Sri Lanka’s leading culinary festival ‘Gourmet Galle’ set to return

‘Gourmet Galle’, the island’s signature food festival, is set to return from 26 January to 1 February 2026 with a fresh and immersive format. Against the stunning backdrop of Sri Lanka’s southern coast, this week-long celebration promises to bring together visionary chefs, carefully crafted menus, and indulgent experiences that honour the country’s rich culinary heritage.

D Tech launches ‘Zynolo People’ to revolutionise HR management

D Tech (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of DSI Samson Group announced the launch of ‘Zynolo People’, a next-generation Human Resource Management (HRM) solution that redefines how businesses manage their workforce. Purpose-built to simplify HR operations and enhance employee engagement, Zynolo People delivers an all-in-one platform to support organisations of any size and scale.

PPIM gains ‘ACCA Approved Employer’ recognition

Premier Partners Institute of Management (PPIM) has achieved a significant milestone in its pursuit of academic and professional excellence by being officially recognised as an ACCA Approved Employer. This accolade reflects PPIM’s ongoing commitment to high standards in accounting and finance education, as well as its dedication to nurturing the next generation of professionals in the field.

Virtusa ranked 8th among ‘Top 50 Consulting Firms’

Virtusa Corporation, a global provider of digital strategy, engineering, and IT services and solutions, announced that it has been named a finalist in The Top 50 Consulting Firms of 2025 list by The Consulting Report, ranking 8th – an impressive rise of seven places from its 15th position last year.

Great Place To Work Sri Lanka attends 2025 Global Summit

The Great Place To Work For All Summit 2025 concluded successfully after three transformative days of learning, connection, and purpose-driven leadership.

CSE records modest gains

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) began the week on a positive footing, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) climbing nearly 122 points in early trading. While the market experienced a slight loss in momentum as the session progressed, it managed to close with a gain of 50.15 points (+0.26%) at 19,517.86.

Cleantech launches market-driven recycling initiative

Cleantech last week launched Re-circle, an innovative plastic recycling initiative aimed at combating plastic pollution through a self-sustained market-based system. The programme brought together recyclers, manufacturers, and policymakers to drive commercially viable solutions for waste management and circular production

SL’s tourism growth slows in July; industry eyes visa-free scheme for crucial boost

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is facing a significant slowdown in arrival growth for the second consecutive month, with July figures indicating a sharp drop in momentum.

Sri Lanka’s NBFI sector seeks clearer skies for Fintech and Crypto adoption

Sri Lanka’s Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFI) sector is calling for a clear regulatory framework and strategic direction from the Central Bank (CB) to navigate the burgeoning fields of financial technology (fintech) including cryptocurrency.

AFC Asia Frontier Fund touts Sri Lanka as top pick for next 5 years

Hong Kong-based AFC Asia Frontier Fund has identified Sri Lanka as one of its top country picks for the next two to five years, citing a powerful combination of political stability, a robust economic recovery, and attractive market valuations.

Rate pause to offer near-term upside for equities: Capital Trust Research

Central Bank’s decision last week to hold policy rates steady is expected to favour equities, according to Capital Trust Research.

WindForce-Vidullanka commission 10 MW Sooryashakthi Solar Power Project

Marking a powerful leap forward in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy journey, WindForce PLC and Vidullanka PLC celebrated the successful commissioning of the 10 MW Sooryashakthi solar power project.

NCP Awards 2025 encourages industries to adopt cleaner production principles

National Cleaner Production (NCP) Awards 2025 stands as a prestigious recognition programme aimed at honouring Sri Lankan industries and organisations that demonstrate outstanding commitment to sustainable practices, resource efficiency and environmental responsibility.

BYD launches Kurunegala 3S facility

BYD, the world’s leading new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer, together with its authorised distributor in Sri Lanka John Keells CG Auto (JKCG Auto), announced the grand opening of its comprehensive 3S facility in Kurunegala on July 23, 2025.

Tysers clarifies position on NITF tender

Tysers notes the recent public commentary regarding the awarding of a reinsurance tender involving the National Insurance Trust Fund (NITF).

SL Business Council UAE chief meets CH17 Loyalty CEO

Sri Lanka Business Council (SLBC) UAE – Dubai and Northern Emirates Chairman Suren Swaminathan, who was on a brief visit to Colombo recently, met with CH17 Loyalty Founder and CEO Jumar Preena.

Shippers’ Council holds 55th Annual General Meeting

The 55th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council (SLSC) took place at Hilton Colombo recently.

SL’s plantation sector sounds alarm over 30% US tariff

The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) has expressed grave concern over the US’ decision to impose a 30 percent tariff on Sri Lankan tea and rubber exports, set to take effect from August 1.

Janashakthi Finance celebrates 44 years of progress and purpose

Janashakthi Finance PLC (formerly known as Orient Finance PLC), a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group), celebrates its 44th anniversary, marking more than four decades of commitment to empowering Sri Lankans through innovative and inclusive financial solutions.

DFCC Bank launches SL’s 1st tailored financial solution for tuition professionals

In a pioneering move, DFCC Bank launched a unique suite of financial services under its DFCC Freelancer proposition, now specifically designed for Sri Lanka’s dynamic private tuition sector.

NDB Bank honoured with 8 SLIBFI Awards

NDB Bank reaffirmed its leadership in Sri Lanka’s Islamic banking sector by securing eight distinguished accolades at Sri Lanka Islamic Banking and Finance Industry (SLIBFI) Awards 2025, held recently.

LOLC Finance unveils Super Saver Account with higher returns

LOLC Finance has launched the LOLC Super Saver Account, a thoughtfully designed savings solution that offers the perfect balance between high returns and convenient access to funds.

ComBank and Jaffna University empower farmers and youth in climate-smart agriculture

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has partnered with the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Jaffna to deliver hands-on training in smart farming technologies to 100 farmers in Kilinochchi, in a significant move to modernise Sri Lanka’s agriculture and strengthen food security in the face of climate change.

Turning waste into worth

As plastic waste chokes coastlines and clogs supply chains, Sri Lanka is looking inward, not to ban plastic altogether, but to reinvent how it’s used, reused, and valued.

Recircle by Cleantech launches 100% locally made sanitary and cleaning tools

Cleantech (Pvt) Ltd last week introduced two very common yet very effective products, The Spade and The Lady Bin which were manufactured using 100 percent locally recycled plastic.

IMF stresses need for stronger revenue measures in Budget 2026

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday stressed the importance of firm fiscal discipline, as Sri Lanka prepares its 2026 national budget.

Urges financial sector reforms to support credit growth

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) called for targeted reforms in Sri Lanka’s financial sector, highlighting the need to address the systemic weaknesses to support the private sector credit growth and economic recovery.

Apparel exports rise nearly 9% in first half on strong EU, UK demand

Sri Lanka’s apparel exports grew 8.95 percent year-on-year (YoY) in the first half of 2025, driven by strong demand from the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK), according to the provisional data released by the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF).

Largest Ceylon black tea producer embraces mechanisation, drone technology and AI amidst labour shortage

Sri Lanka’s largest black tea producer, Hatton Plantations PLC (HPL), is embracing mechanisation, drone technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to navigate the challenges of a manual labour shortage and rising production costs, according to its 2024/2025 annual report.

Cartoon of the Day 26-07-2025: Caption This! (In The Comments)