Sri Lankan economy grows 6.4pc
Afp, Colombo
Sri Lanka's economy grew by a "satisfactory" 6.4 percent in the third quarter of this year, just before the latest upsurge in violence, the department of Census and Statistics said Friday. The three months to September growth rate compared to an expansion of 5.4 percent in the corresponding period last year, the department said. "This satisfactory growth rate of 6.4 percent in GDP (gross domestic product) for the third quarter of the year 2005 ... was achieved due to ... (the) continuation of (the) peaceful environment created in the country," the department said in a statement. The statement covered the period before clashes between government forces and suspected Tamil Tiger rebels intensified this month leaving at least 83 people killed despite a truce in place since February 2002. Sri Lanka's Central Bank is expected to formally announce the GDP third quarter figures later Friday.
| 
