Hatch unveils Sri Lanka’s first Innovation District

Hatch, the nation’s award-winning startup hub and a driving force behind Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, is advancing its boldest initiative yet, the creation of the country’s first Innovation District in Colombo 01.

Fortieth edition of Colombo Shopping Festival opens

The 40th edition of Colombo Shopping Festival was inaugurated by Nalin Jayasundera, the Managing Director of Aitken Spence Travels with the participation of event partners and exhibitors.

JAT ‘Pintharu Abhiman’ expands nationwide footprint completing 3rd edition of workshops

JAT Holdings PLC marked another important milestone in its long-term commitment to uplifting Sri Lanka’s painter community, as the 3rd edition of its flagship development initiative, JAT Pintharu Abhiman concluded with the eighth and final workshop held in Colombo, reinforcing JAT’s sustained investment in professionalising and empowering the painter ecosystem.

CFA Society Sri Lanka names ‘PickMe’ as Subject Company for 2025/26 Research Challenge

CFA Society Sri Lanka announced that Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka PLC, owner of the PickMe brand, has been selected as the subject company for the 19th annual CFA Institute Research Challenge Sri Lanka competition for the year 2025–2026, with the local finals scheduled for February 2026.

Tourism spend shifts to South but budget travellers weigh on yields

Sri Lanka’s inbound tourism sector is witnessing a significant structural shift, as the international visitors increasingly bypass the traditional commercial hubs in favour of leisure destinations along the southern coast and hill country.

Sri Lanka tourism records 2% YoY growth in early December despite sharp monthly dip

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry recorded 70,023 international arrivals during the first 11 days of December 2025, marking a 2.0 percent year-on-year growth, compared to the 68,648 visitors recorded during the same period in 2024.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection makes maiden call to Sri Lanka with Aitken Spence Travels

Aitken Spence Travels marked a significant milestone in the country’s tourism sector by handling the first-ever call of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection to the ports of Colombo and Galle on December 14 and 15, 2025.

November remittances at US $ 673mn

Sri Lankans working abroad remitted a solid US $ 673.4 million in November 2025, an increase from US $ 530.1 million recorded in the same month of the previous year.

Private sector credit sets new monthly record

The credit extended to the private sector by the licensed commercial banks has continued to set monthly records in recent times, driven by the sustained demand amid a prevailing low-interest-rate environment.

US ambassador nominee says sticking to IMF reforms key to unlocking American investment

Eric Meyer, the nominee for United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, has told a Senate panel that the island nation’s adherence to its International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme is critical for unlocking greater American investment.

LB Finance enters Philippines market leveraging successful regional model

LB Finance PLC (LBF), a premier non-banking financial institution (NBFI) controlled by billionaire businessman Dhammika Perera, has announced a strategic expansion into the Philippines.

Rajagiriya: A constrained market with high growth velocity

In 2024, Rajagiriya reaffirmed its position as one of the most constrained and high-potential suburbs in Colombo’s apartment market. With a 29.7 percent price increase year-over-year, rising from US $ 91 to US $ 118 per square foot from 2023 4Q to 2024 4Q, it outperformed other suburbs such as Battaramulla (21.9 percent), Malabe (7.5 percent) and Thalawathugoda (24.6 percent). Only Mount Lavinia showed a comparable rebound of 29 percent but with

Almas Holdings pledges Rs.225mn for flood relief and rebuilding

Almas Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd, a long-term investment holding company with interests in the capital market and real estate sectors, has pledged Rs.225 million to support flood relief and post-disaster rebuilding efforts, underscoring the growing private sector participation in the national recovery initiatives.

Yaden Laboratories contributes Rs.20mn to Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund

With its commitment to supporting the healthcare needs of the community, Yaden Laboratories (Pvt.) Ltd has donated Rs.20 million to the Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund, instantly stepping forward to support the nation rebuilding following Cyclone Ditwah.

