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

Oct 27, 2026 3 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…

LAUGFS Gas Explores Investment and Potential Stake Sale in Hambantota LPG Terminal

Oct 27, 2026 3 days ago 1 min read
LAUGFS Gas Explores Investment and Potential Stake Sale in Hambantota LPG Terminal

COLOMBO, October 27, 2026 — LAUGFS Gas PLC is exploring strategic options for its wholly owned subsidiary, LAUGFS Terminals Limited, including commercial partnerships, external investment…

Sri Lanka’s Exports Reach US$13.6 Billion in Nine Months as September Sets Monthly Record

Oct 27, 2026 3 days ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka’s Exports Reach US$13.6 Billion in Nine Months as September Sets Monthly Record

COLOMBO, October 27, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s total export earnings reached US$13.612 billion during the first nine months of 2026, supported by a record monthly…

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

Oct 27, 2026 3 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…

Sri Lanka Navy Officer Honoured for Near-Perfect GPA and Awards at US Naval Postgraduate School

Oct 27, 2026 3 days ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka Navy Officer Honoured for Near-Perfect GPA and Awards at US Naval Postgraduate School

COLOMBO, October 27, 2026 — Sri Lanka Navy Lieutenant Commander Piyumi Kathriarachchi has been recognised for graduating with honours from the US Naval Postgraduate School,…

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…

BIZ BREAKING

IMF Pledges Continued Support for Sri Lanka as $345 Million Tranche Awaits Board Approval

Oct 15, 2026 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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…

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

Oct 13, 2026 2 weeks 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 3 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…

BUSINESS

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

Oct 16, 2026 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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,…

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

Oct 14, 2026 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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…

ECONOMY

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,…

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

Oct 11, 2026 3 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 3 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 3 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 Closes in Red as Hemas, LOLC Holdings and Cargills Weigh on Market Sentiment

Oct 13, 2026 2 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,…

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

Oct 9, 2026 3 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 3 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…

NATION

Rs. 3.09 Billion Surgical Ward Complex Planned for Tangalle Hospital

Oct 17, 2026 2 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 2 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…

Sri Lanka Wins Leading Wellness Destination Award at SATA 2026

Oct 15, 2026 2 weeks 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…

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

Oct 14, 2026 2 weeks 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…

world

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

Oct 12, 2026 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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,…