CAL Signs Deal to Acquire 51% of Hong Kong Fund Manager Asia Frontier Capital

Nov 3, 2026 7 days ago 3 min read
CAL Signs Deal to Acquire 51% of Hong Kong Fund Manager Asia Frontier Capital

COLOMBO, November 3, 2026 — Capital Alliance Holdings PLC (CAL) has signed an agreement to acquire a 51% stake in Hong Kong-based fund manager Asia…

Hayleys Solar Inaugurates Two Kosgama Projects with Combined Capacity of 5 MW

Nov 3, 2026 7 days ago 2 min read
Hayleys Solar Inaugurates Two Kosgama Projects with Combined Capacity of 5 MW

COLOMBO, November 3, 2026 — Hayleys Solar has inaugurated two ground-mounted solar power projects in Kosgama with a combined capacity of 5 MW, expanding its…

Fuel Import Costs Up 50%, Limiting Price Relief Despite Rs. 57 Billion Subsidy Allocation: Minister

Nov 3, 2026 7 days ago 2 min read
Fuel Import Costs Up 50%, Limiting Price Relief Despite Rs. 57 Billion Subsidy Allocation: Minister

COLOMBO, November 3, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s fuel import costs have increased by approximately 50% compared with last year, limiting the government’s ability to provide…

Oil Prices Rise After Reported US Strike on Iran’s Qeshm Island

Nov 3, 2026 7 days ago 2 min read
Oil Prices Rise After Reported US Strike on Iran’s Qeshm Island

COLOMBO, November 3, 2026 — Oil prices edged higher in early Asian trading on Tuesday after a report of US strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island…

Sri Lanka’s Exports Hit Record US$1.38 Billion, but September Current Account Posts US$128 Million Deficit

Nov 2, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka’s Exports Hit Record US$1.38 Billion, but September Current Account Posts US$128 Million Deficit

COLOMBO, November 2, 2026 — Sri Lanka recorded its highest-ever monthly merchandise export earnings of US$1.377 billion in September 2026, but the external current account…

JAAF Backs Fresh GSP+ Application to Protect Sri Lanka’s EU Market Access

COLOMBO, November 9, 2026 — The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) has welcomed the Government’s commitment to submit a fresh…

BIZ BREAKING

FCCISL and Department of Commerce Step Up Coordination to Drive Sri Lanka’s US$36 Billion Export Target

Oct 12, 2026 4 weeks 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…

EDB Appoints 24 Export Advisory Committees to Drive Sri Lanka’s US$36 Billion Export Target

Oct 9, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
EDB Appoints 24 Export Advisory Committees to Drive Sri Lanka’s US$36 Billion Export Target

Minister Sunil Handunnetti, EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe COLOMBO, October 9, 2026 — Sri Lanka has established 24 export advisory committees for 2026–2029 to help remove regulatory barriers, improve business competitiveness and accelerate progress towards its ambitious target of generating US$36 billion…

CBSL Survey Tracks Financial Sector Risks and Confidence in Sri Lanka’s Financial System

Oct 8, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
CBSL Survey Tracks Financial Sector Risks and Confidence in Sri Lanka’s Financial System

COLOMBO, October 8, 2026 — The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has released the key findings of its Systemic Risk Survey (SRS) for the second half of 2026, providing an updated assessment of how financial market participants view risks…

BOI Accelerates Northern Province Investment Drive with Two New Export Processing Zones

Oct 7, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
BOI Accelerates Northern Province Investment Drive with Two New Export Processing Zones

JAFFNA, October 7, 2026 — The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) is accelerating plans to transform the Northern Province into a new investment and export hub, with the proposed Export Processing Zones (EPZs) at Paranthan and Kankesanthurai (KKS)…

BUSINESS

Sri Lanka Takes EXPO 2027 Investment and Export Opportunities to Thai Business Community

Oct 14, 2026 4 weeks ago 4 min read
Sri Lanka Takes EXPO 2027 Investment and Export Opportunities to Thai Business Community

BANGKOK, October 14, 2026 — Sri Lanka is stepping up efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties with Thailand ahead of Sri Lanka EXPO 2027,…

Dipped Products Opens Rs. 4.2 Billion Glove Manufacturing Plant in Katunayake EPZ

Oct 13, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
Dipped Products Opens Rs. 4.2 Billion Glove Manufacturing Plant in Katunayake EPZ

KATUNAYAKE, October 13, 2026 — Dipped Products PLC (DPL), the Hayleys Group’s glove manufacturing business, has commenced operations at a new Rs. 4.2 billion manufacturing…

Sungrow Commissions Sri Lanka’s 10 MW/40 MWh Battery Storage Project in Galle

Oct 12, 2026 4 weeks ago 5 min read
Sungrow Commissions Sri Lanka’s 10 MW/40 MWh Battery Storage Project in Galle

