Export Manufacturers Can Access TIEP Tax Concessions Through Industry Ministry: Handunnetti

Nov 6, 2026 1 week ago 1 min read
Export Manufacturers Can Access TIEP Tax Concessions Through Industry Ministry: Handunnetti

COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — Businesses engaged in export-oriented manufacturing can seek tax concessions under the Temporary Importation for Export Processing (TIEP) scheme through the…

Port City Colombo FinTech Dialogue Calls for Two-Year Growth Roadmap

Nov 6, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
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COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — A high-level dialogue at Port City Colombo has highlighted the need for a two-year actionable roadmap to develop its FinTech…

EPF Equity Portfolio Valued at Rs. 204.94 Billion, More Than Double Investment Cost

Nov 6, 2026 1 week ago 1 min read
EPF Equity Portfolio Valued at Rs. 204.94 Billion, More Than Double Investment Cost

COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — The Employees’ Provident Fund’s (EPF) listed equity portfolio reached a market value of Rs. 204.94 billion as of June 30,…

Plantation Sector Calls for Longer Leases and Investment Reforms as Costs Rise and Output Falls

Nov 6, 2026 1 week ago 5 min read
Plantation Sector Calls for Longer Leases and Investment Reforms as Costs Rise and Output Falls

COLOMBO, November 6, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s plantation sector faces growing pressure to secure long-term investment as rising production costs, declining output and the approaching…

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…

BIZ BREAKING

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)…

Sri Lanka, ADB Map Out Development Priorities for 2026–2029

Oct 6, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka, ADB Map Out Development Priorities for 2026–2029

COLOMBO, October 6, 2026 — Sri Lanka and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have begun discussions on a multi-year development programme for 2026–2029, with the government seeking to prioritise projects that can accelerate economic development while supporting fiscal targets and…

BUSINESS

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

Oct 15, 2026 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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…

ECONOMY

Fuel Prices Rise as New Rates Take Effect Across Sri Lanka

Oct 1, 2026 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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…

MARKETS

CSE Indices Close Lower as Turnover Tops Rs. 1.6 Billion

Oct 1, 2026 2 months 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…

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…

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

Sep 24, 2026 2 months 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…

NATION

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…

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

Oct 11, 2026 1 month 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…

world

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…

UAE Says Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain in Suspected Terror Plot

Oct 3, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
UAE Says Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain in Suspected Terror Plot

DUBAI, October 3, 2026 — The United Arab Emirates has said a Flydubai co-pilot allegedly attempted to carry out a terrorist attack aboard a flight…