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

Oct 22, 2026 5 hours 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…

Sri Lanka’s Tea Export Earnings Top US$1 Billion as Rupee Revenue Rises Despite Dollar Decline

Oct 21, 2026 1 day ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka’s Tea Export Earnings Top US$1 Billion as Rupee Revenue Rises Despite Dollar Decline

COLOMBO, October 21, 2026 — Sri Lanka earned approximately US$1.083 billion from tea exports during the first nine months of 2026, crossing the billion-dollar mark…

Access Engineering Expects Rs. 310 Million Company-Level Loss from Logistics Project Exit

Oct 21, 2026 1 day ago 2 min read
Access Engineering Expects Rs. 310 Million Company-Level Loss from Logistics Project Exit

COLOMBO, October 21, 2026 — Access Engineering PLC expects to recognise a loss of approximately Rs. 310 million in its standalone company financial statements following…

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

Oct 21, 2026 1 day 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…

PUCSL Approves Power Cuts Across Four Groups for October 21

Oct 21, 2026 1 day ago 1 min read
PUCSL Approves Power Cuts Across Four Groups for October 21

COLOMBO, October 21, 2026 — Scheduled power interruptions will affect four electricity supply groups in Sri Lanka today as part of measures to manage electricity…

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…

BIZ BREAKING

IMF Signals Continued Support for Sri Lanka Beyond March 2027 Programme Expiry

Oct 17, 2026 5 days 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 6 days 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,…

Oil Prices Surge as Iran’s New Hormuz Tactics Raise Global Supply Fears

Oct 14, 2026 1 week ago 4 min read
Oil Prices Surge as Iran’s New Hormuz Tactics Raise Global Supply Fears

COLOMBO, October 14, 2026 — Global oil prices climbed on Wednesday as attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and reports of new Iranian tactics against shipping intensified concerns over energy supply disruptions, threatening to increase costs for…

BUSINESS

Sri Lanka’s AML Reforms Put Investor Confidence and International Banking Access in Focus

Oct 18, 2026 4 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 5 days 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…

Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Council Targets US$ 1 Billion Bilateral Trade by 2030

Oct 16, 2026 6 days ago 6 min read
Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Council Targets US$ 1 Billion Bilateral Trade by 2030

COLOMBO, October 16, 2026 — The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has launched the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Council to strengthen bilateral trade, investment and tourism ties,…

Home Lands Completes Piling for Port City’s Central Park Boulevard Ahead of Schedule

Oct 15, 2026 1 week ago 4 min read
Home Lands Completes Piling for Port City’s Central Park Boulevard Ahead of Schedule

COLOMBO, October 15, 2026 — Home Lands Group has completed 100% of piling work for its ultra-luxury residential development, Central Park Boulevard Port City Colombo,…

ECONOMY

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

Oct 16, 2026 6 days 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 1 week 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

CSE Indices Close Higher as Turnover Exceeds Rs. 1.5 Billion

Oct 16, 2026 6 days 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…

CSE Extends Losses as Dialog, Commercial Bank and HNB Weigh on Indices

Oct 14, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
CSE Extends Losses as Dialog, Commercial Bank and HNB Weigh on Indices

COLOMBO, October 14, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s stock market closed lower, with losses in heavyweight counters including Dialog Axiata, Commercial Bank and Hatton National Bank…

CSE Closes in Red as Hemas, LOLC Holdings and Cargills Weigh on Market Sentiment

Oct 13, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
CSE Closes in Red as Hemas, LOLC Holdings and Cargills Weigh on Market Sentiment

COLOMBO, October 13, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s stock market closed lower as selling pressure on heavyweight counters, including Hemas Holdings, LOLC Holdings and Cargills, dragged…

NATION

Sri Lanka and Japan Advance Industrial Corridor Plan During Industry Minister’s Tokyo Visit

Oct 17, 2026 5 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 5 days 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…

US Announces US$17 Million Investment to Digitise Colombo Port Operations

Oct 16, 2026 6 days ago 3 min read
US Announces US$17 Million Investment to Digitise Colombo Port Operations

COLOMBO, October 16, 2026 — The United States has announced a US$17 million investment to digitise operations at the Port of Colombo, aiming to accelerate…

Sri Lanka Wins Leading Wellness Destination Award at SATA 2026

Oct 15, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka Wins Leading Wellness Destination Award at SATA 2026

MALÉ, October 15, 2026 — Sri Lanka has been named the Leading Wellness Destination at the 10th South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, securing the…

world

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

Oct 16, 2026 6 days 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 1 week 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…