GALLE, October 12, 2026 — Global renewable energy technology supplier Sungrow has commissioned a 10 MW/40 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) developed by WKV…

JETOUR Expands Sri Lankan Footprint with Second Showroom at Colombo City Centre

Oct 11, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
JETOUR Expands Sri Lankan Footprint with Second Showroom at Colombo City Centre

COLOMBO, October 11, 2026 — Chinese automotive brand JETOUR is expanding its retail presence in Sri Lanka with the opening of its second showroom at…

ECONOMY

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…

Fuel Prices Rise as New Rates Take Effect Across Sri Lanka

Oct 1, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Fuel Prices Rise as New Rates Take Effect Across Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, October 1, 2026 — Revised fuel prices have come into effect across Sri Lanka from today, with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) increasing the…

CBSL Holds Policy Rate at 8.75% as Inflation and External Risks Persist

Sep 30, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
CBSL Holds Policy Rate at 8.75% as Inflation and External Risks Persist

COLOMBO, September 30, 2026 — The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has kept its Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged at 8.75%, opting to maintain…

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…

MARKETS

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…

CSE Indices Close Lower as Turnover Tops Rs. 1.6 Billion

Oct 1, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
CSE Indices Close Lower as Turnover Tops Rs. 1.6 Billion

COLOMBO, October 1, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s stock market closed lower, with both benchmark indices ending in negative territory as price declines in key counters…

CSE Slips Below 21,000 as Turnover Hits Year-to-Date Low

Sep 29, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
CSE Slips Below 21,000 as Turnover Hits Year-to-Date Low

COLOMBO, September 28, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange started the week under pressure, with the benchmark ASPI falling below the 21,000 level as broad-based…

CSE Ends Lower as Dialog Axiata and Richard Pieris Weigh on Indices

Sep 25, 2026 2 months ago 3 min read
CSE Ends Lower as Dialog Axiata and Richard Pieris Weigh on Indices

COLOMBO, September 25, 2026 — Sri Lankan equities ended the session in negative territory as selling pressure on key counters including Dialog Axiata, Richard Pieris…

NATION

Rs. 12 Billion Hospital Complex Planned for Dambulla to Ease Overcrowding

Oct 11, 2026 4 weeks ago 2 min read
Rs. 12 Billion Hospital Complex Planned for Dambulla to Ease Overcrowding

DAMBULLA, October 11, 2026 — A new hospital complex estimated to cost Rs. 12 billion is planned for Dambulla to address overcrowding and space constraints…

Sri Lankan Scientist Themiya Nanayakkara Helps Discover Record-Breaking Radio Burst from 10 Billion Years Ago

Oct 9, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Sri Lankan Scientist Themiya Nanayakkara Helps Discover Record-Breaking Radio Burst from 10 Billion Years Ago

COLOMBO, October 9, 2026 — Sri Lankan scientist Themiya Nanayakkara has contributed to a landmark international astronomy discovery involving the oldest fast radio burst ever…

Sri Lanka-Thailand Visa-Free Travel Agreement Gets Cabinet Approval

Oct 6, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka-Thailand Visa-Free Travel Agreement Gets Cabinet Approval

COLOMBO, October 6, 2026 — The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to sign a visa exemption agreement between Sri Lanka and Thailand, allowing…

Energy Ministry Orders Companies to Maintain Minimum Fuel Stocks

Oct 6, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Energy Ministry Orders Companies to Maintain Minimum Fuel Stocks

COLOMBO, October 6, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s Energy Ministry has instructed relevant companies to maintain minimum fuel stock levels to ensure uninterrupted availability of petroleum…

world

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…

Trump Administration Proposes Up to $70,000 Fee for International Students Seeking Work Training

Oct 8, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Trump Administration Proposes Up to $70,000 Fee for International Students Seeking Work Training

WASHINGTON, October 8, 2026 — The Trump administration has proposed a major increase in fees for international students seeking work-based training in the United States,…

China’s Deflationary Pressures Deepen as Domestic Demand Remains Weak

Oct 6, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
China’s Deflationary Pressures Deepen as Domestic Demand Remains Weak

BEIJING, October 6, 2026 — China’s economic recovery is facing mounting pressure as weak domestic demand, persistent industrial overcapacity and a prolonged property downturn continue…

Trump Says Iran Has ‘Virtually Given Up’ Plans for Nuclear Weapons

Oct 4, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Trump Says Iran Has ‘Virtually Given Up’ Plans for Nuclear Weapons

WASHINGTON, October 4, 2026 — US President Donald Trump has said Iran has “virtually given up” plans to develop nuclear weapons, offering a potentially significant…