Higher Wages, Lower Living Standards: Sri Lanka’s Real Take-Home Pay, 2017–2026

Nov 8, 2026 1 hour ago 4 min read
Higher Wages, Lower Living Standards: Sri Lanka’s Real Take-Home Pay, 2017–2026

COLOMBO, November 8, 2026 — Formal-sector gross wages, on the EPF-based index, rose 131.8% between January 2017 and March 2026, ahead of the 114.9% rise…

IMF Chief Warns AI Slowdown Could Complicate Central Banks’ Inflation Fight

Nov 8, 2026 1 hour ago 2 min read
IMF Chief Warns AI Slowdown Could Complicate Central Banks’ Inflation Fight

WASHINGTON, November 8, 2026 — Central banks must account for any slowdown in growth driven by artificial intelligence investment when assessing how to tackle persistent…

HIPG and Al-Futtaim Logistics Explore Stronger Gulf Vehicle Links and Port Investment Opportunities

Nov 8, 2026 1 hour ago 3 min read
HIPG and Al-Futtaim Logistics Explore Stronger Gulf Vehicle Links and Port Investment Opportunities

COLOMBO, November 8, 2026 — Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Al-Futtaim Logistics have explored expanding their business relationship, including vehicle shipping links to Gulf…

Passenger Drone Test Flights Begin at Colombo Port City Ahead of November 11 Demonstration

Nov 8, 2026 3 hours ago 2 min read
Passenger Drone Test Flights Begin at Colombo Port City Ahead of November 11 Demonstration

COLOMBO, November 8, 2026 — Passenger drones are undergoing test flights at Colombo Port City ahead of an official demonstration on November 11, as Sri…

John Keells Forum Explores Property and Equity Investment Strategies for Long-Term Wealth

Nov 7, 2026 1 day ago 3 min read
John Keells Forum Explores Property and Equity Investment Strategies for Long-Term Wealth

COLOMBO, November 7, 2026 — John Keells Properties and John Keells Stock Brokers brought together real estate, capital markets and wealth management professionals at ‘The…

Sri Lanka’s Official Reserves Top US$7 Billion in October, Rising 3.2%

COLOMBO, November 7, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets rose to US$7.086 billion at the end of October 2026,…

BIZ BREAKING

Sri Lanka’s Official Reserves Top US$7 Billion in October, Rising 3.2%

Nov 7, 2026 1 day ago 1 min read
Sri Lanka’s Official Reserves Top US$7 Billion in October, Rising 3.2%

COLOMBO, November 7, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets rose to US$7.086 billion at the end of October 2026, crossing the US$7 billion threshold again, according to the latest Central Bank statistics. Reserves increased by US$219 million from US$6.867…

Port City Colombo FinTech Dialogue Calls for Two-Year Growth Roadmap

Nov 6, 2026 2 days ago 2 min read
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COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — A high-level dialogue at Port City Colombo has highlighted the need for a two-year actionable roadmap to develop its FinTech sector and attract regional and international businesses seeking a base for expansion. The discussion opened…

Plantation Sector Calls for Longer Leases and Investment Reforms as Costs Rise and Output Falls

Nov 6, 2026 2 days ago 5 min read
Plantation Sector Calls for Longer Leases and Investment Reforms as Costs Rise and Output Falls

COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s plantation sector faces growing pressure to secure long-term investment as rising production costs, declining output and the approaching expiry of regional plantation company leases weaken the commercial case for replanting and modernisation. With…

ASPI Surges 478 Points as CSE Turnover Tops Rs. 2 Billion in First Hour

Nov 5, 2026 3 days ago 1 min read
ASPI Surges 478 Points as CSE Turnover Tops Rs. 2 Billion in First Hour

COLOMBO, November 5, 2026 — Stocks rallied at the Colombo Stock Exchange during the first hour of trading today, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) gaining 478 points, or 2.33%, as turnover exceeded Rs. 2 billion. The S&P SL20…

BUSINESS

HIPG and Al-Futtaim Logistics Explore Stronger Gulf Vehicle Links and Port Investment Opportunities

