Category: Economy and Markets
Australia, Myanmar as SAARC observers: Sri Lanka official
July 30, 2008 (LBO) – Australia and Myanmar would be admitted as observers of the South Asian Association of Regional Corporation (SAARC) at this year’s sessions, now underway in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, an official said.Sri Lanka’s additional foreign secretary Prasad Kariawasam told reporters after a meeting of the so-called ‘standing committee’ of foreign […]
Sri Lanka plantations stocks draw investor interest
July 30, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed higher Wednesday driven up by gains in stocks with a heavy weighting on the indices and some renewed interest seen in plantations. But brokers said the upward momentum could be short-lived as economic conditions remained difficult given record inflation and high borrowing costs for companies. The […]
South Asian nations side-step regional trade pact amid frictions
July 30, 2008 (AFP) – South Asian leaders meeting in Sri Lanka this weekend will discuss improving commercial ties but political and other tensions have dampened hopes a regional free trade pact will be implemented any time soon, economists say. “It took the European Union 50 years to get the euro out. We’re still just […]
Rising inflation underscores Central Bank impotence: IMF
July 29, 2008 (LBO) – Rising inflation has made it difficult for mature market central banks to print their way out of the credit crisis, and emerging markets that continue to print money may find investors shunning them, the International Monetary Fund has said.In an update to its Global Financial Stability Report IMF said the […]
Sri Lanka Treasury Secretary asked not to resign
July 29, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Treasury Secretary P B Jayasundera, who submitted his resignation to President Mahinda Rajapaksa after a court order faulted him over a privatization deal, has been asked to continue in his position.The court said Jayasundera had acted in collusion with the current JKH chairman, Susantha Ratnayake, a director of […]
Sri Lanka stocks firm as AMW buyers mop up shares
July 29, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed higher Tuesday with the Dubai construction firm that took control of Associated Motorways (AMW) yesterday continuing to buy into the stock, brokers said. Associated Electrical Corporation (AEC), the controlling shareholder of AMW which sold out, fell 4.83 percent or 77.25 rupees to 1,522.50. The All Share […]
Sri Lanka Treasury Secretary tenders resignation
July 28, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Treasury Secretary P B Jayasundera has submitted his resignation to President Mahinda Rajapakse following a court order that faulted him over a privatization deal and a tax holiday, an official said.Reports said Jayasundera had offered to resign soon after the order was made last week, but the government […]
Sri Lanka stocks perk up as control of AMW changes hands
July 28, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed higher Monday on gains in heavyweight stocks with the take over of Associated Motorways (AMW) by a Dubai construction firm driving turnover to 7.7 billion rupees. JKH, AEC and state funds which owned AWM stakes sold at a premium. “Any premium would be considered quite advantageous […]
South Asian meet to open in Sri Lanka focussing on trade and terror
July 26, 2008 (AFP) – An eight-member South Asian meeting opening in Sri Lanka Sunday will focus on boosting regional trade and stepping up moves to combat terrorism, Colombo’s foreign minister said Saturday.Officials of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) will start meetings Sunday in the run-up to a main two-day summit starting […]
” trade concession extension doubtful: EU parliamentarian
July 25, 2008 (LBO) – The extension of trade concessions from the European Union to Sri Lanka is doubtful unless the country takes action to protect human and political rights and improve press freedom, a visiting European parliamentary delegation said. “It is doubtful at the moment,” European parliamentarian Robert Evans who led the delegation told […]
Sri Lanka stocks fail to sustain recovery
July 25, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks slumped Friday after a short-lived recovery with brokers saying fears that deteriorating economic conditions could erode company profits were likely to keep the market in the doldrums. The All Share Price Index closed down 0.58 percent (13.73 points) at 2,370.10 while the more liquid Milanka fell 1.19 […]
Sri Lanka will not sign economic pact with India: minister
July 24, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will not sign an economic pact with India until fears of local industrialists and professionals which suddenly cropped up despite four years of discussions are allayed, the island’s international trade minister said.On the same day, Wimal Weerawansa, a Marxist-nationalist lawmaker, challenged the government to release the draft CEPA […]