Shippers’ Council warns of supply chain hits from Middle Eastern shipping disruptions

The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council has raised concerns over the mounting disruptions to global shipping and supply chains driven by the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Banking sector faces elevated money laundering risks amid rising fraud and tax evasion

Sri Lanka’s banking sector is currently confronting a medium-high money laundering risk, compounded by emerging threats from financial fraud and tax evasion.

Official reserves climb to 6-year peak at US$ 7.2 bn; Gold in reserves doubles

​Sri Lanka’s foreign reserve assets have risen to their highest levels since April 2020, supported by continuous record-high inflows from worker remittances, tourism, and exports.

February worker remittances robust at US$ 729mn

​Sri Lankan remittances remained robust in February 2026, totalling US$ 729.0 million, up from US$ 548.1 million a year earlier, though slightly below January’s US$ 751.1 million.

Navigating global volatility: How Sri Lanka can turn geopolitical turbulence into an economic advantage

The global economic landscape is currently navigating a period of profound volatility, characterised by shifting geopolitical alliances, rising protectionism and unpredictable regional conflicts.

CSE-IFC-global partners ring opening bell to advance women’s leadership in SL biz

Reaffirming the commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment and leadership in Sri Lanka, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), International Finance Corporation (IFC) – a World Bank Group member – and global partners including UN Women and the United Nations Global Compact, came together for a ceremonial opening bell ringing.

Sri Lanka serves up free meals for tourists stranded by Middle East flight chaos

Sri Lanka Tourism has organised a special luncheon and breakfast programme for foreign tourists who are currently staying in the country, due to the disruptions caused by the Middle East crisis.

HNB Assurance elevates ‘Liya Harasara’ 2026

HNB Assurance PLC launched the 2026 edition of ‘Liya Harasara’, its flagship annual initiative dedicated to celebrating and empowering women in line with the International Women’s Day.

ComBank opens Kaluwanchikudy branch

Committed to delivering convenient banking solutions for all, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has expanded its footprint to Kaluwanchikudy, with the opening of its newest branch in this scenic coastal town southeast of Batticaloa in the Eastern province.

War risk disrupts Sri Lanka’s tea shipping routes

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is beginning to disrupt one of the global tea trade’s most critical corridors, with the exporters in Sri Lanka, India and Kenya warning of mounting logistical and financial pressures as the shipping routes through the region become increasingly risky.

CDS crosses 1mn accounts

Central Depository Systems (Pvt.) Ltd (CDS), a subsidiary of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), has reached a milestone as the total registered accounts surpassed the one million mark.

CSE-NSEIX enter strategic partnership to expand capital market access

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and NSE IFSC LIMITED (NSEIX), an international multi-asset exchange and wholly-owned subsidiary of National Stock Exchange of India Limited, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) recently to strengthen capital market cooperation between Sri Lanka and India.

SMEs urged to participate in national support forum

Sri Lanka’s small and medium enterprise (SME) sector — widely recognised as the backbone of the national economy — is currently facing one of the most challenging periods in recent history.

Local apparel sector eyes tech upgrades, supply-chain integration at textile expo

Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is stepping up efforts to strengthen supply-chain integration and adopt new manufacturing technologies as the global sourcing patterns shift, the industry leaders said at the opening of a major textile sourcing exhibition in Colombo.

Emirates targets full network restoration within days as flights resume

Emirates yesterday said it is gradually restoring the flight operations after the partial reopening of the regional airspace, with the airline expecting to return to its full global network within the coming days, subject to operational conditions.

ASPI loses 4.3% during the week

Indices closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as John Keells Holdings, Hatton National Bank and Sampath Bank with the turnover crossing Rs. 5.0 Bn.

Secondary market sees limited activity as yield curve remains stable

The secondary market recorded limited activity with thin volumes, while some mixed trading was observed in the longer tenures.

CMA Sri Lanka hosts students’ dialogue with IFAC President

The Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka (CMA Sri Lanka) commenced its 2026 student engagement initiatives with the “Students’ Dialogue on the Future of the Accountancy Profession with the IFAC President,” held on January 22 at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

Belmont Institute of Higher Education celebrates graduation ceremony

The Belmont Institute of Higher Education recently celebrated its Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2025, at Water’s Edge in Colombomarking a significant milestone in the academic and professional journeys of its graduating students.

Innox Holdings wins Excellence Award for Innovation

Innox Holdings participated in Architect 2026 for the first time in history and was recognized with an Excellence Award forInnovation for its uniquely-designed stall. Architect 2026 is organized by the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, the premier professional body representing architects in Sri Lanka, dedicated to advancing the profession and promoting excellence in architectural practice.

Ozone, Foxygen Sri Lanka launch at Architects Exhibition

Foxygen announced the launch of Ozone’s architectural hardware solutions in Sri Lanka as the exclusive distributor and channel partner, at the Architects Exhibition held at BMICH.

Sirus Migration brings Prof. Steven Stern to Sri Lanka

Sirus Migration and Education announced that renowned statistician and custodian of the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) Method, Steven Stern, will visit Sri Lanka from March 11th to 14th for a multi-day national academic engagement series.

Dipped Products’ 50th year focuses on regional healthcare, education and community resilience

As Dipped Products PLC (DPL) marks its 50th anniversary, the company is dedicated to strengthening its ongoing commitment to social development, with targeted interventions in healthcare, education, public services and rural livelihoods.

Tokyo Cement crowns top performers at Dealer Convention

Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC recognised their Top Dealers for outstanding performance at the Annual Dealer Convention held at the Shangri-La Colombo.

Social listening becomes critical as Sri Lankan brands face digital inflection point

As Sri Lanka’s digital landscape undergoes a rapid transformation, local corporates and MSMEs are being urged to look beyond established advertising avenues and embrace social listening to safeguard brand reputation and drive growth.

Yazu set to make Sri Lankan debut at Radisson Blu Resort Galle in 2026

Radisson Blu Resort Galle is set to unveil its newest culinary venture in March 2026 with the opening of ‘Yazu by the Beach’, a Pan-Asian restaurant that marks the first international expansion of India’s acclaimed Yazu brand.

British Council Women in STEM scholarships to study in the UK now open to Sri Lankans

For the sixth consecutive year, the British Council is offering fully funded scholarships to women to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses in the UK.

NDB Bank partners with Cinnamon Lakeside for Chinese New Year celebrations

National Development Bank PLC (NDB) partnered with Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo as the Exclusive Banking Partner and Main Partner for its vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations, held from 25th February to 1st March.

Maqara Restaurant becomes a must-visit culinary spot for tourists and locals

Located just in front of the World Trade Center, Maqara Sri Lankan Restaurant has rapidly grown into one of the city’s most popular dining destinations, attracting not only locals but also a growing number of tourists searching for an authentic taste of Sri Lanka.

Emirates restarts over 100 flights as regional airspace begins to reopen

Emirates said yesterday it is operating a reduced flight schedule until further notice following the partial reopening of regional airspace, as the airline cautiously resumes services while monitoring safety and