CSE opens the week lower as retail selling and geopolitical concerns weigh on market sentiment

The Colombo Stock Exchange commenced the week on a weak note, with both benchmark indices closing sharply lower as investor sentiment remained subdued amid persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and cautious positioning ahead of the upcoming quarterly earnings season. Retail-driven selling pressure dominated the session,

Sri Lanka has survived its crisis. Or has it?

Sri Lanka’s economic comeback has won praise from the creditors, multilaterals and investors. Yet, beneath the headline numbers is hidden a more uncomfortable question: Can the island nation create enough jobs, attract enough investment and remain competitive in an increasingly uncertain world?

Delay, drift and decline

Sri Lanka has moved past its 2022 economic crisis, but its recovery remains “far from over,” the World Bank’s Country Manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives said, warning that the country must now convert stability into competitiveness and jobs.

Indian tourists outspend some European visitors as Sri Lanka targets 75,000-100,000 monthly arrivals

Sri Lanka’s tourism strategy is shifting from a focus on raw arrival numbers towards prioritising high-yield markets, as data shows regional Asian and Middle Eastern visitors consistently outspending traditional European travellers.

Tourism earnings top US$ 1.5bn in 1H as June registers softer dip under new methodology

Industry faces a steep climb to meet the US$ 3.5bn year-end target, requiring US$ 2bn in the second half of the year amid a downward revision of average daily spend to US$ 148

Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves dip in June amid fluctuating Central Bank market interventions

Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves fell by US$ 431 million in June 2026, dropping to a provisional US$ 6,450 million from US$6,881 million at the end of May 2026, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL).

Lion Brewery’s Rs. 103.8bn tax bill exposes seven-year-old broken promise on alcohol tax reform

Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC’s latest set of numbers reads like a masterclass in top-line resilience undone by fiscal drag.

Dialog Enterprise and NCE renew partnership to accelerate digital transformation of exporters

Dialog Enterprise, the corporate solutions arm of Dialog Axiata PLC and Sri Lanka’s number one ICT solutions provider, has renewed its strategic partnership with the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE), reaffirming its commitment to empowering Sri Lankan exporters with advanced digital technologies, industry expertise, and innovation-driven solutions.

NTB appoints new Independent Non-Executive Director to Board

Nations Trust Bank PLC has announced the appointment of Ananda Jayawardana as an Independent Non-Executive Director to its Board.

AMW transfers Solid Tyre Division to AGTL to operate as BOI company

Associated Motorways (Private) Limited (AMW) has formally transferred its Solid Tyre Division to wholly owned subsidiary AGTL (Associated Global Trading (Private) Limited), marking a significant milestone in the company’s long-term growth strategy and a foundational step towards AGTL operating as a Board of Investment (BOI)-registered entity.

Union Assurance wins Second Celent Model Insurer Award

Union Assurance has been recognised as a Model Insurer for Customer Experience at the Celent Model Insurer Awards 2026, setting a global benchmark for the Life Insurance industry and showcasing leadership in technology-driven transformation.

Hayleys Aventura introduces Sri Lanka’s first automated rotary parking system

As Sri Lanka’s cities continue to grow, the demand for parking within increasingly limited space has become a pressing urban challenge.

Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General introduces Beechat AI assistant

Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Limited (SLICGL) unveiled Beechat, the country’s first generative artificial intelligence (AI)‑powered insurance assistant, heralding a milestone for Sri Lanka’s insurance industry and move towards digital services.

CORRECTION

In the article titled “Authorities reassure 2.5mn tourist arrival target with US$ 3.5bn revenue goal” published last Saturday (July 11) in Mirror Business (Page 7), we have inadvertently carried the picture caption as Ruwan Ranasinghe instead of Buddika Hewawasam. We regret the error.