Nov 8, 2026 1 hour ago 3 min read
HIPG and Al-Futtaim Logistics Explore Stronger Gulf Vehicle Links and Port Investment Opportunities

COLOMBO, November 8, 2026 — Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Al-Futtaim Logistics have explored expanding their business relationship, including vehicle shipping links to Gulf…

John Keells Forum Explores Property and Equity Investment Strategies for Long-Term Wealth

Nov 7, 2026 1 day ago 3 min read
John Keells Forum Explores Property and Equity Investment Strategies for Long-Term Wealth

COLOMBO, November 7, 2026 — John Keells Properties and John Keells Stock Brokers brought together real estate, capital markets and wealth management professionals at ‘The…

Export Manufacturers Can Access TIEP Tax Concessions Through Industry Ministry: Handunnetti

Nov 6, 2026 2 days ago 1 min read
Export Manufacturers Can Access TIEP Tax Concessions Through Industry Ministry: Handunnetti

COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — Businesses engaged in export-oriented manufacturing can seek tax concessions under the Temporary Importation for Export Processing (TIEP) scheme through the…

Hemas H1 Revenue Rises 9.5% to Rs. 66.6 Billion as Strong Q2 Restores EBITDA Growth

Nov 6, 2026 2 days ago 3 min read
Hemas H1 Revenue Rises 9.5% to Rs. 66.6 Billion as Strong Q2 Restores EBITDA Growth

COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — Hemas Holdings PLC recorded revenue of Rs. 66.6 billion for the first half of FY2026/27, up 9.5% year-on-year, as a…

ECONOMY

Higher Wages, Lower Living Standards: Sri Lanka’s Real Take-Home Pay, 2017–2026

Nov 8, 2026 1 hour ago 4 min read
Higher Wages, Lower Living Standards: Sri Lanka’s Real Take-Home Pay, 2017–2026

COLOMBO, November 8, 2026 — Formal-sector gross wages, on the EPF-based index, rose 131.8% between January 2017 and March 2026, ahead of the 114.9% rise…

LAUGFS Seeks Temporary Hambantota Terminal Access as Three LPG Shipments Due in November

Nov 4, 2026 4 days ago 3 min read
LAUGFS Seeks Temporary Hambantota Terminal Access as Three LPG Shipments Due in November

COLOMBO, November 4, 2026 — LAUGFS Gas PLC has requested three months of temporary permission to supply the domestic LPG market through its Hambantota terminal,…

CPC Raises Petrol and Diesel Prices; Lanka IOC Matches Two Fuel Rates

Nov 2, 2026 6 days ago 1 min read
CPC Raises Petrol and Diesel Prices; Lanka IOC Matches Two Fuel Rates

COLOMBO, November 2, 2026 — The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has increased petrol and diesel prices, effective from midnight on November 1, while leaving kerosene…

Apparel Exports Rise 3.47% in September, but Nine-Month Earnings Remain 5.52% Lower

Oct 30, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Apparel Exports Rise 3.47% in September, but Nine-Month Earnings Remain 5.52% Lower

COLOMBO, October 30, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s apparel exports increased by 3.47% year-on-year to US$416.99 million in September, supported by stronger shipments to the United…

MARKETS

Colombo Stocks End Week Higher as ASPI Gains 5.4%; Daily Turnover Averages Rs. 3 Billion

Nov 7, 2026 1 day ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks End Week Higher as ASPI Gains 5.4%; Daily Turnover Averages Rs. 3 Billion

COLOMBO, November 7, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange ended the week on a positive note, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) gaining 5.4%…

EPF Equity Portfolio Valued at Rs. 204.94 Billion, More Than Double Investment Cost

Nov 6, 2026 2 days ago 1 min read
EPF Equity Portfolio Valued at Rs. 204.94 Billion, More Than Double Investment Cost

COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — The Employees’ Provident Fund’s (EPF) listed equity portfolio reached a market value of Rs. 204.94 billion as of June 30,…

Colombo Stocks Close Higher as Banking Gains Lift Turnover Above Rs. 3.9 Billion

Nov 5, 2026 3 days ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks Close Higher as Banking Gains Lift Turnover Above Rs. 3.9 Billion

