Lanka GDP grows 7.3pc last year

COLOMBO, March 21: Sri Lanka's economy grew a weaker-than-expected 7.3 per cent last year, the country's central bank said today as it kept interest rates at multi-year lows as it looks to boost private investment and lending. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka said last year's expansion was much stronger than the 6.3 per cent recorded in 2012 thanks to a pick-up in exports and foreign remittances. However, the figure was below the bank's 8.0 per cent forecast as an expected rise in lending had not taken place.      — AFP