IMF Technology Chief Urges Strong Governance and Public Trust in AI-Driven Central Banking

Oct 28, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
IMF Technology Chief Urges Strong Governance and Public Trust in AI-Driven Central Banking

COLOMBO, October 28, 2026 — Central banks adopting artificial intelligence must prioritise public trust, strong governance and human oversight, IMF Chief Information Officer Shirin Hamid…

Cabinet Clears US$100 Million ADB Loan Agreement for Economic Recovery Programme

Oct 28, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Cabinet Clears US$100 Million ADB Loan Agreement for Economic Recovery Programme

COLOMBO, October 28, 2026 — The Cabinet of Ministers has approved entering into a US$100 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to…

CSE Targets Record Rs. 200 Billion in Capital Raising as New Investment Products Take Shape

Oct 28, 2026 2 weeks ago 4 min read
CSE Targets Record Rs. 200 Billion in Capital Raising as New Investment Products Take Shape

COLOMBO, October 28, 2026 — Capital raised through the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) could reach a record Rs. 200 billion this year, Chief Executive Officer…

President Orders Faster Completion of Katunayake Airport Capacity Expansion Projects

Oct 28, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
President Orders Faster Completion of Katunayake Airport Capacity Expansion Projects

COLOMBO, October 28, 2026 — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to accelerate projects aimed at increasing passenger capacity and improving facilities at Katunayake…

Luxury World Cruise Suspended in Cambodia as Soaring Fuel Costs Strand Passengers

Oct 28, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Luxury World Cruise Suspended in Cambodia as Soaring Fuel Costs Strand Passengers

PHNOM PENH, October 28, 2026 — Passengers aboard the luxury residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey have been left stranded in Cambodia after its US-based…

BIZ BREAKING

CBSL Urges Sri Lanka to Strengthen Foreign Reserves Before the Next Economic Shock

Sep 11, 2026 2 months ago 3 min read
CBSL Urges Sri Lanka to Strengthen Foreign Reserves Before the Next Economic Shock

Sri Lanka must use periods of economic stability to strengthen its foreign exchange reserves and build a stronger financial buffer against future external shocks, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said. Speaking at the inaugural Reserve Management Conference 2026 in…

IMF Team Arrives in Colombo for Crucial Seventh EFF Review

Sep 10, 2026 2 months ago 2 min read
IMF Team Arrives in Colombo for Crucial Seventh EFF Review

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team is set to arrive in Colombo today for nearly two weeks of discussions with Sri Lankan authorities on the Seventh Review of the country’s US$3 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, alongside the 2026…

Sri Lanka foreign reserves rise 4.6% to $6.9 billion in August

Sep 9, 2026 2 months ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka foreign reserves rise 4.6% to $6.9 billion in August

COLOMBO, Sept 9 – Sri Lanka’s official foreign exchange reserves rose 4.6% in August to $6.905 billion, from $6.6 billion a month earlier, the central bank said. The increase provides a further boost to Sri Lanka’s external liquidity position as…

India’s Economic Rise Creates New Opportunities for Sri Lanka as Rajnath Singh Highlights Expanding Bilateral Ties

Sep 8, 2026 2 months ago 4 min read
India’s Economic Rise Creates New Opportunities for Sri Lanka as Rajnath Singh Highlights Expanding Bilateral Ties

India’s rapidly expanding economy and growing global trade footprint could create further opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses, exporters and investors, as Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the country’s economic transformation during his visit to Colombo. Speaking to the Indian…

BUSINESS

Sri Lanka’s Exports Cross US$12 Billion in First Eight Months of 2026

Sep 23, 2026 2 months ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka’s Exports Cross US$12 Billion in First Eight Months of 2026

COLOMBO, September 23, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s total exports surpassed the US$12 billion milestone during the first eight months of 2026, reaching an estimated US$12.01…

HIP Hosts National Oil Spill Contingency Plan Workshop Led by MEPA

Sep 20, 2026 2 months ago 4 min read
HIP Hosts National Oil Spill Contingency Plan Workshop Led by MEPA

HAMBANTOTA, September 20, 2026 — Hambantota International Port (HIP) recently hosted a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan Workshop conducted by the Marine Environment Protection Authority…

Sri Lanka Targets Middle Eastern Tourists With Wellness and Wildlife Experiences

Sep 19, 2026 2 months ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka Targets Middle Eastern Tourists With Wellness and Wildlife Experiences

COLOMBO, September 19, 2026 — Sri Lanka is strengthening its efforts to attract more travellers from the Middle East by promoting wellness, wildlife, cultural and…

Visa Highlights Digital Growth Opportunities for Sri Lankan SMEs at National SME Forum

Sep 18, 2026 2 months ago 3 min read
Visa Highlights Digital Growth Opportunities for Sri Lankan SMEs at National SME Forum

COLOMBO, September 18, 2026 — Visa has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth and digital transformation of Sri Lanka’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs)…

ECONOMY

Foreign Reserves Rise to USD 6,905 Million

Sep 8, 2026 2 months ago 1 min read
Foreign Reserves Rise to USD 6,905 Million

The latest data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka shows that the country’s official reserve assets increased by 4.6% to USD 6,905 million by…

Sri Lanka Central Bank buys US$579mn in August amid rupee appreciation

Sep 8, 2026 2 months ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka Central Bank buys US$579mn in August amid rupee appreciation

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank bought a net US$579 million in August, official data showed, amid a stabilizing local currency that touched a four-year low in…

MARKETS

NATION

Rumesh Tharanga returns to Sri Lanka after victory at World Athletics Ultimate Championship

Sep 15, 2026 2 months ago 1 min read
Rumesh Tharanga returns to Sri Lanka after victory at World Athletics Ultimate Championship

Sri Lankan javelin star Rumesh Tharanga has returned to the island this morning after winning the men’s javelin throw title at the World Athletics Ultimate…

Sri Lanka Launches Islandwide Dengue Control Programme Amid Rising Risk

Sep 14, 2026 2 months ago 1 min read
Sri Lanka Launches Islandwide Dengue Control Programme Amid Rising Risk

The Sri Lankan Government has launched a special islandwide dengue-control programme from today (September 14) to September 19, as authorities take preventive measures against a…

world

BRICS Summit 2026: New Delhi Declaration Signals Deeper Trade, Local-Currency Payments and a More Integrated Emerging-Market Economy

Sep 13, 2026 2 months ago 12 min read
BRICS Summit 2026: New Delhi Declaration Signals Deeper Trade, Local-Currency Payments and a More Integrated Emerging-Market Economy

xNEW DELHI, September 13, 2026 — BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration on Saturday, the first day of the 18th BRICS Summit, setting out…

Modi, Putin Move to Strengthen Ties as Russia Pushes for Greater BRICS Role

Sep 12, 2026 2 months ago 3 min read
Modi, Putin Move to Strengthen Ties as Russia Pushes for Greater BRICS Role

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to further strengthen their long-standing strategic partnership, as Moscow called for the BRICS…

Sydney Airport flights disrupted due to air traffic controller shortage

Sep 11, 2026 2 months ago 3 min read
Sydney Airport flights disrupted due to air traffic controller shortage

A shortage of air traffic controllers caused flight cancellations and major delays at Sydney Airport ‌on Friday morning, the federal agency responsible for managing Australia’s…

Trump Pitches $5,000 ‘Dividend’ as GOP Seeks Midterm Support

Sep 10, 2026 2 months ago 6 min read
Trump Pitches $5,000 ‘Dividend’ as GOP Seeks Midterm Support

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (Sep 9) that every American adult could receive a US$5,000 “Trump dividend” if Republicans maintain control of Congress…