Port City Colombo Holds First India Investor Forum to Strengthen Bilateral Economic Ties

Nov 6, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Port City Colombo Holds First India Investor Forum to Strengthen Bilateral Economic Ties

COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — More than 200 business leaders, investors, policymakers and industry representatives gathered in Chennai for Port City Colombo’s inaugural investor forum…

Hemas H1 Revenue Rises 9.5% to Rs. 66.6 Billion as Strong Q2 Restores EBITDA Growth

Nov 6, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Hemas H1 Revenue Rises 9.5% to Rs. 66.6 Billion as Strong Q2 Restores EBITDA Growth

COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — Hemas Holdings PLC recorded revenue of Rs. 66.6 billion for the first half of FY2026/27, up 9.5% year-on-year, as a…

Nasdaq 100 Loses US$2.5 Trillion as Democrat Election Gains Deepen AI Investment Fears

Nov 6, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Nasdaq 100 Loses US$2.5 Trillion as Democrat Election Gains Deepen AI Investment Fears

NEW YORK, November 6, 2026 — A sharp selloff in technology stocks erased US$2.5 trillion from the Nasdaq 100 on Thursday as investors feared the…

JAT Holdings’ Revenue Rises 36% to Rs. 7.01 Billion as Foreign Operations More Than Double

Nov 5, 2026 1 week ago 4 min read
JAT Holdings’ Revenue Rises 36% to Rs. 7.01 Billion as Foreign Operations More Than Double

COLOMBO, November 5, 2026 — JAT Holdings PLC reported a 36% increase in Group revenue to Rs. 7.01 billion for the six months ended September…

Colombo Stocks Close Higher as Banking Gains Lift Turnover Above Rs. 3.9 Billion

Nov 5, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks Close Higher as Banking Gains Lift Turnover Above Rs. 3.9 Billion

COLOMBO, November 5, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange’s benchmark indices closed higher, supported by gains in Commercial Bank, Dialog Axiata and Hatton National Bank,…

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 4 weeks 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 4 weeks 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

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 4 weeks 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,…

Home Lands Completes Piling for Port City’s Central Park Boulevard Ahead of Schedule

Oct 15, 2026 4 weeks ago 4 min read
Home Lands Completes Piling for Port City’s Central Park Boulevard Ahead of Schedule

COLOMBO, October 15, 2026 — Home Lands Group has completed 100% of piling work for its ultra-luxury residential development, Central Park Boulevard Port City Colombo,…

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,…

ECONOMY

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…

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…

MARKETS

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…

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 2 months 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…

NATION

Sri Lanka Wins Leading Wellness Destination Award at SATA 2026

Oct 15, 2026 4 weeks 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…

Sri Lanka to Provide Rs. 6,000 Stationery Allowance to 1.5 Million Students in 2027

Oct 13, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka to Provide Rs. 6,000 Stationery Allowance to 1.5 Million Students in 2027

COLOMBO, October 13, 2026 — The Government has approved the continuation of its school stationery assistance programme for 2027, providing Rs. 6,000 each to 1.5…

Sri Lanka Launches Second King Coconut Village in Badulla Under National Export Drive

Oct 12, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
Sri Lanka Launches Second King Coconut Village in Badulla Under National Export Drive

BADULLA, October 12, 2026 — Sri Lanka has launched its second king coconut village in Badulla District as the Government advances a nationwide programme to…

world

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…

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,…