Category: Economy and Markets
Finance Minister makes final touches to Budget 2019
The Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera is in deep conversation with the Treasury Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga to make the final touches to the Budget 2019 at the Minister’s “Rainbow End” private residence at Gorakana, Panadura. Minister Mangala Samaraweera will commence the Budget Speech at 1.30 pm on Tuesday in the Parliament.
Addressing the White Elephant in Lankan economic development in tourism
In the past, Sri Lanka has focused on increasing the number of tourists coming into the country and showcase the increase in tourism without much concentration on the growth of our economy in retrospect. Lonely Planet listed Sri Lanka as the number one tourist destination for 2019 whilst Sri Lanka simultaneously boasted of 2.2 million […]
Rock bottom Rs12bn rights issue pricing crashes Sampath Bank (SAMP) shares
March 1, 2019 (LBO) – Shares on the Colombo Stock Exchange were weaker across the board with Sampath Bank (SAMP) shares having their worst trading day in recent memory.Two hours into the trading day, shares of SAMP were off close to 16% with just Rs85mn worth of shares traded. The broader market indices were down […]
IMF reaches understanding at staff level to extend EFF for an additional year
Mar 01, 2019 (LBO) – A staff team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached an understanding at the staff level with the Sri Lankan authorities on the fifth review and the request to extend the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement for an additional year. Accordingly, the remaining disbursements will be evenly spread over this […]
Sri Lanka stocks wake up with net foreign buying
February 28, 2019 (LBO) – The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) awakened from its slumber with trading crossing the Rs2bn mark (US$11mn) after many days of dull trading. Stocks finished the day slightly up with trading activity across the board. Foreigners were significant net buyers with net foreign buying of Rs500mn on the day. Foreign buying of […]
‘s Basel III sub debt final A(lka)
Feb 28, 2019 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has assigned National Development Bank’s proposed Basel III-compliant subordinated debentures a final National Long-Term Rating of ‘A(lka)’. The notes, which total up to 6.5 billion rupees with maturities of five years, include a non-viability clause and qualify as regulatory Tier II capital for the bank. The bank plans to […]
Fitch revises outlook on HNB Assurance, HNB General Insurance to positive
Feb 28, 2019 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlook on the National Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Ratings of life insurer HNB Assurance and its fully owned non-life subsidiary, HNB General Insurance, to Positive from Stable and affirmed the ratings at ‘A(lka)’. KEY RATING DRIVERS The Outlook revision reflects better non-life capitalisation and financial performance […]
Prima Ceylon eyes more investments as it completes 40 years in Sri Lanka
Feb 28, 2019 (LBO) – Prima Ceylon, the flagship company of the Prima Group Sri Lanka, celebrated four decades of successful partnerships and growing together with the nation, at an event recently in Trincomalee, where its state-of-the-art flour milling complex and one of the largest flour mills in the world under one roof, is located. Speaking […]
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce seminar to analyze national Budget 2019
Feb 27, 2019 (LBO) – Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual National Budget seminar on 7th March 2019 that will discuss the implications of key policy changes in Budget 2019 and if it will be positive towards enhancing investments to strengthen Sri Lanka’s economic future.This seminar serves as an important opportunity for the business […]
Resus Energy to invest Rs.1.3Bn in hydro and solar power projects in Sri Lanka
Feb 26, 2019 (LBO) – Resus Energy PLC a renewable energy firm says they will be investing a staggering 1.3 billion rupees hydropower and solar power projects during this year. These projects have been structured with focus to generating renewable and sustainable energy combining the latest tech and an environmentally responsible business proposition, the Company said issuing […]
Increased exports in Sri Lanka can improve jobs, raise wages: report
Feb 26, 2019 (LBO) – Increasing exports can lead to better jobs and higher wages in Sri Lanka, including more formal jobs for women, a new report launched today in Colombo, showed. The report also highlighted that the labor market policies can help different groups of workers to acquire the right skills and to ensure that the […]
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce calls export SMEs to apply for on-the-job coaching
Feb 26, 2019 (LBO) – Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) requests export SMEs that has a high potential for growth to apply for an on-the-job coaching programme to improve their export competitiveness. Export SMEs facing various difficulties and challenges pertaining to the successful handling of their exports are eligible to receive this coaching assistance free […]