Fitch Upgrades People’s Leasing, MBSL and CBC Finance; Outlooks Stable

Nov 5, 2026 1 week ago 3 min read
Fitch Upgrades People’s Leasing, MBSL and CBC Finance; Outlooks Stable

COLOMBO, November 5, 2026 — Fitch Ratings has upgraded the National Long-Term Ratings of three Sri Lankan bank-owned non-bank financial institutions, reflecting their parent banks’…

ASPI Surges 478 Points as CSE Turnover Tops Rs. 2 Billion in First Hour

Nov 5, 2026 1 week ago 1 min read
ASPI Surges 478 Points as CSE Turnover Tops Rs. 2 Billion in First Hour

COLOMBO, November 5, 2026 — Stocks rallied at the Colombo Stock Exchange during the first hour of trading today, with the All Share Price Index…

‘Next Barack Obama’ Emerges as Clear Frontrunner for 2028 US Presidential Race

Nov 5, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
‘Next Barack Obama’ Emerges as Clear Frontrunner for 2028 US Presidential Race

WASHINGTON, November 5, 2026 — Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff has emerged as the leading prospect for the 2028 US presidency on prediction platform Polymarket following…

Laurini Officine Meccaniche Unveils 150-Ton Demolition Giant with 50-Meter Reach at World Demolition Summit in Madrid

Nov 4, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Laurini Officine Meccaniche Unveils 150-Ton Demolition Giant with 50-Meter Reach at World Demolition Summit in Madrid

MADRID, November 4, 2026 —One year after receiving the World Demolition Award for Innovation in Nashville, Tennessee Laurini Officine Meccaniche has again taken the spotlight…

Colombo Stocks Rise as Dialog, Overseas Realty and Hayleys Lead Gains; Turnover Tops Rs. 1.5 Billion

Nov 4, 2026 1 week ago 2 min read
Colombo Stocks Rise as Dialog, Overseas Realty and Hayleys Lead Gains; Turnover Tops Rs. 1.5 Billion

COLOMBO, November 4, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange’s benchmark indices closed higher, supported by price gains in Dialog Axiata, Overseas Realty and Hayleys, with…

BIZ BREAKING

Sri Lanka Locks In 5% Inflation Target for Next Three Years

Oct 3, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Sri Lanka Locks In 5% Inflation Target for Next Three Years

COLOMBO, October 3, 2026 — Sri Lanka has formally locked in a 5% inflation target for the next three years, reinforcing price stability as the central anchor for monetary policy and providing businesses and investors with a clearer medium-term economic…

Govt Opens Rs. 95 Billion Financing Push for Businesses in Record Credit Drive

Oct 2, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Govt Opens Rs. 95 Billion Financing Push for Businesses in Record Credit Drive

COLOMBO, October 2, 2026 — Sri Lankan businesses are set to gain access to a record Rs. 95 billion in concessionary financing in 2026, with Rs. 25 billion specifically allocated to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as the government moves…

Fuel Subsidy, Vehicle Import Surcharge Shield Economy from Stronger Inflation Pressure – CBSL Governor

Oct 1, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Fuel Subsidy, Vehicle Import Surcharge Shield Economy from Stronger Inflation Pressure – CBSL Governor

COLOMBO, October 1, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s fuel subsidy and higher taxes on vehicle imports have helped contain inflationary pressure while limiting foreign exchange outflows, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said. The measures have become key policy tools as…

Rs.160 Million Diesel Discrepancy at Lakvijaya Power Plant Triggers Internal Probe

Sep 30, 2026 2 months ago 4 min read
Rs.160 Million Diesel Discrepancy at Lakvijaya Power Plant Triggers Internal Probe

COLOMBO, September 30, 2026 — An internal investigation has been launched into a diesel discrepancy exceeding Rs.160 million at the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai, raising concerns over fuel inventory controls, financial accountability and the management of public resources used…

BUSINESS

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

Oct 11, 2026 1 month 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…

Sri Lankan Exporters Secure US$50,000 in Orders at Maldives Trade Exhibition, Negotiate Further US$150,000

Oct 9, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Sri Lankan Exporters Secure US$50,000 in Orders at Maldives Trade Exhibition, Negotiate Further US$150,000

COLOMBO, October 9, 2026 — Sri Lankan exporters have secured approximately US$50,000 in confirmed orders and are negotiating a further US$150,000 in potential business following…

Prime Expands Sri Lankan Real Estate’s Global Reach, Driving FDI and Foreign Currency Inflows

Oct 8, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Prime Expands Sri Lankan Real Estate’s Global Reach, Driving FDI and Foreign Currency Inflows