More than Rs.11mn donated via GovPay to Disaster Relief Fund

More than Rs.11 million has been donated so far via GovPay to the Disaster Relief Fund established by the Finance Ministry, after the destruction faced by Cyclone Ditwah.

People’s Leasing Group contributes Rs.10mn to Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund

As a responsible corporate citizen, People’s Leasing & Finance PLC (PLC) together with its subsidiaries of People’s Insurance PLC and People’s Micro Commerce Ltd has initiated several community projects to support nation, customers and its employees during this challenging time.

India unveils future of South Asia’s construction industry

South Asia’s largest construction equipment exhibition, EXCON 2025, commenced on a grand scale on December 9, at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, showcasing a broad range of next-generation machinery and technologies.

Central Bank conducts Int’l Research Symposium 2025

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) conducted International Research Symposium 2025 during December 08-10, 2025, under the theme of ‘Stability for Prosperity’ at the CBSL John Exter International Conference Hall, to mark the 75th anniversary of the CBSL.

Vallibel Finance’s asset base soars high to Rs.143bn, up 30%

Vallibel Finance PLC sustained its robust upward trajectory in the first half of FY 25/26, delivering exceptional financial results and further consolidating its position among Sri Lanka’s top five financial institutions.

Kapruka reports 77% YoY improvement in operating performance

Kapruka Holdings PLC recently reported encouraging results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, as shared in the Chairman and CEO’s Review dated November 06, 2025.

Ogilvy Group continues winning streak at Campaign Asia Agency of the Year Awards

Ogilvy Group Sri Lanka has once again secured its place among the region’s top marketing and communications agencies at this year’s Campaign Asia Agency of the Year Awards, continuing a winning streak that spans the past seven years.

SLMLBC expresses gratitude to Maldives for post-cyclone support

The Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council (SLMLBC) extends its deepest appreciation to the government and people of the Maldives for the extraordinary solidarity and generosity extended to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the recent cyclone.

Strong growth drives LCB Finance to best-ever interim results

LCB Finance PLC has reported a significant rise in profitability for the first half of the financial year 2025/26, posting a profit before tax of Rs.298.32 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025.

Almas Holdings pledges Rs. 225 mn for flood relief and rebuilding

Almas Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, a long-term investment holding company with interests in the capital market and real estate sectors, has pledged Rs. 225 million to support flood relief and post-disaster rebuilding efforts, underscoring growing private sector participation in national recovery initiatives.

Top exporters earn national honours as Sri Lanka targets stronger global presence

Sri Lanka placed its export sector at the centre of its economic revival agenda on Thursday as the government honoured the nation’s top performers at the 27th Presidential Export Awards, underscoring the industry’s role in driving growth, innovation and global competitiveness.

Sanasa Life Insurance suspended over solvency and data integrity violations

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) has suspended the registration of Sanasa Life Insurance Company PLC, effectively halting its ability to carry out long-term insurance business for a period of three weeks.

Sri Lanka to access over US $ 100mn from World Bank and ADB for Cyclone Ditwah recovery

The Cabinet of Ministers this week approved two major financial proposals to mobilise over US $ 100 million in emergency funding from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) to address the widespread devastation caused by the recent Cyclone Ditwah.

GovPay crosses Rs.55mn mark in online traffic fine collections

A total of 43,114 spot fines, amounting to over Rs.55 million, have been processed via GovPay since the introduction of its online traffic fine payment mechanism in April this year.

Asian Development Bank approves US $ 200mn loan to boost Sri Lanka’s water and food security

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US $ 200 million loan to support the second stage of the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Programme, a major infrastructure initiative designed to improve the agricultural resilience in Sri Lanka’s drought-prone North Central province.

Veteran business leader Rajan no more

Rajan Asirvatham, one of Sri Lanka’s most respected corporate figures and a professional who held a series of influential roles across the public and private sectors, passed away yesterday (12 December).