Crypto Cannot Be Used for Domestic Payments, CBSL Governor Says

Nov 4, 2026 18 hours ago 2 min read
Crypto Cannot Be Used for Domestic Payments, CBSL Governor Says

COLOMBO, November 4, 2026 — Digital assets cannot be used for payments between residents under Sri Lanka’s current legal framework, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal…

CAL Signs Deal to Acquire 51% of Hong Kong Fund Manager Asia Frontier Capital

Nov 3, 2026 2 days ago 3 min read
CAL Signs Deal to Acquire 51% of Hong Kong Fund Manager Asia Frontier Capital

COLOMBO, November 3, 2026 — Capital Alliance Holdings PLC (CAL) has signed an agreement to acquire a 51% stake in Hong Kong-based fund manager Asia…

Hayleys Solar Inaugurates Two Kosgama Projects with Combined Capacity of 5 MW

Nov 3, 2026 2 days ago 2 min read
Hayleys Solar Inaugurates Two Kosgama Projects with Combined Capacity of 5 MW

COLOMBO, November 3, 2026 — Hayleys Solar has inaugurated two ground-mounted solar power projects in Kosgama with a combined capacity of 5 MW, expanding its…

Fuel Import Costs Up 50%, Limiting Price Relief Despite Rs. 57 Billion Subsidy Allocation: Minister

Nov 3, 2026 2 days ago 2 min read
Fuel Import Costs Up 50%, Limiting Price Relief Despite Rs. 57 Billion Subsidy Allocation: Minister

COLOMBO, November 3, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s fuel import costs have increased by approximately 50% compared with last year, limiting the government’s ability to provide…

Oil Prices Rise After Reported US Strike on Iran’s Qeshm Island

Nov 3, 2026 2 days ago 2 min read
Oil Prices Rise After Reported US Strike on Iran’s Qeshm Island

COLOMBO, November 3, 2026 — Oil prices edged higher in early Asian trading on Tuesday after a report of US strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island…

Crypto Cannot Be Used for Domestic Payments, CBSL Governor Says

COLOMBO, November 4, 2026 — Digital assets cannot be used for payments between residents under Sri Lanka’s current legal framework,…

BIZ BREAKING

Union Bank’s Nine-Month Profit After Tax More Than Doubles to Rs. 701 Million

Oct 30, 2026 6 days ago 2 min read
Union Bank’s Nine-Month Profit After Tax More Than Doubles to Rs. 701 Million

COLOMBO, October 30, 2026 — Union Bank reported a 104% increase in profit after tax to Rs. 701 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, while profit before all taxes rose by 48% to Rs. 1.744 billion, supported…

Ceylon Chamber Urges Review of Draft Laws to Protect Investor Confidence and GSP+ Access

Oct 29, 2026 7 days ago 2 min read
Ceylon Chamber Urges Review of Draft Laws to Protect Investor Confidence and GSP+ Access

COLOMBO, October 29, 2026 — The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has called for a careful review of proposed national security and organised crime legislation, highlighting the need to safeguard investor confidence, business competitiveness and Sri Lanka’s continued access to European…

Sri Lanka Begins APG Review of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Framework

Oct 28, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Begins APG Review of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Framework

COLOMBO, October 28, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s third mutual evaluation by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) has commenced, with assessors examining the country’s safeguards against financial crime, legal reforms and the effectiveness of institutions responsible for protecting the…

Asian Stocks Rally as Anthropic IPO Filing Revives AI Optimism Ahead of Major Earnings

Oct 27, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Asian Stocks Rally as Anthropic IPO Filing Revives AI Optimism Ahead of Major Earnings

COLOMBO, October 27, 2026 — Asian equity markets rallied on Tuesday as Anthropic’s US initial public offering filing renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence investments, ahead of major technology earnings and interest rate decisions from leading central banks. South Korea’s technology-heavy…

BUSINESS

Japan Grants Rs. 4.56 Billion for Kelani River Pumping Project to Protect Businesses and Communities

Oct 29, 2026 7 days ago 2 min read
Japan Grants Rs. 4.56 Billion for Kelani River Pumping Project to Protect Businesses and Communities

COLOMBO, October 29, 2026 — Japan has agreed to provide JPY 2.179 billion, approximately Rs. 4.56 billion, in grant assistance for a Kelani River pumping…

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

Oct 28, 2026 1 week 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…

LAUGFS Gas Explores Investment and Potential Stake Sale in Hambantota LPG Terminal

Oct 27, 2026 1 week ago 1 min read
LAUGFS Gas Explores Investment and Potential Stake Sale in Hambantota LPG Terminal

COLOMBO, October 27, 2026 — LAUGFS Gas PLC is exploring strategic options for its wholly owned subsidiary, LAUGFS Terminals Limited, including commercial partnerships, external investment…

Sri Lankan Pharmaceutical Firms Explore Export and Technology Partnerships at CPHI Milan

Oct 26, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Sri Lankan Pharmaceutical Firms Explore Export and Technology Partnerships at CPHI Milan

