‘s political crisis puts IMF loan negotiations on hold

Nov 21, 2018 (LBO) – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan facility to Sri Lanka, approved in mid-2016, has been put on hold due to the islands prevailing political crisis, a foreign media report said. I The IMF approved the loan facility on the condition of comprehensive economic reforms. Speaking to media two weeks before the […]

SAARC energy regulators meet in a bid to initiate regional power trade 

Nov 13, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka hosted the third meeting of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) council of experts of energy regulators (Electricity) in Colombo, Tuesday to pave the way for initiating regional power trade through the implementation of SAARC framework agreement. Apart from the infrastructure and regional power trading, the council will […]

Collapse of rupee and yahapalana govt.’s economic mismanagement: MR

Sept 26, 2018 (LBO) – The Rupee has depreciated steadily against the US Dollar ever since the yahapalana government came into power – a trend which has now accelerated alarmingly. The value of the US Dollar which was Rs. 131 at the end of 2014 when I left office is now over Rs.170 and continuing […]

‘s economy grew 4.1-pct in third quarter

Dec 15, 2016 (LBO) –  Sri Lanka’s economy grew 4.1 percent in the third quarter of 2016 with strong growth construction, a statement said. “During the third quarter of 2016, industrial activities recorded a significant increase in overall growth rate, at 6.8 percent, while the services activities have grown by 4.7 percent, compared to the […]

Sri Lankan rupee falls on importer dollar demand

COLOMBO, Oct 18 (Reuters) – The Sri Lankan rupee fell on Tuesday on importer dollar demand in the absence of central bank intervention, said dealers. Rupee forwards were active, with the spot-next at 147.20/30 per dollar as of 0752 GMT, compared with its previous close of 147.00/05. The spot rupee was quoted at 146.90/95 per […]

Asia stocks slip, yen gains on U.S. debate jitters

SYDNEY, Sept 27 (Reuters) – Uncertainty gripped Asian markets on Tuesday as investors braced for a potentially pivotal U.S. presidential debate, shunning stocks while favouring safe-haven bonds and the yen. Early jitters saw Japan’s Nikkei sink 1.4 percent to its lowest in seven weeks, while the dollar dropped to a one-month trough around 100.08 yen […]