Category: Economy
Polonnaruwa to become a metro city at cost of Rs16 bn
July 30, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s north central heritage city Polonnaruwa to develop as a metro city at a cost 16,650 million rupees, cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said at a media briefing held Thursday. Polonnaruwa town and its nodal points known as Polonnaruwa, Kaduruwela and New Town are growing fast as Heritage City, Commercial […]
‘s outstanding public debt stands at Rs7.9 trillion
July 30, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s total outstanding public debt including debt taken by state enterprises was 7,959,939 million rupees as at the beginning of the month of July 2015, cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said.Treasury Bonds stands at 3,629,903 million rupees where as treasury bills was 796,031 million rupees.Domestic debt was 5,313,713 million rupees […]
Sri Lanka rating supported by growth, constrained by govt finances: Moody’s
July 30, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s credit outlook could improve if the government debt and interest payment ratios were to stabilize at considerably lower than current levels, Moody’s Investors Service said in a recent credit outlook report. Sri Lanka’s state credit is rated ‘B1’ below investment grade, by the rating agency. “Sri Lanka’s B1 […]
JKL profit falls 20 pct in three months to June
July 28, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s John Keells PLC (JKL.N), the tea and rubber broking unit of John Keells Holdings, announced a 20 percent drop in net profits in the first quarter, in provisional results released to the Colombo Stock Exchange. The company said profit after tax fell to 54.2 million rupees from 67.7 […]
Sri Lanka’s EPF should be managed by public trust, Not allowing Central Bank to manipulate: Eran
July 24, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Employee Provident Fund should come under a public trust and not allowed to be manipulated by the Central bank, a former deputy minister said. “This is one of the biggest frauds happening in the country and I have been saying this in parliament for the last five years,” […]
‘s United National Front suggests drastic proposals in manifesto
July 24, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s United National Front for Good Governance on Thursday unveiled its election manifesto aimed at creating a competitive social market economy based on knowledge. Proposed social market economy seeks to expand the base of open economy or economic democracy in the country within 60 months. The manifesto has addressed […]
Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.2-pct on seven week high
July 23, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed up 0.18 percent on Thursday on a seven week high with index heavy stocks continuing to show gains, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 12.99 points higher at 7,212.62 up 0.18 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 3.38 points higher at 4,041.21 up […]
Sri Lanka rupee depreciates 2.1-pct against USD this year: Central Bank
July 23, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s rupee has depreciated by 2.1 percent against the US dollar, during the year up to 21st July 2015, the Central Bank data showed.However, based on cross currency exchange rate movements, the Sri Lankan rupee appreciated against the euro by 10.0 per cent, the Australian dollar by 9.2 per […]
Sri Lanka’s official reserves USD 6.8bn in May 2015
July 23, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves stood at 6.8 billion US dollars in May 2015, equivalent to 4.2 months of imports, while total foreign assets amounted to 8.7 billion US dollars, equivalent to 5.3 months of imports, data showed. Sri Lanka’s gross foreign reserves rose to 7.5 billion US dollars in […]
BRICS Development Bank To Counter Western Lenders
July 22, 2015 (LBO) – The BRICS group of emerging economies launched its New Development Bank (NDB) in Shanghai on Tuesday with the promise of more financial security to its member states and developing countries. Set up by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, it is seen by many as a counter to the […]
6% GDP growth in 2015, a challenge; comparing rebased numbers technically wrong: CB
July 21, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Deputy Governor of the Central Bank says it would be difficult to maintain a 6 percent growth this year.“Looking at the last year’s quarter two, three and four growth rates which were higher or increasing; which means it’s a higher base,” “So it would be a challenge for […]
India Considers Road Bridge To Sri Lanka With ADB Funding
July 19, 2015 (LBO) – India is planning a feasibility study for a bridge that connects India and Sri Lanka which may cost .6 billion, Indian media reported. Nitin Gadkari, the Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, said he had discussed this with the chairman of Asian Development Bank and the development bank was […]