Vegetable Prices Rise Amid Rainy Weather; Tomatoes Reach Rs. 650 a Kilogram Wholesale

Oct 26, 2026 1 week ago 1 min read
Vegetable Prices Rise Amid Rainy Weather; Tomatoes Reach Rs. 650 a Kilogram Wholesale

COLOMBO, October 26, 2026 — Wholesale prices of several upcountry and low-country vegetables have risen sharply amid prevailing rainy weather, with tomatoes, capsicum and cabbage…

Norochcholai’s Second Generating Unit Shut for Maintenance; No Power Disruptions Expected

Oct 26, 2026 1 week ago 1 min read
Norochcholai’s Second Generating Unit Shut for Maintenance; No Power Disruptions Expected

COLOMBO, October 26, 2026 — The second generating unit at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai has been taken offline for maintenance and repairs,…

Lula Wins Brazil’s Presidential Runoff to Secure Fourth Term

Oct 26, 2026 1 week ago 1 min read
Lula Wins Brazil’s Presidential Runoff to Secure Fourth Term

BRASÍLIA, October 26, 2026 — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won reelection, defeating right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a presidential runoff, according…

Sri Lankan Firms Explore Maldives Hospitality Market at Hotel Asia 2026

Oct 24, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Sri Lankan Firms Explore Maldives Hospitality Market at Hotel Asia 2026

COLOMBO, October 24, 2026 — Sri Lankan companies showcased hospitality products and services at Hotel Asia 2026 in the Maldives, seeking new buyers, business partnerships…

Colombo Stocks End Week Lower as ASPI Loses 2.5%; Daily Turnover Averages Rs. 972 Million

Oct 24, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks End Week Lower as ASPI Loses 2.5%; Daily Turnover Averages Rs. 972 Million

COLOMBO, October 24, 2026 — Colombo stocks ended the week in negative territory, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) declining by 2.5% and the…

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,…

BIZ BREAKING

Sri Lanka to Exit IMF Programme in 2027 — What It Means for Businesses and Investors

Sep 26, 2026 1 month ago 6 min read
Sri Lanka to Exit IMF Programme in 2027 — What It Means for Businesses and Investors

COLOMBO, September 26, 2026 — Sri Lanka plans to complete its current International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme in March 2027 without seeking another IMF programme linked to debt restructuring, Minister Bimal Rathnayake has said. The planned…

Sri Lanka Approves Rs.17.2 Billion Electricity Relief Package Amid Cost Pressures

Sep 24, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Approves Rs.17.2 Billion Electricity Relief Package Amid Cost Pressures

COLOMBO, September 24, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s Parliament has approved a Rs.17.213 billion supplementary allocation to provide financial relief on electricity bills, in a move that could ease pressure on households and businesses while adding another significant policy intervention to…

IMF Urges Sri Lanka to Accelerate Reforms Amid Rising External Risks

Sep 23, 2026 1 month ago 5 min read
IMF Urges Sri Lanka to Accelerate Reforms Amid Rising External Risks

COLOMBO, September 23, 2026 — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Sri Lanka to maintain prudent economic policies and accelerate structural reforms as the recovering economy faces renewed external risks from the Middle East conflict, global trade policy uncertainty…

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…

BUSINESS

Port City Colombo Steps Up Gulf Investment Drive Across UAE, Oman and Qatar

Oct 1, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
Port City Colombo Steps Up Gulf Investment Drive Across UAE, Oman and Qatar

ABU DHABI, October 1, 2026 — Port City Colombo is intensifying efforts to attract Gulf capital into Sri Lanka, with a seven-day investment roadshow across…

Cabinet Awards Rs.2.89 Billion Baseline Road Extension Contract to Maga Engineering

Sep 30, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Cabinet Awards Rs.2.89 Billion Baseline Road Extension Contract to Maga Engineering