MELBOURNE, October 8, 2026 — Prime Group is strengthening Sri Lanka’s position as an international real estate investment destination, following recognition for its contribution to…

CSE and Commercial Bank Join Forces to Expand Capital Market Access for Sri Lankan Businesses

Oct 7, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
CSE and Commercial Bank Join Forces to Expand Capital Market Access for Sri Lankan Businesses

COLOMBO, October 7, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to…

ECONOMY

IPS Outlines Sectoral Reforms to Put Sri Lanka on a Durable Growth Path

Sep 23, 2026 2 months ago 7 min read
IPS Outlines Sectoral Reforms to Put Sri Lanka on a Durable Growth Path

COLOMBO, September 23, 2026 — Sri Lanka needs to move beyond crisis management and accelerate structural reforms across trade, taxation, human capital, social protection, agriculture,…

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

Sep 20, 2026 2 months 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 2 months 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…

MARKETS

Fitch upgrade lifts CSE as ASPI rebounds above 21,000

Sep 23, 2026 2 months ago 2 min read
Fitch upgrade lifts CSE as ASPI rebounds above 21,000

COLOMBO, September 23, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange rebounded on 22 September 2026, with both benchmark indices closing higher after sentiment improved sharply during…

Global Oil Stays Above US$100 as Sri Lanka Holds Fuel Prices Amid Rising Business Costs

Sep 20, 2026 2 months ago 6 min read
Global Oil Stays Above US$100 as Sri Lanka Holds Fuel Prices Amid Rising Business Costs

COLOMBO, September 20, 2026 — Sri Lankan businesses are facing renewed cost pressures as international crude oil prices remain above US$100 a barrel, raising the…

CSE Ends Higher as Dialog Axiata, Melstacorp and Hayleys Gain

Sep 19, 2026 2 months ago 2 min read
CSE Ends Higher as Dialog Axiata, Melstacorp and Hayleys Gain

COLOMBO, September 19, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed higher, supported by price gains in counters including Dialog Axiata, Melstacorp and Hayleys, while…

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…

NATION

Multilac Upgrades Colombo Municipal Council Day Care Centre for Children’s Day

Oct 5, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Multilac Upgrades Colombo Municipal Council Day Care Centre for Children’s Day

COLOMBO, October 5, 2026 — Multilac has completed a series of facility improvements at the Colombo Municipal Council Day Care Centre as part of a…

Govt. Targets Digital Connectivity for All Secondary Schools by Year-End: PM

Oct 4, 2026 1 month ago 3 min read
Govt. Targets Digital Connectivity for All Secondary Schools by Year-End: PM

COLOMBO, October 4, 2026 — The Government is working to provide digital connectivity to secondary schools across Sri Lanka by the end of this year,…

Sri Lanka’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 4% in Q2 2026

Oct 3, 2026 1 month ago 1 min read
Sri Lanka’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 4% in Q2 2026

COLOMBO, October 3, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s unemployment rate increased to 4.0% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 3.8% during the corresponding quarter…

Rs. 22 Billion Uma Oya Development Project to Benefit 5,000 Families

Oct 2, 2026 1 month ago 2 min read
Rs. 22 Billion Uma Oya Development Project to Benefit 5,000 Families

COLOMBO, October 2, 2026 — A Rs. 22.017 billion development project aimed at strengthening irrigation and water security in Monaragala is expected to benefit approximately…

world

Russia Launches Largest Attack on Ukraine Energy Infrastructure Since Spring

Oct 1, 2026 1 month ago 4 min read
Russia Launches Largest Attack on Ukraine Energy Infrastructure Since Spring

KYIV, October 1, 2026 — Russia has launched its largest attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since the spring, targeting Kyiv and several other regions in…

US Forces Complete Iraq Withdrawal, Raising Concerns Over Iran’s Growing Influence

Sep 30, 2026 2 months ago 4 min read
US Forces Complete Iraq Withdrawal, Raising Concerns Over Iran’s Growing Influence

BAGHDAD, September 30, 2026 — The United States is completing the withdrawal of its forces from their remaining bases in Iraq, ending more than two…

Cathay Pacific Extends Middle East Passenger Flight Suspensions to January 2027

Sep 29, 2026 2 months ago 2 min read
Cathay Pacific Extends Middle East Passenger Flight Suspensions to January 2027

HONG KONG, September 28, 2026 — Cathay Pacific has extended the suspension of its passenger services to parts of the Middle East, cancelling flights to…

Iran Pushes for Diplomacy After Trump Rejects Hormuz Peace Proposal

Sep 27, 2026 2 months 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…