Sri Lanka Launches AgriConnect with US$665 Million in Investment Backing to Support Farmers and Agribusinesses

Oct 30, 2026 21 hours ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Launches AgriConnect with US$665 Million in Investment Backing to Support Farmers and Agribusinesses

COLOMBO, October 30, 2026 — Sri Lanka has launched the AgriConnect Joint Implementation Plan with the World Bank Group and the International Fund for Agricultural…

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

Oct 30, 2026 1 day 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…

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

Oct 30, 2026 1 day 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…

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

Oct 30, 2026 1 day 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…

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

Oct 29, 2026 2 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…

Fitch Upgrades BOC, People’s Bank and Commercial Bank; Downgrades Cargills Bank

COLOMBO, October 31, 2026 — Fitch Ratings has upgraded the National Long-Term Ratings of Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank and…

BIZ BREAKING

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

Oct 27, 2026 4 days 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…

Lanka IOC and Sinopec Raise Octane 95 Petrol Prices by Rs. 20 to Rs. 495

Oct 26, 2026 5 days ago 1 min read
Lanka IOC and Sinopec Raise Octane 95 Petrol Prices by Rs. 20 to Rs. 495

COLOMBO, October 26, 2026 — Lanka IOC and Sinopec have increased their Octane 95 petrol prices by Rs. 20 per litre, bringing the revised selling price at both operators’ filling stations to Rs. 495. Lanka IOC’s increase took effect at…

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

Oct 23, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
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 as Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia heightened concerns over further disruptions to Middle Eastern energy supplies. Brent crude futures gained…

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

Oct 22, 2026 1 week 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 opportunities for low-income households and improve care services for the elderly. The financing comprises a…

BUSINESS

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

Oct 26, 2026 5 days 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…

Sri Lankan Firms Explore Maldives Hospitality Market at Hotel Asia 2026

Oct 24, 2026 7 days ago 2 min read
Sri Lankan Firms Explore Maldives Hospitality Market at Hotel Asia 2026

COLOMBO, October 24, 2026 — Sri Lankan companies showcased hospitality products and services at Hotel Asia 2026 in the Maldives, seeking new buyers, business partnerships…

Hayleys Solar Launches 24/7 Operations Centre to Monitor Renewable Energy Assets

Oct 23, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Hayleys Solar Launches 24/7 Operations Centre to Monitor Renewable Energy Assets

COLOMBO, October 23, 2026 — Hayleys Solar has introduced a dedicated 24-hour Renewable Energy Operations Centre (ROC), bringing renewable energy assets onto a centralised digital…

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

Oct 22, 2026 1 week 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,…

ECONOMY

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

Oct 26, 2026 5 days 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 1 week 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,…

Vidullanka–David Pieris Solar Plant Adds 10 MW to Sri Lanka’s National Grid

Oct 20, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Vidullanka–David Pieris Solar Plant Adds 10 MW to Sri Lanka’s National Grid

COLOMBO, October 20, 2026 — Vidullanka PLC and David Pieris Motor Company have inaugurated a 10 MW solar power plant in Ranna, expanding Sri Lanka’s…

Litro Gas Shipment Carrying 3,900 MT of LPG Scheduled to Arrive Today

Oct 18, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Litro Gas Shipment Carrying 3,900 MT of LPG Scheduled to Arrive Today

COLOMBO, October 18, 2026 — Litro Gas Lanka Limited is expecting a shipment carrying 3,900 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to arrive in…

MARKETS

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

Oct 23, 2026 1 week 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 1 week 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…

Colombo Bourse Loses Rs. 324 Billion in October as ASPI Falls Below 20,000

Oct 21, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Colombo Bourse Loses Rs. 324 Billion in October as ASPI Falls Below 20,000

COLOMBO, October 21, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange’s total market capitalisation has fallen by nearly Rs. 324 billion since the beginning of October, with…

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

Oct 20, 2026 2 weeks 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…

NATION

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

Oct 26, 2026 5 days 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 7 days 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…

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

Oct 23, 2026 1 week 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…

Rain to Continue Across Sri Lanka on October 23; Southwest Wet Weather Expected Until October 27

Oct 22, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Rain to Continue Across Sri Lanka on October 23; Southwest Wet Weather Expected Until October 27

COLOMBO, October 22, 2026 — Rain is expected across Sri Lanka throughout October 23, while wet weather in the southwestern parts of the country is…

world

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

Oct 28, 2026 3 days 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…

Bolsonaro’s Party Recognises Lula Victory as Trump Questions Brazil Election Without Evidence

Oct 27, 2026 4 days ago 3 min read
Bolsonaro’s Party Recognises Lula Victory as Trump Questions Brazil Election Without Evidence

BRASÍLIA, October 27, 2026 — The Liberal Party of defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro has recognised Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s runoff victory, even…

Lula Wins Brazil’s Presidential Runoff to Secure Fourth Term

Oct 26, 2026 5 days ago 1 min read
Lula Wins Brazil’s Presidential Runoff to Secure Fourth Term

BRASÍLIA, October 26, 2026 — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won reelection, defeating right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a presidential runoff, according…

Trump Says US Is Not Negotiating with Iran, Signals Developments ‘Fairly Soon’

Oct 22, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Trump Says US Is Not Negotiating with Iran, Signals Developments ‘Fairly Soon’

WASHINGTON, October 22, 2026 — US President Donald Trump said Washington is not negotiating with Iran and indicated that developments could come soon, as uncertainty…