Rs. 3 Billion HLAB Fund Launched to Back Business Growth; First Capital Commits Rs. 300 Million

Oct 20, 2026 2 days ago 3 min read
Rs. 3 Billion HLAB Fund Launched to Back Business Growth; First Capital Commits Rs. 300 Million

COLOMBO, October 20, 2026 — Hatch, Lankan Angel Network and BOV Capital have launched HLAB, a Rs. 3 billion investment fund aimed at supporting early…

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

Oct 20, 2026 2 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…

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

Oct 20, 2026 2 days 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…

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

Oct 20, 2026 2 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…

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

Oct 20, 2026 2 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…

BIZ BREAKING

Cabinet Approves US$100 Million ADB Financing for Sri Lanka’s Water Sector Reforms

Oct 13, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Cabinet Approves US$100 Million ADB Financing for Sri Lanka’s Water Sector Reforms

COLOMBO, October 13, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has approved a US$100 million policy-based financing facility from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to advance the second sub-programme of the country’s Water Supply and Sanitation Reform Programme, supporting efforts to address…

FCCISL and Department of Commerce Step Up Coordination to Drive Sri Lanka’s US$36 Billion Export Target

Oct 12, 2026 2 weeks ago 6 min read
FCCISL and Department of Commerce Step Up Coordination to Drive Sri Lanka’s US$36 Billion Export Target

Department of Commerce consultation with trade chambers and industry associations COLOMBO, October 12, 2026 — The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and the Department of Commerce are strengthening cooperation on export promotion, trade facilitation…

EDB Appoints 24 Export Advisory Committees to Drive Sri Lanka’s US$36 Billion Export Target

Oct 9, 2026 2 weeks ago 4 min read
EDB Appoints 24 Export Advisory Committees to Drive Sri Lanka’s US$36 Billion Export Target

Minister Sunil Handunnetti, EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe COLOMBO, October 9, 2026 — Sri Lanka has established 24 export advisory committees for 2026–2029 to help remove regulatory barriers, improve business competitiveness and accelerate progress towards its ambitious target of generating US$36 billion…

CBSL Survey Tracks Financial Sector Risks and Confidence in Sri Lanka’s Financial System

Oct 8, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
CBSL Survey Tracks Financial Sector Risks and Confidence in Sri Lanka’s Financial System

COLOMBO, October 8, 2026 — The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has released the key findings of its Systemic Risk Survey (SRS) for the second half of 2026, providing an updated assessment of how financial market participants view risks…

BUSINESS

Sri Lanka Takes EXPO 2027 Investment and Export Opportunities to Thai Business Community

Oct 14, 2026 1 week ago 4 min read
Sri Lanka Takes EXPO 2027 Investment and Export Opportunities to Thai Business Community

BANGKOK, October 14, 2026 — Sri Lanka is stepping up efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties with Thailand ahead of Sri Lanka EXPO 2027,…

Dipped Products Opens Rs. 4.2 Billion Glove Manufacturing Plant in Katunayake EPZ

Oct 13, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Dipped Products Opens Rs. 4.2 Billion Glove Manufacturing Plant in Katunayake EPZ

KATUNAYAKE, October 13, 2026 — Dipped Products PLC (DPL), the Hayleys Group’s glove manufacturing business, has commenced operations at a new Rs. 4.2 billion manufacturing…

Sungrow Commissions Sri Lanka’s 10 MW/40 MWh Battery Storage Project in Galle

Oct 12, 2026 2 weeks ago 5 min read
Sungrow Commissions Sri Lanka’s 10 MW/40 MWh Battery Storage Project in Galle

GALLE, October 12, 2026 — Global renewable energy technology supplier Sungrow has commissioned a 10 MW/40 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) developed by WKV…

JETOUR Expands Sri Lankan Footprint with Second Showroom at Colombo City Centre

Oct 11, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
JETOUR Expands Sri Lankan Footprint with Second Showroom at Colombo City Centre

COLOMBO, October 11, 2026 — Chinese automotive brand JETOUR is expanding its retail presence in Sri Lanka with the opening of its second showroom at…

ECONOMY

President to Open Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026 as Focus Shifts to Growth and Investment

Oct 12, 2026 2 weeks ago 4 min read
President to Open Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026 as Focus Shifts to Growth and Investment

COLOMBO, October 12, 2026 — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to inaugurate the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 today at Shangri-La Colombo,…

“You can increase your fuel prices, but we won’t”: Govt tells private suppliers

Oct 11, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
“You can increase your fuel prices, but we won’t”: Govt tells private suppliers

COLOMBO, October 11, 2026 — The Sri Lankan government has ruled out increasing fuel prices to accommodate the demands of private fuel suppliers, with Energy…

Sri Lanka Customs Revenue Surpasses September Target by 32% as 2026 Collections Near Annual Goal

