New collateral system to expand lending opportunities for local SMEs

The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the island nation are set to gain improved access to finance with the launch of the Secured Transactions Registry (STR), a new system that allows businesses to use movable assets such as machinery, equipment and inventory as collateral for loans.

Market opens November on a bearish footing

As trading opened for the new month, the secondary market appears to have shrugged off the lethargy that was evident across most of October.

November commences with gains

The ASPI closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Senkadagala Finance, Bukit Darah and John Keells Holdings with the turnover crossing Rs. 5.7 Bn. A similar behaviour was witnessed in the S&P SL20. High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka, Aitken Spence and Jetwing Symphony. Mixed interest was observed in Sierra Cables, Chevron Lubricants and John Keells Holdings w

CSE kicks off November on a positive note

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) started November on a strong footing, with the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) gaining momentum throughout the session. Despite a brief mid-session consolidation, the market closed higher, reflecting sustained investor confidence as buying activity picked up across key counters.

Government revenue climbs by nearly 25% in 1H, driven by tax reforms and vehicle imports

The government’s fiscal position strengthened significantly in the first half of 2025, with total revenue excluding grants climbing by 24.8 percent to Rs. 2,321.7 billion from Rs. 1,860.6 billion in the same period last year.

Construction sector on a tear as speed of activity reaches four-year highs

Sri Lanka’s construction sector is seeing resurgent activity in nearly all types of projects, sending the sector’s performance to its highest levels in four years.

Vehicle import surge pushes September current account into deficit 

Sri Lanka’s external sector performance weakened in September 2025, with the country slipping into a monthly current account deficit after maintaining surpluses for eight straight months.

Sri Lanka’s AI adoption trails globe and region despite hub ambitions - Microsoft report

Sri Lanka’s adoption of artificial intelligence lags significantly on the global stage, placing it among the nations with the lowest AI usage rates, a major news report has revealed.

Senthilverl Holdings offloads entire Amana Takaful stake in Rs. 1 bn deal

Senthilverl Holdings Ltd. has fully divested its stake in Amana Takaful PLC, marking a complete exit from the insurer with a sale valued at approximately Rs. 1 billion.

SriLankan Airlines’ operating loss widens to Rs. 5.2bn despite passenger boom

The national carrier, SriLankan Airlines (SLA), reported a widening operating loss of Rs. 5.2 billion from its core air transportation business in the first three months of the 2025/26 financial year, according to figures released in the Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report 2025.

Tea industry overview: January-September 2025

The Sri Lankan tea industry saw an increase in production and exports but recorded a drop in the national average price for the period from January to September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

GP Certified launches SL’s first plastic testing lab

GP Certified announced the launch of GP Labs, Sri Lanka’s first and only dedicated plastic testing facility, designed to bring scientific precision and international quality standards to the country’s growing plastic recycling and polymer manufacturing sectors.

SriLankan Airlines wins Silver at Asia eCommerce Awards 2025

SriLankan Airlines has brought home the Silver award for Best Sales Growth Strategy at the prestigious Asia eCommerce Awards 2025, held recently in Singapore, firmly positioning the airline at the forefront of digital commerce in Asia alongside top global brands.

NDB Bank-Gavinro expand access to electric passenger and commercial vehicle financing

National Development Bank PLC (NDB) entered into a memorandum of understanding with Gavinro International (Pvt.) Ltd, one of Sri Lanka’s latest EV franchise holders representing several reputed Chinese vehicle manufacturers.

Singer introduces TAILG electric motorbikes

Singer Sri Lanka PLC announced its entry into the electric mobility sector through the introduction of TAILG electric motorbikes in Sri Lanka.

SEC celebrates 38th anniversary with a bell ringing ceremony at CSE

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) celebrated its 38th anniversary with a bell ringing ceremony held at the trading floor of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on October 30, 2025.

Janashakthi Finance records strong growth in H1 2025/2026

Janashakthi Finance PLC announced a solid financial performance for the first half of the financial year ended September 30, 2025, reporting strong growth across key business metrics and continued progress in executing its long-term strategic priorities.

RDB relocates Devinuwara branch to enhance customer convenience

The Regional Development Bank (RDB), the leading state-owned development bank dedicated to empowering Sri Lanka’s regional economies, relocated its Devinuwara branch to a new and more accessible location at No. 74, Tangalle Road, Devinuwara.

Chief Internal Auditor’s Forum of Banks appoints new committee

The Chief Internal Auditor’s Forum of Banks appointed its seventh committee for 2025/26 at the Annual General Meeting held recently.

SLAF-India’s BIPA strengthen Indo-Sri Lankan collaboration in biological agriculture

The Sri Lanka Agripreneurs’ Forum (SLAF) and BioAgri Inputs Producers Association (BIPA) of India signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) at TRACE Expert City, Colombo, marking a significant step toward advancing biological agriculture and sustainable agri-innovation across the region.

ComBank opens Islamic banking counters at Dehiwala and Galle Fort branches

Demonstrating its commitment to serve the special requirements of its Islamic customers, Commercial Bank of Ceylon inaugurated dedicated Al Adalah Islamic Banking Counters at its Dehiwala and Galle Fort branches, further expanding access to banking products and services that fully comply with Sharia principles.

SL targets 20% reduction in total waste by 2035

Sri Lanka is stepping up efforts to align its packaging industry with the global sustainability standards, targeting a 20 percent reduction in total waste by 2035 and meeting the European Union (EU) packaging benchmarks by 2040, a senior expert said.

October prices in Colombo district pick up to 2.1%

The consumer prices in the Colombo district picked up pace for the third month in a row, on the rising food prices as well as the increasing spending on the discretionaries such as dine-outs and higher expenses on healthcare.

IOM projects SL ports’ contribution to GDP to more than double by 2030

Sri Lanka’s ports, which currently contribute about 2.5 percent to the country’s GDP, are projected to account for 6 percent by 2030, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Sri Lanka Immigration and Border Management Division Head Shantha Kulasekara said on Thursday.

Lanka Ashok Leyland posts Rs.1.17bn first-half profit as revenue rises to Rs.7.75bn

Lanka Ashok Leyland PLC, a joint venture between the government of Sri Lanka and Ashok Leyland Limited of India, reported a profit of Rs.1.17 billion for the first half of the financial year ending September 30, 2025.

Fair demand at Colombo Tea Auction as offerings ease

The total offerings at this week’s Colombo Tea Auction declined marginally to 5.0 million kilos, compared with 5.4 million kilos sold the previous week, with overall quality described as mostly unchanged.

SEC rings bell on 38 years of investor empowerment

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) marked its 38th anniversary this week, with a ceremonial market opening at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

Hanif Yusoof appointed as President’s Special Envoy for Foreign Investment

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof as the President’s Special Envoy for Foreign Investment.

ASPI gains 4.7% during the month

The ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as Bukit Darah, Lion Brewery and Carson Cumberbatch with the turnover crossing Rs. 5.6 Bn.

Subdued secondary market activity keeps yield curve unchanged

The secondary market remained subdued yesterday, with low activity and thin trading volumes, leaving the overall yield curve unchanged.