Inside MullenLowe’s playbook

From the outskirts of Colombo to leading one of the country’s most awarded creative agencies, Harendra Uyanage has built his rise on persistence, discipline, and a clear focus on business impact rather than optics.

February national prices soften

The national inflation print showed the prices rising by 1.6 percent in the 12 months through February 2026, decelerating from 2.4 percent in January.

IMF path risks squeezing dollar earners, economist warns

Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic adjustment under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme risks weakening the country’s dollar-generating sectors, even as it meets the key targets, a senior economist said, highlighting the emerging strains in credit, fiscal space and private sector balance sheets.

Oil falls over 13% on Trump postponing military strikes on Iran energy infrastructure

REUTERS: The oil ​prices fell by ‌over 13 percent yesterday after US ​President Donald ​Trump said he would ⁠order the ​military to postpone any ​strikes against Iranian power plants and energy ​infrastructure.

Singer wins ‘People’s Brand of the Year’ for 20th consecutive time

Singer Sri Lanka celebrated a historic milestone at the SLIM-KANTAR People’s Awards 2026, securing a triple victory while marking 20 consecutive years as the People’s Brand of the Year, an achievement made possible by the enduring trust and loyalty of Sri Lankan consumers

Sofia Colombo becomes SL’s first GSTC-certified hotel

Sofia Colombo announced that it has achieved the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) accreditation, being the first establishment of its kind within the country.

European and German farmers visit Ambewela Farms

Ambewela, the name conjures images of misty hill tops, rolling green meadows, pedigreed cows, state of the art, sophisticated barns, and milking parlours, and the purest milk available in the South Asian region.

Bond yields climb up, as panic selling grips secondary market

The secondary market witnessed panic selling prompted by the escalating tensions in the Middle East. The trading volumes were moderate, while the yield curve eased edged up by c.15-25 bps across all bond maturities.

Week begins in red

The ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as Colombo Dockyard, John Keells Holdings and RIL Property with the turnover crossing Rs. 2.3 Bn. A similar behaviour was witnessed in the S&P SL20. High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in John Keells Holdings, Commercial Bank and Hayleys. Mixed interest was observed in Lanka IOC, Colombo Dockyard and Sampath Bank whilst retail interest was noted in U

BOC reinforces banking partnerships with India

Bank of Ceylon (BOC) recently concluded a highly impactful and strategically significant visit to India, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening international banking relationships, enhancing regulatory engagement and unlocking new avenues for growth across the region.

Cultivating the Future: How Commercial Bank is Transforming Sri Lanka’s Farming Landscape

As Sri Lanka looks to strengthen food security, uplift rural livelihoods, and build a more resilient economy, agriculture is once again taking centre stage. Yet, long-standing structural challenges—from low productivity to fragmented practices—continue to limit the sector’s full potential. Recognising that sustainable progress requires more than just financial support, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC has taken a more integrated and forward-looking

Aberdeen Holdings marks 30th anniversary

Aberdeen Holdings is marking its 30th anniversary, reflecting on a journey shaped not only by growth and diversification but also by the people who have stood behind the organisation for three decades.

Artslab Creatives claims 4 Effie recognitions

Two Silvers for Sri Lanka’s first AI deepfake campaign for social good

Seylan Bank’s 3-day loan decision helps SMEs access financing faster

Seylan Bank PLC introduced a new feature to its SME loans portfolio, offering loan decisions within three working days for facilities below Rs.25 million, once the required documentation is submitted.

Hatch holds Govi Lab AgriTech Accelerator 2nd cohort

Hatch, an innovation and entrepreneurship platform, announced the successful conclusion of the second cohort of its GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator programme, run in partnership with the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement. The programme is designed to champion technological innovation and scale-up high-potential solutions within Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector, with a specific focus on uplifting smallholder farmers.

CA Sri Lanka launches Business Law and Regulatory Compliance Faculty

Recognising the rapidly expanding role of Chartered Accountants in governance, regulatory compliance and corporate integrity, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) launched the Faculty of Business Law and Regulatory Compliance recently.

