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

Oct 30, 2026 5 days 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…

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

Oct 30, 2026 6 days 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…

CSE Recovery Enters Third Session as ASPI Jumps 297 Points Above 20,250

Oct 30, 2026 6 days ago 2 min read
CSE Recovery Enters Third Session as ASPI Jumps 297 Points Above 20,250

COLOMBO, October 30, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange extended its recovery for a third consecutive session on October 29, with broad-based buying lifting the…

Centrum Air Connects Tashkent and Mattala with Twice-Weekly Direct Flights

Oct 30, 2026 6 days ago 3 min read
Centrum Air Connects Tashkent and Mattala with Twice-Weekly Direct Flights

COLOMBO, October 30, 2026 — Uzbekistan’s Centrum Air has introduced direct scheduled flights between Tashkent and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, expanding Sri Lanka’s connections with…

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

Oct 29, 2026 6 days 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…

BIZ BREAKING

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

Oct 15, 2026 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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

“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 4 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 4 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 4 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…

MARKETS

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

Oct 9, 2026 4 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 4 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…

CSE Closes Mixed as ASPI Edges Higher While S&P SL20 Declines

Oct 7, 2026 4 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 4 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…

NATION

Sri Lanka Wins Leading Wellness Destination Award at SATA 2026

Oct 15, 2026 3 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 3 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…

Sri Lanka to Provide Rs. 6,000 Stationery Allowance to 1.5 Million Students in 2027

Oct 13, 2026 3 weeks ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka to Provide Rs. 6,000 Stationery Allowance to 1.5 Million Students in 2027

COLOMBO, October 13, 2026 — The Government has approved the continuation of its school stationery assistance programme for 2027, providing Rs. 6,000 each to 1.5…

Sri Lanka Launches Second King Coconut Village in Badulla Under National Export Drive

Oct 12, 2026 3 weeks ago 4 min read
Sri Lanka Launches Second King Coconut Village in Badulla Under National Export Drive

BADULLA, October 12, 2026 — Sri Lanka has launched its second king coconut village in Badulla District as the Government advances a nationwide programme to…

world

Apple Unveils HomeView Smart Home Hub With Upgraded Siri AI, Intensifying Tech Competition

Oct 14, 2026 3 weeks ago 4 min read
Apple Unveils HomeView Smart Home Hub With Upgraded Siri AI, Intensifying Tech Competition

CUPERTINO, October 14, 2026 — Apple has unveiled a new range of smart home devices led by HomeView, a $299 touchscreen hub powered by an…

US Hopes Russian Diesel Deal Will Help Bring Moscow Back to Ukraine Peace Talks

Oct 13, 2026 3 weeks ago 7 min read
US Hopes Russian Diesel Deal Will Help Bring Moscow Back to Ukraine Peace Talks

WASHINGTON, October 13, 2026 — The Trump administration is seeking to use a controversial deal allowing Russian diesel exports to encourage Moscow to resume negotiations…

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…