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

Oct 23, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
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 as Houthi attacks in Saudi…

Hayleys Solar Launches 24/7 Operations Centre to Monitor Renewable Energy Assets

Oct 23, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Hayleys Solar Launches 24/7 Operations Centre to Monitor Renewable Energy Assets

COLOMBO, October 23, 2026 — Hayleys Solar has introduced a dedicated 24-hour Renewable Energy Operations Centre (ROC), bringing renewable energy assets onto a centralised digital…

Hambantota Port Targets Two Million TEU Capacity as Suez Return Opens New Opportunities

Oct 23, 2026 1 week ago 4 min read
Hambantota Port Targets Two Million TEU Capacity as Suez Return Opens New Opportunities

COLOMBO, October 23, 2026 — Hambantota International Port is preparing to increase its annual container handling capacity to two million TEUs in the first quarter…

Colombo Stocks End Lower as Crossings Account for 77.6% of Turnover

Oct 23, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks End Lower as Crossings Account for 77.6% of Turnover

COLOMBO, October 23, 2026 — Colombo stock market indices closed lower as price declines in Distilleries, Hatton National Bank and Dialog Axiata weighed on the…

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

Oct 22, 2026 1 week 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…

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…

BIZ BREAKING

Sri Lanka Targets Saudi Capital for New Investment and Development Partnerships

Sep 29, 2026 1 month 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.…

Ending IMF Engagement After 2027 Could Put Sri Lanka’s Economic Recovery at Risk

Sep 27, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
Ending IMF Engagement After 2027 Could Put Sri Lanka’s Economic Recovery at Risk

COLOMBO, September 27, 2026 — Sri Lanka could face renewed economic instability if it abandons its structural engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the current programme ends in 2027, the Dinana Dakuna collective has warned. In a statement,…

Sri Lanka to Exit IMF Programme in 2027 — What It Means for Businesses and Investors

Sep 26, 2026 1 month ago 6 min read
Sri Lanka to Exit IMF Programme in 2027 — What It Means for Businesses and Investors

COLOMBO, September 26, 2026 — Sri Lanka plans to complete its current International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme in March 2027 without seeking another IMF programme linked to debt restructuring, Minister Bimal Rathnayake has said. The planned…

Sri Lanka Approves Rs.17.2 Billion Electricity Relief Package Amid Cost Pressures

Sep 24, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Approves Rs.17.2 Billion Electricity Relief Package Amid Cost Pressures

COLOMBO, September 24, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s Parliament has approved a Rs.17.213 billion supplementary allocation to provide financial relief on electricity bills, in a move that could ease pressure on households and businesses while adding another significant policy intervention to…

BUSINESS

STC Expands Own-Brand Portfolio with Three New Products

Oct 4, 2026 4 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…

Pan Asia Bank’s Rs. 5 Billion Debenture Issue Oversubscribed on Strong Investor Demand

Oct 3, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
Pan Asia Bank’s Rs. 5 Billion Debenture Issue Oversubscribed on Strong Investor Demand

B D A Perera, Chairman and Naleen Edirisinghe Director/CEO of Pan Asia Bank COLOMBO, October 3, 2026 — Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC has secured…

ADB Approves $100 Million Loan to Strengthen Sri Lanka’s Skills and Youth Employment

Oct 2, 2026 4 weeks ago 3 min read
ADB Approves $100 Million Loan to Strengthen Sri Lanka’s Skills and Youth Employment

COLOMBO, October 2, 2026 — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to modernise its…

Port City Colombo Steps Up Gulf Investment Drive Across UAE, Oman and Qatar

Oct 1, 2026 4 weeks ago 4 min read
Port City Colombo Steps Up Gulf Investment Drive Across UAE, Oman and Qatar

ABU DHABI, October 1, 2026 — Port City Colombo is intensifying efforts to attract Gulf capital into Sri Lanka, with a seven-day investment roadshow across…

ECONOMY

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

Sep 27, 2026 1 month 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…

Expressway Revenue Loss Tops Rs. 4.6 Billion as Audit Flags Major Financial and Control Gaps

Sep 25, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
Expressway Revenue Loss Tops Rs. 4.6 Billion as Audit Flags Major Financial and Control Gaps

COLOMBO, September 25, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s expressway network suffered more than Rs. 4.6 billion in revenue losses over a period of four years and…

