Asian Stocks Rally as Anthropic IPO Filing Revives AI Optimism Ahead of Major Earnings

Oct 27, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Asian Stocks Rally as Anthropic IPO Filing Revives AI Optimism Ahead of Major Earnings

COLOMBO, October 27, 2026 — Asian equity markets rallied on Tuesday as Anthropic’s US initial public offering filing renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence investments, ahead…

LAUGFS Gas Explores Investment and Potential Stake Sale in Hambantota LPG Terminal

Oct 27, 2026 1 week ago 1 min read
LAUGFS Gas Explores Investment and Potential Stake Sale in Hambantota LPG Terminal

COLOMBO, October 27, 2026 — LAUGFS Gas PLC is exploring strategic options for its wholly owned subsidiary, LAUGFS Terminals Limited, including commercial partnerships, external investment…

Sri Lanka’s Exports Reach US$13.6 Billion in Nine Months as September Sets Monthly Record

Oct 27, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka’s Exports Reach US$13.6 Billion in Nine Months as September Sets Monthly Record

COLOMBO, October 27, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s total export earnings reached US$13.612 billion during the first nine months of 2026, supported by a record monthly…

Bolsonaro’s Party Recognises Lula Victory as Trump Questions Brazil Election Without Evidence

Oct 27, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Bolsonaro’s Party Recognises Lula Victory as Trump Questions Brazil Election Without Evidence

BRASÍLIA, October 27, 2026 — The Liberal Party of defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro has recognised Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s runoff victory, even…

Sri Lanka Navy Officer Honoured for Near-Perfect GPA and Awards at US Naval Postgraduate School

Oct 27, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka Navy Officer Honoured for Near-Perfect GPA and Awards at US Naval Postgraduate School

COLOMBO, October 27, 2026 — Sri Lanka Navy Lieutenant Commander Piyumi Kathriarachchi has been recognised for graduating with honours from the US Naval Postgraduate School,…

BIZ BREAKING

Govt Opens Rs. 95 Billion Financing Push for Businesses in Record Credit Drive

Oct 2, 2026 1 month 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 1 month 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 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.…

BUSINESS

City of Dreams Sri Lanka to Host Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Strengthening Colombo’s Regional Creative Position

Oct 6, 2026 4 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 4 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 1 month 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 1 month 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…

ECONOMY

Rupee Weakens Against Dollar as Selling Rates Move Towards Rs. 335

Sep 28, 2026 1 month 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 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,…

MARKETS

CSE Expands SME Capital-Market Access as Anuradhapura and Jaffna Businesses Explore New Funding Options

Sep 24, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
CSE Expands SME Capital-Market Access as Anuradhapura and Jaffna Businesses Explore New Funding Options

COLOMBO, September 24, 2026 — Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Anuradhapura and Jaffna are being introduced to alternative avenues for raising growth capital as…

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 2 months 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…

NATION

Govt. Targets Digital Connectivity for All Secondary Schools by Year-End: PM

Oct 4, 2026 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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…

world

India Approves $19 Billion Programme to Expand Renewable Energy Grid

Oct 2, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
India Approves $19 Billion Programme to Expand Renewable Energy Grid

NEW DELHI, October 2, 2026 — India’s Cabinet has approved a Rs. 1.86 trillion (US$19.42 billion) investment programme to strengthen the country’s power transmission network…

Russia Launches Largest Attack on Ukraine Energy Infrastructure Since Spring

Oct 1, 2026 1 month 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 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…