HIPG and Al-Futtaim Logistics Explore Stronger Gulf Vehicle Links and Port Investment Opportunities

Nov 8, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
HIPG and Al-Futtaim Logistics Explore Stronger Gulf Vehicle Links and Port Investment Opportunities

COLOMBO, November 8, 2026 — Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Al-Futtaim Logistics have explored expanding their business relationship, including vehicle shipping links to Gulf…

Passenger Drone Test Flights Begin at Colombo Port City Ahead of November 11 Demonstration

Nov 8, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Passenger Drone Test Flights Begin at Colombo Port City Ahead of November 11 Demonstration

COLOMBO, November 8, 2026 — Passenger drones are undergoing test flights at Colombo Port City ahead of an official demonstration on November 11, as Sri…

John Keells Forum Explores Property and Equity Investment Strategies for Long-Term Wealth

Nov 7, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
John Keells Forum Explores Property and Equity Investment Strategies for Long-Term Wealth

COLOMBO, November 7, 2026 — John Keells Properties and John Keells Stock Brokers brought together real estate, capital markets and wealth management professionals at ‘The…

Colombo Stocks End Week Higher as ASPI Gains 5.4%; Daily Turnover Averages Rs. 3 Billion

Nov 7, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks End Week Higher as ASPI Gains 5.4%; Daily Turnover Averages Rs. 3 Billion

COLOMBO, November 7, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange ended the week on a positive note, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) gaining 5.4%…

Sri Lanka’s Official Reserves Top US$7 Billion in October, Rising 3.2%

Nov 7, 2026 1 week ago 1 min read
Sri Lanka’s Official Reserves Top US$7 Billion in October, Rising 3.2%

COLOMBO, November 7, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets rose to US$7.086 billion at the end of October 2026, crossing the US$7 billion threshold…

Budget 2027 Targets Rs. 6.18 Trillion in Revenue and Grants, Deficit at 4.5% of GDP

COLOMBO, November 13, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s 2027 Budget estimates total government revenue and grants at Rs. 6,180 billion, with…

BIZ BREAKING

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

Oct 15, 2026 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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

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

Oct 19, 2026 4 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…

Sri Lanka’s AML Reforms Put Investor Confidence and International Banking Access in Focus

Oct 18, 2026 4 weeks ago 5 min read
Sri Lanka’s AML Reforms Put Investor Confidence and International Banking Access in Focus

COLOMBO, October 18, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering (AML) controls and improve corporate transparency are gaining importance ahead of an upcoming…

Prime Lands and Melwa Join Hands for Mixed-Use Development in Port City Colombo

Oct 17, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
Prime Lands and Melwa Join Hands for Mixed-Use Development in Port City Colombo

COLOMBO, October 17, 2026 — Sri Lankan developers Prime Lands and Melwa have signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) for a new mixed-use development…

Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Council Targets US$ 1 Billion Bilateral Trade by 2030

Oct 16, 2026 1 month 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,…

ECONOMY

2027 Appropriation Bill Presented to Parliament as Budget Process Begins

Oct 7, 2026 1 month 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…

Sri Lanka Economy Returns to Pre-Crisis Levels, but Recovery Remains Uneven – World Bank

Oct 6, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
Sri Lanka Economy Returns to Pre-Crisis Levels, but Recovery Remains Uneven – World Bank

COLOMBO, October 6, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s economy has returned to pre-crisis levels, marking a major milestone in the country’s recovery, but the benefits of…

Sri Lanka’s Tax Revenue Surpasses Rs. 2 Trillion in First Nine Months of 2026

Oct 3, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka’s Tax Revenue Surpasses Rs. 2 Trillion in First Nine Months of 2026

COLOMBO, October 3, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) collected more than Rs. 2.04 trillion in tax revenue during the first nine months…

Sri Lanka Plans Simpler Tax System, Customs Levies to Be Phased Out From 2027

Oct 2, 2026 1 month 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…

MARKETS

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

Oct 7, 2026 1 month 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 1 month 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…

Banking Strength Fails to Reverse CSE Slide as ASPI Falls 42 Points

Oct 3, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
Banking Strength Fails to Reverse CSE Slide as ASPI Falls 42 Points

COLOMBO, October 3, 2026 — Strength in banking and financial counters failed to offset broader selling pressure at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday, with…

CSE Snaps Six-Session Losing Streak as Buying Interest Improves

Oct 2, 2026 1 month 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…

NATION

Rs. 3.09 Billion Surgical Ward Complex Planned for Tangalle Hospital

Oct 17, 2026 4 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 1 month 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…

Sri Lanka Wins Leading Wellness Destination Award at SATA 2026

Oct 15, 2026 1 month 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 1 month 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…

world

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

Oct 13, 2026 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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…

Trump Rules Out US Attack on Iran Before November Midterm Elections

Oct 9, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Trump Rules Out US Attack on Iran Before November Midterm Elections

WASHINGTON, October 9, 2026 — US President Donald Trump has ruled out a US attack on Iran before the November 3 congressional midterm elections, saying…