Port City Colombo Holds First India Investor Forum to Strengthen Bilateral Economic Ties

Nov 6, 2026 4 days ago 3 min read
Port City Colombo Holds First India Investor Forum to Strengthen Bilateral Economic Ties

COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — More than 200 business leaders, investors, policymakers and industry representatives gathered in Chennai for Port City Colombo’s inaugural investor forum…

Hemas H1 Revenue Rises 9.5% to Rs. 66.6 Billion as Strong Q2 Restores EBITDA Growth

Nov 6, 2026 4 days ago 3 min read
Hemas H1 Revenue Rises 9.5% to Rs. 66.6 Billion as Strong Q2 Restores EBITDA Growth

COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — Hemas Holdings PLC recorded revenue of Rs. 66.6 billion for the first half of FY2026/27, up 9.5% year-on-year, as a…

Nasdaq 100 Loses US$2.5 Trillion as Democrat Election Gains Deepen AI Investment Fears

Nov 6, 2026 4 days ago 3 min read
Nasdaq 100 Loses US$2.5 Trillion as Democrat Election Gains Deepen AI Investment Fears

NEW YORK, November 6, 2026 — A sharp selloff in technology stocks erased US$2.5 trillion from the Nasdaq 100 on Thursday as investors feared the…

JAT Holdings’ Revenue Rises 36% to Rs. 7.01 Billion as Foreign Operations More Than Double

Nov 5, 2026 5 days ago 4 min read
JAT Holdings’ Revenue Rises 36% to Rs. 7.01 Billion as Foreign Operations More Than Double

COLOMBO, November 5, 2026 — JAT Holdings PLC reported a 36% increase in Group revenue to Rs. 7.01 billion for the six months ended September…

Colombo Stocks Close Higher as Banking Gains Lift Turnover Above Rs. 3.9 Billion

Nov 5, 2026 5 days ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks Close Higher as Banking Gains Lift Turnover Above Rs. 3.9 Billion

COLOMBO, November 5, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange’s benchmark indices closed higher, supported by gains in Commercial Bank, Dialog Axiata and Hatton National Bank,…

CBSL Bars EY Audit Partners from Banking Audits Following Rs. 13.6 Billion NDB Fraud

COLOMBO, November 10, 2026 — The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has barred the Ernst & Young partners responsible for…

BIZ BREAKING

ADB Approves US$100 Million to Expand Livelihood Support and Social Protection in Sri Lanka

Oct 22, 2026 3 weeks ago 2 min read
ADB Approves US$100 Million to Expand Livelihood Support and Social Protection in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, October 22, 2026 — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved US$100 million in financing to strengthen Sri Lanka’s social protection system, expand economic opportunities for low-income households and improve care services for the elderly. The financing comprises a…

Sri Lanka’s Tea Export Earnings Top US$1 Billion as Rupee Revenue Rises Despite Dollar Decline

Oct 21, 2026 3 weeks ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka’s Tea Export Earnings Top US$1 Billion as Rupee Revenue Rises Despite Dollar Decline

COLOMBO, October 21, 2026 — Sri Lanka earned approximately US$1.083 billion from tea exports during the first nine months of 2026, crossing the billion-dollar mark despite lower shipment volumes and a decline from the US$1.163 billion recorded a year earlier.…

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

Oct 20, 2026 3 weeks 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 and growth-stage companies incorporated in Sri Lanka, with First Capital Holdings PLC committing Rs. 300…

Sri Lanka’s 2027 Budget Expenditure Set to Rise 12.6% to Rs. 4.99 Trillion

Oct 19, 2026 3 weeks ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka’s 2027 Budget Expenditure Set to Rise 12.6% to Rs. 4.99 Trillion

COLOMBO, October 19, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s total government expenditure is projected to increase by 12.6% to Rs. 4.993 trillion in 2027, from Rs. 4.434 trillion in 2026, with a sharp expansion in capital investment and an unchanged overall borrowing…

BUSINESS

NDB Reports Rs. 7.7 Billion Nine-Month Profit After Fraud Charges; Q3 Earnings Reach Rs. 2.9 Billion

Oct 22, 2026 3 weeks ago 3 min read
NDB Reports Rs. 7.7 Billion Nine-Month Profit After Fraud Charges; Q3 Earnings Reach Rs. 2.9 Billion

