Oil Plunges More Than US$7 as Trump Signals Restraint on Iran Strikes

Nov 10, 2026 4 days ago 3 min read
Oil Plunges More Than US$7 as Trump Signals Restraint on Iran Strikes

NEW YORK, November 10, 2026 — Oil prices fell sharply on Monday, with Brent crude extending losses beyond US$7 a barrel after settlement, as US…

EDB Recognises Sri Lanka Expo 2027 Partners Ahead of Major International Trade Exhibition

Nov 9, 2026 4 days ago 2 min read
EDB Recognises Sri Lanka Expo 2027 Partners Ahead of Major International Trade Exhibition

COLOMBO, November 9, 2026 — The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) recognised local and international organisations supporting Sri Lanka Expo 2027 at a ceremony…

China Extends Suspension of 24% Additional Tariff on US Goods for Two Months

Nov 9, 2026 4 days ago 1 min read
China Extends Suspension of 24% Additional Tariff on US Goods for Two Months

BEIJING, November 9, 2026 — China will extend the suspension of an additional 24% tariff on imports from the United States for another two months…

Sri Lanka’s Remittances Reach US$735.6 Million in October; Ten-Month Inflows Top US$7.6 Billion

Nov 9, 2026 5 days ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka’s Remittances Reach US$735.6 Million in October; Ten-Month Inflows Top US$7.6 Billion

OLOMBO, November 9, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s workers’ remittances reached US$735.6 million in October, increasing 3.31% year-on-year and lifting cumulative inflows for the first ten…

Fitch Upgrades Commercial Bank to ‘AA(lka)’ Following National Rating Scale Recalibration

Nov 9, 2026 5 days ago 3 min read
Fitch Upgrades Commercial Bank to ‘AA(lka)’ Following National Rating Scale Recalibration

COLOMBO, November 9, 2026 — Fitch Ratings has upgraded Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘AA(lka)’ from ‘AA-(lka)’, effective October 30, 2026,…

Budget 2027 Targets Rs. 6.18 Trillion in Revenue and Grants, Deficit at 4.5% of GDP

COLOMBO, November 13, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s 2027 Budget estimates total government revenue and grants at Rs. 6,180 billion, with…

BIZ BREAKING

Union Bank’s Nine-Month Profit After Tax More Than Doubles to Rs. 701 Million

Oct 30, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
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 the nine months ended September 30, 2026, while profit before all taxes rose by 48% to Rs. 1.744 billion, supported…

Ceylon Chamber Urges Review of Draft Laws to Protect Investor Confidence and GSP+ Access

Oct 29, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Ceylon Chamber Urges Review of Draft Laws to Protect Investor Confidence and GSP+ Access

COLOMBO, October 29, 2026 — The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has called for a careful review of proposed national security and organised crime legislation, highlighting the need to safeguard investor confidence, business competitiveness and Sri Lanka’s continued access to European…

Sri Lanka Begins APG Review of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Framework

Oct 28, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Begins APG Review of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Framework

COLOMBO, October 28, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s third mutual evaluation by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) has commenced, with assessors examining the country’s safeguards against financial crime, legal reforms and the effectiveness of institutions responsible for protecting the…

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

Oct 27, 2026 2 weeks 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 of major technology earnings and interest rate decisions from leading central banks. South Korea’s technology-heavy…

BUSINESS

Sri Lanka Launches AgriConnect with US$665 Million in Investment Backing to Support Farmers and Agribusinesses

Oct 30, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Launches AgriConnect with US$665 Million in Investment Backing to Support Farmers and Agribusinesses

COLOMBO, October 30, 2026 — Sri Lanka has launched the AgriConnect Joint Implementation Plan with the World Bank Group and the International Fund for Agricultural…

Japan Grants Rs. 4.56 Billion for Kelani River Pumping Project to Protect Businesses and Communities

Oct 29, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Japan Grants Rs. 4.56 Billion for Kelani River Pumping Project to Protect Businesses and Communities

COLOMBO, October 29, 2026 — Japan has agreed to provide JPY 2.179 billion, approximately Rs. 4.56 billion, in grant assistance for a Kelani River pumping…

IMF Technology Chief Urges Strong Governance and Public Trust in AI-Driven Central Banking

