Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka Central Bank launches data library for public use
Feb 21, 2017 (LBO) – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has launched a data library for the general public to use via the CBSL external website. “Data Library of CBSL is a comprehensive database consisting of time series data on a variety of topics spanning Real, Monetary, Fiscal, External and Financial sectors,” a […]
Asia shares adrift for US holiday, focus on Unilever
SYDNEY, Feb 20 (Reuters) – Asian share markets were mixed on Monday as political uncertainty globally kept the mood cautious, while the U.S. dollar recouped early losses ahead of a busy week for Federal Reserve speakers. Turnover was light with U.S. markets closed for the Presidents Day holiday. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside […]
Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA to be finalised in 2017: Singapore PM
Feb 20, 2017 (LBO) – The Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA) between Sri Lanka and Singapore will hopefully be finalised this year, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said following a dinner with Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe. In a FB post on Saturday, Lee said, “We talked about the FTA that we are negotiating, which we hope to […]
Sri Lanka to review public sector cadre, redeploy excess
Feb 17, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will conduct a cadre review to determine the total cadre requirement of the public sector and provincial councils. The review is expected to forecast public sector staff needed for the year 2020 based on the optimum cadre identified for 2017. “In case excess employees are identified at any […]
Sri Lanka to forge ahead despite external pressures: Ravi
Feb 17, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s finances are improving despite global turmoil, Brexit and higher interest rates in the US, backed by a Fitch Ratings outlook upgrade, the finance minister said. “State revenues in 2016 rose to over 13 percent of gross domestic product from around 10 percent and the budget deficit had come […]
J L Morisons to build USD13.5mn drug manufacturing plant
Feb 17, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s J L Morison Son and Jones (Ceylon) has resolved to make an investment of 13. 5 million US dollars in constructing a new pharmaceutical manufacturing plant. The company said in a stock exchange filing that this research and manufacturing facility will be located within the SLINTEC Nano Technology […]
Softlogic Holdings turnover crosses Rs. 45 Bn, up 9.9-pct
Earnings Review – Group’s cumulative turnover crossed Rs. 45 Bn (up 9.9%) for period ending 31 December 2016 while the quarterly revenue improved marginally to Rs. 15.7 Bn. This slow growth was primarily due to the Group’s substantial downsizing of ‘Nokia’ operations. – Consolidated Gross Profit increased to Rs. 4.7 Bn during the second quarter […]
Australia and Sri Lanka sign new partnership agreement
Feb 16, 2017 (LBO) – Australia and Sri Lanka have signed a new development cooperation partnership during Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe’s visit to Australia. “The new partnership sets a new direction,” the Australian High Commission said releasing a statement. “As Sri Lanka’s economy grows, Australia will support the Government’s reform agenda including ensuring that economic growth […]
With foreign debt servicing of USD4 bil, cabinet approves sovereign bond
Feb 16, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister says the island’s total domestic and foreign debt service payments for 2017 is estimated to be around 1,480 billion rupees. In a cabinet memorandum Karunanayake said total foreign debt service payments including foreign currency denominated debt amounts to 609.4 billion rupees (4.04 billion dollars) in 2017. […]
Asian stocks at 1-1/2 year highs on robust Wall St; dollar retreats
HONG KONG, Feb 16 (Reuters) – Asian stocks edged up to fresh 19-month highs on Thursday, helped by an extended rally on Wall Street and strong U.S. data though the dollar stepped back after a recent bounce. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.2 percent, rising to its highest since July […]
Sri Lanka senior citizens’ deposits up to Rs1.5Mn to get higher interest
Feb 15, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry said that it will increase the upper limit up to 1.5 million rupees for 15 percent special interest paid on fixed deposits maintained by senior citizens. Director General of Department of Development Finance said the treasury will pay 18,000 million rupees to cover the difference during the […]
More public-private collaboration needed during humanitarian crises: WEF
Feb 15, 2017 (LBO) – Public-private collaboration in the humanitarian space is being discussed, as highlighted at the recently concluded World Economic Forum, with options mapped out for greater “digital humanitarianism. ” The humanitarian programme of the World Economic Forum, at the Annual Meeting 2017 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland last month, provided a platform to discuss […]