Exporters warn currency gains being wiped out by higher import bills

Sri Lanka’s fast weakening rupee is beginning to expose a deeper strain within the country’s export sector, with exporters warning that the rising cost of imported fuel, raw materials and industrial inputs is rapidly eroding the short-term gains from a stronger dollar.

National Regulatory Reform Council to streamline business environment

Sri Lanka is set to establish a National Regulatory Reform Council aimed at improving the country’s regulatory environment and enhancing private sector competitiveness, the government announced.

Sri Lanka to join AIA group supervisory board to strengthen cross-border insurance oversight

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) is set to obtain membership of the AIA Group Supervisory Board as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework and enhance international regulatory cooperation.

JICA-backed milk production project in dry zone gets green light

A technical cooperation project aimed at increasing milk production in Sri Lanka’s dry zone is to be implemented over a three-year period with a financial grant of Rs. 300 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the government said.

Indices close in red

The ASPI edged down as a result of price losses in counters such as Sampath Bank, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank with the turnover crossing Rs. 2.3 bn.

Selling pressure drives yields higher across the curve

The market came under notable selling pressure yesterday, pushing yields up across the curve by around 10–15bps. Although trading volumes recorded a modest pick-up compared to Monday, overall activity levels remained moderate.

India-SL Biz Forum highlights new momentum in trade, investment and connectivity

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), organised the India-Sri Lanka Business Forum: Partnering in Sri Lanka’s Growth and Investment and CII-Ceylon Chamber CEOs Interaction, in Mumbai, on May 13, 2026.

First Capital launches SL’s 1st Smart Assisted Customer Onboarding platform

First Capital Holdings PLC has taken a significant step forward in reshaping the investment experience with the launch of the country’s first Smart Assisted Customer Onboarding platform with the use of an Avatar.

Katunayake EPZ opens new Abdeen Children’s Day Care and Learning Centre

The new Abdeen Children’s Day Care and Learning Centre at the Katunayake Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) was ceremonially opened on May 14, 2026, marking a significant milestone in employee welfare and child development support within Sri Lanka’s export manufacturing sector.

Continental Cars to reintroduce German automotive brand

Sri Lanka’s automotive sector is poised for a significant development as Continental Cars & Commercials (Pvt.) Ltd announced plans to reintroduce a renowned German automotive brand to the local market later this month.

CMA Sri Lanka launches Cost Accounting Standards

The Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka (CMA Sri Lanka) last week launched in Colombo nineteen ‘Cost Accounting Standards (CASSL)’, a set of standardized principles and guidelines to be followed by large and medium institutions in both public and private sector to ensure uniformity, consistency and accuracy in the measurement, classification, assignment and presentation of cost related information in cost statements.

HNB Life marks 6th consecutive bancassurance triumph

HNB Life, previously known as HNB Assurance, marks another milestone in its 25-year journey of trust and protection, securing the prestigious Best Life Bancassurance Provider – Sri Lanka award from for the sixth consecutive year.

Fairfirst recognised at Great Manager Awards for 6th year

Fairfirst Insurance continued its focus on leadership development at Great Manager Awards 2025, organised by the Colombo Leadership Academy.

PPIM, SL’s only ACCA Platinum Approved Learning Partner

PPIM achieves ACCA’s highest global accreditation tier, four years after attaining the Gold status, cementing its position as Sri Lanka’s leading ACCA tuition provider.

Sri Lanka Animal Nutrition Association inaugurated

Sri Lanka’s industry marked a new chapter with the launch of the Sri Lanka Association of Animal Nutrition (SLAAN) at an event hosted in collaboration with the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) in Kandy earlier this month.

Mark and Comm deploys Talkwalker to raise bar on social intelligence for SL brands

Mark and Comm (Pvt.) Ltd together with Talkwalker, the world’s leading social intelligence platform, is now offering clients and prospects in Sri Lanka professional social listening, media monitoring, reporting and strategic advisory as a fully managed service.

