Sri Lanka eyes 350,000 foreign employment departures in 2026

06 Jan 2026

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Sri Lanka has set a target of securing 350,000 foreign employment opportunities in 2026, aiming to build on a record-breaking financial performance in 2025, where workers’ remittances reached an estimated US$ 7.8 billion.

Global economists call for debt moratorium as Cyclone Ditwah strains IMF targets

23 Dec 2025

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The fiscal calculus underpinning Sri Lanka’s economic recovery has been fundamentally altered by Cyclone Ditwah, prompting a coalition of 121 international economists to demand an immediate suspension of external sovereign debt payments.

Sri Lanka Customs initiates major technological overhaul of its vehicle clearance protocols

22 Dec 2025

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Sri Lanka Customs has initiated a major technological overhaul of its vehicle clearance protocols to seal a loophole that previously allowed the tampering of motor vehicle data during registration.

Local malware incidents top Rs.3.9mn in 3Q as offline threats persist: Kaspersky

20 Dec 2025

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Sri Lanka recorded over 3.9 million local malware incidents in the third quarter of 2025 alone, with nearly a quarter of users encountering offline threats, new data from global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reveals.

Construction sector momentum continues with 12.2% growth in 3Q

17 Dec 2025

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The Sri Lankan construction sector recorded a robust double-digit growth of 12.2 percent in the third quarter of 2025, maintaining its recovery momentum and catalysing broader activity across the real estate and professional services sectors.

Tourism body appeals for warmer welcomes:

‘Ayubowan’, king coconuts and bananas to reassure visitors

06 Dec 2025

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The Sri Lanka Institute of National Tourist Guide Lecturers (SLINTGL) has issued an emotional appeal to the public, urging citizens to go beyond standard hospitality by greeting every tourist with a warm ‘Ayubowan’ or offering simple gestures like a king coconut or banana, to help the industry rebound from recent weather setbacks.

Nearly quarter million vacancies to continue in state sector in 2026

20 Nov 2025

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Nearly a quarter of a million vacancies are set to remain unfilled across Sri Lanka’s public sector as the government moves to limit new recruitments to the bare minimum for the upcoming fiscal year (2026).

Sri Lanka on track for 2026 NSW pilot

25 Oct 2025

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Sri Lanka is on track to pilot its transformative Trade National Single Window System (TNSWS) by end-2026, with full operations expected to commence in 2027.

Safe-haven rush pushes gold to glittering new peak in SL

18 Oct 2025

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Gold prices in Sri Lanka surged to an all-time high on Friday, shattering previous records as investors worldwide flock to the precious metal amid growing economic uncertainty.

India sees rupee bonds as next step in deepening Lanka ties

17 Oct 2025

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In a significant signal of deepening economic ties, India is actively considering pathways to enable Sri Lankan entities, including the government and commercial businesses, to issue bonds denominated in

SEC unveils plan to list SOEs, introduce digital assets to broaden capital market

16 Oct 2025

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Sri Lanka plans to significantly expand the nation’s capital market by listing the state-owned enterprises (SOEs), demutualising the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and introducing new financial products such as digital assets, Chairman Senior Professor Hareendra Dissabandara announced yesterday.

Tourist arrivals hit record high in September

02 Oct 2025

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Sri Lanka’s tourism sector celebrated a historic milestone, recording its highest-ever number of tourist arrivals for the month of September, primarily fuelled by a remarkable surge in visitors from neighbouring India.

Controversial number plate tender to incur over Rs.516mn loss to Govt.

25 Sep 2025

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A multi-billion rupee government tender to supply vehicle number plates is mired in controversy after the two lowest bidders were disqualified on technical grounds, paving the way for the contract to be awarded to the highest bidder at a potential loss of over Rs. 500 million to the state.

Sri Lanka overhauls Port City incentives

22 Sep 2025

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The government has introduced a significantly revised and less generous incentive framework for investors in the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone (SEZ), slashing lengthy tax holidays and raising investment thresholds.

The first section of the Central Expressway to restart in September with revived Chinese funding

08 Sep 2025

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Construction on the long-awaited first section of the Central Expressway (E04), from Kadawatha to Mirigama, is set to resume by September or October with the return of Chinese funding, marking a significant step forward for the nation’s infrastructure development after years of costly delays.

New measures to reduce device prices and regulate second-hand electronics

04 Sep 2025

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Sri Lanka is planning a multi-pronged strategy to address the high cost of digital devices by exploring the targeted subsidies and affordable payment schemes, while simultaneously moving to formalise the second-hand market through a new registration process, aimed at curtailing the informal “grey market”.

Colombo Port container volumes surge in July

02 Sep 2025

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The Port of Colombo reported a significant surge in container handling in July 2025, marking a strong rebound with a double-digit growth, driven by a robust recovery in transshipment volumes.

Sri Lanka’s unit trust industry sees widening investor base

23 Jul 2025

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Sri Lanka’s unit trust industry has demonstrated a significant expansion in its investor base over the past year, a positive indicator for financial inclusion and capital market depth.

Sri Lanka’s economic output tipped to surpass pre-pandemic peak in 2026 – Bloomberg Economics

22 Jul 2025

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Sri Lanka’s economy is poised for a significant rebound, with projections indicating that the nation’s output will exceed its 2018 pre-pandemic levels by next year.

July start signals even tougher climb to reach 3 mn tourist arrivals by year-end

16 Jul 2025

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Sri Lanka’s ambitious goal of welcoming 3 million tourists in 2025 faces further pressure after a lackluster start to July.