Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka policy rates frozen amid rising inflation, excess liquidity
Mar 18, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka held policy rates frozen in March as inflation accelerated, central bank financing of the budget deficit increased to new highs amid frantic attempts to mop excess liquidity. The International Monetary Fund has already suspended a deal after the 2009 budget deficit went off the rails to 10.3 percent […]
Sri Lanka calls investments for capital city urban development
Mar 18, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is inviting investments for a high-rise complex proposed for prime land in the congested city that will be cleared of slums as part of an urban renewal project, officials said. The ‘Panchikawatte Triangle’ re-development project will provide 26 acres of land in the heart of the city for […]
Sri Lanka shares close 0.35-pct down, more deals in Lighthouse
Mar 18, 2010 (LB0) – Sri Lankan shares closed down Thursday as investors continued taking profits ahead of elections, while there was more heavy trading in The Lighthouse Hotel, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 3,755.19, down 13.10 points, while the Milanka index of more liquid shares dipped 0.18 percent (7.86 points) […]
Sri Lanka short term Treasuries barely changed
Mar 17, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Treasuries yields were barely changed at Wednesday’s auction though the short end moved up 02 basis points, the government’s debt office said. The central bank has been frantically trying to mop up liquidity generated from deficit financing. The central bank’s Treasury bill stock shot up to 58 billion […]
EU in talks with Sri Lanka on maintaining trade privileges
BRUSSELS, March 16, 2010 (AFP) – The European Union wants to work with Colombo to avoid the withdrawal of Sri Lanka’s trade privileges with the bloc, under threat due to rights concerns, an official said Tuesday. “The Commission remains committed to work with Sri Lanka to see whether the conditions for a reversal” of a […]
Sri Lanka has 10-pct of foreign reserves in gold: WGC
Mar 17, 2010 (LBO) – Gold now makes up 10 percent of Sri Lanka’s foreign reserve assets after the country tripled its gold holdings with a purchase from the International Monetary Fund in 2009, industry data showed. The United States remained the largest gold holder with 8,133. 5 tonnes, Germany second with 3,406.8 tonnes and […]
Sri Lanka risk rating seen covering factors outside war
Mar 17, 2010 (LBO) – Getting Sri Lanka a more favourable insurance risk rating involves not just the absence of war but other factors like media freedom and corporate governance, officials and analysts said. Altogether, 48 ‘risk factors’ are covered in Aegis’ rating model which also considers criminal risk like corruption, crime, law enforcement and […]
Sri Lankan stocks close 0.45-pct down on retail profit taking
Mar 17, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed lower almost across the board Wednesday as retail investors took profits, while a large deal on Lighthouse Hotel boosted turnover, brokers said. Environmental Resources Investments ordinary voting shares closed at 258.50 rupees, up 1.00. Its 0000 warrants closed at 158.50 rupees, up 2.00, and 0001 warrants […]
Sri Lanka bonds yields slide on foreign buying hopes
Mar 17, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s bond yields fell Wednesday after authorities told banks to find foreign buyers for 2. 5 billion rupees (24 million US dollars) worth Treasury bonds, dealers said. Yields of a bond maturing in 15.04.2012 fell to 10.50/55 percent from 10.75/85 a day earlier, while yields of 3-year bond maturing […]
Sri Lankan stocks 1.58-pct down
Mar 16, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks ended lower Tuesday dragged down by falls in speculative and retail driven stocks, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 3,782.84, down 1.58 percent (60.71 points) Tuesday, while the Milanka index of more liquid shares dived 2.35 percent (104.22 points) to close at 4,335.39. Turnover […]
Sri Lanka state worker cost climbs to new high
Mar 15, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka state workers took away 57 cents as salaries and wages out of every tax rupee paid by the people in 2009, as the government continued to expand a bloated public service amid an economic slump, the latest official data showed. Salaries and pensions of workers climbed to 353 […]
Sri Lankan stocks becalmed
Mar 15, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka stocks closed flat Monday as investors took profits and reinvested in selected midcap and hotels stocks, while heavy interest in John Keells Holdings (JKH) and Hotel Services (Ceylon) boosted turnover past a billion rupees, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 3,843.55, down 0.03 percent (1.29 […]