Category: Economy and Markets
Rising costs of electricity, firewood and milk tea fail to push Sri Lanka’s inflation
Feb. 18 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s annual inflation rate for February slipped to 10.3 percent from 11.1 percent in January, despite high costs of firewood, electricity and milk tea, the Census & Statistics Department said Tuesday. The government uses the 12-month moving average – as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) – to […]
’s young could stifle progress
Illiteracy, no jobs and high risk behaviour among South Asia’s young people could affect the region’s progress and development, the World Bank says. About 20 percent of South Asia’s population is between 15 and 24, 30 percent are illiterate and they account for half of the unemployed in the region. The World Bank is meeting […]
‘s inflation
Feb. 18 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s annual inflation rate for February slipped to 10.3 percent from 11.1 percent in January, despite high costs of firewood, electricity and milk tea, the Census & Statistics Department said Tuesday. The government uses the 12-month moving average – as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) – to […]
Sri Lanka stands by ceasefire with LTTE, though it is illegal.
Feb. 26 (LBO) – The government will abide by the agreements reached with the LTTE in Geneva, despite the original ceasefire agreement being illegal, members of the delegation who held talks with the Tamil Tigers told reporters in Colombo Sunday.Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the government would ensure that the activities of all armed […]
Sri Lanka plans coin series, stamp to commemorate upcoming Buddhist anniversary.
Feb. 22 (LBO) — Sri Lanka is planning to issue a series of coins to commemorate the upcoming 2550th Bhuddha Jayanthi, but details are still being worked out, officials said.The government is to issue at least three new coins and a souvenir stamp, B N Jinasena, Secretary to the Religious Affairs Ministry said Wednesday. Two […]
Government plans new coins to commemorate religious anniversary
Feb. 21 (LBO) — Sri Lanka’s Central Bank is preparing to issue two new coins commemorating the 2550th ‘Bhuddha Jayanthi’, a top official of the Religious Affairs Ministry said Tuesday.The ministry of religious affairs says one coin would be high value commemorative coin while the other would be released into circulation. The coins issued in […]
Money changers given more time to put up capital
Feb 20 (LBO) – Money changers who lost their license have been given a second chance by the Central Bank to continue their business. Five money changers who lost their license have been given till February 28 to put up the extra Rs.9 million to meet the enhanced capital of Rs.10 million, the Central Bank’s […]
Sri Lanka plans rated bond to restructure debt
Feb. 17 (Dow Jones)– Sri Lanka wants to float an international bond this year to gauge market response as well as see if it can raise debt at a reasonably low interest rates, the treasury secretary said Thursday. The treasury is awaiting a response from Citibank advising on the size of the issue, which could […]
‘s Central Bank stays pat on interest rates
Feb. 16 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Thursday stayed put on policy rates for the second straight month, as it expects the 25-basis point hike last December to put the brakes on money supply growth. Overnight repurchase rate remains at 8.75 percent and the reverse repurchase rate stays at 10.25 percent, the bank said […]
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank stays pat on interest rates
Feb. 16 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Thursday stayed put on policy rates for the second straight month, as it expects the 25-basis point hike last December to put the brakes on money supply growth. Overnight repurchase rate remains at 8.75 percent and the reverse repurchase rate stays at 10.25 percent, the bank said […]
Sri Lankan taxpayers too afraid of tax collectors to complain about mistreatment
Jan 15 (LBO) – Sri Lankan tax payers are too afraid of retaliation by tax collectors to complain about mistreatment. Sri Lanka appointed a tax ombudsman in September 2005 to mediate between the Department of Inland Revenue and the island’s small number of tax payers, as a way of easing strained relations. However the tax […]
Seventeen badly run state-institutions cost taxpayers Rs. 70 bn annually
Feb. 14 (LBO) – Despite just over two decades of public sector reforms, 17 government entities continue to hemorrhage, draining Rs. 70 billion each year from state coffers, Treasury Secretary said Tuesday. Mega Plans Sri Lanka is pushing ahead with mega projects in three key districts next month with full state patronage, Treasury Secretary […]