Oil Prices Hit $110 a Barrel as Middle East Tensions Raise Supply Concerns

Oct 17, 2026 1 week ago 5 min read
Oil Prices Hit $110 a Barrel as Middle East Tensions Raise Supply Concerns

LONDON, October 17, 2026 — Global oil prices have climbed to their highest levels in months, with Brent crude touching $110 a barrel for the…

Sri Lanka Seeks EU Investment Under €300 Billion Global Gateway Initiative

Oct 16, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Seeks EU Investment Under €300 Billion Global Gateway Initiative

COLOMBO, October 16, 2026 — Sri Lanka has sought European Union (EU) investment to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), develop startup incubators and expand…

Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Council Targets US$ 1 Billion Bilateral Trade by 2030

Oct 16, 2026 1 week 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,…

Hambantota Port Handles Over 167,000 Vehicle Deliveries Amid Import Demand

Oct 16, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Hambantota Port Handles Over 167,000 Vehicle Deliveries Amid Import Demand

HAMBANTOTA, October 16, 2026 — Hambantota International Port (HIP) handled 167,569 vehicle deliveries between March 2025 and September 2026, highlighting its role in Sri Lanka’s…

US Announces US$17 Million Investment to Digitise Colombo Port Operations

Oct 16, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
US Announces US$17 Million Investment to Digitise Colombo Port Operations

COLOMBO, October 16, 2026 — The United States has announced a US$17 million investment to digitise operations at the Port of Colombo, aiming to accelerate…

BIZ BREAKING

IMF Team Arrives in Colombo for Crucial Seventh EFF Review

Sep 10, 2026 2 months ago 2 min read
IMF Team Arrives in Colombo for Crucial Seventh EFF Review

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team is set to arrive in Colombo today for nearly two weeks of discussions with Sri Lankan authorities on the Seventh Review of the country’s US$3 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, alongside the 2026…

Sri Lanka foreign reserves rise 4.6% to $6.9 billion in August

Sep 9, 2026 2 months ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka foreign reserves rise 4.6% to $6.9 billion in August

COLOMBO, Sept 9 – Sri Lanka’s official foreign exchange reserves rose 4.6% in August to $6.905 billion, from $6.6 billion a month earlier, the central bank said. The increase provides a further boost to Sri Lanka’s external liquidity position as…

India’s Economic Rise Creates New Opportunities for Sri Lanka as Rajnath Singh Highlights Expanding Bilateral Ties

Sep 8, 2026 2 months ago 4 min read
India’s Economic Rise Creates New Opportunities for Sri Lanka as Rajnath Singh Highlights Expanding Bilateral Ties

India’s rapidly expanding economy and growing global trade footprint could create further opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses, exporters and investors, as Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the country’s economic transformation during his visit to Colombo. Speaking to the Indian…

Family doctor system must not threaten free healthcare

Sep 8, 2026 2 months ago 3 min read
Family doctor system must not threaten free healthcare

The proposed introduction of a family doctor system in Sri Lanka should be implemented in a manner that strengthens, rather than undermines, the country’s free healthcare system, Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance Chairman and Specialist Dr Chamal…

BUSINESS

HIP Hosts National Oil Spill Contingency Plan Workshop Led by MEPA

Sep 20, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
HIP Hosts National Oil Spill Contingency Plan Workshop Led by MEPA

HAMBANTOTA, September 20, 2026 — Hambantota International Port (HIP) recently hosted a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan Workshop conducted by the Marine Environment Protection Authority…

Sri Lanka Targets Middle Eastern Tourists With Wellness and Wildlife Experiences

Sep 19, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka Targets Middle Eastern Tourists With Wellness and Wildlife Experiences

COLOMBO, September 19, 2026 — Sri Lanka is strengthening its efforts to attract more travellers from the Middle East by promoting wellness, wildlife, cultural and…

Visa Highlights Digital Growth Opportunities for Sri Lankan SMEs at National SME Forum

Sep 18, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Visa Highlights Digital Growth Opportunities for Sri Lankan SMEs at National SME Forum

COLOMBO, September 18, 2026 — Visa has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth and digital transformation of Sri Lanka’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs)…

DIMO and Union Bank Join Forces to Expand Vehicle Financing Options

Sep 16, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
DIMO and Union Bank Join Forces to Expand Vehicle Financing Options

COLOMBO, September 16, 2026 — DIMO has partnered with Union Bank PLC to provide exclusive financing solutions for customers purchasing selected TATA Commercial Vehicles, TATA…

ECONOMY

EDOTCO Secures US$10 Million Investment Deal to Expand Sri Lanka’s Digital Infrastructure

Sep 10, 2026 2 months ago 2 min read
EDOTCO Secures US$10 Million Investment Deal to Expand Sri Lanka’s Digital Infrastructure

