Rs. 3.09 Billion Surgical Ward Complex Planned for Tangalle Hospital

Oct 17, 2026 3 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…

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

Oct 17, 2026 3 days 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…

Oil Prices Hit $110 a Barrel as Middle East Tensions Raise Supply Concerns

Oct 17, 2026 3 days ago 5 min read
Oil Prices Hit $110 a Barrel as Middle East Tensions Raise Supply Concerns

LONDON, October 17, 2026 — Global oil prices have climbed to their highest levels in months, with Brent crude touching $110 a barrel for the…

Sri Lanka Seeks EU Investment Under €300 Billion Global Gateway Initiative

Oct 16, 2026 4 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…

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

Oct 16, 2026 4 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,…

BIZ BREAKING

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…

BOI Accelerates Northern Province Investment Drive with Two New Export Processing Zones

Oct 7, 2026 2 weeks ago 4 min read
BOI Accelerates Northern Province Investment Drive with Two New Export Processing Zones

JAFFNA, October 7, 2026 — The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) is accelerating plans to transform the Northern Province into a new investment and export hub, with the proposed Export Processing Zones (EPZs) at Paranthan and Kankesanthurai (KKS)…

Sri Lanka, ADB Map Out Development Priorities for 2026–2029

Oct 6, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka, ADB Map Out Development Priorities for 2026–2029

COLOMBO, October 6, 2026 — Sri Lanka and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have begun discussions on a multi-year development programme for 2026–2029, with the government seeking to prioritise projects that can accelerate economic development while supporting fiscal targets and…

Sri Lanka Locks In 5% Inflation Target for Next Three Years

Oct 3, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Locks In 5% Inflation Target for Next Three Years

COLOMBO, October 3, 2026 — Sri Lanka has formally locked in a 5% inflation target for the next three years, reinforcing price stability as the central anchor for monetary policy and providing businesses and investors with a clearer medium-term economic…

BUSINESS

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

Oct 11, 2026 1 week 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…

Sri Lankan Exporters Secure US$50,000 in Orders at Maldives Trade Exhibition, Negotiate Further US$150,000

Oct 9, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
Sri Lankan Exporters Secure US$50,000 in Orders at Maldives Trade Exhibition, Negotiate Further US$150,000

COLOMBO, October 9, 2026 — Sri Lankan exporters have secured approximately US$50,000 in confirmed orders and are negotiating a further US$150,000 in potential business following…

Prime Expands Sri Lankan Real Estate’s Global Reach, Driving FDI and Foreign Currency Inflows

Oct 8, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
Prime Expands Sri Lankan Real Estate’s Global Reach, Driving FDI and Foreign Currency Inflows

MELBOURNE, October 8, 2026 — Prime Group is strengthening Sri Lanka’s position as an international real estate investment destination, following recognition for its contribution to…

CSE and Commercial Bank Join Forces to Expand Capital Market Access for Sri Lankan Businesses

Oct 7, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
CSE and Commercial Bank Join Forces to Expand Capital Market Access for Sri Lankan Businesses

COLOMBO, October 7, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to…

ECONOMY

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…

2027 Appropriation Bill Presented to Parliament as Budget Process Begins

Oct 7, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
2027 Appropriation Bill Presented to Parliament as Budget Process Begins

COLOMBO, October 7, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s parliamentary process for the 2027 national budget formally commenced today with the presentation of the Appropriation Bill for…

Sri Lanka Economy Returns to Pre-Crisis Levels, but Recovery Remains Uneven – World Bank

Oct 6, 2026 2 weeks ago 4 min read
Sri Lanka Economy Returns to Pre-Crisis Levels, but Recovery Remains Uneven – World Bank

COLOMBO, October 6, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s economy has returned to pre-crisis levels, marking a major milestone in the country’s recovery, but the benefits of…

MARKETS

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…

CSE Indices Close Lower as Turnover Surpasses Rs. 3.2 Billion

Oct 6, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
CSE Indices Close Lower as Turnover Surpasses Rs. 3.2 Billion

COLOMBO, October 6, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s stock market closed lower on Tuesday, with both benchmark indices ending in negative territory as selling pressure on…

Banking Strength Fails to Reverse CSE Slide as ASPI Falls 42 Points

Oct 3, 2026 2 weeks ago 4 min read
Banking Strength Fails to Reverse CSE Slide as ASPI Falls 42 Points

COLOMBO, October 3, 2026 — Strength in banking and financial counters failed to offset broader selling pressure at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday, with…

CSE Snaps Six-Session Losing Streak as Buying Interest Improves

Oct 2, 2026 3 weeks ago 3 min read
CSE Snaps Six-Session Losing Streak as Buying Interest Improves

COLOMBO, October 2, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange snapped a six-session losing streak on Thursday, with both benchmark indices closing higher as buying interest…

NATION

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

Oct 11, 2026 1 week 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…

Sri Lankan Scientist Themiya Nanayakkara Helps Discover Record-Breaking Radio Burst from 10 Billion Years Ago

Oct 9, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
Sri Lankan Scientist Themiya Nanayakkara Helps Discover Record-Breaking Radio Burst from 10 Billion Years Ago

COLOMBO, October 9, 2026 — Sri Lankan scientist Themiya Nanayakkara has contributed to a landmark international astronomy discovery involving the oldest fast radio burst ever…

Sri Lanka-Thailand Visa-Free Travel Agreement Gets Cabinet Approval

Oct 6, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka-Thailand Visa-Free Travel Agreement Gets Cabinet Approval

COLOMBO, October 6, 2026 — The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to sign a visa exemption agreement between Sri Lanka and Thailand, allowing…

Energy Ministry Orders Companies to Maintain Minimum Fuel Stocks

Oct 6, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Energy Ministry Orders Companies to Maintain Minimum Fuel Stocks

COLOMBO, October 6, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s Energy Ministry has instructed relevant companies to maintain minimum fuel stock levels to ensure uninterrupted availability of petroleum…

world

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,…

China’s Deflationary Pressures Deepen as Domestic Demand Remains Weak

Oct 6, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
China’s Deflationary Pressures Deepen as Domestic Demand Remains Weak

BEIJING, October 6, 2026 — China’s economic recovery is facing mounting pressure as weak domestic demand, persistent industrial overcapacity and a prolonged property downturn continue…

Trump Says Iran Has ‘Virtually Given Up’ Plans for Nuclear Weapons

Oct 4, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
Trump Says Iran Has ‘Virtually Given Up’ Plans for Nuclear Weapons

WASHINGTON, October 4, 2026 — US President Donald Trump has said Iran has “virtually given up” plans to develop nuclear weapons, offering a potentially significant…