Next IMF tranche by June, reserves comfortable by year end: Ravi

Apr 27, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister said he was optimistic about talks on reaching a staff level agreement with the International Monetary Fund for the next phase, and that the next tranche would be released by June. “I think the tranche that was due April will come by June, there were some technical difficulties like […]

Higher growth for Sri Lanka will depend on addressing structural issues: CB

Apr 27, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s economic performance in 2016 reconfirmed the necessity of addressing deep rooted structural issues, in order to enable the country to progress towards a higher growth trajectory, the Central Bank said. “Along with strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals through improved fiscal performance and the conduct of monetary policy in a forward […]

Rain and fire threatens Meethotamulla, rehabilitation plans in place

Apr 27, 2017 (LBO) – Rains expected in May and an outbreak of fire still remain as threats to the hundreds of tonnes of rotting garbage piled up near Sri Lanka’s capital, with rehabilitation of the dump now in progress, a minister said. “What we are doing now is taking measures to control further collapses […]

Petroleum union negotiations successful, strike called off

Apr 25, 2017 (LBO) – The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) unions called off their strike late on Monday following successful discussions with Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister and Petroleum Minister Chandima Weerakkody. Employees of the Ceylon Petroleum Cooperation launched a strike from midnight Sunday opposing an agreement to be signed with India regarding developing the Trincomalee […]

CICT attracts first new service to Colombo from Ocean Alliance

(PRESS RELEASE) – Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) recently welcomed the maiden call of CMA CGM Nabucco, the first vessel under the Ocean Alliance to call on the Port of Colombo. The vessel operated by CMA CGM was the first in a new weekly service attracted to Colombo by CICT this year, and will operate […]

WB and IMF to send team for solid waste management

Apr 24, 2017 (LBO) – World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have agreed to send a special team to the island to inspect solid waste management, the finance ministry said in a statement. The comments were made to Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake during the G24 Finance Ministers’ meeting where the current economic performance of […]

Sri Lankan artist exhibition inspired by fashion to open CFW

Mar 10, 2017 (LBO) – Under the theme ‘Celebrate Colombo,’ Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) will include a new initiative called ‘Art Connect’ which will exemplify the connection between the creative streams of Fashion and Art, its organizers said. Art Connect will be the first of the series of events during the week of CFW and […]

Indonesia, Sri Lanka to strengthen trade and economic ties

Mar 09, 2017 (LBO) Sri lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena, who is on a state visit to Indonesia, met with President Joko Widodo Wednesday with a proposal for a free trade agreement between the two countries among the topics discussed. The meeting between the two leaders commenced following a cordial discussion, a statement from the Sri […]

S&” rating on Sri Lanka

Mar 08, 2017 (LBO) – Standard and Poor global ratings affirmed its ‘B+’ long-term and ‘B’ short-term sovereign credit ratings on Sri Lanka while keeping a ‘negative’ outlook unchanged, a statement said. “High external debt, and low reserves continue to make Sri Lanka vulnerable to external shocks. Other rating constraints on Sri Lanka include the […]

MAS joins hands with UNFPA to ensure gender-mainstreamed corporate policies

(PRESS RELEASE) – Colombo, 7 March 2017: Sri Lanka’s female labour force participation is declining. In 2006, females constituted 39. 5% of the working force, where as in 2014, this number has come down to 36.3%. In response to this socio-economic issue, it is imperative that organizations continuously review corporate policies to instill an organizational […]

New Zealand keen to broaden investment in Sri Lanka

Mar 08, 2017 (LBO) – The Government of New Zealand expects to broaden existing investment in Sri Lanka and is ready to assist in economic development activities in the island, the finance ministry said in a statement. New Zealand wants to provide technical support in infrastructure development and assist in developing the agricultural sector of […]

Pan Asia Bank completes Rs 2Bn rights issue

Mar 08, 2017 (LBO)- Sri Lanka’s Pan Asia Banking Corporation said they were successful in completing a rights issue to raise up to 2.06 billion rupees. In December 2016 the bank announced the issue of 147. 5 million shares at one new share for every two shares held at an issue price of 14 rupees. […]

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