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Given one month extension pending reconstitution Adding to the confusion and controversies, the Board of Directors of the BOI is in limbo with subject Ministry Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera giving it a month’s extension. The move follows the tenure of the members of the Board ending recently and until the latest extension indicated this week, ...
- BOI says approvals up 100%, agreements signed by 25% in 1Q (Category: Business)
- Challenges for FDI (Category: Business)
- Ministry of Economic Development breaks silence; responds to tourism, BOI issues (Category: Business)
- FDI exceeds 1.5 billion USD target set by BOI for 2023 -State Minister of Investment Promotion (Category: Breaking News)
Fuel prices are again the topic of public debate. Even Parliament had a discussion over it, with the Opposition calling for a reduction in prices but the Government hedging against passing on the savings from a global cost decrease to cover at least part of the Rs. 60 billion losses incurred over successive years by ...
- Fuel a price change (Category: Business)
- Another CPC controversy (Category: Business)
- Taming the ‘monsters’ (Category: Business)
- Experimenting with State-Owned Enterprises (Category: Breaking News)
Reuters: Oil prices near $100 a barrel are still a threat to a slowing global economy that is likely to consume less fuel than the International Energy Agency (IEA) had forecast, the IEA’s executive director said on Tuesday. Brent crude this week dropped to a 16-month low below $96 a barrel before recovering to around ...
- Iran sanctions already hitting oil trade flows: IEA (Category: Business)
- IEA has assured OPEC no more oil stock shocks (Category: Business)
- Arab Spring disrupts energy investment-IEA (Category: Business)
- Saudi says high oil prices a worry, will take steps (Category: Business)
By Damien The Secretary to the treasury Dr. P.B Jayasundera recently made statement that the country is wasting the foreign currency on things that can be made in this country. I would like to add to this by stating that as a country we should have clear targets and policies that are aimed at both ...
- Subsidized student loan scheme through commercial banks in addition to existing interest-free st... (Category: Breaking News)
- Banks lift overseas spending limits imposed on credit cards as dollar liquidity improves (Category: Breaking News)
- Ten problems; one solution (Category: Business)
- Causes Of Economic Crisis In Sri Lanka & Lessons For A New Age (Category: Breaking News)
Key insights to state of the economy and market and future prospects from NDB Stockbrokers’ latest Sri Lanka Equities report Uncertainty in the macro environment The robust economic growth and steep rise in global crude oil prices increased Sri Lanka’s import bill by 51% in 2011. As a result the trade deficit widened, putting the ...
- ‘Rupee Volatility – In Search of Equilibrium’ (Category: Business)
- Forex crisis: CB explains and assures (Category: Business)
- Economic growth to rebound in 2013: SCB (Category: Business)
- Raising the bar: The rise of the Sri Lankan economy (Category: Business)
In mid February, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) informed consumers of their intention to revise their electricity charges from the following month. The March electricity bill issued to the consumer by the meter-reader was based on previous rate. The April bill based on revised rates with the addition of fuel surcharge for March was sure ...
- More power cuts after China-built plant fails again (Category: Business)
- In the Chinese-built coal power plant of Norchcholai, there are more questions than answers. (Category: Breaking News)
- Chinese firm says coal plant failed after overuse (Category: Business)
- CEB is not a burden on national economy, says Power Minister (Category: Business)
Reuters: Sri Lanka expects a U.S. waiver of sanctions on imports of Iranian crude after it took steps to cut them by up to 38 percent, switching to alternatives from Oman and Saudi Arabia, the island's oil minister said on Tuesday. Susil Premajayantha said Sri Lanka, which is dependent on crude imports, has taken steps ...
- Oil Supply (Category: Business)
- Sri Lanka cleared from Iran oil sanctions (Category: Breaking News)
- Sri Lanka looking to import more crude oil from Saudi Arabia (Category: Breaking News)
- U.S. punishing small nations, says Rajapaksa (Category: Breaking News)
Reuters: The trade deficit widened 67.5 per cent in February year on year, data showed on Friday, but the Central Bank said stringent policy measures would cut the 2012 gap by at least 10 per cent. The trade deficit widened to $ 701.8 million in February from $ 418.9 million in the same month last ...