COLOMBO, September 30, 2026 — The Government has awarded a Rs.2.89 billion contract to Maga Engineering Ltd. for the third phase of the Baseline Road…

Sri Lanka Targets Malaysian Investment as Country Positions for Next Growth Phase

Sep 29, 2026 1 month ago 5 min read
Sri Lanka Targets Malaysian Investment as Country Positions for Next Growth Phase

KUALA LUMPUR, September 29, 2026 — Sri Lanka is seeking to deepen economic and investment ties with Malaysia by inviting Malaysian companies to participate in…

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

Sep 28, 2026 1 month 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…

ECONOMY

Sri Lanka’s Apparel Sector Targets the Next US$3 Billion in Export Growth

Sep 20, 2026 1 month ago 5 min read
Sri Lanka’s Apparel Sector Targets the Next US$3 Billion in Export Growth

COLOMBO, September 20, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is setting its sights on a major new phase of growth, with industry leaders seeking to…

Sri Lanka Targets 960 MW Battery Storage Capacity by Mid-2027

Sep 19, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Targets 960 MW Battery Storage Capacity by Mid-2027

COLOMBO, September 19, 2026 — Sri Lanka plans to expand its Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity to nearly 960 MW by the end of…

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

Sep 18, 2026 2 months 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 2 months 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…

MARKETS

CSE Indices End Lower as Key Stocks Decline

Sep 18, 2026 2 months ago 2 min read
CSE Indices End Lower as Key Stocks Decline

COLOMBO, September 18, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) ended the session in negative territory, with both major indices coming under pressure as several…

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

Sep 16, 2026 2 months 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 2 months 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

Sri Lanka and Australia Agree to Deepen Cooperation in Trade, Defence and Maritime Affairs

Sep 30, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka and Australia Agree to Deepen Cooperation in Trade, Defence and Maritime Affairs

COLOMBO, September 30, 2026 — Sri Lanka and Australia have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across trade, defence, education, agriculture and maritime affairs following high-level…

Rumesh Pathirage Strikes Asian Games Gold with 88.55m Javelin Throw

Sep 29, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Rumesh Pathirage Strikes Asian Games Gold with 88.55m Javelin Throw

SRI LANKA, September 29, 2026 — Sri Lankan javelin star Rumesh Pathirage has secured the Asian Games gold medal with a commanding 88.55-metre throw, capping…

Government Announces Rs. 41 Billion Fuel Subsidy for Three Months

Sep 28, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Government Announces Rs. 41 Billion Fuel Subsidy for Three Months

GAMPAHA, September 27, 2026 — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that the Government will introduce a Rs. 41 billion fuel subsidy covering the next…

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

Sep 27, 2026 1 month 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…

world

Iran Pushes for Diplomacy After Trump Rejects Hormuz Peace Proposal

Sep 27, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
Iran Pushes for Diplomacy After Trump Rejects Hormuz Peace Proposal

NEW YORK, September 27, 2026 — Iran is continuing to call for a negotiated settlement to its conflict with the United States and Israel after…

Netanyahu Defends Israel’s Military Actions as Dozens of UN Delegates Walk Out

Sep 25, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
Netanyahu Defends Israel’s Military Actions as Dozens of UN Delegates Walk Out

NEW YORK, September 25, 2026 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s military actions in Gaza and against Iran during a speech to the…

Australia Investigates OpenAI Agent Breach of Government Health Data Portal

Sep 24, 2026 1 month ago 5 min read
Australia Investigates OpenAI Agent Breach of Government Health Data Portal

SYDNEY, September 24, 2026 — Australia has launched an investigation after an OpenAI artificial intelligence agent gained unauthorised access to a government health data portal…

Trump Threatens Iran With Destruction as Diplomats Push for Deal at UN

Sep 23, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
Trump Threatens Iran With Destruction as Diplomats Push for Deal at UN

NEW YORK, September 23, 2026 — US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face devastating military action if Tehran fails to reach a…