ComBank voted Sri Lanka’s ‘Most Loved’ Banking brandfor third consecutive year

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has reaffirmed its leadership in Sri Lanka’s banking sector by being ranked the No. 1 banking brand in the Service Brands category for the third consecutive year inLMD Magazine’s 2026 Most Loved Brands survey, while also being placed second among all service brands in the country.

Siyapatha Finance’s newest branch in Bandarawela

Siyapatha Finance PLC recently expanded its islandwide footprint with the successful inauguration of its 64th branch in Bandarawela.

Hemas Hospitals wins 30 Quality Awards

Hemas Hospitals & Laboratory Chain has set a new national benchmark in healthcare quality, winning 30 awards at National Convention on Quality and Productivity (NCQP) 2026 — the highest number of awards won by a single hospital in the country.

DFCC Bank-MyFees.lk advance digital payments across education sector

DFCC Bank PLC has entered into a strategic partnership with MyFees.lk, Sri Lanka’s leading education-focused digital payment platform, to strengthen digital payment capabilities across the country’s education sector and improve payment convenience for institutions, students and families.

Macbertan clinches double Gold at NCQP 2026

Reinforces a legacy of operational excellence, structured problem-solving and sustainable value creation for business partners

Evolution Auto unveils Auto Direct platform

Evolution Auto, the authorised distributor of electric vehicles in Sri Lanka, has launched Auto Direct, a dedicated platform that brings vehicle buying, selling and trade-in services under one roof, offering the Sri Lankan vehicle owners a structured and transparent alternative in a challenging automotive market.

Wire Group launches Intel Wire strategic intelligence business unit

Wire Communications Consultancy Holdings Group (WCCG) has launched a strategic intelligence business unit, Intel Wire, to provide specialised risk advisory and reputation management services for corporations, the Sri Lankan communications and reputation management advisory consultation firm said.

Emirates to double A350 operations in Colombo from August

Emirates will introduce a second daily A350 service between Dubai and Colombo from August 8, further elevating the travel experience for the customers with more options to experience the airline’s latest-generation aircraft and its highly sought-after Premium Economy cabin.

Authorities reassure 2.5mn tourist arrival target with US $ 3.5bn revenue goal

Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities have reassured that the country remains on track to achieve its target of 2.5 million tourist arrivals for the year, aiming for an ambitious revenue goal of between US $ 3.5 billion and US $ 4 billion.

CWIT scales up with region’s tallest cranes

Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) has received two ship-to-shore electric cranes and seven cantilever rail-mounted gantry cranes, marking the start of the second phase of its capacity expansion programme as it seeks to strengthen the Port of Colombo’s position as a regional transshipment hub.

CA Sri Lanka launches multi-pronged initiative to power SME sector

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) together with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) rolled out a multi-pronged initiative to power the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector recently, launching the SME Creditworthiness Rating Framework, SME Connect Awards and the inaugural issue of ‘The Entrepreneur’ magazine.

Ceylon Chamber expands export support with new pharmaceutical documentation service

The Commercial Documents Registration Division (CDRD) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has expanded its export support services, with the introduction of the Free Sale Letter for Pharmaceuticals, providing the Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturers and exporters with an additional document certification service to support their export processes and compliance requirements in international markets.

Secondary market winds up week on a quiet note

The secondary market witnessed a subdued trading session with limited activity and low volumes ahead of the T-bond auction scheduled for July 13, 2026, as the market participants remained on the sidelines in anticipation of the auction.

Week ends in green

The ASPI closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Ceylon Cold Stores, Haycarb and Dialog Axiata with the turnover crossing Rs. 2.0 Bn.

BOC marks a new era in digital payments with Flex Tap & Pay

Bank of Ceylon (BOC) recently unveiled BOC Flex Tap & Pay, Sri Lanka’s first mobile banking wallet-based tap and pay solution.

SAGT releases 7th consecutive sustainability report

South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), Sri Lanka’s pioneering public-private partnership container terminal, published its 2025/26 sustainability report titled ‘Staying The Course’.