New Deal

May 08 (LBO) – The Power Ministry said Monday that it would pump in funds to upgrade 100 state held fuel sheds, left over from privatising Sri Lanka’s retail fuel sector. Sri Lanka’s retail fuel market is shared by state oil giant Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Indian Oil Corp., each holding a one third stake […]

Going Upstream

May 2 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is setting up an upstream oil company as the country gets ready to auction several off-shore oil exploration blocks, Petroleum Minister A H M Fowzie said. An upstream petroleum company engages in exploration and production of oil. At present Sri Lanka imports crude oil and the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum […]

World Bank unlikely to cut cheap aid to Sri Lanka despite rising incomes

May 03 (LBO) – The World Bank has not taken a decision to end concessionary lending to Sri Lanka despite the tsunami-hit island reporting more than 1,000 dollar per capita income for the third-straight year, a top official said Wednesday. Sri Lanka’s 24 billion dollar economy boasted a 1,250 dollar per capita income for 19.5 […]

Government agencies claim two rates of growth for Sri Lanka

May 01 (LBO) – The claims of two different growth rates for Sri Lanka by two agencies have highlighted inherent shortcomings in the preparation of national income accounting and also added fuel to sceptics who do not believe economic growth numbers. A tale of two economies

Sri Lanka’s April inflation swings up

Apr. 28 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s inflation rate for April rose over consumer demands for bananas, fresh fish, milk foods and vegetables during the traditional New Year season, the Census & Statistics Dept. said Friday. On a point-to-point basis inflation for April rose to 9.2 percent over 6.4 percent reported in March, as the government […]

Iranian Shadow

LONDON, Apr. 28 (AFP) – World oil prices eased Friday on receding worries over US motor oil supplies but held above 70 dollars per barrel on rising tensions over Iran’s disputed nuclear programme. UN nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei was expected to report that Iran had failed to meet Friday’s deadline to stop enriching uranium, opening […]

‘s April inflation swings up

Apr. 28 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s inflation rate for April rose over consumer demands for bananas, fresh fish, milk foods and vegetables during the traditional New Year season, the Census & Statistics Dept. said Friday. On a point-to-point basis inflation for April rose to 9.2 percent over 6.4 percent reported in March, as the government […]

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank calls for better fiscal policies to maintain stability

Apr.27 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has called for better fiscal policies and continued reforms to maintain growth and economic stability, in its annual report on the country’s economic performance.The Bank said Thursday the country grew by 6 percent in 2005, a day after the Finance Ministry said it grew by 6.2 percent last […]

Sri Lankan exports fall as earnings from clothes decline

Apr.27 (LBO) – Exports from Sri Lanka fell four percent for the two months to February as the island shipped fewer clothes, the central bank said Thursday. Exports dropped to 748 million dollars from Jan-Feb, dragged down by a 9.6 percent fall or 425 million dollars in earnings from shipping clothes. Garments now accounts for […]

Sri Lanka aid donors to meet in Oslo

OSLO, Apr. 27, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s main international aid donors will meet in Oslo on Friday to brainstorm on how best to provide assistance against a backdrop of renewed civil strife, the Norwegian government said Thursday.“The co-presidents of the donors conference will meet to discuss different means of furthering the peace process and […]

‘s Central Bank calls for better fiscal policies to maintain stability

Apr.27 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has called for better fiscal policies and continued reforms to maintain growth and economic stability, in its annual report on the country’s economic performance.The Bank said Thursday the country grew by 6 percent in 2005, a day after the Finance Ministry said it grew by 6.2 percent last […]

Sri Lanka forecasts 1Q06 GDP at 6.8%

Apr. 26 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to grow at an annual pace of 6.8 percent during the first quarter of 2006, despite setbacks in the peace process and worries that the country may slip back to war. Though the budget deficit was high at 8.7 percent of GDP, due to high nominal […]

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