Hambantota Port Targets Two Million TEU Capacity as Suez Return Opens New Opportunities

Oct 23, 2026 1 day ago 4 min read
Hambantota Port Targets Two Million TEU Capacity as Suez Return Opens New Opportunities

COLOMBO, October 23, 2026 — Hambantota International Port is preparing to increase its annual container handling capacity to two million TEUs in the first quarter…

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

Oct 23, 2026 1 day 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…

ADB Approves US$100 Million to Expand Livelihood Support and Social Protection in Sri Lanka

Oct 22, 2026 2 days ago 2 min read
ADB Approves US$100 Million to Expand Livelihood Support and Social Protection in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, October 22, 2026 — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved US$100 million in financing to strengthen Sri Lanka’s social protection system, expand economic…

NDB Reports Rs. 7.7 Billion Nine-Month Profit After Fraud Charges; Q3 Earnings Reach Rs. 2.9 Billion

Oct 22, 2026 2 days ago 3 min read
NDB Reports Rs. 7.7 Billion Nine-Month Profit After Fraud Charges; Q3 Earnings Reach Rs. 2.9 Billion

COLOMBO, October 22, 2026 — National Development Bank PLC (NDB) reported a post-tax profit of Rs. 7.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30,…

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

Oct 22, 2026 2 days 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,…

Brent Crude Hits Five-Month High of US$113.17 as Houthi Attacks Raise Supply Fears

COLOMBO, October 23, 2026 — Global oil prices rose sharply on Thursday, with Brent crude reaching a five-month closing high…

BIZ BREAKING

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

Oct 19, 2026 5 days 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 1 week 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 1 week 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 1 week 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

Central Bank Governor Highlights Policy Credibility and Price Stability at RBI Conference

Oct 20, 2026 4 days ago 2 min read
Central Bank Governor Highlights Policy Credibility and Price Stability at RBI Conference

COLOMBO, October 20, 2026 — Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe has stressed the importance of institutional credibility, strong monetary policy…

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

Oct 19, 2026 5 days 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 6 days 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 1 week 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…

ECONOMY

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

Oct 16, 2026 1 week 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 1 week 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…

Sri Lanka Courts Investors With Renewable Energy, Port Expansion and Rs. 2 Trillion Capital Spending Plan

Oct 14, 2026 1 week ago 7 min read
Sri Lanka Courts Investors With Renewable Energy, Port Expansion and Rs. 2 Trillion Capital Spending Plan

COLOMBO, October 14, 2026 — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has outlined an investment-led economic strategy centred on renewable energy, port infrastructure, rural enterprise development and…

MF Projects Sri Lanka’s Economic Growth to Moderate to 3.7% in 2027

Oct 13, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
MF Projects Sri Lanka’s Economic Growth to Moderate to 3.7% in 2027

COLOMBO, October 13, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s economic growth is projected to ease to 3.7% in 2027 from an estimated 4% in 2026, according to…

MARKETS

Colombo Stocks Close Lower as Key Shares Decline; Turnover Tops Rs. 680 Million

Oct 20, 2026 4 days ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks Close Lower as Key Shares Decline; Turnover Tops Rs. 680 Million

COLOMBO, October 20, 2026 — Colombo stock market indices closed lower as price declines in Dialog Axiata, Hatton National Bank and Hemas Holdings weighed on…

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

Oct 17, 2026 1 week 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 1 week 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 1 week 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…

NATION

China Merchants’ Exit from US$392 Million Colombo Logistics Project Raises Investment Concerns

Oct 20, 2026 4 days ago 4 min read
China Merchants’ Exit from US$392 Million Colombo Logistics Project Raises Investment Concerns

COLOMBO, October 20, 2026 — China Merchants Port Holdings’ withdrawal from a US$392 million logistics development at the Port of Colombo has raised concerns over…

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

Oct 19, 2026 5 days 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 7 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 1 week 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…

world

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

Oct 16, 2026 1 week 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 1 week 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…

Apple Unveils HomeView Smart Home Hub With Upgraded Siri AI, Intensifying Tech Competition

Oct 14, 2026 1 week ago 4 min read
Apple Unveils HomeView Smart Home Hub With Upgraded Siri AI, Intensifying Tech Competition

CUPERTINO, October 14, 2026 — Apple has unveiled a new range of smart home devices led by HomeView, a $299 touchscreen hub powered by an…

US Hopes Russian Diesel Deal Will Help Bring Moscow Back to Ukraine Peace Talks

Oct 13, 2026 2 weeks ago 7 min read
US Hopes Russian Diesel Deal Will Help Bring Moscow Back to Ukraine Peace Talks

WASHINGTON, October 13, 2026 — The Trump administration is seeking to use a controversial deal allowing Russian diesel exports to encourage Moscow to resume negotiations…