HNB opens new Negombo City Branch

HNB PLC opened its HNB Negombo City Branch at 125, St Joseph’s Street in Negombo.

Browns EV-PickMe deliver 125 electric vehicles

Browns EV, in partnership with PickMe and LOLC Holdings PLC, marked a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s mobility landscape with the ceremonial handover of 125 electric vehicles under its ‘Drive to Own’ initiative.

Container transport costs jump 20% as fuel shock feeds into logistics chain

Sri Lanka’s logistics sector has begun absorbing the first clear pass-through from the global oil price shock, with container transport operators raising charges by 20 percent from Monday as fuel costs surge following disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

Nearly 40% of local imports hit by global price shocks: IPS warns

Nearly two-fifths of the country’s import basket is directly exposed to global commodity price shocks, underscoring the economy’s vulnerability to external supply disruptions, research from the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) highlighted.

People’s Bank raises Rs. 25bn in Sri Lanka’s largest ever debenture issue

People’s Bank has successfully completed Sri Lanka’s largest debenture issue to date, mobilising Rs. 25 billion through a Basel III compliant, Tier 2, unlisted, rated, unsecured, subordinated, redeemable debenture, accordion to a press release issued by the Bank.

NDB’s GSS+ bond issuance breaks new ground with record Rs.16bn raised

National Development Bank PLC (NDB) commemorated raising Rs.16 billion with its first ever issuance of BASEL III compliant GSS+ (Green, Social, Sustainable & Sustainability Linked) bonds and the country’s largest issuance of GSS+ bonds to date by way of a market opening ceremony conducted on the trading floor of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) last Friday.

Sri Lanka Investment Forum 2026 postponed amid Middle East conflict and local fuel rationing

The Board of Investment (BOI) has indefinitely postponed the Sri Lanka Investment Forum 2026, originally scheduled for March 30, citing ongoing global developments and their severe impact on international travel and logistics.

Uber, Pickme urge enhanced fuel quotas to sustain mobility and delivery services

Sri Lanka’s app-based ride-hailing and delivery platforms, Uber and PickMe, have formally requested the government to allocate higher weekly fuel quotas for their most engaged driver and delivery partners.

Sri Lanka Bottled Water Association seeks suspension of MRP gazette

The Sri Lanka Bottled Water Association (SLBWA) has requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to revoke or temporarily suspend the gazette introducing maximum retail prices (MRPs) for bottled drinking water, considering the cost-related pressures faced by the industry.

NTB strengthens business confidence

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) recently hosted the ‘Beyond Ordinary – Nations Business Advisory’ event, a knowledge sharing platform designed to provide businesses with timely advisory perspectives, economic insights and practical business enablement relevant to the current operating environment.

HNB introduces Happiness Card

HNB PLC has rolled out its Happiness Cards campaign, bringing together a new positioning and way of living with seasonal savings, flexible payment options and lifestyle benefits through a card proposition built around what matters most to the cardholders during the season.

Melwa Conglomerate hosts ‘Night of Generals’ industry-strategic forum

On February 27, Cinnamon Life in Colombo became the setting for a distinguished gathering hosted by Melwa Conglomerate, under the theme ‘The Night of the Generals’, marking the company’s annual gathering.

DFCC Bank launches Avurudu 2026 card campaign

As households prepare for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year during a period of rising living costs, DFCC Bank has launched its Avurudu 2026 card campaign, themed ‘The most rewarding swipe of the Avurudu’, offering the customers practical ways to manage seasonal spending while continuing to celebrate with family and loved ones.

Court issues enjoining order against websites, YouTube channels over defamatory statements on Homelands’ Pentara project

The Colombo District Court issued an enjoining order on March 16, 2026, against several websites and YouTube channels alleged to have published false and defamatory statements concerning the Pentara project in Thummulla, developed by the Home Lands group.