Category: Economy
President appoints committee to study Sri Lanka – Singapore FTA
Aug 11, 2018 (LBO) – President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed an independent committee comprising of five experts to study and report on the Free Trade Agreement signed with Singapore. Former Vice Chancellor of the Colombo University, Professor W. D. Lakshman will chair this committee, media reports said, quoting President’s Media Division. Other members include Professor Sirimevan Colombage from […]
Sri Lanka hikes premium fuel prices
Aug 10, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has increased the prices of petrol (95) by 2.00 rupees to 167 rupees and super diesel by 1.00 rupee to 130 rupees, the Finance Minister announced a short while ago.“Although international fuel prices came down last month, there was uncertainty in the Middle East and last week prices were […]
Technical Cooperation Project from JICA for development of Kandy
Aug 10, 2018 (LBO) – The Urban Development Authority (UDA) of Sri Lanka and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have been working together since February 2017 to formulate the urban development vision, plan and design guidelines with the objective of realizing Kandy’s unique socio-economic potential while preserving its ancient heritage. An urban planning expert team from […]
CB Governor says bank deposit and lending rates need to come down
Aug 08, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy expressed concern on the current deposit and lending rates of the banks. Speaking at a press briefing, Coomaraswamy said it is a matter of some concern because the deposit and lending rates are as rigid as they were in the past. “In fact […]
President invites all to join hands and achieve sustainable development goals
Aug 08, 2018 (LBO) – Achieving sustainable development goals is to make the country and the nation victorious, Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena said and invited all citizens including political leaders, academics, private sector, entrepreneurs and school children to join hands to achieve success in attaining these goals. He made these remarks participating in the launching […]
Sri Lanka President says “NO” increase of salaries for Ministers and MPs
Aug 07, 2018 (LBO) – President Maithripala Sirisena says even though the Sunday newspapers published that the decision was made to increase the salaries of the Ministers and MPs by the consent of all the party leaders, it should be submitted to the cabinet and that he would never allow it to be approved. President […]
‘s female unemployment on the rise
Aug 06, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s unemployment in the first quarter of 2018, rose to 4.5 percent, up from 4.1 percent a year earlier, with female unemployment up to 7.4 percent in the quarter from 6.5 percent in 2017, official data shows. The estimated economically active population is about 8.3 million in the first quarter 2018. Of […]
Sri Lanka keeps rates unchanged
Aug 03, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has decided to keep policy rates unchanged with the aim of stabilising inflation at mid-single digit levels in the medium term, thereby contributing to a high and sustainable growth trajectory of the island economy. “In arriving at its decision, the Board carefully considered the current and expected domestic […]
Finance Min calls for new regulatory body for Microfinance industry
Aug 03, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister said that he is proposing the establishment of a new microfinance regulatory authority together with mandatory registration for the companies and amendments to the Act. “This is a national tragedy. It needs to be addressed in layers,” Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Finance told reporters in Colombo, Thursday […]
Govt nod to call for bids in Mannar, Cauvery basins for oil exploration
Aug 01, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has given the go ahead to call for bid from international companies to explore oil and gas deposits in the north-western Mannar and Cauvery basins, a statement said. Experts have revealed that initial studies on offshore exploration, development and production activities in the two basins have […]
Damro’s opens Rs 12.5Bn Marino Mall and hotel in Colombo
Jul 31, 2018 (LBO) – Damro Group opened the 12.5 billion rupee Marino Mall and Beach Hotel in Colombo 3, adding 289 star class rooms to Colombo’s hotel inventory, Monday. “We have invested over Rs 12.5 billion to build and open this hotel with 289 rooms including two suites,” Damitha Ramanayake, chairman and founder of Damro Group […]
”s ratings at B1; maintains negative outlook
July 26, 2018 (LBO) – Moody’s Investors Service has today affirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s foreign currency issuer and senior unsecured ratings at B1 and maintained the negative outlook. Moody’s Investors Service said the decision to affirm the rating at B1 reflects Sri Lanka’s progress in implementing the planned reform program, which entails fiscal consolidation and […]