HNB Assurance among SL’s Top 40 Best Workplaces

HNB Assurance PLC has been recognised by Great Place to Work Sri Lanka as one of the Top 40 Best Workplaces in the country and was also placed ninth among large-scale organisations.

SMI Group’s Prive now ready for occupation

SMI Group of Companies announced the successful completion and readiness for occupation of its latest premium residential development Prive, located at No. 121, Jawatta Road, Colombo 5.

AIA SL among Best Workplaces for 13th year

AIA Sri Lanka has once again demonstrated its commitment to excellence in workplace culture by being named among the Best Workplaces in Sri Lanka for 2025 by Great Place to Work.

BNI National Conference engages over 400+ local and int’l members

BNI Sri Lanka’s flagship event – BNI National Conference 2025, which was held recently at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo, concluded successfully with the active and enthusiastic participation of 250 members

Bank of Ceylon commemorates 86 years of banking leadership and national service

Bank of Ceylon (BOC), Sri Lanka’s premier state-owned commercial bank, proudly marks its 86th anniversary, marking a legacy that began on August 1, 1939 and has since evolved into an institution that

CSE wraps up July with strong gains amid renewed buying interest

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) concluded the final trading session of July on a positive trajectory, reflecting investor resilience despite early-session volatility.

John Keells posts strong recovery as retail and logistics drive topline surge

Premier blue-chip John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) posted a sharp earnings rebound in the first quarter of its current financial year (1Q26), with group revenue expanding 64 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs.114.15 billion and group EBITDA rising 69 percent to Rs.12.97 billion.

Central Bank directs Cargills Bank to cut major shareholder’s voting stake

The Central Bank has issued a formal directive to Cargills Bank PLC, instructing the lender to reduce the voting rights of its major shareholder, the Cargills group, from 60.71 percent to 15 percent by end-2029, while raising capital through a phased, market-based approach to meet the minimum capital requirement of Rs.20 billion. The directive, issued by the Governing Board of the Central Bank, also requires Cargills Bank to raise approximately R

Union Bank June profit lifted by new loans, fee incomes amid low provisions

Union Bank of Colombo PLC reported some robust financial performance for the three months ended in June 2025, on the back of higher growth in loans and rising fee incomes.

Muted activity leaves yield curve steady in secondary market

The secondary market experienced another quiet trading day, leaving the yield curve unchanged due to limited activity.

Visa waivers not a substitute for strong tourism campaign: SL Tourism Alliance Chief

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector risks falling short of its recovery potential without a focused and well-funded international marketing campaign, the industry leaders warn.

Bank of Ceylon in The Banker ‘Top 1000 World Banks’ ranking again

Bank of Ceylon (BOC) has once again been ranked among the Top 1000 World Banks by The Banker magazine, published by the Financial Times Ltd UK. Bank of Ceylon has been placed at the top, highlighting its standing as the highest-ranked Sri Lankan bank on the list.

Rahul Pavithran appointed Head of Sales & Marketing at ITC Ratnadipa, Colombo

ITC Ratnadipa Colombo has appointed international hospitality professional Rahul Pavithran as Head of Sales & Marketing in a strategic move to strengthen the hotel’s market position.

Indices closed on a mixed note

The ASPI closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Melstacorp, Seylan Bank and Ceylon Tobacco Company with the turnover crossing Rs. 5.2 Bn. Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 edged down. High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Hatton National Bank, Hatton National Bank nonvoting and The Lighthouse Hotel. Mixed interest was observed in John Keells Holdings, ACL Cables and Softlogic Finance whilst retail inte

EDB launches Regional Exporters Networking Initiative in Kandy

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), under the patronage of Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, successfully conducted the Regional Exporters Networking Forum on July 29th at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Kandy.

Tea industry overview (Jan - June, 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 June 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

NDB Bank named Sri Lanka’s Best Digital Bank for SMEs at EuromoneyAwards

National Development Bank PLC (NDB) was recently named Sri Lanka’s Best Digital Bank for SMEs at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, reaffirming its leadership in delivering progressive, technology-driven, and focused solutions that align with the nation’s strategic development priorities.

“AI won’t replace printers, but printers using AI will,” says industry innovator

In a compelling address at the 8th Round Table Conference in Colombo last week, Himanshu Pandey of Avantika Printers urged the printing industry to embrace Artificial Intelligence or risk becoming obsolete.

ICC breaks ground on ‘The Residencies Kohuwala’

International Construction Consortium (ICC) announced the groundbreaking of its latest residential project, “The Residencies Kohuwala”.

TRI-ZEN achieves landmark 700 unit handover

John Keells Properties (JKP) announced a historic milestone with 700 apartment units successfully handed over to homeowners at TRI-ZEN — marking the largest handover of residential units in a single development in Sri Lanka to date.

AIA Insurance honours brightest stars at 2025 Sales Convention

AIA Sri Lanka recently hosted its annual Sales Convention at the Shangri-La, Colombo.

GRI launches Sri Lanka’s first 1000-20 20PR truck tyre

In a landmark moment for Sri Lanka’s tyre industry, Global Rubber Industries (GRI) launched the ‘ROADEX TR100 1000-20 20PR’ truck tyre — the first of its kind in the country — at a ceremony held on 26th July at Clover Banquets, Kelaniya.

DIMO offers warranty on rubber tracks for LOVOL harvesters

DIMO Agribusinesses, the agricultural arm of DIMO, offers the first and only warranted rubber tracks in Sri Lanka on a harvester through its LOVOL harvesters.

Samsung Sri Lanka introduces Exclusive Easy Pay programme

Samsung Sri Lanka has officially launched Samsung Exclusive Easy Pay, monthly instalment programme that makes it easier than ever for Sri Lankans to own the latest Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Powered by strategic partnerships with John Keells Office Automation (JKOA), Helios and Alliance Finance (AFC), this initiative delivers affordability, accessibility and simplicity for consumers across the island.

Unimo Enterprises introduces all-new JMEV ELIGHT Sedan

Unimo Enterprises Limited, a fully-owned subsidiary of United Motors Lanka PLC, took a significant step in Sri Lanka’s electric mobility journey with the launch of JMEV ELIGHT EV Sedan at the 2025 Colombo EV Motor Show. This important addition expands Unimo’s electric vehicle (EV) portfolio, which now features two pioneering brands – SERES and JMEV – offering eco-conscious Sri Lankan drivers a greater choice.

Allianz Insurance Lanka recognised again as a Great Place to Work

Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurers and part of the global insurance leader Allianz SE, has been certified once again as a Great Place to Work in Sri Lanka.

CSE ends higher despite intra-day volatility

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed in positive territory today, following a session marked by sharp volatility. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) initially surged nearly 145 points before retreating by 148 points mid-session.

Beedi tax hike misses revenue target as smuggling, license drop take toll

The latest increase in tobacco tax on beedi products has failed to meet its intended revenue targets, with authorities pointing out a drop in licensed manufacturers and rising illicit trade as key reasons for the shortfall.

Detention of BYD EVs sets ‘dangerous precedent’: Expert

A move by Sri Lanka Customs to detain over 1,000 BYD Atto 3 electric vehicles over allegations of misdeclared motor capacity is being slammed by a top motor industry expert as a misguided action that sets a dangerous precedent for the rule of law and investor confidence in Sri Lanka.

Seylan Bank records Rs.5.49 bn PAT in 1H25

Seylan Bank recorded a Profit before Income Tax (PBT) of Rs. 8,444 million in 1H2025, against Rs. 7,331 million in 1H2024 demonstrating a growth of 15.18 percent.