- Sri Lankas trade deficit widens in May (Category: Breaking News)
- Sri Lanka struggles to reduce $1 bn dollar deficit (Category: Breaking News)
- 2012 budget deficit goal challenging says CB Chief (Category: Business)
- Sri Lanka to cut growth to 7-7.5% (Category: Business)
Much has been spoken of the Sri Lankan economy by different bodies including the guardians of the economy (the Central Bank and Government Treasury). There is constant backlash to the Government bringing out historical events while portraying a very bleak future, although the Government has taken corrective action to address any major economic catastrophe. The ...
- Fitch affirms SLT at ‘BB-’ (Category: Business)
- Bartleet Finance launches ‘Bilindu’ (Category: Business)
- S&P fires warning on Sri Lankan banking system; ranked along with Nigeria (Category: Business)
At Monday’s encounter with the media, there was an apparent sense of frustration in Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera over the manner in which markets and businesses have failed to respond to what he described as ‘fundamentals” but being swayed by speculation. A series of monetary and fiscal policy measures effected from as far back ...
- Sanity will prevail, over speculation says Dr. PB (Category: Business)
- Rupee soars after Dr. PB’s remarks (Category: Business)
- Govt. on right course, private sector must adapt and grow: Dr. P.B. (Category: Business)
- Drought may cut growth to 6.7% (Category: Business)
Reuters: Sri Lanka’s annual inflation rate accelerated to a seven-month high of 6.1% in April from a year earlier mainly due to expensive imports after rupee depreciation and price hikes in fuel and electricity to reflect rising oil prices. Inflation rose to 6.1%, above the 6.0% expected by analysts and up from 5.5% in March, ...
- April annual inflation up 6.1% (Category: Business)
- Inflation rises to six month high of 5.5% (Category: Business)
- May annual inflation rises to 7% (Category: Business)
- September annual inflation eases to eight-month low (Category: Business)
Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera yesterday insisted that the recent fall in the value of the rupee was unwarranted and blamed it on speculators as recent corrective policy actions had strengthened fundamentals for greater stability in the exchange rate. “The recent spike is due to speculation more than on fundamentals. I reiterate that the ...
- Believe us today like when the going was good: Dr. PB (Category: Business)
- IMF’s take on Sri Lanka’s good, bad and the ugly (Category: Business)
- Rupee soars after Dr. PB’s remarks (Category: Business)
- Borrowed surplus looming, warns Harsha (Category: Business)
Reuters: Asian shares rose on Monday as weaker-than-expected U.S. growth data left open the possibility of further monetary stimulus from the Federal Reserve to boost growth, but trading was subdued with Japanese and Chinese markets closed. The dollar remained pressured by Friday’s report showing annual growth in the U.S. economy cooled in the first quarter ...
- Asian shares rise as China data soothes, caution caps (Category: Business)
- Asian shares slump after S. Korea rate cut, Australia jobs data (Category: Business)
- Asian shares fall on sluggish US jobs, focus on more data (Category: Business)
- Shares, euro dip on Europe; French bond auction eyed (Category: Business)
VESAK is the festival of light. Yet this year it seems that the lights will have to be dimmed to reflect the reduced lustre of the country’s economy. As the Power and Energy Ministry organisers raffle draws for people who save electricity during the upcoming religious season there are many other efforts happening behind the ...
- Plane explodes near school (Category: South Australia)
- Hayleys Consumer’s ‘Light-Styles’ glow at architectural lighting showroom (Category: Business)
- No electricity tariff hike this year (Category: Business)
The rupee edged down on Friday due to importer dollar demand despite the Central Bank saying $ 574 million inflows are expected within a month. The rupee ended at 120.20/30 against the dollar, weaker than Thursday’s close of 129.70/90. It fell to 130.60 intraday, but a State-owned bank sold dollars at 130.40, helping the currency ...
- Rupee on a yo-yo! (Category: Business)
- Stocks at three-week high; rupee steady (Category: Business)
- Sri Lanka Q3 GDP seen expanded 8.0%; full year 8.1% (Category: Business)
- Remittances, exporter conversions boost Sri Lanka rupee (Category: Business)
Importers secure increase in age limit for cars and commercial vehicles; higher duty to stay President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday stepped up the accelerator for re-conditioned vehicles agreeing to revise the recently imposed age limit rules at a meeting with importers. Responding to pleas by motorists as well as Vehicle Importers Association, the President has agreed ...