Strong Economies Need Strong Banks: Building the system Sri Lanka’s next decade will need

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its successive reviews of Sri Lanka’s recovery programme, has consistently emphasized that a sustained recovery requires a sound banking sector. This in turn means a sector capable of channeling credit into the productive economy, mobilizing savings, and facilitating investment, all of which represent the most critical needs of the nation.

CEAT opens premium Shop-in-Shop outlet at Olympic Tyre House

CEAT Kelani Holdings has expanded its network of premium retail outlets with the opening of a new Shop-in-Shop (SIS) facility at Olympic Tyre House located in Colombo 6.

Bairaha Farms receives ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gas Verification

Bairaha Farms PLC has achieved a milestone in corporate sustainability, becoming one of Sri Lanka’s leading poultry-businesses to receive Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Verification at the organizational level with a “reasonable level of assurance”.

Sri Lanka posts record fiscal improvement amid Middle East risks

The government achieved a primary surplus for the third consecutive year, reaching 5.4 percent of GDP, while the current account balance also recorded a surplus of 0.7 percent of GDP for the first time since 1987, revealed Central Bank Economic Research Department Director Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya.

David Pieris Automobiles delivers BAIC X55 fleet to Chevron Lubricants Lanka

David Pieris Automobiles (Private) Limited (DPA) marked another significant milestone with the delivery of eight BAIC X55 vehicles to Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC, which markets the strong Caltex brand in Sri Lanka. This delivery reinforces David Pieris Automobiles’ continued efforts to strengthen its portfolio of internationally acclaimed brands while supporting corporate customers with robust after-sales service, nationwide support and trusted

Salesforce introduces Headless 360

Salesforce has introduced Salesforce Headless 360, making the Salesforce platform accessible through APIs, MCP tools and CLI commands so AI agents can act without relying on a browser.

SITREK unveils SIDEKICK platform

SITREK Group recently introduced SIDEKICK, a digital platform designed to support operational security management across facilities and corporate environments.

BYD-JKCG Auto mark 20,000 services and repairs

BYD and its authorised distributor for Sri Lanka John Keells CG Auto (JKCG Auto) celebrated a milestone of 20,000 successful vehicle services since commencing operations last year.

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to host Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2026

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will host the second edition of the Sri Lanka Climate Summit on June 9, 2026, at Taj Samudra Hotel, convening policymakers, industry leaders, financiers and technical experts to focus on pathways for integrating climate action into Sri Lanka’s growth story.

Cautious sentiment prevails in secondary market

Yesterday, the muted sentiment from the closure of the previous week prevailed in the secondary market, exhibiting low trading volumes and activities.

Indices close in red

The ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as John Keells Holdings, R I L Property and Hayleys with the turnover crossing Rs. 4.8 Bn. A similar behaviour was witnessed in the S&P SL20. High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in John Keells Holdings, Hemas Holdings and Hatton National Bank. Mixed interest was observed in ACL Cables, Prime Lands Residencies and Access Engineering whilst retail inte

Protestors in Matugama demand immediate lifting of oil palm ban to secure plantation economy

A silent march and awareness campaign took place in the Matugama town last week, with the plantation sector workers and local communities demanding the immediate removal of the arbitrary ban on oil palm cultivation. The demonstration sought to draw attention to the severe economic implications of the ongoing restrictions on both the workforce and broader industrial sector.

Govt. pushes forward with new Tourism Act

Despite the mounting resistance from the hoteliers and key tourism stakeholders, the government is forging ahead with the plans to repeal and replace the existing Tourism Act, establishing a special presidential task force to execute the sweeping legislative overhaul.

Amana Bank posts stronger 1Q earnings as impairments ease, SME lending expands

Amana Bank PLC reported a stronger performance for the three months ended March 2026, supported by lower impairment charges, steady financing income growth and an expansion in its SME-focused financing portfolio, despite the mounting macroeconomic pressures from geopolitical tensions and adverse weather disruptions. The bank reported a profit before tax of Rs.0.8 billion for the March quarter, up 14 percent from a year earlier, while profit after