Category: Featured
Sri Lanka central bank considers revamping primary auctions
Oct 21, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank is considering revamping the Primary Auction system for government securities, sources said. The proposed system would overhaul the auction bidding process and introduce non-competitive bidding so as to create a level playing field. The move likely follows heavy profits made by one primary dealer from government […]
World Bank raises 2017 forecast for crude oil to USD55 per barrel
Oct 21, 2016 (LBO) – The World Bank is raising its 2017 forecast for crude oil prices to 55 US dollars per barrel from 53 per barrel following OPEC’s preparation to limit production. Energy prices, which include oil, natural gas and coal, are projected to jump almost 25 percent overall next year, a larger increase […]
Ceylon Chamber welcomes relaxing export proceeds rule
Oct 20, 2016 (LBO) – Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the move to ease the rule on repatriation of export earnings, increased from the earlier 90 days to now 120 days, as formalized by a Gazette notification issued recently. The Chamber pointed out that this rule hurts Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness, compromises export orders, […]
Sri Lanka allocates Rs1.8tn for 2017 in Appropriation Bill
Oct 20, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government has allocated 1,819 billion rupees to meet the estimated expenditure requirements of next year through the appropriation bill presented to the Parliament today. Presenting the bill, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said the cabinet approval has duly been granted for the bill. As per the released bill, the […]
Sri Lanka to develop IT platform for tea with Rs220mn
Oct 19, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is to introduce an industry-wide and real-time IT solution to integrate functions associated with tea in order to improve productivity and quality across the industry. The proposed IT backbone will acquire, store, analyze and report on industry-related data and will integrate the entire value chain with efficient monitoring […]
Sri Lanka to regulate petroleum industry through PUCSL
Oct 19, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved appointment of the Public Utilities Commission as the regulator of the petroleum industry. “The government has noted the importance of transferring Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to the regulatory scope of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka,” a statement on cabinet decisions said. The proposal was […]
Sri Lanka to conduct feasibility studies for 5 LRTs excluded by JICA
Oct 19, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved conducting of detailed feasibility studies for five remaining light railway transits (LRTs) with an estimated cost of 300 million rupees. Megapolis Ministry has initially identified 7 lines to be constructed in the Colombo district to cater to the transport demand while leaving provisions for further […]
Sri Lanka Central Bank resolves four insolvent institutions
Oct 19, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Monetary Board says it has approved repayments to depositors and investors in four insolvent financial institutions. The Monetary Board approved repayment of depositors of three finance companies, The Standard Credit Finance Ltd., City Finance Corporation Ltd. and Central Investments and Finance PLC, and legitimate investors in government securities-linked […]
‘s power users to be compensated for damages: PUCSL
Oct 19, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s electricity consumers will be compensated for the damages to equipment due to abnormal voltages and phase reversals in the distribution systems from 13th January 2017, the power regulator said. The implementation of the regulation will be completed in three stages over three years from the day the regulations […]
Opinion: Perpetual and the problem of unfettered capitalism
By Chamath Ariyadasa Questions about rampant capitalism are raised not just in Sri Lanka but in all developed financial markets. Hence, calls for a more subdued, socially conscious process reverberate here as well, and these arguments are important. Once we set the rules, the private sector steps in to maximise profit — acting within the […]
Finance Minister obtains proposals for budget from Ceylon Chamber
Oct 18, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake recently met with the committee members of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to obtain their views on the upcoming Budget presentation. The discussion was chaired by Chairman of the Chamber Samantha Ranatunga and each committee member was given an opportunity to express their views […]
Sri Lanka exports, imports decline; BOP in surplus
Oct 17, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s exports fell 4.4 percent to 891.2 million US dollars in July, while imports also fell at a faster 6.6 percent to 1,432.8 million US dollars from a year earlier, official data showed. The trade gap shrank 10 percent to 541.6 million US dollars from a year earlier. Exports […]