There were some interesting statistics in the Central Bank Annual Report 2011 which are useful to businesses, economists, planners and civil society. Here are some of them:
Telephone Density:
In 2010 the country’s telephone density reached 100.7 witnessing a 16.3% growth whereas there was a slowdown in 2011 as it grew by only 4.4% to 105.1.
Cellular phones usage increased by 6.1% from 17.2 million to 18.3 million.
Public pay phone usage was down by 7.2% in 2011 whereas in 2010 it was down only by 5.7%.
On the other hand, email and Internet usage increased by 68.1% to 844,000. Growth in telecommunications was due to the increased penetration into the North and East provinces.
Losses in key institutions rise
Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had recorded an operating loss of Rs.25.5 billion in 2011 compared to a profit of Rs.4.8 billion in 2010. This is attributed to high dependence on thermal power for electricity generation.
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) recorded an operating loss of Rs.94 billion in 2011 compared to Rs.27 billion (loss) in 2010. The price hike in 2012 despite continued increases in fuel prices in 2011 was mainly due to the sale of fuel to CEB at a highly subsidized rate, and increased thermal power generation.
Bus & Rail transportation
2011 witnessed a reduction in private owned buses by 4.3% to 18, 955 while the operated average bus fleet increased by 3.9% to 16,507. Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) owned 7,921 buses and the operated average number of buses were limited to 4,365 per day last year. SLTB revenues dipped by 11.3% and the operating loss amounted to Rs.3.8 billion in 2011.
However, rail transportation revenues for Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) saw an increase by 5.4% but operating losses increased in 2011 to Rs.4.1 billion compared to Rs.3.2 billion in the previous year.
Vehicle registrations rise significantly
A substantial increase in vehicle registrations was recorded in 2011 with those registered increasing by 46% to 525,421 compared to the increase of 76% in 2010. Buses registered increased by 71% due to fleet replacement. Motor car registrations increased by 151% due to lower import duties, low interest rates and granting permits to import motor vehicles at concessionary tax rates to public servants.
Aviation losses
SriLankan Airlines incurred an operating loss of Rs.19.1 billion in 2011 due to the high operating expenditure that increased by 32% to Rs.98 billion despite revenue gains of Rs.78.9 billion. Passenger load factor remained unchanged at 78% in 2011 compared to an increase by 2.6% experienced in 2010. Weight load factor also remained unchanged at 5.5% compared to a drop by 5.2% shown in 2010. Freight increased significantly in 2010 by 20.3% whereas 2011 recorded an increase of only 8.4%.
Mihin Lanka losses reduced to Rs.455 million in 2011 compared to Rs.788 million losses incurred the previous year.
Ports
Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) recorded a significant drop in performance as container handling increased only by 3% in 2011 amounting to 4.2 million TEUs compared to a 19.4% increase at 4.1 million TEUs in 2010. Total cargo handled increased by 6.2% to 65.1 MT.
SLPA also recorded a significant drop in employment by 14.4% in 2011 amounting to 10,982 compared to 12,828 in 2010. Employment opportunities dropped by 14.2% at the Colombo port, 9.8% at the Galle port and 22.5% at the Trincomalee port.
Labour force
An increase of 31.8% in female labour force participation was recorded in 2011 compared to 31.2% in 2010. A decrease in growth was noted in the male labour force participation amounting to an increase of 66.5% in 2011 compared to 67.1% in 2010. A higher incidece of rural labour force participation was indicated compared to urban labour force participation.
Foreign Employment
A drop in the number of persons travelling overseas for jobs as housemaids was recorded since 2009 from 46% at 113,678 to 42.1% at 112,752 in 2010 and 41% at 107,816 in 2011. However, increases were recorded in the professional, unskilled and clerical categories. Compared to 2010 the relative share of males departing for foreign employment was higher than females in 2011. The gender composition of male and female departures was 52:48 in 2011 compared to 51:49 in the previous year. |
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