Health

Sri Lanka to vaccinate frontline staff against Covid-19 from Jan 28: President

Sunday January 24, 2021 5:18 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – The first batch of Coronavirus vaccines provided free by the government of India will reach the island on January 27 and vaccination to begin on January 28, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said.

Vaccination will start with frontline health and military personnel, he was quoted as saying by his office during a meeting in Kaluthara district.

Sri Lanka is also planning to expedite imports of vaccines from China and Russia, he had said.

Sri Lanka’s National Medical Regulatory Authority approved the Astra-Zeneca vaccine for use last week.

Serum Institute of India is producing Covishield, the AstraZeneca Coronavirus vaccine where some supplies of which is being given free to seven countries in South Asia.

India also produces Covaxin, which is made by Bharat Biotech.

Last Friday, Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi was confirmed with Coronavirus.
(Colombo/Jan24/2021)

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Bonds & Forex

Sri Lanka rupee closes stronger at 327.40/90 to the US dollar

Tuesday December 5, 2023 4:44 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 327.40/90 to the US dollar on Tuesday, from 328.10/30 the previous day, dealers said.

Bond yields were stable.

A bond maturing on 01.06.2025 closed at 13.60/70 percent from 13.70/14.00 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.08.2026 closed at 13.90/14.00 percent from 13.90/14.10 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.01.2027 closed at 14.00/15 percent from 14.00/14.10 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.07.2028 closed at 14.10/20 percent from 14.20/35 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.05.2030 closed at 14.20/35 percent, from 14.25/45 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.07.2032 closed at 14.10/35 percent, from 14.05/40 percent. (Colombo/Dec5/2023)

Markets

Sri Lanka stocks close down as investor sentiment dips

Tuesday December 5, 2023 4:40 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – The Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Tuesday, CSE data showed.

The All Share Price Index was down 0.40 percent, or 43.50 points, at 10,700.09.

The S&P SL20 index was up 0.43 percent, or 13.32 points, at 3,054.41.

Turnover was at 711 million. The capital goods sector contributed 172 million, the food, beverage and tobacco sector contributed 140 million, and banks 113 million of this.

Top positive contributors to the ASPI in the day were John Keells Holdings Plc (up at 193.00), Richard Pieris And Company Plc (up at 19.80), and Nation Lanka Finance Plc, (up at 0.40).

Negative contributors were Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc (down at 89.70), Sampath Bank Plc (down at 71.00), and Central Finance Company Plc, (down at 106.00). (Colombo/Dec5/2023).

Education

Sri Lanka plans to reduce number of school grades from 13 to 12

Tuesday December 5, 2023 4:13 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – The Ministry of Education proposes to reduce the number of school grades from 13 to 12, according to a government information department statement.

“Every child will be given the opportunity to finish school in 17 years through the proposed new education reforms,” education officials were quoted as saying after a discussion on budget allocations.

Under the proposed system, pre-school education will be at the age of 4 years, the primary section between grades 1-5, junior section between grades 6-8, and senior section between grades 9-12.

The General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level Exam (GCE O/L) is proposed to be conducted in grade 10, and the Advanced Level Examination in grade 12.

It has also been decided to reduce the number of mandatory subjects at the GCE O/L Exam from 9 to 7.

Three new subjects, information and communication technology (ICT), technical and professional skills, and religion and values will be made mandatory and included in those 7 subjects. (Colombo/Dec5/2023)