- Reconditioned vehicle import rule reversed (Category: Breaking News)
- Restrictions on reconditioned vehicle imports relaxed (Category: Breaking News)
- Vehicle Importers Lament Tax Increase (Category: Breaking News)
Reuters: Sri Lanka will face a challenge in meeting this year’s budget deficit target as the recent monetary and fiscal tightening measures may hurt revenue growth, the island nation’s central bank chief told Reuters on Monday. The $59 billion economy has agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to target a budget deficit of 6.2 ...
- Financing of 2011 Budget goes haywire (Category: Business)
- CB says 2012 trade gap to narrow by 10% (Category: Business)
- Sri Lanka to cut growth to 7-7.5% (Category: Business)
- Treasury Chief urges help for balance of payments (Category: Business)
Times of India: CHENNAI: The Madras high court on Wednesday reserved orders on petitions seeking lof ifting the ban on LTTE in India. The MDMK leader Vaiko, who had moved the high court against the ban, told newspersons later even though the statue of Mahatma Gandhi had been vandalized and desecrated in Sri Lanka, the ...
- Madras HC reserves orders on petitions seeking lifting of ban on LTTE in India (Category: Breaking News)
- The Indian judiciary rejects a call to lift LTTE ban (Category: Breaking News)
- LTTE a threat to several States – India (Category: Breaking News)
- Sri Lanka: Indias reasons for banning LTTE false, fabricated: Vaiko tells Tribunal (Category: Breaking News)
Broking firm Arrenga Capital Ltd., has come up with an analysis on the outlook for Sri Lankan economy capturing some of recent developments and their implications. Here are excerpts Economic Summary: Delayed decision to curb excessive credit growth Sri Lanka’s excessive credit growth experienced in the 2H2011 coupled unsustainable rupee peg was leading the country ...
- Value investors enter as speculators exit (Category: Business)
- CB fixes problem its way (Category: Business)
- Rupee Makes Pyrrhic Gains On Negative Trade Data (Category: Breaking News)
- ‘Rupee Volatility – In Search of Equilibrium’ (Category: Business)
Central bank Governor says country is targeting per capita income of $4,000 by 2015Ajit Nivard Cabraal is a man intimately associated with the economic development of Sri Lanka. Well before he became the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, in 2006, Cabraal was the chief economic adviser to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was ...
- Inflation to continue (Category: Breaking News)
- CB says policy rates appropriate (Category: Business)
- Rupee to recover in 6 to 8 weeks – Nivard tells in Qatar (Category: Business)
- Sri Lanka affirms flexible FX policy, but will intervene if needed (Category: Business)
The Government has revised upward import tariffs and excise duties intensely for all motor vehicles and spare parts except on agricultural tractors, buses, lorries and trucks with effect from 31 March 2012. According to the Government, the current upward revision was effected to achieve the objective of controlling the sharp increase of import bills and ...
- President revs up reconditioned vehicles (Category: Business)
- Taxes increased on cigarettes, liquor and several types of vehicles (Category: Breaking News)
- Motor vehicle industry in Sri Lanka facing mass exodus (Category: Breaking News)
- CMTA wants vehicles tax hike revoked; duty free permits suspended (Category: Business)
UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday charged that the Government and the Central Bank seriously lacked credibility, whilst the people were being taken for a ride with falsehood. He alleged that a few months ago the Government, especially the Central Bank, was hoodwinking the masses saying the economy was robust and fiscal and monetary ...
- UNP warns of higher taxes (Category: Business)
- EPF 2010 Annual Report makes it to P’ment (Category: Business)
- More losses by gambling public money alleges Harsha (Category: Business)
COLOMBO (Reuters): Sri Lanka’s central bank will have room to raise interest rates by at least another 50 basis points if April trade and inflation data show signs of stabilizing, the treasury secretary said on Wednesday. “Since we have already raised policy rates by half a percent (in February), maybe another 50 basis points upward ...