IPS Outlines Sectoral Reforms to Put Sri Lanka on a Durable Growth Path

Sep 23, 2026 1 month ago 7 min read
IPS Outlines Sectoral Reforms to Put Sri Lanka on a Durable Growth Path

COLOMBO, September 23, 2026 — Sri Lanka needs to move beyond crisis management and accelerate structural reforms across trade, taxation, human capital, social protection, agriculture,…

Sri Lanka’s Apparel Sector Targets the Next US$3 Billion in Export Growth

Sep 20, 2026 1 month ago 5 min read
Sri Lanka’s Apparel Sector Targets the Next US$3 Billion in Export Growth

COLOMBO, September 20, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is setting its sights on a major new phase of growth, with industry leaders seeking to…

MARKETS

Fitch upgrade lifts CSE as ASPI rebounds above 21,000

Sep 23, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Fitch upgrade lifts CSE as ASPI rebounds above 21,000

COLOMBO, September 23, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange rebounded on 22 September 2026, with both benchmark indices closing higher after sentiment improved sharply during…

Global Oil Stays Above US$100 as Sri Lanka Holds Fuel Prices Amid Rising Business Costs

Sep 20, 2026 1 month ago 6 min read
Global Oil Stays Above US$100 as Sri Lanka Holds Fuel Prices Amid Rising Business Costs

COLOMBO, September 20, 2026 — Sri Lankan businesses are facing renewed cost pressures as international crude oil prices remain above US$100 a barrel, raising the…

CSE Ends Higher as Dialog Axiata, Melstacorp and Hayleys Gain

Sep 19, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
CSE Ends Higher as Dialog Axiata, Melstacorp and Hayleys Gain

COLOMBO, September 19, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed higher, supported by price gains in counters including Dialog Axiata, Melstacorp and Hayleys, while…

CSE Indices End Lower as Key Stocks Decline

Sep 18, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
CSE Indices End Lower as Key Stocks Decline

COLOMBO, September 18, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) ended the session in negative territory, with both major indices coming under pressure as several…

NATION

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

Oct 3, 2026 4 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…

Rs. 22 Billion Uma Oya Development Project to Benefit 5,000 Families

Oct 2, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
Rs. 22 Billion Uma Oya Development Project to Benefit 5,000 Families

COLOMBO, October 2, 2026 — A Rs. 22.017 billion development project aimed at strengthening irrigation and water security in Monaragala is expected to benefit approximately…

Paperless Customs Declaration Process Takes Effect Across Sri Lanka

Oct 1, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
Paperless Customs Declaration Process Takes Effect Across Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, October 1, 2026 — Sri Lanka Customs has officially introduced its new Paperless Customs Declaration Process, marking a major step towards digitalising and modernising…

Sri Lanka and Australia Agree to Deepen Cooperation in Trade, Defence and Maritime Affairs

Sep 30, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka and Australia Agree to Deepen Cooperation in Trade, Defence and Maritime Affairs

COLOMBO, September 30, 2026 — Sri Lanka and Australia have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across trade, defence, education, agriculture and maritime affairs following high-level…

world

Netanyahu Defends Israel’s Military Actions as Dozens of UN Delegates Walk Out

Sep 25, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
Netanyahu Defends Israel’s Military Actions as Dozens of UN Delegates Walk Out

NEW YORK, September 25, 2026 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s military actions in Gaza and against Iran during a speech to the…

Australia Investigates OpenAI Agent Breach of Government Health Data Portal

Sep 24, 2026 1 month ago 5 min read
Australia Investigates OpenAI Agent Breach of Government Health Data Portal

SYDNEY, September 24, 2026 — Australia has launched an investigation after an OpenAI artificial intelligence agent gained unauthorised access to a government health data portal…

Trump Threatens Iran With Destruction as Diplomats Push for Deal at UN

Sep 23, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
Trump Threatens Iran With Destruction as Diplomats Push for Deal at UN

NEW YORK, September 23, 2026 — US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face devastating military action if Tehran fails to reach a…

Canada, India Push to Finalise Trade Deal by Year-End

Sep 20, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Canada, India Push to Finalise Trade Deal by Year-End

MUMBAI, September 20, 2026 — Canada remains optimistic about concluding negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India by the end of this…