COLOMBO, October 26, 2026 — Five Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturers participated in an exposure visit to CPHI Worldwide 2026 in Milan, seeking export opportunities, technology…

ECONOMY

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

Oct 28, 2026 1 week 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…

Sri Lanka’s Exports Reach US$13.6 Billion in Nine Months as September Sets Monthly Record

Oct 27, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka’s Exports Reach US$13.6 Billion in Nine Months as September Sets Monthly Record

COLOMBO, October 27, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s total export earnings reached US$13.612 billion during the first nine months of 2026, supported by a record monthly…

Vegetable Prices Rise Amid Rainy Weather; Tomatoes Reach Rs. 650 a Kilogram Wholesale

Oct 26, 2026 1 week ago 1 min read
Vegetable Prices Rise Amid Rainy Weather; Tomatoes Reach Rs. 650 a Kilogram Wholesale

COLOMBO, October 26, 2026 — Wholesale prices of several upcountry and low-country vegetables have risen sharply amid prevailing rainy weather, with tomatoes, capsicum and cabbage…

Sri Lanka’s NCPI Inflation Steady at 8.1% in September as Food Prices Accelerate

Oct 22, 2026 2 weeks ago 1 min read
Sri Lanka’s NCPI Inflation Steady at 8.1% in September as Food Prices Accelerate

COLOMBO, October 22, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s headline inflation, measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), remained unchanged at 8.1% year-on-year in September 2026,…

MARKETS

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

Oct 28, 2026 1 week 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…

Colombo Stocks End Week Lower as ASPI Loses 2.5%; Daily Turnover Averages Rs. 972 Million

Oct 24, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks End Week Lower as ASPI Loses 2.5%; Daily Turnover Averages Rs. 972 Million

COLOMBO, October 24, 2026 — Colombo stocks ended the week in negative territory, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) declining by 2.5% and the…

Colombo Stocks End Lower as Crossings Account for 77.6% of Turnover

Oct 23, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks End Lower as Crossings Account for 77.6% of Turnover

COLOMBO, October 23, 2026 — Colombo stock market indices closed lower as price declines in Distilleries, Hatton National Bank and Dialog Axiata weighed on the…

Colombo Stocks Close Lower as Crossings Drive Turnover Above Rs. 1.5 Billion

Oct 22, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks Close Lower as Crossings Drive Turnover Above Rs. 1.5 Billion

COLOMBO, October 22, 2026 — Colombo stock market indices ended lower as price declines in Commercial Bank, Carson Cumberbatch and Hayleys weighed on the All…

NATION

President Orders Faster Completion of Katunayake Airport Capacity Expansion Projects

Oct 28, 2026 1 week 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…

Sri Lanka Navy Officer Honoured for Near-Perfect GPA and Awards at US Naval Postgraduate School

Oct 27, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka Navy Officer Honoured for Near-Perfect GPA and Awards at US Naval Postgraduate School

COLOMBO, October 27, 2026 — Sri Lanka Navy Lieutenant Commander Piyumi Kathriarachchi has been recognised for graduating with honours from the US Naval Postgraduate School,…

Norochcholai’s Second Generating Unit Shut for Maintenance; No Power Disruptions Expected

Oct 26, 2026 1 week ago 1 min read
Norochcholai’s Second Generating Unit Shut for Maintenance; No Power Disruptions Expected

COLOMBO, October 26, 2026 — The second generating unit at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai has been taken offline for maintenance and repairs,…

All Three Norochcholai Units Reconnected to National Grid Following October 17 Outage

Oct 24, 2026 2 weeks ago 1 min read
All Three Norochcholai Units Reconnected to National Grid Following October 17 Outage

COLOMBO, October 24, 2026 — All three generating units at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant have been successfully reconnected to Sri Lanka’s national grid after…

world

Binance Reserves US$6.34 Billion to Cover Losses as Partners Freeze US$3 Billion in Crypto

Oct 31, 2026 5 days ago 2 min read
Binance Reserves US$6.34 Billion to Cover Losses as Partners Freeze US$3 Billion in Crypto

SINGAPORE, October 31, 2026 — Binance says it has reserved more than US$6.34 billion in company funds to cover user losses following its recent security…

Binance Hit by Record US$6.3 Billion Crypto Theft as Analysts Point to North Korea

Oct 31, 2026 5 days ago 3 min read
Binance Hit by Record US$6.3 Billion Crypto Theft as Analysts Point to North Korea

SINGAPORE, October 31, 2026 — Binance has suffered a US$6.3 billion cryptocurrency theft, prompting the world’s largest crypto exchange to suspend withdrawals and pledge to…

Jio Surges 27% on Market Debut, Reaches US$137 Billion Valuation

Oct 29, 2026 7 days ago 3 min read
Jio Surges 27% on Market Debut, Reaches US$137 Billion Valuation

MUMBAI, October 29, 2026 — Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio Platforms climbed approximately 27% on its Mumbai stock market debut on Wednesday, reaching a valuation of…

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

Oct 28, 2026 1 week 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…