” inflation 15.8-pct

June 02, 2009 (LBO) – A controversial core inflation index of selected items in Sri Lanka was at 13.5 percent in May 2009, the central bank said, while the country’s headline index rose 3.3 percent, from 2.9 percent. Core inflation is claimed by central banks to better reflect their monetary policy actions, and drops food […]

Sri Lanka g-secs see foreign interest trickling in

June 01, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government securities market has seen a trickle of foreign investment as the country is slowly emerged from a balance of payments crisis, official data showed. The central bank said the volume of Treasury bonds held by foreign investors increased by about 1,500 million rupees (about 10 million US […]

Sri Lanka shares weaken

June 01, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares ended weaker Monday as investors took profits after last week’s sharp rise on euphoria that followed a military victory over the Tamil Tigers, brokers said. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 The All Share Price Index fell […]

Sri Lanka property firm hit by falling prices

May 30, 2009 (LBO) – The real estate arm of Sri Lanka’s Carsons Cumberbatch group said it was writing down the values of properties by 450.3 million rupees as prices slumped in the wake of tight monetary policy. “This year has been a challenging year where we saw a significant market correction on the property […]

Sri Lankan stocks up 3.22 pct during week, rupee steady

May 29, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares made slight gains Friday as investors were concentrating more on solid small and mid cap stocks, while the rupee was rock steady against greenback, brokers and dealers said. The spot dollar was trading at 114.90/115.00 levels in late evening trade, dealers said. The Colombo All Share Price […]

Sri Lanka inflation accelerates to 3.3-pct in May

May 29, 2009 (LBO) – Consumer price inflation in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo accelerated to 3.3 percent in the 12-months to May from 2.9 percent in April, with prices jumping 2.0 percent during the month, the government’s statistics office said. Sri Lanka central bank governor Nivard Cabraal has said the index could move below zero […]

Sri Lanka stocks up 2.3-pct after rights vote

May 28, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan closed up 2.3 percent as the market reacted positively to a vote in favour Sri Lanka’s government at a UN human rights body, brokers said. “Investors were optimistic about the future potential of the economy because confidence levels are also high,” said Balasuriya. Sri Lanka’s largest privately held […]

Sri Lanka shares firmer

May 27, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares ended firmer Wednesday with investors keen on blue chips, hotels and banks, encouraged by the end of the ethnic war that could see an economic revival, brokers said. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 The All Share […]

Sri Lanka may relax forex trading curbs from June: CB Governor

May 27, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka may expand forex trading limits of banks from next month, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said, as the country emerged from a balance of payments crisis with the monetary authority becoming net dollar buyer. “If we did not buy the rupee would appreciate further,” Cabraal said. The rupee […]

Sri Lanka planning credit scheme for the war-affected: CB Governor

May 27, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is planning a central bank re-financed credit scheme for people in former war-affected areas to allow people to rebuild their lives, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. However Cabraal says re-financing would be within reserve money and inflation targets. “These people need help and society will have to […]

Sri Lankan shares recover, rupee flat

May 26, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks ended up Tuesday, as investors were bullish on blue chips and hotel stocks, while the rupee was flat against the greenback and traded at 114.90/95 levels, broker and traders said. Dialog Telekom, Sri Lanka’s largest celco is a fully owned subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia. Development Finance Corporation […]

Sri Lanka manpower exporters battle downturn

May 26, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankans working abroad send home nearly three billion dollars a year, and despite a global economic meltdown and stiff competition from regional neighbors, industry officials say they are fighting the downturn. Around 1.8 million people are estimated to be employed abroad, according to Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau data […]

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