- Drought may cut growth to 6.7% (Category: Business)
- Sri Lanka may need to consider easing monetary policy: PB (Category: Business)
- CB may take act on high credit growth (Category: Business)
- Treasury Chief urges help for balance of payments (Category: Business)
$ 427 m released to boost reserves bringing total to $ 2.13 b under $ 2.6 b SBA; balance likely in mid-July Emphasises Govt. has taken several positive measures to stem current account deficit, reserve loss and bolster fiscal performance Says recent tax hike on vehicles “unexpected” but shows Govt.’s seriousness in dealing with Balance ...
- Lanka growth to dip below 7.5% – IMF (Category: Business)
- No timing yet for Sri Lanka review prior to next loan disbursal: IMF (Category: Business)
- Devaluation a “right step,” says IMF (Category: Business)
- SBA over, Govt. looks to EFF from IMF (Category: Business)
Sri Lanka is to get a $ 400 million lifeline following what is anticipated as a favourable decision on the part of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF Board was scheduled to meet Monday evening Washington Time, and its Resident Representative Koshy Mathai is scheduled to hold a briefing today in Colombo at 2.00 ...
- US$ 400 m India-SL energy transaction in the pipeline (Category: Business)
- IMF mission due June 4, SL to receive $400 mln balance (Category: Breaking News)
- IPO To Raise Rs. 400 mn (Category: Breaking News)
- World Bank’s IFC to provide Sri Lanka with $400 million financing (Category: Breaking News)
LONDON (Reuters): Oil rose above $123 a barrel on Friday, reversing three straight sessions of losses, supported by a weaker dollar and expectations of tight gasoline supplies in the world’s largest oil consumer the United States. Front-month Brent crude futures rose 81 cents to $123.20 a barrel by 0905 GMT, recovering from its sharpest daily ...
- US officials fret emergency oil won’t ease fuel prices (Category: Business)
- China to raise fuel prices first time 10 months (Category: Business)
- Asian shares rise, investors see brighter US economy (Category: Business)
- No inflation respite for Asia despite fall in food, fuel prices (Category: Business)
Reuters: The Head of the Central Bank said on Thursday it may stop supplying dollars to pay for oil import bills from May, its latest move to allow more rupee flexibility after it refrained from intervening in foreign exchange markets last month. The Central Bank shifted its foreign exchange policy to allow the market to ...
- Rupee on a yo-yo! (Category: Business)
- CB expects currency volatility to ease (Category: Business)
- Rupee sinks to record low (Category: Business)
- Rupee, Bourse dip (Category: Business)
With the recent relaxing of the rupee exchange rate and subsequent increase in fuel prices, trade unions and the opposition parties are conducting protest campaigns against the Government, demanding a reduction in oil prices and the cost of living. This article investigates the living conditions of citizens in the recent past and present, quality and ...
- Treasury Secy. showcases recent economic success and future outlook (Category: Business)
- The Economic Impact of Exchange Controls (Category: Business)
- Living with debts (Category: Business)
- Strategies on reducing or getting out of foreign debt (Category: Business)
By Cheranka Mendis The volatility in Middle Eastern markets, coupled with the increasing issue of low quality due to competition and increasing costs, has placed the local tea industry in a big fix, which could, if unattended, immediately mark the end of a Sri Lankan legacy in four to five years. Despite Sri Lankan tea ...
- Tackling tea travails (Category: Business)
- Planters’ Association Chief says turbulent times for tea (Category: Business)
- Sector report (Category: Business)
- Tea Industry Divided Over Importing Tea For Blending (Category: Breaking News)
NDB‘s contribution to infrastructure development has been substantial during the last three decades. Having garnered the experience and expertise to cater towards the development process in Sri Lanka, NDB continues to focus on this vital component providing the necessary support that will help towards economic development in the country. NDB CEO Russell de Mel says, ...
- DFCC: Changing the sustainable energy landscape in Sri Lanka (Category: Business)
- DEG provides $ 21 m loan to NDB Bank to strengthen SME sector (Category: Business)
- Nestlé Lanka crowned as ‘Best Corporate Citizen’ (Category: Business)
- Sri Lanka’s energy sector at risk: Calls for diversification amidst Chinese investments (Category: Breaking News)
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