Srilanka, Sept. 21 -- Sri Lanka's economy sent a mixed but broadly positive signal in August, as new Central Bank data show services activity accelerating sharply even as manufacturing growth lost momentum.
The Purchasing Managers' Index for Services jumped to 65.6 in August from 61.4 in July, marking an acceleration in what was already a strong expansion. The pickup was broad-based, led by transportation, wholesale and retail trade, and professional services, with financial and other personal services also contributing. New business volumes rose again, employment increased on the back of fresh hiring, and backlogs of work fell, reversing July's build-up. Businesses remain upbeat about the quarter ahead too, buoyed by expectations of stron...