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

Oct 31, 2026 4 days ago 3 min read
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 Commercial Bank, while downgrading Cargills…

Oil Hits Six-Month High as Hormuz Tanker Attack Deepens Iran Escalation Fears

Oct 31, 2026 4 days ago 3 min read
Oil Hits Six-Month High as Hormuz Tanker Attack Deepens Iran Escalation Fears

COLOMBO, October 31, 2026 — Oil prices rose more than 2% on Friday to their highest closing levels since late April, as a tanker attack…

Binance Reserves US$6.34 Billion to Cover Losses as Partners Freeze US$3 Billion in Crypto

Oct 31, 2026 4 days ago 2 min read
Binance Reserves US$6.34 Billion to Cover Losses as Partners Freeze US$3 Billion in Crypto

SINGAPORE, October 31, 2026 — Binance says it has reserved more than US$6.34 billion in company funds to cover user losses following its recent security…

Binance Hit by Record US$6.3 Billion Crypto Theft as Analysts Point to North Korea

Oct 31, 2026 4 days ago 3 min read
Binance Hit by Record US$6.3 Billion Crypto Theft as Analysts Point to North Korea

SINGAPORE, October 31, 2026 — Binance has suffered a US$6.3 billion cryptocurrency theft, prompting the world’s largest crypto exchange to suspend withdrawals and pledge to…

Apparel Exports Rise 3.47% in September, but Nine-Month Earnings Remain 5.52% Lower

Oct 30, 2026 5 days ago 3 min read
Apparel Exports Rise 3.47% in September, but Nine-Month Earnings Remain 5.52% Lower

COLOMBO, October 30, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s apparel exports increased by 3.47% year-on-year to US$416.99 million in September, supported by stronger shipments to the United…

Crypto Cannot Be Used for Domestic Payments, CBSL Governor Says

COLOMBO, November 4, 2026 — Digital assets cannot be used for payments between residents under Sri Lanka’s current legal framework,…

BIZ BREAKING

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

Oct 20, 2026 2 weeks 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 and growth-stage companies incorporated in Sri Lanka, with First Capital Holdings PLC committing Rs. 300…

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

Oct 19, 2026 2 weeks 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 3 weeks 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 3 weeks 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…

BUSINESS

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

Oct 20, 2026 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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 3 weeks 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

IRD Sets November 30 Deadline for 2025/2026 Income Tax Returns

Oct 15, 2026 3 weeks 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 3 weeks 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 3 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…

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

Oct 12, 2026 3 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,…

MARKETS

CSE Closes in Red as Dialog Axiata and Key Counters Weigh on Indices

Oct 15, 2026 3 weeks 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 3 weeks 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 3 weeks 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…

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

Oct 11, 2026 3 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,…

NATION

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

Oct 19, 2026 2 weeks 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 3 weeks 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 3 weeks 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 3 weeks 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…

world

Trump to Take Up to 60 Days to Review Russia Sanctions, Rubio Says

Oct 18, 2026 2 weeks ago 4 min read
Trump to Take Up to 60 Days to Review Russia Sanctions, Rubio Says

WASHINGTON, October 18, 2026 — US President Donald Trump will take up to 60 days to assess the economic implications of Russia-related sanctions and tariffs…

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

Oct 17, 2026 3 weeks 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…

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

Oct 16, 2026 3 weeks 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 3 weeks 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…