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

Oct 21, 2026 5 days 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…

PUCSL Approves Power Cuts Across Four Groups for October 21

Oct 21, 2026 5 days ago 1 min read
PUCSL Approves Power Cuts Across Four Groups for October 21

COLOMBO, October 21, 2026 — Scheduled power interruptions will affect four electricity supply groups in Sri Lanka today as part of measures to manage electricity…

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

Oct 20, 2026 6 days 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…

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

Oct 20, 2026 6 days 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…

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

Oct 20, 2026 6 days 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…

BIZ BREAKING

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 4 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…

Rs.160 Million Diesel Discrepancy at Lakvijaya Power Plant Triggers Internal Probe

Sep 30, 2026 4 weeks ago 4 min read
Rs.160 Million Diesel Discrepancy at Lakvijaya Power Plant Triggers Internal Probe

COLOMBO, September 30, 2026 — An internal investigation has been launched into a diesel discrepancy exceeding Rs.160 million at the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai, raising concerns over fuel inventory controls, financial accountability and the management of public resources used…

BUSINESS

Prime Expands Sri Lankan Real Estate’s Global Reach, Driving FDI and Foreign Currency Inflows

Oct 8, 2026 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 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 4 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…

CBSL Holds Policy Rate at 8.75% as Inflation and External Risks Persist

Sep 30, 2026 4 weeks ago 4 min read
CBSL Holds Policy Rate at 8.75% as Inflation and External Risks Persist

COLOMBO, September 30, 2026 — The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has kept its Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged at 8.75%, opting to maintain…

Rupee Weakens Against Dollar as Selling Rates Move Towards Rs. 335

Sep 28, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
Rupee Weakens Against Dollar as Selling Rates Move Towards Rs. 335

COLOMBO, September 28, 2026 — The Sri Lankan Rupee weakened further against the US Dollar at several commercial banks today, with dollar selling rates moving…

MARKETS

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 4 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 4 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…

CSE Ends Lower as Dialog Axiata and Richard Pieris Weigh on Indices

Sep 25, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
CSE Ends Lower as Dialog Axiata and Richard Pieris Weigh on Indices

COLOMBO, September 25, 2026 — Sri Lankan equities ended the session in negative territory as selling pressure on key counters including Dialog Axiata, Richard Pieris…

NATION

Sri Lanka-Thailand Visa-Free Travel Agreement Gets Cabinet Approval

Oct 6, 2026 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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

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 4 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…

US Forces Complete Iraq Withdrawal, Raising Concerns Over Iran’s Growing Influence

Sep 30, 2026 4 weeks ago 4 min read
US Forces Complete Iraq Withdrawal, Raising Concerns Over Iran’s Growing Influence

BAGHDAD, September 30, 2026 — The United States is completing the withdrawal of its forces from their remaining bases in Iraq, ending more than two…

Cathay Pacific Extends Middle East Passenger Flight Suspensions to January 2027

Sep 29, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
Cathay Pacific Extends Middle East Passenger Flight Suspensions to January 2027

HONG KONG, September 28, 2026 — Cathay Pacific has extended the suspension of its passenger services to parts of the Middle East, cancelling flights to…