Sri Lanka nation-wide inflation accelerates to 5-pct in October

Nov 21, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s consumer prices as measured by National Consumer Price Index rose to 5.0 percent in October from the 4.7 percent reported a month ago, data from the state statistics office showed. The National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) for the month of October 2016 has been calculated as 114.7. In […]

ADB to support infrastructure reforms, revenue is key challenge

Nov 21, 2016 (LBO) –  Further structural reforms are needed to strengthen the Sri Lankan economy, which has been slow to attract private investment and is encumbered by burdensome business regulations, a new Asian Development Bank study shows. The ADB, releasing an independent evaluation report that assesses its 5.5 billion US dollar program for Sri Lanka […]

‘s Finance Minister

Nov 21, 2016 (LBO) – The Minister of Finance has called on local and foreign entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity given by the government to invest in Sri Lanka, with incentives presented under the 2017 Budget. The Minister assured that all proposals would be implemented on time and some of the proposals have already come […]

IMF approves USD162.6mn disbursement to Sri Lanka

Nov 19, 2016 (LBO) – IMF Executive Board has completed its first review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement, which enables the disbursement of about 162.6 million US dollars. The IMF said in a statement, the reinstatement of the amendments to VAT will help boost revenues, while the 2017 budget proposal should strengthen […]

Sri Lanka to finalize Hambantota port deal by next month

Nov 18, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka expects to finalize the deal with regard to the loss-making Hambantota port within three weeks, Ports Minister said. Minister Arjuna Ranatunga told Parliament Friday that under the new arrangement, the port will be operated as a PPP venture project between Sri Lanka and Chinese investors. “A Chinese company […]

Supreme Court upholds right to sing National Anthem in Tamil

Nov 18, 2016 (LBO) – A fundamental rights case challenging the legality of playing the National Anthem in the Tamil language at the Independence Day celebration on February 4, 2016 has been dismissed by the Supreme Court. Lawyer Mahanama De Silva, for petitioners V. S. Sudath Perera, M. P. Asiri Soysa and G. A. Don […]

Sri Lanka power regulator worried over delayed power plant construction

Nov 18, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Public Utilities Commission has issued a directive to CEB expressing its grave concern over the delay in constructing the power plants according to the approved Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan (LCLTGEP). “The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka approved the LCLTGEP on 15th of September 2016 and it […]

LBR LBO DEBRIEF to focus on unfolding economic and geo-political landscape

Nov 18, 2016 (LBO) –  The fourth edition of the “Economic and Business Climate Outlook 2017” will offer an overview of emerging Asia and the Sri Lankan economy, and the views of business leaders on navigating their businesses in 2017 amidst growing economic and geo-political volatility. Lanka Business Online, LBO, will be hosting the annual […]

Sri Lanka budget signals continuity, but implementation key: CCC

Nov 17, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s budget 2017 has signaled continuity in the economic policy priorities of the government, but successful implementation should be the benchmark against which it is measured, the island’s leading business chamber said. “Budget 2017 seeks to continue the government’s focus on modernizing the economy, inclusive growth, strengthening the middle class, […]

Verité identifies weakness in Sri Lanka’s public procurement

Nov 17, 2016 (LBO) – Verité Research, a private think tank, has identified three key weaknesses in public procurement in Sri Lanka. The study by the regional think tank has focused on the problems of public procurement, best practices of e-procurement followed in other countries, and the benefits for local businesses and the government. As […]

SLT to power Lanka Government Network, LGN 2.0

Nov 17, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Telecom has been chosen as the total communication service provider and communication infrastructure provider to the Lanka Government Network, in a collaborative move by the national government and the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), a statement said. The LGN is a strategic project produced […]

Sri Lanka offers long-term contracts to import refined petro products

Nov 17, 2016 (LBO) –Sri Lanka’s cabinet has granted its approval to offer three longer term contracts to Indian and Singapore companies to purchase refined petroleum products to meet the country’s demands. These contracts cover a period of 8 months starting December this year as the existing contracts for purchase of refined petroleum products have […]

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