Sri Lanka’s 2027 Budget Expenditure Set to Rise 12.6% to Rs. 4.99 Trillion

Oct 19, 2026 16 hours ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka’s 2027 Budget Expenditure Set to Rise 12.6% to Rs. 4.99 Trillion

COLOMBO, October 19, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s total government expenditure is projected to increase by 12.6% to Rs. 4.993 trillion in 2027, from Rs. 4.434…

Sri Lanka Records US$2.24 Billion in Tourism Earnings in First Nine Months

Oct 19, 2026 16 hours ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka Records US$2.24 Billion in Tourism Earnings in First Nine Months

COLOMBO, October 19, 2026 — Sri Lanka generated US$2.245 billion in tourism earnings during the first nine months of 2026, although revenue from the sector…

SANKEN GEN Established as Independent International Group Following Five Decades of Construction Delivery Across Three Continents

Oct 19, 2026 17 hours ago 3 min read
SANKEN GEN Established as Independent International Group Following Five Decades of Construction Delivery Across Three Continents

COLOMBO, October 19, 2026 — SANKEN GEN has been established as an independent international group, bringing together the Group’s overseas construction operations, real estate interests…

Sri Lanka’s AML Reforms Put Investor Confidence and International Banking Access in Focus

Oct 18, 2026 1 day ago 5 min read
Sri Lanka’s AML Reforms Put Investor Confidence and International Banking Access in Focus

COLOMBO, October 18, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering (AML) controls and improve corporate transparency are gaining importance ahead of an upcoming…

Litro Gas Shipment Carrying 3,900 MT of LPG Scheduled to Arrive Today

Oct 18, 2026 1 day ago 2 min read
Litro Gas Shipment Carrying 3,900 MT of LPG Scheduled to Arrive Today

COLOMBO, October 18, 2026 — Litro Gas Lanka Limited is expecting a shipment carrying 3,900 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to arrive in…

Sri Lanka’s 2027 Budget Expenditure Set to Rise 12.6% to Rs. 4.99 Trillion

COLOMBO, October 19, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s total government expenditure is projected to increase by 12.6% to Rs. 4.993 trillion…

BIZ BREAKING

Sri Lanka’s 2027 Budget Expenditure Set to Rise 12.6% to Rs. 4.99 Trillion

Oct 19, 2026 16 hours ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka’s 2027 Budget Expenditure Set to Rise 12.6% to Rs. 4.99 Trillion

COLOMBO, October 19, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s total government expenditure is projected to increase by 12.6% to Rs. 4.993 trillion in 2027, from Rs. 4.434 trillion in 2026, with a sharp expansion in capital investment and an unchanged overall borrowing…

IMF Signals Continued Support for Sri Lanka Beyond March 2027 Programme Expiry

Oct 17, 2026 3 days ago 5 min read
IMF Signals Continued Support for Sri Lanka Beyond March 2027 Programme Expiry

COLOMBO, October 17, 2026 — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has signalled its readiness to continue supporting Sri Lanka beyond the expiry of its current lending programme in March 2027, while emphasising that completing the remaining reviews and consolidating economic…

Sri Lanka Seeks EU Investment Under €300 Billion Global Gateway Initiative

Oct 16, 2026 4 days ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Seeks EU Investment Under €300 Billion Global Gateway Initiative

COLOMBO, October 16, 2026 — Sri Lanka has sought European Union (EU) investment to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), develop startup incubators and expand export-oriented industries under the EU’s €300 billion Global Gateway initiative, as the country looks to…

IMF Pledges Continued Support for Sri Lanka as $345 Million Tranche Awaits Board Approval

Oct 15, 2026 4 days ago 3 min read
IMF Pledges Continued Support for Sri Lanka as $345 Million Tranche Awaits Board Approval

BANGKOK, October 15, 2026 — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, signalling continued engagement beyond the country’s current bailout programme as fiscal conditions improve and debt restructuring nears completion. Sonali Jain-Chandra,…

BUSINESS

SANKEN GEN Established as Independent International Group Following Five Decades of Construction Delivery Across Three Continents

Oct 19, 2026 17 hours ago 3 min read
SANKEN GEN Established as Independent International Group Following Five Decades of Construction Delivery Across Three Continents

COLOMBO, October 19, 2026 — SANKEN GEN has been established as an independent international group, bringing together the Group’s overseas construction operations, real estate interests…

Sri Lanka’s AML Reforms Put Investor Confidence and International Banking Access in Focus

Oct 18, 2026 1 day ago 5 min read
Sri Lanka’s AML Reforms Put Investor Confidence and International Banking Access in Focus

COLOMBO, October 18, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering (AML) controls and improve corporate transparency are gaining importance ahead of an upcoming…

Prime Lands and Melwa Join Hands for Mixed-Use Development in Port City Colombo

Oct 17, 2026 3 days ago 2 min read
Prime Lands and Melwa Join Hands for Mixed-Use Development in Port City Colombo

COLOMBO, October 17, 2026 — Sri Lankan developers Prime Lands and Melwa have signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) for a new mixed-use development…

Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Council Targets US$ 1 Billion Bilateral Trade by 2030

Oct 16, 2026 4 days ago 6 min read
Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Council Targets US$ 1 Billion Bilateral Trade by 2030

COLOMBO, October 16, 2026 — The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has launched the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Council to strengthen bilateral trade, investment and tourism ties,…

ECONOMY

Litro Gas Shipment Carrying 3,900 MT of LPG Scheduled to Arrive Today

Oct 18, 2026 1 day ago 2 min read
Litro Gas Shipment Carrying 3,900 MT of LPG Scheduled to Arrive Today

COLOMBO, October 18, 2026 — Litro Gas Lanka Limited is expecting a shipment carrying 3,900 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to arrive in…