Oct 28, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
IMF Technology Chief Urges Strong Governance and Public Trust in AI-Driven Central Banking

COLOMBO, October 28, 2026 — Central banks adopting artificial intelligence must prioritise public trust, strong governance and human oversight, IMF Chief Information Officer Shirin Hamid…

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

Oct 27, 2026 2 weeks 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…

ECONOMY

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

Oct 20, 2026 3 weeks 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…

Litro Gas Shipment Carrying 3,900 MT of LPG Scheduled to Arrive Today

Oct 18, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
Litro Gas Shipment Carrying 3,900 MT of LPG Scheduled to Arrive Today

COLOMBO, October 18, 2026 — Litro Gas Lanka Limited is expecting a shipment carrying 3,900 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to arrive in…

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

Oct 17, 2026 4 weeks 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…

Hambantota Port Handles Over 167,000 Vehicle Deliveries Amid Import Demand

Oct 16, 2026 4 weeks ago 3 min read
Hambantota Port Handles Over 167,000 Vehicle Deliveries Amid Import Demand

HAMBANTOTA, October 16, 2026 — Hambantota International Port (HIP) handled 167,569 vehicle deliveries between March 2025 and September 2026, highlighting its role in Sri Lanka’s…

MARKETS

Colombo Stocks Close Lower as Crossings Drive Turnover Above Rs. 1.5 Billion

Oct 22, 2026 3 weeks ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks Close Lower as Crossings Drive Turnover Above Rs. 1.5 Billion

COLOMBO, October 22, 2026 — Colombo stock market indices ended lower as price declines in Commercial Bank, Carson Cumberbatch and Hayleys weighed on the All…

Colombo Bourse Loses Rs. 324 Billion in October as ASPI Falls Below 20,000

Oct 21, 2026 3 weeks ago 2 min read
Colombo Bourse Loses Rs. 324 Billion in October as ASPI Falls Below 20,000

COLOMBO, October 21, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange’s total market capitalisation has fallen by nearly Rs. 324 billion since the beginning of October, with…

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

Oct 20, 2026 3 weeks 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…

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

Oct 17, 2026 4 weeks 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…

NATION

President Orders Faster Completion of Katunayake Airport Capacity Expansion Projects

Oct 28, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
President Orders Faster Completion of Katunayake Airport Capacity Expansion Projects

COLOMBO, October 28, 2026 — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to accelerate projects aimed at increasing passenger capacity and improving facilities at Katunayake…

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

Oct 27, 2026 3 weeks 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,…

Norochcholai’s Second Generating Unit Shut for Maintenance; No Power Disruptions Expected

Oct 26, 2026 3 weeks ago 1 min read
Norochcholai’s Second Generating Unit Shut for Maintenance; No Power Disruptions Expected

COLOMBO, October 26, 2026 — The second generating unit at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai has been taken offline for maintenance and repairs,…

All Three Norochcholai Units Reconnected to National Grid Following October 17 Outage

Oct 24, 2026 3 weeks ago 1 min read
All Three Norochcholai Units Reconnected to National Grid Following October 17 Outage

COLOMBO, October 24, 2026 — All three generating units at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant have been successfully reconnected to Sri Lanka’s national grid after…

world

Jio Surges 27% on Market Debut, Reaches US$137 Billion Valuation

Oct 29, 2026 2 weeks ago 3 min read
Jio Surges 27% on Market Debut, Reaches US$137 Billion Valuation

MUMBAI, October 29, 2026 — Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio Platforms climbed approximately 27% on its Mumbai stock market debut on Wednesday, reaching a valuation of…

Luxury World Cruise Suspended in Cambodia as Soaring Fuel Costs Strand Passengers

Oct 28, 2026 2 weeks ago 2 min read
Luxury World Cruise Suspended in Cambodia as Soaring Fuel Costs Strand Passengers

PHNOM PENH, October 28, 2026 — Passengers aboard the luxury residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey have been left stranded in Cambodia after its US-based…

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

Oct 27, 2026 2 weeks 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…

Lula Wins Brazil’s Presidential Runoff to Secure Fourth Term

Oct 26, 2026 3 weeks ago 1 min read
Lula Wins Brazil’s Presidential Runoff to Secure Fourth Term

BRASÍLIA, October 26, 2026 — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won reelection, defeating right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a presidential runoff, according…