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

Oct 20, 2026 4 days 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…

China Merchants’ Exit from US$392 Million Colombo Logistics Project Raises Investment Concerns

Oct 20, 2026 4 days ago 4 min read
China Merchants’ Exit from US$392 Million Colombo Logistics Project Raises Investment Concerns

COLOMBO, October 20, 2026 — China Merchants Port Holdings’ withdrawal from a US$392 million logistics development at the Port of Colombo has raised concerns over…

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

Oct 20, 2026 4 days 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…

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

Oct 19, 2026 6 days 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…

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

Oct 19, 2026 6 days 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…

Brent Crude Hits Five-Month High of US$113.17 as Houthi Attacks Raise Supply Fears

COLOMBO, October 23, 2026 — Global oil prices rose sharply on Thursday, with Brent crude reaching a five-month closing high…

BIZ BREAKING

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…

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…

Sri Lanka Targets Saudi Capital for New Investment and Development Partnerships

Sep 29, 2026 4 weeks ago 5 min read
Sri Lanka Targets Saudi Capital for New Investment and Development Partnerships

COLOMBO, September 29, 2026 — Sri Lanka is stepping up efforts to attract Saudi investment into new development projects, seeking to transform its longstanding relationship with the Kingdom into a broader commercial partnership spanning investment, trade, infrastructure and private-sector development.…

BUSINESS

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 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…

STC Expands Own-Brand Portfolio with Three New Products

Oct 4, 2026 3 weeks ago 3 min read
STC Expands Own-Brand Portfolio with Three New Products

STC Management team with chief guest: From left: Wasantha Dissanayake, Private Secretary to the Minister; Ravindra Fernando, Chairman/Managing Director, Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation…

ECONOMY

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…

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…

Fitch Upgrade Signals Improving Confidence in Sri Lanka’s Post-Crisis Economy

Sep 27, 2026 4 weeks ago 4 min read
Fitch Upgrade Signals Improving Confidence in Sri Lanka’s Post-Crisis Economy

COLOMBO, September 27, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s latest sovereign credit-rating upgrade by Fitch Ratings is strengthening the country’s position in international financial markets, marking another…

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 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 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 4 weeks 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

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,…

Sri Lanka’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 4% in Q2 2026

Oct 3, 2026 3 weeks ago 1 min read
Sri Lanka’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 4% in Q2 2026

COLOMBO, October 3, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s unemployment rate increased to 4.0% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 3.8% during the corresponding quarter…

world

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…

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…

Iran Pushes for Diplomacy After Trump Rejects Hormuz Peace Proposal

Sep 27, 2026 4 weeks ago 4 min read
Iran Pushes for Diplomacy After Trump Rejects Hormuz Peace Proposal

NEW YORK, September 27, 2026 — Iran is continuing to call for a negotiated settlement to its conflict with the United States and Israel after…