Colombo Port Handles US$30 Billion in U.S.-Related Cargo Annually

Oct 17, 2026 3 days ago 4 min read
Colombo Port Handles US$30 Billion in U.S.-Related Cargo Annually

COLOMBO, October 17, 2026 — The Port of Colombo handles an estimated US$30 billion worth of U.S.-related cargo annually, highlighting its strategic importance to international…

Hambantota Port Handles Over 167,000 Vehicle Deliveries Amid Import Demand

Oct 16, 2026 4 days ago 3 min read
Hambantota Port Handles Over 167,000 Vehicle Deliveries Amid Import Demand

HAMBANTOTA, October 16, 2026 — Hambantota International Port (HIP) handled 167,569 vehicle deliveries between March 2025 and September 2026, highlighting its role in Sri Lanka’s…

IRD Sets November 30 Deadline for 2025/2026 Income Tax Returns

Oct 15, 2026 4 days ago 2 min read
IRD Sets November 30 Deadline for 2025/2026 Income Tax Returns

COLOMBO, October 15, 2026 — The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has reminded individuals registered for income tax to submit their income tax returns for the…

MARKETS

CSE Closes Higher as Dialog Axiata, Distilleries Lead Gains; Weekly Indices Remain Lower

Oct 17, 2026 3 days ago 2 min read
CSE Closes Higher as Dialog Axiata, Distilleries Lead Gains; Weekly Indices Remain Lower

COLOMBO, October 17, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s stock market ended the week on a positive note, with gains in counters such as Dialog Axiata, Distilleries…

CSE Indices Close Higher as Turnover Exceeds Rs. 1.5 Billion

Oct 16, 2026 4 days ago 2 min read
CSE Indices Close Higher as Turnover Exceeds Rs. 1.5 Billion

COLOMBO, October 16, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) ended the session on a positive note, with both the All Share Price Index (ASPI)…

CSE Closes in Red as Dialog Axiata and Key Counters Weigh on Indices

Oct 15, 2026 4 days ago 2 min read
CSE Closes in Red as Dialog Axiata and Key Counters Weigh on Indices

COLOMBO, October 15, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) ended the trading session in negative territory, with declines in Dialog Axiata, Carson Cumberbatch and…

CSE Extends Losses as Dialog, Commercial Bank and HNB Weigh on Indices

Oct 14, 2026 6 days ago 2 min read
CSE Extends Losses as Dialog, Commercial Bank and HNB Weigh on Indices

COLOMBO, October 14, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s stock market closed lower, with losses in heavyweight counters including Dialog Axiata, Commercial Bank and Hatton National Bank…

NATION

Sri Lanka Records US$2.24 Billion in Tourism Earnings in First Nine Months

Oct 19, 2026 16 hours ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka Records US$2.24 Billion in Tourism Earnings in First Nine Months

COLOMBO, October 19, 2026 — Sri Lanka generated US$2.245 billion in tourism earnings during the first nine months of 2026, although revenue from the sector…

Sri Lanka and Japan Advance Industrial Corridor Plan During Industry Minister’s Tokyo Visit

Oct 17, 2026 2 days ago 4 min read
Sri Lanka and Japan Advance Industrial Corridor Plan During Industry Minister’s Tokyo Visit

TOKYO / COLOMBO, 17 October 2026 — Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to a roadmap for a Sri Lanka–Japan Export-Oriented Industrial Corridor following talks with…

Rs. 3.09 Billion Surgical Ward Complex Planned for Tangalle Hospital

Oct 17, 2026 3 days ago 2 min read
Rs. 3.09 Billion Surgical Ward Complex Planned for Tangalle Hospital

TANGALLE, October 17, 2026 — A nine-storey surgical ward complex estimated to cost Rs. 3.09 billion is planned for Tangalle Base Hospital as part of…

US Announces US$17 Million Investment to Digitise Colombo Port Operations

Oct 16, 2026 4 days ago 3 min read
US Announces US$17 Million Investment to Digitise Colombo Port Operations

COLOMBO, October 16, 2026 — The United States has announced a US$17 million investment to digitise operations at the Port of Colombo, aiming to accelerate…

world

Trump to Take Up to 60 Days to Review Russia Sanctions, Rubio Says

Oct 18, 2026 1 day ago 4 min read
Trump to Take Up to 60 Days to Review Russia Sanctions, Rubio Says

WASHINGTON, October 18, 2026 — US President Donald Trump will take up to 60 days to assess the economic implications of Russia-related sanctions and tariffs…

Oil Prices Hit $110 a Barrel as Middle East Tensions Raise Supply Concerns

Oct 17, 2026 3 days ago 5 min read
Oil Prices Hit $110 a Barrel as Middle East Tensions Raise Supply Concerns

LONDON, October 17, 2026 — Global oil prices have climbed to their highest levels in months, with Brent crude touching $110 a barrel for the…

Tesla Unveils Flying Roadster, Claims Sub-One-Second 0–60 MPH Acceleration

Oct 16, 2026 4 days ago 4 min read
Tesla Unveils Flying Roadster, Claims Sub-One-Second 0–60 MPH Acceleration

MCLENNAN, October 16, 2026 — Tesla has unveiled its long-awaited next-generation Roadster with a dramatic demonstration featuring midair flips, rocket-inspired propulsion technology and a claimed…

Petrol-Only Vehicles Fall Below 50% of Global Auto Market for First Time

Oct 15, 2026 4 days ago 5 min read
Petrol-Only Vehicles Fall Below 50% of Global Auto Market for First Time

TOKYO, October 15, 2026 — Petrol-only vehicles accounted for less than half of global new-vehicle sales for the first time in the first half of…