, which will help improve the country’s rating and open the way for foreign financing, a top official said. A 7.0 percent target is tight for Sri Lanka and […]
Sri Lanka higher education needs quality upgrade, more investment
July 20, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s higher education system needs to be revamped with more investment to produce graduates with information technology and English skills, while private providers need regulation, a World Bank study has said.Higher education minister Wiswa Warnapala says expansion of the arts and humanities stream, low quality external degree programs, and […]
Sri Lanka signs IMF loan deal; awaits board nod
July 20, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has signed a formal document setting out an agreed program with International Monetary Fund staff that is now awaiting approval from its top decision making body, a top official said.On Monday 2013 bonds were offered at 12.95/13.00 percent, down 05 basis points from Friday.A 3-year bond maturing in […]
Sri Lankan stocks up 1.16-pct
July 20, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares rose Monday, as investors chased high value counters, while there was some speculative interest on Lanka Cement and Hotel Developers, brokers said. The benchmark Colombo All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed up 1.16 percent (27.90 points) to end at 2,422.92 Monday, while the Milanka index of liquid […]
Sri Lanka Commercial Bank promotes dollar bonds
July 19, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankans living overseas and foreigners can earn a higher interest by investing in US dollar denominated Sri Lanka Development Bonds (SLDBs) through the Commercial Bank of Ceylon, a statement by the bank said. Commercial Bank’s Head of Global Treasury Dula Weeratunga said that under the scheme, the Income Tax […]
Sri Lanka central bank withdraws some printed money
July 18, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank has Friday withdrawn seven billion rupees, a part of the money printed to finance a government cash deficit earlier in the week, reducing the risk of triggering another balance of payments crisis. “So long as open market purchases of Government securities are allowed (as, of course, […]
Sri Lanka says milk prices to fall a little
July 18, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka which taxes imported milk powder at very high levels, has asked importers to bring the price of a one kilogram pack to fall by 37 rupees and 400 gram pack by 15 rupees, official reports said.According to official data a kilogram of imported milk powders was taxed at […]
Sri Lanka IMF loan; IC views to be taken up at executive board
July 17, 2009 (LBO) – A recent IMF mission to Sri Lanka had “good discussions” with the authorities, but the views of the international community on a loan would still be considered at an executive board meeting, an official said. A ‘staff level’ deal also had to be reached. “Because the first thing that happens […]
Sri Lanka combs economy for new tax payers
July 17, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is widening the tax net to catch small shop owners and hair dressers to fluff up flagging government income, while excise revenues had also lost it usual buzz, officials said. “Most businesses such as boutiques, hair salons and retailers don’t pay value added tax (VAT),” the head of […]
Sri Lankan stocks up 1.35-pct during week
July 17, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed up Friday with renewed interest on some selected blue chips, while retailers were seen actively going after plantation, hotels, and medium and small capped stocks, brokers said. The benchmark Colombo All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed up 1.03 percent (24.47 points) to end at 2,395.02 Friday, […]