Sri Lanka’s economy expanded at the fastest pace this year as the end of a civil war and five-year low interest rates spurred consumer and company spending.

Gross domestic product rose 4.2 percent in the three months ended Sept. 30 from a year earlier after gaining 2.1 percent in the previous quarter, the statistics department said in a statement in Colombo today. The benchmark stock index touched a record on speculation a recovery will boost earnings.

Sri Lanka’s benchmark Colombo All-Share index jumped as much as 0.9 percent to 3,163.07, a record intraday high. The gauge has doubled this year and is the world’s best performer after Russia. Full Story

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