Lula Wins Brazil’s Presidential Runoff to Secure Fourth Term

Oct 26, 2026 6 days ago 1 min read
Lula Wins Brazil’s Presidential Runoff to Secure Fourth Term

BRASÍLIA, October 26, 2026 — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won reelection, defeating right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a presidential runoff, according…

Sri Lankan Firms Explore Maldives Hospitality Market at Hotel Asia 2026

Oct 24, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Sri Lankan Firms Explore Maldives Hospitality Market at Hotel Asia 2026

COLOMBO, October 24, 2026 — Sri Lankan companies showcased hospitality products and services at Hotel Asia 2026 in the Maldives, seeking new buyers, business partnerships…

Colombo Stocks End Week Lower as ASPI Loses 2.5%; Daily Turnover Averages Rs. 972 Million

Oct 24, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks End Week Lower as ASPI Loses 2.5%; Daily Turnover Averages Rs. 972 Million

COLOMBO, October 24, 2026 — Colombo stocks ended the week in negative territory, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) declining by 2.5% and the…

All Three Norochcholai Units Reconnected to National Grid Following October 17 Outage

Oct 24, 2026 1 week ago 1 min read
All Three Norochcholai Units Reconnected to National Grid Following October 17 Outage

COLOMBO, October 24, 2026 — All three generating units at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant have been successfully reconnected to Sri Lanka’s national grid after…

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…

BIZ BREAKING

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

Sep 30, 2026 1 month 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 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…

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 1 month 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 1 month 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

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

Sep 30, 2026 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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…

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…