Sri Lanka central bank to clean up data act under IMF program

July 26, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank will improve data reporting following the approval of a 2.6 billion US dollar facility by the International Monetary Fund, a loan document released by the monetary authority said. IMF sent a ‘safeguards assessment’ mission to the central bank in May to ensure that its funds could […]

Sri Lanka IMF program a framework for donor support: mission chief

July 26, 2009 (LBO) – A 20-month International Monetary Fund backed economic plan will boost Sri Lanka’s reserves and provide a framework for donors to back post-war reconstruction, an official who led the mission to the island said. Though an immediate priority of the government was providing relief to refugees, reconstruction needs would grow over […]

Sri Lanka gets US$2.6bn from IMF on tight budget, rupee flexibility

July 25, 2009 (LBO) – The International Monetary Fund has approved a 2.6 billion US dollar loan to Sri Lanka with a 322 million dollar tranche being immediately disbursed on a program that is aiming to keep the budget deficit at 7.0 percent of the economy. The IMF said a combination of short term foreign […]

‘s aging population presents risks, opportunities

July 23, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s rapidly aging population could be a big burden in future but also provides a window of opportunity – a time of massive productive labour force and low dependents, a report said.Sri Lanka is the fastest aging country in south Asia, with the elderly population posing many challenges, according […]

Sri Lanka has permitted IMF to publish bailout program: minister

July 23, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has authorized the International Monetary Fund to publish its stand by loan agreement with the island, after it is approved by the lender’s executive board Friday, international trade minister Gamini Pieris said.Under the new stand by arrangement Sri Lanka’s central bank will have access to 2.5 billion US […]

Sri Lanka may get US$300mn from new ADB fund: report

July 23, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka may get a 300 million US dollar loan from Asian Development Bank new facility to help stimulate slumping economies in the region, a media report said. A 30-year internal conflict ended after the military wiped out Tamil Tiger separatists in May. “Sri Lanka is in an extremely favorable […]

Sri Lanka international airport plans expansion

July 23, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s sole international airprot has plans to expand further if traffic grows beyond existing capacity with the end of a three decade internal war, a senior official said. But he said in the post-war environment demand for aviation will grow. “Aviation is very sensitive to war and also very […]

Sri Lanka IMF deal fine print will increase confidence: analysts

July 22, 2009 (LBO) – An International Monetary Fund loan will beef up Sri Lanka’s external solvency but it will raise investor confidence further once details spelling out an economic plan agreed with the lender are published, analysts said.In 2004 a growth oriented IMF backed structural adjustment program was abandoned half way and budget deficits, […]

Sri Lanka to get US$2.5bn IMF loan

July 21, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will get 313 million US dollars on July 24 as part of a 2.5 billion US dollar stand by loan running for 20 months, International Monetary Fund managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said. Under the program Sri Lanka was expected to improve its budgets, that had high deficits financed […]

Sri Lanka foreign funding case strengthened by IMF loan: CB Governor

July 21, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will have more options to tap foreign investors after it gets a 2.5 billion US dollar standby loan from the International Monetary Fund, Central Bank governor Nivard Cabraal said. Cabraal said he will also be in London later this week to “update investors.” “Once we get a feeling […]

Sri Lanka exporters to get incentives next month

July 21, 2009 (LBO) – Over 200 Sri Lankan firms have qualified for a government export incentive scheme the first payments of which are expected next month, but many claims have been rejected owing to errors in applications, officials said. “It is a reward to direct exporters in manufacturing processing industries who have survived the […]

Sri Lanka plans ambitious 7.0-pct deficit under IMF program

July 21, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is planning a budget deficit of 7.0 percent of its economy under a plan agreed with the International Monetary Fund, which will help improve the country’s rating and open the way for foreign financing, a top official said. A 7.0 percent target is tight for Sri Lanka and […]

Page 152 of 357