Rs. 3.09 Billion Surgical Ward Complex Planned for Tangalle Hospital

Oct 17, 2026 6 days 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…

CSE Closes Higher as Dialog Axiata, Distilleries Lead Gains; Weekly Indices Remain Lower

Oct 17, 2026 6 days ago 2 min read
CSE Closes Higher as Dialog Axiata, Distilleries Lead Gains; Weekly Indices Remain Lower

COLOMBO, October 17, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s stock market ended the week on a positive note, with gains in counters such as Dialog Axiata, Distilleries…

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

Oct 17, 2026 6 days 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…

Sri Lanka Seeks EU Investment Under €300 Billion Global Gateway Initiative

Oct 16, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Seeks EU Investment Under €300 Billion Global Gateway Initiative

COLOMBO, October 16, 2026 — Sri Lanka has sought European Union (EU) investment to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), develop startup incubators and expand…

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

Oct 16, 2026 1 week 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,…

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

Sri Lanka Targets Bigger Role in Asia’s Trade and Investment Networks

Sep 20, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka Targets Bigger Role in Asia’s Trade and Investment Networks

COLOMBO, September 20, 2026 — Sri Lanka is stepping up efforts to strengthen its position within Asia’s expanding trade and investment networks as the country seeks to attract greater foreign investment and expand its role in regional supply chains. With…

Sri Lanka Connects First Grid-Scale Battery Storage Facility to National Grid

Sep 19, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Connects First Grid-Scale Battery Storage Facility to National Grid

COLOMBO, September 19, 2026 — Sri Lanka has connected its first grid-scale standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to the national electricity grid, marking a significant development in the country’s renewable energy and power infrastructure sector. The 10 MW/40 MWh…

WindForce Boosts Renewable Portfolio to 268 MW with Battery Storage and Floating Solar

Sep 18, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
WindForce Boosts Renewable Portfolio to 268 MW with Battery Storage and Floating Solar

COLOMBO, September 18, 2026 — Renewable energy producer WindForce PLC has expanded its total generation capacity to approximately 268 MW following the commissioning of two new clean-energy projects, including what the company describes as Sri Lanka’s first standalone grid-scale battery…

Cabinet Approves US$112 Million Waterfront Investment in Colombo Port City

Sep 16, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Cabinet Approves US$112 Million Waterfront Investment in Colombo Port City

COLOMBO, September 16, 2026 — The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a major investment proposal that will see Prime Melwa (Pvt) Ltd develop a landmark mixed-use waterfront project within Colombo Port City. The company has been approved for designation as…

BUSINESS

Electricity Tariff Cuts Remain Without Firm Timeline as Sri Lanka Expands Renewables

Sep 28, 2026 4 weeks ago 3 min read
Electricity Tariff Cuts Remain Without Firm Timeline as Sri Lanka Expands Renewables

COLOMBO, September 28, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s Government has yet to set a firm timeline for electricity tariff reductions, with Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka saying…

Sri Lanka sets sights on 4 million tourists and US$8 billion tourism revenue by 2030

Sep 27, 2026 4 weeks ago 4 min read
Sri Lanka sets sights on 4 million tourists and US$8 billion tourism revenue by 2030

COLOMBO, September 27, 2026 — Sri Lanka is targeting four million tourist arrivals and US$8 billion in annual tourism revenue by 2030, as the Government…

Iran Offers Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Within Seven Days, Raising Hopes for Oil Market Relief

Sep 26, 2026 4 weeks ago 5 min read
Iran Offers Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Within Seven Days, Raising Hopes for Oil Market Relief

NEW YORK, September 26, 2026 — Iran has offered the United States a potential agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days,…

Fairway Expands East Coast Footprint with Trincomalee Beach Resort Takeover

Sep 25, 2026 4 weeks ago 4 min read
Fairway Expands East Coast Footprint with Trincomalee Beach Resort Takeover

TRINCOMALEE, September 25, 2026 — Fairway Holdings is expanding its presence in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry with a long-term hotel management agreement for Trincomalee Beach…

ECONOMY

IMF Commends Sri Lanka’s Fiscal Progress as Seventh Review Continues

Sep 18, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
IMF Commends Sri Lanka’s Fiscal Progress as Seventh Review Continues

COLOMBO, September 18, 2026 — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended Sri Lanka’s recent progress in maintaining fiscal discipline, increasing government revenue and attracting…