COLOMBO, October 22, 2026 — National Development Bank PLC (NDB) reported a post-tax profit of Rs. 7.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30,…

Access Engineering Expects Rs. 310 Million Company-Level Loss from Logistics Project Exit

Oct 21, 2026 3 weeks ago 2 min read
Access Engineering Expects Rs. 310 Million Company-Level Loss from Logistics Project Exit

COLOMBO, October 21, 2026 — Access Engineering PLC expects to recognise a loss of approximately Rs. 310 million in its standalone company financial statements following…

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

Oct 20, 2026 3 weeks 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…

SANKEN GEN Established as Independent International Group Following Five Decades of Construction Delivery Across Three Continents

Oct 19, 2026 3 weeks ago 3 min read
SANKEN GEN Established as Independent International Group Following Five Decades of Construction Delivery Across Three Continents

COLOMBO, October 19, 2026 — SANKEN GEN has been established as an independent international group, bringing together the Group’s overseas construction operations, real estate interests…

ECONOMY

MF Projects Sri Lanka’s Economic Growth to Moderate to 3.7% in 2027

Oct 13, 2026 4 weeks ago 3 min read
MF Projects Sri Lanka’s Economic Growth to Moderate to 3.7% in 2027

COLOMBO, October 13, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s economic growth is projected to ease to 3.7% in 2027 from an estimated 4% in 2026, according to…

President to Open Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026 as Focus Shifts to Growth and Investment

Oct 12, 2026 4 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 1 month 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 1 month 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…

MARKETS

CSE Closes in Red as Dialog Axiata and Key Counters Weigh on Indices

Oct 15, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
CSE Closes in Red as Dialog Axiata and Key Counters Weigh on Indices

COLOMBO, October 15, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) ended the trading session in negative territory, with declines in Dialog Axiata, Carson Cumberbatch and…

CSE Extends Losses as Dialog, Commercial Bank and HNB Weigh on Indices

Oct 14, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
CSE Extends Losses as Dialog, Commercial Bank and HNB Weigh on Indices

COLOMBO, October 14, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s stock market closed lower, with losses in heavyweight counters including Dialog Axiata, Commercial Bank and Hatton National Bank…

CSE Closes in Red as Hemas, LOLC Holdings and Cargills Weigh on Market Sentiment

Oct 13, 2026 4 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 1 month 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,…

NATION

Sri Lanka Records US$2.24 Billion in Tourism Earnings in First Nine Months

Oct 19, 2026 3 weeks ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka Records US$2.24 Billion in Tourism Earnings in First Nine Months

COLOMBO, October 19, 2026 — Sri Lanka generated US$2.245 billion in tourism earnings during the first nine months of 2026, although revenue from the sector…

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

Oct 17, 2026 3 weeks 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…

Rs. 3.09 Billion Surgical Ward Complex Planned for Tangalle Hospital

Oct 17, 2026 3 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 4 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…

world

Trump Says US Is Not Negotiating with Iran, Signals Developments ‘Fairly Soon’

Oct 22, 2026 3 weeks ago 2 min read
Trump Says US Is Not Negotiating with Iran, Signals Developments ‘Fairly Soon’

WASHINGTON, October 22, 2026 — US President Donald Trump said Washington is not negotiating with Iran and indicated that developments could come soon, as uncertainty…

China’s Third-Quarter Growth Reaches 4.5%, Narrowly Beating Forecasts

Oct 20, 2026 3 weeks ago 4 min read
China’s Third-Quarter Growth Reaches 4.5%, Narrowly Beating Forecasts

BEIJING, October 20, 2026 — China’s economy expanded by 4.5% in the third quarter, slightly exceeding market expectations as strong exports helped offset weak domestic…

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

Oct 18, 2026 3 weeks 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…

Oil Prices Hit $110 a Barrel as Middle East Tensions Raise Supply Concerns

Oct 17, 2026 3 weeks ago 5 min read
Oil Prices Hit $110 a Barrel as Middle East Tensions Raise Supply Concerns

LONDON, October 17, 2026 — Global oil prices have climbed to their highest levels in months, with Brent crude touching $110 a barrel for the…