Category: Economy
Construction sector challenged by continued labour shortage: report
RIU report 2018 – The construction industry is worth approximately USD 8 Bn and is already under strain owing to rising construction costs.This industry is challenged by a shortagein skilled construction workers due to two factors; firstly, there is a large number of potential labour who seek employment as trishaw drivers and secondly, due to worker […]
CB keeps policy rates unchanged: Economy currently operating below potential
Feb 15, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will keep policy rates unchanged in February as the economy is stabilizing with improvements in trade figures, the islands central bank said. “The decision of the Monetary Board is consistent with the objective of maintaining inflation at mid-single digit levels over the medium term and thereby facilitating a sustainable growth […]
Sri Lanka needs to create an environment that rewards investment: Harvard economist
Feb 14, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka should move towards a simpler tariff structure, and implement direct taxes on things like income and property to maintain revenue, Harvard economist Robert Lawrence says. “90 percent of your tariffs should be in the simple schedule, and then there may be some exceptions,” Lawrence, faculty chair of the Practice of […]
‘s Industrial production up 4.3-pct in Dec 2017
Feb 14, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s industrial production has increased by 4.3 percent in the month of December, 2017 compared to the same month in 2016, latest official data shows. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is a key indicator of economic performance in most countries. Index numbers summarize past developments, facilitate forecasting of future […]
Sri Lanka – Iran sign mutual cooperation deal
Feb 13, 2018 (LBO) – Iran and Sri Lanka have inked a deal for further cooperation between the two nation in the areas of trade and economy. The agreements were signed following a two-day visit by an Iranian delegation to Colombo, over the last week-end, media reports said. Iran and Sri Lanka also agreed to finalise […]
Auditor General reveals Rs826bn off balance sheet items of previous regime
Feb 09, 2018 (LBO) – Auditor General’s Department has found out that 826 billion rupees received during Rajapaksa regime, had not been included in the financial statements. These off balance sheet items include certain debt balances of Puttalam Coal Power Plant, Hambanthota Port and Mattala International Airport payable by the government.Auditor General’s latest report on […]
Sri Lanka debt sustainability: public debt Rs8.9tn; assets Rs1.1tn
Feb 09, 2018 (LBO) – Auditor General’s Department says even if the total amount of domestic and foreign debt payable by the government as at 31 December 2016 stood at 8.9 trillion rupees, in financial statements, the value of the total assets only shows 1.1 trillion rupees. Their latest report on the public debt management […]
Sri Lanka Central Bank issues clarification on media reports over Government debt
Feb 09, 2018 (LBO) – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) in reply to media reports on debt says it compiles and publishes central Government debt based on its database on issuance of domestic debt and international commercial borrowings on behalf of the Government and also the information it received from ministries. “Attention of […]
‘s Biz climate
Feb 08, 2018 (LBO) – A Japanese business delegation, including chief executive officers and leading officials of some of the largest companies is visiting Sri Lanka to look at future investment opportunities, the Board of Investment said. A delegation of 59 are visiting the island on invitation of the Prime Minister and participated at the Sri […]
” rating
Feb 07, 2018 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has confirmed Sri Lanka’s ‘B+’ rating with a stable outlook, saying revised policy framework supports the islands macroeconomic stability. The full statement follows: Fitch Ratings has affirmed Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘B+’ with a Stable Outlook. A full list of rating actions is at the […]
RIU to host UK-Sri Lanka Investor Forum for 3rd consecutive year in London
Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Research Intelligence Unit will be hosting its annual edition of RIU Investor Forum on Thursday May 17 2018 at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London, UK.The Forum’s objective is to promote and channel investment into Sri Lanka from among the high net worth individuals (HNI) living overseas while also […]
Top investment bank Lazard to help Sri Lanka divest non-strategic assets
Feb 05, 2018 (LBO) – World’s top advisory and asset management firms, Lazard has shown interest in Sri Lanka, with a visit this week by an international delegation. The 2.7 billion US dollars global financial advisory firm in conjunction with MTI Consulting, plans to meet officials of the Sri Lankan government. They will discuss how […]