Fitch Upgrades Commercial Bank to ‘AA(lka)’ Following National Rating Scale Recalibration

Nov 9, 2026 1 day ago 3 min read
Fitch Upgrades Commercial Bank to ‘AA(lka)’ Following National Rating Scale Recalibration

COLOMBO, November 9, 2026 — Fitch Ratings has upgraded Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘AA(lka)’ from ‘AA-(lka)’, effective October 30, 2026,…

JAAF Backs Fresh GSP+ Application to Protect Sri Lanka’s EU Market Access

Nov 9, 2026 1 day ago 2 min read
JAAF Backs Fresh GSP+ Application to Protect Sri Lanka’s EU Market Access

COLOMBO, November 9, 2026 — The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) has welcomed the Government’s commitment to submit a fresh application for the European Union’s…

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

Nov 8, 2026 2 days 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 2 days 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 2 days 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…

JAAF Backs Fresh GSP+ Application to Protect Sri Lanka’s EU Market Access

COLOMBO, November 9, 2026 — The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) has welcomed the Government’s commitment to submit a fresh…

BIZ BREAKING

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

Nov 5, 2026 5 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…

Crypto Cannot Be Used for Domestic Payments, CBSL Governor Says

Nov 4, 2026 6 days 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 Weerasinghe said, stressing the need to protect the rupee and preserve monetary sovereignty. Speaking at…

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

Nov 3, 2026 7 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 Frontier Capital Ltd. (AFC), advancing its international expansion and broadening its frontier-market investment platform. The…

Sri Lanka’s Exports Hit Record US$1.38 Billion, but September Current Account Posts US$128 Million Deficit

Nov 2, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka’s Exports Hit Record US$1.38 Billion, but September Current Account Posts US$128 Million Deficit

COLOMBO, November 2, 2026 — Sri Lanka recorded its highest-ever monthly merchandise export earnings of US$1.377 billion in September 2026, but the external current account returned to a deficit of US$128 million following August’s surplus. Merchandise exports increased by 21.0%…

BUSINESS

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

Nov 6, 2026 4 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…

JAT Holdings’ Revenue Rises 36% to Rs. 7.01 Billion as Foreign Operations More Than Double

Nov 5, 2026 5 days ago 4 min read
JAT Holdings’ Revenue Rises 36% to Rs. 7.01 Billion as Foreign Operations More Than Double

COLOMBO, November 5, 2026 — JAT Holdings PLC reported a 36% increase in Group revenue to Rs. 7.01 billion for the six months ended September…

JKH’s Attributable Profit Surges 213% to Rs. 5.17 Billion in Q2; PBT Reaches Rs. 7.95 Billion

Nov 4, 2026 6 days ago 4 min read
JKH’s Attributable Profit Surges 213% to Rs. 5.17 Billion in Q2; PBT Reaches Rs. 7.95 Billion

COLOMBO, November 4, 2026 — John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) recorded a 213% increase in profit attributable to equity holders of the parent to Rs.…

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

Nov 3, 2026 7 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…

ECONOMY

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

Oct 30, 2026 2 weeks 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…

World Bank Forecasts 23% Rise in Commodity Prices as Energy and Food Costs Climb

Oct 29, 2026 2 weeks ago 4 min read
World Bank Forecasts 23% Rise in Commodity Prices as Energy and Food Costs Climb

COLOMBO, October 29, 2026 — Global commodity prices are projected to increase by 23% in 2026, with rising energy costs, disrupted trade and threats to…

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…

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

Oct 27, 2026 2 weeks 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…

MARKETS

ASPI Falls 10.97% in Ten Months as October Wipes Rs. 441 Billion Off Market Value

Nov 2, 2026 1 week ago 1 min read
ASPI Falls 10.97% in Ten Months as October Wipes Rs. 441 Billion Off Market Value

COLOMBO, November 2, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) declined by 10.97% during the first ten months of 2026, while the…

CSE Recovery Enters Third Session as ASPI Jumps 297 Points Above 20,250

Oct 30, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
CSE Recovery Enters Third Session as ASPI Jumps 297 Points Above 20,250

COLOMBO, October 30, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange extended its recovery for a third consecutive session on October 29, with broad-based buying lifting the…

Colombo Stocks Rise as Banking and Telecom Gains Lift Turnover Above Rs. 2.2 Billion

Oct 29, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks Rise as Banking and Telecom Gains Lift Turnover Above Rs. 2.2 Billion

COLOMBO, October 29, 2026 — Colombo stock market indices closed higher, supported by price gains in Commercial Bank, Dialog Axiata and Hatton National Bank, while…

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…

NATION

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

Nov 4, 2026 6 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…

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

Nov 3, 2026 1 week 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…

Centrum Air Connects Tashkent and Mattala with Twice-Weekly Direct Flights

Oct 30, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
Centrum Air Connects Tashkent and Mattala with Twice-Weekly Direct Flights

COLOMBO, October 30, 2026 — Uzbekistan’s Centrum Air has introduced direct scheduled flights between Tashkent and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, expanding Sri Lanka’s connections with…

Central Bank Names 27 Prohibited Scheme Entries, Warns Public Over Companies and Apps

Oct 29, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Central Bank Names 27 Prohibited Scheme Entries, Warns Public Over Companies and Apps

COLOMBO, October 29, 2026 — The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has listed 27 entries covering companies, mobile applications and related entities determined to…

world

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

Nov 6, 2026 4 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 5 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 6 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…

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

Nov 3, 2026 1 week 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…