Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka rupee dips to 113.80
Dec 29, 2008 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka rupee dipped to a low of 113.80 against the greenback in spot trade Monday as it continued to adjust amidst excess liquidity in the inter bank market, dealers said. In late trading, the rupee steadied at 113.65/113.80 after opening at 112.95/113.15 levels. Authorities announced a repo auction […]
Sri Lanka government statisticians defend numbers
Dec 29, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s statistics office has defended their numbers from a growing tide of skepticism amid further revelations about the involvement of the island’s policymakers in manipulating the country’s price index. The skepticism about Sri Lanka’s growth numbers came at first because two different numbers were generated from the Central Bank […]
State workers to take less pay to save country
SAIPAN, December 29, 2008 (AFP) – The Northern Mariana Islands, faced with an escalating economic crisis, needs a four-day working week to cut costs, Governor Benigno Fitial said Monday. Fitial, who rejected a proposed budget bill that contained pay increases for department heads, said cost-cutting measures were “critical.” The department of finance said the Northern […]
Sri Lankan stocks open the week marginally down
Dec 29, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks Monday opened the week with both indices down due to lack of buyers and steadily falling prices of blue chip stocks pulling trading volumes down, brokers said. The All Share Price Index dipped slightly by 0.65 percent (9.72 points) to close at 1,496.38 points while the more […]
Sri Lanka stocks open flat, forex markets quiet
Dec 29, 2008 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka stocks opened flat Monday with trading in Seylan Bank shares halted pending an official announcement regarding a possible exit by the Ceylinco group, while the spot dollar was quoted at 112.95/113.15, dealers said. Money markets were liquid with call rates at 13.00/13.50 percent. The Colombo All Share […]
Gloomy year-end picture for global economy
WASHINGTON, December 27, 2008 (AFP) – Christmas retail sales plunged in the United States, a poll showed Friday, as Japan reported record cuts in production and more signs emerged that Spain has entered a recession. A leading think tank in London also forecast the British economy would shrink by 2.9 percent next year in the […]
Sri Lanka tsunami recovery hampered by lack of accountability: IDA
Dec 26, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tsunami recovery efforts were hampered by lack of effective institutions, the International Development Association (IDA), part of the World Bank group said.“Reconstruction needs strong and accountable institutions,” it said in a statement. “Sri Lanka’s tsunami reconstruction was hampered from time to time by the dearth of effective institutions, […]
Sri Lanka southern businesses get IFC help
Dec 24, 2008 (LBO) – The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank group, said it is helping streamline business licensing in Sri Lankan’s southern Matara district. The Matara Municipal Council and the IFC are making it easier for small businessmen to get licenses to start businesses, an IFC statement said. It […]
Sri Lanka shares up, JKH trades boost volumes
Dec 24, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares ended marginally higher Wednesday with heavy trading in John Keells Holdings boosting trading volumes, brokers said. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 The All Share Price Index ended slightly higher, up 0.33 percent (4.93 points) to close […]
Sri Lanka spends a billion dollars on interventions
Dec 23, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has spent 266 million US dollars intervening in foreign exchange markets in November, taking the total over the past three months to over a billion dollars, the latest official data has revealed.But the inter bank market now has domestically generated excess liquidity of around six billion rupees, down […]
Sri Lanka shares down, trading dries up
Dec 23, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares continued to weaken Tuesday with trading volumes staying near six-year lows and Ceylinco group firms showed mixed performance, with Ceylinco Insurance closing up, brokers said. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 The All Share Price Index eased […]
Sri Lanka rupee dips to 112.80/90 against greenback
Dec 23, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka rupee weakened towards 112.80/90 against the US dollar, with state banks on the buying side, dealers said Tuesday, as inter bank rupee markets remained liquid.Analysts say excess liquidity amid dollar tightness is usually a sign that the government is in a cash crunch. The latest official data shows […]