COLOMBO, November 5, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange’s benchmark indices closed higher, supported by gains in Commercial Bank, Dialog Axiata and Hatton National Bank,…

Colombo Stocks Rise as Dialog, Overseas Realty and Hayleys Lead Gains; Turnover Tops Rs. 1.5 Billion

Nov 4, 2026 4 days ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks Rise as Dialog, Overseas Realty and Hayleys Lead Gains; Turnover Tops Rs. 1.5 Billion

COLOMBO, November 4, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange’s benchmark indices closed higher, supported by price gains in Dialog Axiata, Overseas Realty and Hayleys, with…

NATION

Passenger Drone Test Flights Begin at Colombo Port City Ahead of November 11 Demonstration

Nov 8, 2026 3 hours ago 2 min read
Passenger Drone Test Flights Begin at Colombo Port City Ahead of November 11 Demonstration

COLOMBO, November 8, 2026 — Passenger drones are undergoing test flights at Colombo Port City ahead of an official demonstration on November 11, as Sri…

Port City Colombo Holds First India Investor Forum to Strengthen Bilateral Economic Ties

Nov 6, 2026 2 days ago 3 min read
Port City Colombo Holds First India Investor Forum to Strengthen Bilateral Economic Ties

COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — More than 200 business leaders, investors, policymakers and industry representatives gathered in Chennai for Port City Colombo’s inaugural investor forum…

Fitch Upgrades People’s Leasing, MBSL and CBC Finance; Outlooks Stable

Nov 5, 2026 3 days ago 3 min read
Fitch Upgrades People’s Leasing, MBSL and CBC Finance; Outlooks Stable

COLOMBO, November 5, 2026 — Fitch Ratings has upgraded the National Long-Term Ratings of three Sri Lankan bank-owned non-bank financial institutions, reflecting their parent banks’…

Cabinet Approves Rs. 3.33 Billion to Restore Cyclone-Damaged Roads

Nov 4, 2026 4 days ago 2 min read
Cabinet Approves Rs. 3.33 Billion to Restore Cyclone-Damaged Roads

COLOMBO, November 4, 2026 — The Cabinet of Ministers has approved three contracts totalling Rs. 3,334.28 million, excluding VAT and other applicable taxes, to rehabilitate…

world

IMF Chief Warns AI Slowdown Could Complicate Central Banks’ Inflation Fight

Nov 8, 2026 1 hour ago 2 min read
IMF Chief Warns AI Slowdown Could Complicate Central Banks’ Inflation Fight

WASHINGTON, November 8, 2026 — Central banks must account for any slowdown in growth driven by artificial intelligence investment when assessing how to tackle persistent…

Nasdaq 100 Loses US$2.5 Trillion as Democrat Election Gains Deepen AI Investment Fears

Nov 6, 2026 2 days ago 3 min read
Nasdaq 100 Loses US$2.5 Trillion as Democrat Election Gains Deepen AI Investment Fears

NEW YORK, November 6, 2026 — A sharp selloff in technology stocks erased US$2.5 trillion from the Nasdaq 100 on Thursday as investors feared the…

‘Next Barack Obama’ Emerges as Clear Frontrunner for 2028 US Presidential Race

Nov 5, 2026 3 days ago 2 min read
‘Next Barack Obama’ Emerges as Clear Frontrunner for 2028 US Presidential Race

WASHINGTON, November 5, 2026 — Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff has emerged as the leading prospect for the 2028 US presidency on prediction platform Polymarket following…

Laurini Officine Meccaniche Unveils 150-Ton Demolition Giant with 50-Meter Reach at World Demolition Summit in Madrid

Nov 4, 2026 4 days ago 2 min read
Laurini Officine Meccaniche Unveils 150-Ton Demolition Giant with 50-Meter Reach at World Demolition Summit in Madrid

MADRID, November 4, 2026 —One year after receiving the World Demolition Award for Innovation in Nashville, Tennessee Laurini Officine Meccaniche has again taken the spotlight…