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

Oct 18, 2026 3 days 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…

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

Oct 17, 2026 4 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…

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

Oct 17, 2026 4 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…

Prime Lands and Melwa Join Hands for Mixed-Use Development in Port City Colombo

Oct 17, 2026 4 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…

Colombo Port Handles US$30 Billion in U.S.-Related Cargo Annually

Oct 17, 2026 4 days ago 4 min read
Colombo Port Handles US$30 Billion in U.S.-Related Cargo Annually

COLOMBO, October 17, 2026 — The Port of Colombo handles an estimated US$30 billion worth of U.S.-related cargo annually, highlighting its strategic importance to international…

BIZ BREAKING

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 3 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…

Govt Opens Rs. 95 Billion Financing Push for Businesses in Record Credit Drive

Oct 2, 2026 3 weeks ago 3 min read
Govt Opens Rs. 95 Billion Financing Push for Businesses in Record Credit Drive

COLOMBO, October 2, 2026 — Sri Lankan businesses are set to gain access to a record Rs. 95 billion in concessionary financing in 2026, with Rs. 25 billion specifically allocated to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as the government moves…

Fuel Subsidy, Vehicle Import Surcharge Shield Economy from Stronger Inflation Pressure – CBSL Governor

Oct 1, 2026 3 weeks ago 3 min read
Fuel Subsidy, Vehicle Import Surcharge Shield Economy from Stronger Inflation Pressure – CBSL Governor

COLOMBO, October 1, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s fuel subsidy and higher taxes on vehicle imports have helped contain inflationary pressure while limiting foreign exchange outflows, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said. The measures have become key policy tools as…

BUSINESS

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…

City of Dreams Sri Lanka to Host Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Strengthening Colombo’s Regional Creative Position

Oct 6, 2026 2 weeks ago 4 min read
City of Dreams Sri Lanka to Host Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Strengthening Colombo’s Regional Creative Position

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Senior Vice President-Colombo Hotels and Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka General Manager Kamal Munasinghe (right) with AOD Founder…

AkzoNobel to Sell Southeast Asia Paints Business to Nippon Paint for $1.35 Billion

Oct 5, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
AkzoNobel to Sell Southeast Asia Paints Business to Nippon Paint for $1.35 Billion

COLOMBO, October 5, 2026 — AkzoNobel has agreed to sell its Southeast Asian decorative paints business to Nippon Paint for $1.35 billion, marking a major…

ECONOMY

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…

Sri Lanka’s Tax Revenue Surpasses Rs. 2 Trillion in First Nine Months of 2026

Oct 3, 2026 3 weeks ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka’s Tax Revenue Surpasses Rs. 2 Trillion in First Nine Months of 2026

COLOMBO, October 3, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) collected more than Rs. 2.04 trillion in tax revenue during the first nine months…

Sri Lanka Plans Simpler Tax System, Customs Levies to Be Phased Out From 2027

Oct 2, 2026 3 weeks ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Plans Simpler Tax System, Customs Levies to Be Phased Out From 2027

COLOMBO, October 2, 2026 — The government plans to introduce a simplified tax framework from 2027, including the gradual removal of additional levies imposed alongside…

Fuel Prices Rise as New Rates Take Effect Across Sri Lanka

Oct 1, 2026 3 weeks ago 2 min read
Fuel Prices Rise as New Rates Take Effect Across Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, October 1, 2026 — Revised fuel prices have come into effect across Sri Lanka from today, with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) increasing the…

MARKETS

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

Oct 3, 2026 3 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…

CSE Indices Close Lower as Turnover Tops Rs. 1.6 Billion

Oct 1, 2026 3 weeks ago 2 min read
CSE Indices Close Lower as Turnover Tops Rs. 1.6 Billion

COLOMBO, October 1, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s stock market closed lower, with both benchmark indices ending in negative territory as price declines in key counters…

CSE Slips Below 21,000 as Turnover Hits Year-to-Date Low

Sep 29, 2026 3 weeks ago 3 min read
CSE Slips Below 21,000 as Turnover Hits Year-to-Date Low

COLOMBO, September 28, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange started the week under pressure, with the benchmark ASPI falling below the 21,000 level as broad-based…

NATION

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…

Multilac Upgrades Colombo Municipal Council Day Care Centre for Children’s Day

Oct 5, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Multilac Upgrades Colombo Municipal Council Day Care Centre for Children’s Day

COLOMBO, October 5, 2026 — Multilac has completed a series of facility improvements at the Colombo Municipal Council Day Care Centre as part of a…

Govt. Targets Digital Connectivity for All Secondary Schools by Year-End: PM

Oct 4, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
Govt. Targets Digital Connectivity for All Secondary Schools by Year-End: PM

COLOMBO, October 4, 2026 — The Government is working to provide digital connectivity to secondary schools across Sri Lanka by the end of this year,…

world

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…

UAE Says Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain in Suspected Terror Plot

Oct 3, 2026 3 weeks ago 2 min read
UAE Says Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain in Suspected Terror Plot

DUBAI, October 3, 2026 — The United Arab Emirates has said a Flydubai co-pilot allegedly attempted to carry out a terrorist attack aboard a flight…

India Approves $19 Billion Programme to Expand Renewable Energy Grid

Oct 2, 2026 3 weeks ago 3 min read
India Approves $19 Billion Programme to Expand Renewable Energy Grid

NEW DELHI, October 2, 2026 — India’s Cabinet has approved a Rs. 1.86 trillion (US$19.42 billion) investment programme to strengthen the country’s power transmission network…

Russia Launches Largest Attack on Ukraine Energy Infrastructure Since Spring

Oct 1, 2026 3 weeks ago 4 min read
Russia Launches Largest Attack on Ukraine Energy Infrastructure Since Spring

KYIV, October 1, 2026 — Russia has launched its largest attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since the spring, targeting Kyiv and several other regions in…