StanChart appoints Vindya Hettige as Head Legal

Standard Chartered Sri Lanka has appointed Vindya Hettige as Head Legal and Head Legal Client Coverage, effective March 20 2026.

ComBank cards offer up to 70% Avurudu discounts

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has launched its much-anticipated seasonal promotion for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, offering the credit and debit cardholders discounts of up to 70 percent across an extensive network of merchant outlets islandwide in the run-up to the Avurudu celebrations.

MAS’ Texo and Noyon become bluesign System Partners

MAS Holdings, Sri Lanka’s largest apparel manufacturer, announced that two of its subsidiaries, Texo (Pvt.) Ltd, a cotton fabric processing mill and Noyon Lanka, a knitted lace manufacturer, have officially become bluesign System Partners, marking a significant step forward in the company’s commitment to responsible, future-ready manufacturing.

SriLankan Airlines’ bond exchange clears with 97% approval

Sri Lanka has moved a step closer to closing a critical chapter in its external debt restructuring, with the national carrier securing near-unanimous creditor backing for its long-delayed bond workout, in a deal that signals both fiscal discipline and renewed investor alignment.

Untapped Sri Lankan insurance market holds strong growth potential: AIA Chief

Sri Lanka’s largely underpenetrated insurance sector presents significant economic and societal opportunities as the country transitions from crisis-era stabilisation toward sustained economic expansion.

Sri Lanka’s construction sector urged to embrace C2C certification for sustainable growth

Adopting the globally recognised Cradle to Cradle (C2C)-certified standard can help the local companies remain competitive in an increasingly sustainability-focused global market, Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Director Built Environment Ren DeCherney said.

New microfinance authority law comes into force replacing 2016 Act

Sri Lanka has formally brought its fragmented microfinance and money lending industry under a new regulatory umbrella, with Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsing the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, paving the way for its immediate implementation.

Cartoon of the Day 21-03-2026

Week ends in green

The ASPI closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Sampath Bank, Hayleys and Colombo

Yields ease marginally amid moderate market activity

The secondary market saw moderate trading activity with steady volumes, while the overall yield curve softened slightly.

WCIC-CIPE explore what’s next for Sri Lanka with C190 ratification

Conducted by ILO C190 specialist Shyamali Ranaraja, with presence of ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives Joni Simpson The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) has been actively working to create workplace environments that are free from gender-based violence and harassment, enabling women to thrive and contribute meaningfully.

ILT redefines job-ready education for Sri Lankan students

The Institute of Leadership and Technology (ILT) in Colombo has developed an employment-driven learning model designed to prepare the students for modern workplaces through personalised learning pathways and industry-focused training.

Vida Medical Clinic relocates to a larger modern facility

Vida Medical Clinic, one of Colombo’s leading patient-centred healthcare providers, has marked a significant milestone with the opening of its newly expanded facility in Colombo 5.

HNB Finance clinches Silver at diamond jubilee TAGS Awards 2025

The TAGS Awards Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) announced HNB Finance PLC as the Silver award winner in the Finance Companies and Leasing Companies Sector (Total Group Assets Rs.25-75 billion) at the diamond jubilee celebration of the prestigious TAGS Awards 2025.

Samsung’s Hospitality TV series powers connected hotel ecosystem

As hotels continue to redefine the guest experience through digital transformation, in-room technology has evolved from a basic amenity into a strategic component of the broader hotel ecosystem.

World Wildlife Day 2026: From rescue to rewilding, Kalo’s journey continues

He arrived at the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe on March 23, 2024, barely eight months old. Kalo had spent an unknown number of days trapped at the bottom of an abandoned well near Galenbidunuwewa in Sri Lanka’s Anuradhapura district, separated from the herd he had lost.

Endless Dim Sum takes centre stage at Emperor’s Wok, Hilton Colombo

Hilton Colombo invites guests to experience the art of authentic Chinese cuisine at Emperor’s Wok with Endless Dim Sum, a weekend culinary experience dedicated to one of Asia’s most beloved dining traditions.

Artslab Creatives claims 4 Effie recognitions

​Artslab Creatives, an independent digital marketing agency founded in 2020, has secured four recognitions at Effie Awards Sri Lanka 2025, competing against the country’s most established marketing organisations.

Elvoir expands portfolio; outlines plans to grow Sri Lanka’s fragrance industry

Sri Lanka’s first luxury fragrance house Elvoir is expanding its product portfolio beyond perfumes into personal care, with plans to introduce body lotions as part of its next phase of growth.

Highest in SL hotel occupancy recorded during India-Pakistan match– Hotelier

The highest spikes in hotel occupancy in Sri Lanka’s recent tourism history occurred during the India-Pakistan international cricket match, where hotel occupancy surged to nearly 70 percent, was revealed by a top hotelier at the recently concluded Global Biz Connect 2026.

Banking services to remain open five days a week with half-day Wednesday schedule

The banking sector will continue uninterrupted weekday operations as the industry moves to balance essential financial services with ongoing fuel and energy conservation measures, the apex banking body

EDB rolls out priority fuel scheme to safeguard export industries

Efforts are underway to ring fence the local export engine from the deepening fuel crisis with Export Development Board (EDB) fast-tracking a dedicated supply mechanism to ensure uninterrupted operations

Fuel shortages snarl cargo movements threatening Sri Lanka’s export pipeline

Disruptions to cargo movements are emerging as the most immediate flashpoint in Sri Lanka’s deepening fuel crisis, with delays across transport routes beginning to cascade through the broader export supply

Credit boom reshapes local banking sector in 2025

The local banking sector is shifting more decisively towards private sector-led lending, with a sharp pickup in credit reshaping exposure even as capital and liquidity buffers ease from last year’s highs.

NSB earnings surge on lower impairments, stronger margins

The National Savings Bank (NSB) Group delivered a sharp acceleration in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2025, with profit growth underpinned by widening margins, a steep decline in impairment

Eight international and local parties express interest in Canwill Holdings divestiture

​The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has received eight expressions of interest for the proposed divestiture of Canwill Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, marking a critical step in the state’s restructuring

Yield curve moves higher amid intensified selling pressure

Secondary market activity picked up yesterdat, with higher volumes reflecting intensified selling pressure as geopolitical uncertainty continued to dampen sentiment, driving a broad-based upward shift in the yield

Indices close in red

Indices closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as John Keells Holdings, Access Engineering and Commercial Bank with the turnover crossing Rs. 3.9 bn.

India’s NPCI flags low merchant awareness in Sri Lanka while developing outbound UPI access

India’s NPCI International is actively working with LankaPay to allow Sri Lankans travelling to India to access the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a reciprocal move that comes over two years after the

McLarens Lubricants celebrates Mobil Delvac’s 100th anniversary

McLarens Lubricants Ltd, a subsidiary of the McLarens group and authorised distributor of Mobil Lubricants in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, celebrates the 100th anniversary of Mobil Delvac, one of the