EDOTCO Sri Lanka has signed a US$10 million investment agreement with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) to expand the country’s digital infrastructure,…

Sri Lanka’s debt down in US$, GDP terms despite up in rupee : Deputy FinMin

Sep 8, 2026 2 months ago 1 min read
Sri Lanka’s debt down in US$, GDP terms despite up in rupee : Deputy FinMin

Sri Lanka’s debt burden measured in both debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) and dollar terms have fallen though it has risen in local currency, Deputy Finance…

In El Nino-hit Sri Lanka, wells run dry and farmer incomes shrink as drought deepens

Sep 8, 2026 2 months ago 3 min read
In El Nino-hit Sri Lanka, wells run dry and farmer incomes shrink as drought deepens

GALWELA YAYA, Sri Lanka Sept 3 (Reuters) – For the first time in over three ​decades, Sri Lankan farmer A.M. Pathmasena says, his well is…

Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026 to Examine How Sri Lanka Can Build a More Resilient Economy for the Future

Sep 8, 2026 2 months ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026 to Examine How Sri Lanka Can Build a More Resilient Economy for the Future

As Sri Lanka moves beyond economic stabilisation, attention is increasingly turning to how the country can maintain its growth momentum while preparing for the challenges…

MARKETS

Sri Lanka stocks trend up on Monday

Sep 8, 2026 2 months ago 2 min read
Sri Lanka stocks trend up on Monday

Sri Lanka’s bourse opened the week in green with the main All Share Price Index moving up 0.17 percent in early trading. The ASPI was…

Sri Lanka stocks trend down midday Tuesday

Sep 8, 2026 2 months ago 1 min read
Sri Lanka stocks trend down midday Tuesday

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange indices were trading down on Tuesday midday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving…

Stocks Slip as Rising Oil, Inflation Risks and Geopolitical Tensions Rattle Markets

Sep 8, 2026 2 months ago 4 min read
Stocks Slip as Rising Oil, Inflation Risks and Geopolitical Tensions Rattle Markets

Global stocks edged lower on Monday as surging oil prices, escalating Middle East tensions and political uncertainty in Europe kept investors cautious ahead of crucial…

NATION

Mahaweli River Water Levels Rise as Kandy Areas Face Flood Risk

Sep 20, 2026 1 month ago 1 min read
Mahaweli River Water Levels Rise as Kandy Areas Face Flood Risk

COLOMBO, September 20, 2026 — Authorities have issued a flood warning for several areas in Kandy District as water levels in the Mahaweli River continue…

Seat Belts Now Mandatory for All Expressway Passengers

Sep 19, 2026 1 month ago 1 min read
Seat Belts Now Mandatory for All Expressway Passengers

COLOMBO, September 19, 2026 — All passengers travelling in vehicles on Sri Lanka’s expressways are now required to wear seat belts, with the regulation coming…

Rumesh Tharanga returns to Sri Lanka after victory at World Athletics Ultimate Championship

Sep 15, 2026 1 month ago 1 min read
Rumesh Tharanga returns to Sri Lanka after victory at World Athletics Ultimate Championship

Sri Lankan javelin star Rumesh Tharanga has returned to the island this morning after winning the men’s javelin throw title at the World Athletics Ultimate…

Sri Lanka Launches Islandwide Dengue Control Programme Amid Rising Risk

Sep 14, 2026 1 month ago 1 min read
Sri Lanka Launches Islandwide Dengue Control Programme Amid Rising Risk

The Sri Lankan Government has launched a special islandwide dengue-control programme from today (September 14) to September 19, as authorities take preventive measures against a…

world

Modi, Putin Move to Strengthen Ties as Russia Pushes for Greater BRICS Role

Sep 12, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Modi, Putin Move to Strengthen Ties as Russia Pushes for Greater BRICS Role

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to further strengthen their long-standing strategic partnership, as Moscow called for the BRICS…

Sydney Airport flights disrupted due to air traffic controller shortage

Sep 11, 2026 2 months ago 3 min read
Sydney Airport flights disrupted due to air traffic controller shortage

A shortage of air traffic controllers caused flight cancellations and major delays at Sydney Airport ‌on Friday morning, the federal agency responsible for managing Australia’s…

Trump Pitches $5,000 ‘Dividend’ as GOP Seeks Midterm Support

Sep 10, 2026 2 months ago 6 min read
Trump Pitches $5,000 ‘Dividend’ as GOP Seeks Midterm Support

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (Sep 9) that every American adult could receive a US$5,000 “Trump dividend” if Republicans maintain control of Congress…

German Company Launches Rocket as Europe Enters Satellite Race

Sep 8, 2026 2 months ago 2 min read
German Company Launches Rocket as Europe Enters Satellite Race

Germany’s Isar Aerospace has launched a rocket into orbit from Norway as Europe aims to boost its ability to independently send satellites into space. The…