CBSL Exchange Rates: US Dollar Selling Rate Rises to Rs. 336.92

Sep 17, 2026 1 month ago 1 min read
CBSL Exchange Rates: US Dollar Selling Rate Rises to Rs. 336.92

The Sri Lankan Rupee weakened slightly against the US Dollar on Thursday (17), with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) reporting an increase in…

Sri Lanka Economy Grows 4.2% in Second Quarter of 2026

Sep 16, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Economy Grows 4.2% in Second Quarter of 2026

COLOMBO, September 16, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s economy expanded by 4.2% year-on-year during the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest National Accounts Estimates…

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Reserves Rise to US$6.9 Billion on Record Dollar Purchases

Sep 14, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Reserves Rise to US$6.9 Billion on Record Dollar Purchases

Sri Lanka’s gross official foreign reserves increased to a provisional US$6.9 billion by the end of August 2026, reaching their highest level in five months…

MARKETS

Aitken Spence Hotels’ Rs. 5 Billion Debenture Issue Fully Taken Up on Opening Day

Sep 16, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Aitken Spence Hotels’ Rs. 5 Billion Debenture Issue Fully Taken Up on Opening Day

COLOMBO, September 16, 2026 — Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC has successfully secured strong investor demand for its maiden listed, rated, unsecured, senior redeemable debenture…

Asia Asset Finance Raises Rs. 1.5 Billion Through Rights Issue

Sep 14, 2026 1 month ago 1 min read
Asia Asset Finance Raises Rs. 1.5 Billion Through Rights Issue

Sri Lanka’s Asia Asset Finance PLC has raised approximately Rs. 1.5 billion through a rights issue, strengthening its capital base as the company moves forward…

NATION

Minister Sunil Handunnetti joins Ceylon Gemlogue ’26 as Sri Lanka charts new direction for gem industry

Sep 27, 2026 4 weeks ago 4 min read
Minister Sunil Handunnetti joins Ceylon Gemlogue ’26 as Sri Lanka charts new direction for gem industry

COLOMBO, September 27, 2026 — Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti attended the inaugural session of Ceylon Gemlogue ’26 in Colombo today, as…

Adverse Weather Affects Nearly 3,500 People Across 15 Districts

Sep 27, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
Adverse Weather Affects Nearly 3,500 People Across 15 Districts

COLOMBO, September 27, 2026 — Adverse weather conditions have affected 3,495 people from 943 families across 104 Divisional Secretariat (DS) divisions in 15 districts, according…

Met Department Issues Amber Advisory Over High Waves Along Sri Lankan Coast

Sep 26, 2026 4 weeks ago 1 min read
Met Department Issues Amber Advisory Over High Waves Along Sri Lankan Coast

COLOMBO, September 26, 2026 — The Department of Meteorology has issued an “Amber” advisory for high waves covering sea areas from Chilaw to Pottuvil, including…

Parliament to Vote Today on 22nd Amendment and Judicature Amendment Bills

Sep 25, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
Parliament to Vote Today on 22nd Amendment and Judicature Amendment Bills

COLOMBO, September 25, 2026 — Parliament is scheduled to vote today on the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill, as…

world

Singapore Airlines Named World’s Best Airline for 2026

Sep 19, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Singapore Airlines Named World’s Best Airline for 2026

LONDON, September 18, 2026 — Singapore Airlines (SIA) has been named the World’s Best Airline for 2026 at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, reclaiming the…

India Steps Up Push to Become Global Semiconductor Manufacturing Hub

Sep 18, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
India Steps Up Push to Become Global Semiconductor Manufacturing Hub

NEW DELHI, September 18, 2026 — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stepped up efforts to position India as a major global destination for semiconductor…

Oil Prices Set for Weekly Decline as Saudi Supply Concerns Ease

Sep 18, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Decline as Saudi Supply Concerns Ease

LONDON, September 18, 2026 — Global oil prices are heading for a weekly decline after three consecutive weeks of gains, as concerns over disruptions to…

Zhang Yiming Becomes Asia’s Richest Person Driven by ByteDance’s AI Surge

Sep 17, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Zhang Yiming Becomes Asia’s Richest Person Driven by ByteDance’s AI Surge

Zhang Yiming, the 43-year-old founder of TikTok parent company ByteDance, has officially become Asia’s wealthiest individual with a net worth surpassing $105 billion. His personal…