Oct 9, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Customs Revenue Surpasses September Target by 32% as 2026 Collections Near Annual Goal

COLOMBO, October 9, 2026 — Sri Lanka Customs collected Rs. 258.3 billion in September, exceeding its monthly revenue target by 32.1%, as stronger collections from…

Sri Lanka’s Official Reserve Assets Fall 1.1% to US$6.85 Billion in September

Oct 8, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka’s Official Reserve Assets Fall 1.1% to US$6.85 Billion in September

COLOMBO, October 8, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets declined by 1.1% in September 2026, falling to US$6.851 billion from US$6.929 billion recorded in…

MARKETS

CSE Ends Week on Positive Note as Banking Stocks Lift Daily Indices Despite Weekly Losses

Oct 11, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
CSE Ends Week on Positive Note as Banking Stocks Lift Daily Indices Despite Weekly Losses

COLOMBO, October 11, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s stock market ended the week’s final trading session in positive territory, supported by price gains in Dialog Axiata,…

CSE Indices Close Lower as Rs. 2.7 Billion Turnover Concentrates in Key Counters

Oct 9, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
CSE Indices Close Lower as Rs. 2.7 Billion Turnover Concentrates in Key Counters

COLOMBO, October 9, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s stock market closed in negative territory as selling pressure on heavyweight counters, including Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka,…

CSE Ends Lower as ASPI and S&P SL20 Decline on Broad-Based Selling

Oct 8, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
CSE Ends Lower as ASPI and S&P SL20 Decline on Broad-Based Selling

COLOMBO, October 8, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s stock market ended the session in negative territory today, with both the All Share Price Index (ASPI) and…

CSE Closes Mixed as ASPI Edges Higher While S&P SL20 Declines

Oct 7, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
CSE Closes Mixed as ASPI Edges Higher While S&P SL20 Declines

COLOMBO, October 7, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s stock market closed on a mixed note today, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) edging higher on…

NATION

Sri Lanka Plans Integrated Digital Database to Strengthen Praja Shakthi Poverty Eradication Programme

Oct 14, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Plans Integrated Digital Database to Strengthen Praja Shakthi Poverty Eradication Programme

COLOMBO, October 14, 2026 — Sri Lanka is considering the development of an integrated digital database to identify rural development needs and improve the implementation…

Sri Lanka to Provide Rs. 6,000 Stationery Allowance to 1.5 Million Students in 2027

Oct 13, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka to Provide Rs. 6,000 Stationery Allowance to 1.5 Million Students in 2027

COLOMBO, October 13, 2026 — The Government has approved the continuation of its school stationery assistance programme for 2027, providing Rs. 6,000 each to 1.5…

Sri Lanka Launches Second King Coconut Village in Badulla Under National Export Drive

Oct 12, 2026 2 weeks ago 4 min read
Sri Lanka Launches Second King Coconut Village in Badulla Under National Export Drive

BADULLA, October 12, 2026 — Sri Lanka has launched its second king coconut village in Badulla District as the Government advances a nationwide programme to…

Rs. 12 Billion Hospital Complex Planned for Dambulla to Ease Overcrowding

Oct 11, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Rs. 12 Billion Hospital Complex Planned for Dambulla to Ease Overcrowding

DAMBULLA, October 11, 2026 — A new hospital complex estimated to cost Rs. 12 billion is planned for Dambulla to address overcrowding and space constraints…

world

Trump Faces Backlash Over Planned Russian Diesel Imports Amid Global Energy Crisis

Oct 12, 2026 2 weeks ago 6 min read
Trump Faces Backlash Over Planned Russian Diesel Imports Amid Global Energy Crisis

WASHINGTON, October 12, 2026 — US President Donald Trump is facing mounting political and international criticism over plans to import large volumes of diesel from…

Trump Calls for Zelenskiy’s Replacement as US-Russia Diesel Deal Deepens Ukraine Rift

Oct 11, 2026 2 weeks ago 4 min read
Trump Calls for Zelenskiy’s Replacement as US-Russia Diesel Deal Deepens Ukraine Rift

WASHINGTON, October 11, 2026 — US President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, intensifying tensions between Washington and Kyiv after…

Trump Rules Out US Attack on Iran Before November Midterm Elections

Oct 9, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Trump Rules Out US Attack on Iran Before November Midterm Elections

WASHINGTON, October 9, 2026 — US President Donald Trump has ruled out a US attack on Iran before the November 3 congressional midterm elections, saying…

Trump Administration Proposes Up to $70,000 Fee for International Students Seeking Work Training

Oct 8, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
Trump Administration Proposes Up to $70,000 Fee for International Students Seeking Work Training

WASHINGTON, October 8, 2026 — The Trump administration has proposed a major increase in fees for international students seeking work-based training in the United States,…