Sri Lanka GDP grows 7.8-pct in 2013 third quarter: Census Dept

Nov 15, 2013 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's gross domestic product expanded 7.

8 percent in the third quarter of 2013 from a year earlier, and accelerating from 6.8 percent in the second quarter, the state statistics office said.

The statistics office said agriculture grew 7.0 percent against a 0.5 percent contraction last year with tea down 5.1 percent, rubber down 28.1 percent, coconut down 32.3 percent but paddy up 56.5 percent from a contraction of 39 percent a year earlier.

Fishing was up 9.9 percent with inland fishing down 14.

6 percent by marine up 17.5 percent.

Industry was up 8.1 percent, with mining and quarrying up 12.5 percent and manufacturing up 6.

0 percent.

Textile and wearing apparel was up 6.

6 percent and food beverages and tobacco was up 6.7 percent. Food beverages and tobacco was up 6.7 percent.

Construction was up 10 percent, and electricity was up 11.

2 percent.

Services grew 7.9 percent with wholesale and retail trade up 7.

9 percent. Import trade was up 9.1 percent and export trade was up 7.



5 percent and domestic trade was up 6.3 percent.

Hotels and restaurants grew 13.

6 percent, slowing from 25.3 percent a year earlier.

Transport and communications was up 11.

8 percent wit