Category: Economy and Markets
Aid Direct
The World Bank handed out Rs. 4 million of grant money directly to eight non-governmental organizations recently.This model of directly supporting community-based work is a new concept promoted by the World Bank who in the past has only directly lent to governments.rn rnThe bank says there were over 300 applications of which they chose 8 […]
Sampath Fortune
Sampath Bank plans to raise Rs. 1.5 billion by issuing debentures to strengthen its capital base and make long-term money available for lending.The issue which will open later this month will initially target to raise Rs. 1billion with an option to raise a further half a billion in case of an over subscription.rn rnThe five-year […]
Peace Please
Sri Lanka needs to return to the negotiating table with the LTTE to untangle US$ 4.5 billion in international aid, but talks with the Tamil rebel faction still seem distant.After a four-day situation analysis, Japans Special Envoy to the Sri Lankan Peace Process left it open for the government and the LTTE to set a […]
Flat
Treasury Bill rates remained flat at Wednesdays auction due to excess liquidity in the money market and a steady outlook for short-term interest rates.The Central Bank offered and accepted bids for Rs.8,238 mn, though the auction was oversubscribed with Rs.16,808 mn worth of offers.rn rnTreasury rates for three, six, and one-year remained flat at 7.79 […]
Rowing Together
President Chandrika Kumaratungas minority government secured the deputy speakers post in Parliament on Tuesday after the main opposition party offered no resistance to the move.The United National Front reached an agreement with the government not to oppose Kumaratungas candidate for the position, said party spokesman Mahinda Samarasinghe.rn rnHe did not elaborate. rn rnThe UNFs position […]
Pow-Wow
A Japanese envoy will meet with Tamil Tiger leaders in thernrebel-held town of Kilinochchi on Tuesday to discuss Sri Lankas efforts tornend a two decade civil war, an embassy official said.rnJapan is Sri Lankas largest aid donor and has joined diplomatic effortsrnto reach a final peace deal between the government and rebels since arnNorwegian-brokered cease-fire […]
Looking Good
Sampath Bank on Monday secured an A+ (sri) for its long-term debt and an A (sri) rating for its four-year debenture issue from Fitch Ratings.An A+ (sri) rating denotes a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless be more vulnerable to changes […]
Not For Sale
Sri Lanka will terminate a divestment program initiated by the previous government, the treasury secretary said Friday.But the new government headed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga that came to power last month will increase public spending on poverty-reduction measures, which arent expected to widen the budget deficit, he said.rn rn”Privatization is not the policy of the […]
Chief Troubleshooter
Sri Lanka Friday named a former United Nations disarmament chief to spearhead new peace talks with Tamil Tiger rebels.Jayantha Dhanapala, a UN undersecretary general for disarmament affairs until last year, was named secretary general of the governments “peace secretariat,” President Chandrika Kumaratungas office said.rn rnDhanapala, a Sri Lankan, was also named a senior adviser to […]
Knock Knock
The Colombo Stock Exchange is seeking donor funds to kick-start the derivatives market.The Asian Development Bank (ADB) had earlier helped out with a consultant to study the possibility of introducing derivative trading through the CSE.rn rnWhile the consultants were of the view that the market was illiquid, they said that the introduction of tea futures […]
Sweet Music
Cabinet spokesman, Reginald Cooray says the sweeteners are aimed at those who have put in a minimum five-years of service.rn rnCooray said those who put in between five and twelve years of service will get Rs. 250 allowance each month, irrespective of rank.Military servicemen who have between 12-22 years of service will get Rs.500 per […]
Checkpoint
Relations between the police and the public are in the dumps. In fact Sri Lankans see the police as the most corrupt public institution in the country. Now Norway is spending millions to find out what went wrong with public-police relations.A 2001 public perception survey by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) showed that the police […]