Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka’s CCPI inflation up 0.3 pct points in Oct 2016
Oct 31, 2016 (LBO) – Consumer prices in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo accelerated 4.2 percent in October 2016 from a year earlier, up from 3.9 percent in September, the state statistics office data showed. Inflation of the food group increased from 5.5 percent in September to 6.0 percent in October while that of non-food group […]
Sri Lankan rupee weaker; remittances prevent steeper fall
Oct 31, 2016 (Reuters) – The Sri Lankan rupee traded weaker on Monday due to importer dollar demand, but the month-end inward remittances capped the fall, dealers said. Rupee forwards were active, with one-week forwards trading slightly weaker at 148.30/40 per dollar compared with Friday’s close of 148.25/30. “The month-end inward remittances are there, but […]
Sri Lanka seeks to boost capital markets, draw FDI : OBG
Oct 31, 2016 (LBO) – Government commitments to step up privatisation, repair its balance sheet and encourage more listings should help broaden the base of Sri Lanka’s capital markets and draw stronger flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the economy, the Oxford Business Group said. In April the Sri Lankan government brokered a $1.5bn […]
Excerpts of Sri Lanka COPE recommendations on bond issue
Oct 31, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Committee on Public Enterprises has made several recommendations to Parliament on last year’s controversial bond issue. Excerpts of the recommendations, as published by the Sunday Times, are the following: Evidence has been placed before the COPE, which gives rise to reasonable suspicion that former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran […]
Government will bring a people’s Budget: Ravi Karunanayake
Oct 31, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s budget for 2017 on Nov 10 will be a people’s budget as it would incorporate ideas proposed from all corners of the country, the Finance Minister said in a statement. “The Ministry of Finance has already received over 2200 proposals from the people. This also includes proposals from […]
Asia stocks stutter as FBI probe of Clinton jolts markets
SINGAPORE, Oct 31 (Reuters) – Asian stocks got off to a shaky start on Monday after a renewed FBI probe of U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s use of a personal email server sparked fresh tumult in markets, just days before the Nov. 8 presidential vote. The Japanese yen, seen as a safe-haven in times […]
‘s moral suasion caps fall
Oct 28, 2016 (Reuters) – The Sri Lankan rupee traded weaker on Thursday with the central bank raising the spot reference rate by 50 cents as higher importer dollar demand weighed on the currency, dealers said. However, moral suasion by the central bank prevented a steeper fall, they added. The central bank raised the spot […]
Opinion: Budget 2017 expectations, unrealistic or achievable?
Oct 28, 2016 (LBO)- Gearing for the new budget in a few weeks time Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake is optimistic about Budget 2017. An equity buyout for Hambantota port is on the cards, and the second IMF tranche will be back on track, although continued support for SriLankan Airlines is likely, Karunanayake said, speaking to […]
Sri Lanka Central Bank to keep rates steady ahead of budget
COLOMBO, Oct 27 (Reuters) – Sri Lanka’s central bank is expected to keep its key interest rates steady on Monday, a few days ahead of the national budget and the government’s five-year policy, analysts said. The central bank has already tightened its monetary policy stance three times since December, to fend off pressure on a […]
PTL Watch: Short-term yields higher on foreign selling
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Sri Lankan rupee weaker; moral suasion caps fall
Oct 27, 2016 (Reuters) – The Sri Lankan rupee traded weaker on Thursday on importer demand for the U.S. currency with moral suasion by the central bank preventing a fall in both the spot currency and spot-next, dealers said. Rupee forwards were active, with the one-week trading at 148.15/30 per dollar at 0538 GMT compared […]
Low tax regime & capital allowances from 2017 budget: Sri Lankan PM
Oct 27, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s 2017 budget proposals will include proposals to introduce a low tax regime in the island coupled with a program of capital allowances, the premier said. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe making a special statement in Parliament today said these new proposals aimed at increasing investment and job creation. “Finance […]