SL poised to become ‘India’s Macau,’ says Melco chief at JKH’s City of Dreams launch

With the launch of the landmark City of Dreams Sri Lanka last Saturday, the nation is being positioned as a potential gaming and tourism hub for South Asia, with Melco Resorts & Entertainment Chairman and CEO, Lawrence Ho, drawing a powerful parallel: “Sri Lanka to India to be what Macau is to China.”

CSE launches CCP system, paving the way for derivatives market

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has taken a monumental step towards the introduction of a derivatives market by launching a Central Counterparty (CCP) system.

Winter bookings ‘significantly higher’ than last year- JKH chief

Sri Lanka is heading towards a strong winter tourist season, with bookings showing a significant year-over-year increase, according to John Keells Group Chairperson Krishan Balendra.

Sri Lanka surpasses 200,000 tourist arrivals in July

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector managed to continue its growth trajectory in July 2025, welcoming 200,244 international visitors.

Minister calls out banks for ‘lack of enthusiasm’ on flagship credit guarantee scheme

A flagship government credit guarantee scheme designed to fuel the growth of Sri Lanka’s small and medium enterprises is failing to gain momentum, a slowdown that Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe has blamed on a “pronounced lack of enthusiasm” from the nation’s banks.

Central Expressway’s Pothuhera-Rambukkana stretch on track for 2026 opening

The crucial first package of the Central Expressway’s Section 3, connecting Pothuhera to Rambukkana, is on schedule to open to the public in 2026, with Access Engineering PLC set to complete its foundational work by September of this year.

Intex Sri Lanka 2025 to ignite textile and apparel world

From August 6-8 2025, Colombo will once again become the epicentre of South Asia’s textile and apparel universe as Intex Sri Lanka returns with its most powerful edition yet.

Automobile Technologies opens first-ever GAC Aion EV City Store at CCC Mall

The grand opening of the inaugural showroom of GAC by Automobile Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd was held recently on the prestigious Colombo City Centre (CCC) premises, leading Sri Lanka to a new era of innovation, elegance and electric mobility.

J’pura University launches Value Masters 2025

The University of Sri Jayewardenepura marked the ceremonial launch of Value Masters 2025 recently, officially kicking off Sri Lanka’s premier inter-university equity valuation competition.

Agromax Industries holds Annual Sales Conference 2025

Agromax, Sri Lanka’s leading water pump manufacturer and pioneer in delivering innovative water management solutions, celebrated its Annual Sales Conference 2025 at Citrus Hotel Waskaduwa.

SLIM-Mastercard elevate Sri Lankan brands on global stage

The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) announced a strategic collaboration with Mastercard.

Prof. Aminda Perera assumes duties as SANASA Life Insurance Chairman

On July 17, Prof. Aminda Perera officially assumed the role of Chairman of SANASA Life Insurance PLC, following a ceremony at the head office in Colombo.

The Shoppes at City of Dreams debuts high-end retail this August

With the grand opening of City of Dreams, Sri Lanka’s first integrated resort, on August 2, 2025, the destination’s premium retail component, The Shoppes at City of Dreams, officially opened its doors on August 1.

ComBank among world’s Top 1000 banks for record 13th time

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has once again been ranked among the world’s Top 1000 Banks by the UK’s authoritative financial sector publication The Banker, becoming the only Sri Lankan bank to achieve this milestone on 13 occasions.

Sunshine Holdings reports 11.6% YoY topline growth in 1QFY26

Diversified Sri Lankan conglomerate Sunshine Holdings PLC delivered a resilient start to FY26, reporting strong top and bottom-line growths.

Inqbaytor becomes SL’s first certified Turkish Airlines NDC aggregator

Inqbaytor Technologies, a leading travel technology company, recently announced its certification as the first Turkish Airlines Direct NDC API aggregator in Sri Lanka.

CEAT ranked as SL’s Most Valuable Tyre Brand in 2025 Brand Finance Report

CEAT, Sri Lanka’s highest-selling pneumatic tyre brand, has once again reaffirmed its leadership in the country’s automotive sector by being ranked as the Most Valuable Tyre Brand in Sri Lanka for 2025, in the latest edition of the Brand Finance Lanka rankings.

City of Dreams Sri Lanka debuts South Asia’s first integrated luxury resort

City of Dreams, Sri Lanka’s largest private sector investment in luxury tourism, will open its doors today, marking the official launch of South Asia’s first fully integrated resort.

Relief for local apparel sector as US trims tariffs to 20%

Sri Lanka’s apparel industry has welcomed the United States’ decision to revise the reciprocal tariff on Sri Lankan exports to 20 percent, a move the sector says is vital to retaining competitiveness in its top export market.

Ceylon Chamber acknowledges US tariff reduction

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce yesterday commended the government of Sri Lanka and the national negotiation team on the successful outcome of the recent discussions with the United States, which led to a further reduction in the reciprocal tariff rate on Sri Lankan exports from 30 percent to 20 percent.

Deflation nearing end as Colombo prices in July slip 0.3% on lower food prices

In what is likely to be the final negative inflation print in this spell, the prices in the Colombo district declined 0.3 percent from the same period a year ago.

nVentures invests over US $ 1.5mn in SL start-ups

In a major milestone for Sri Lanka’s start-up ecosystem, nVentures has emerged as the country’s first foreign venture capital (VC) firm to be licensed by Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS) and actively invest in local start-ups.

Sri Lanka’s real estate sector navigates “transitional period” amidst new supply

Sri Lanka’s real estate sector is currently in a pivotal transitional phase, where its strong long-term potential is being tested by the short-term challenge of absorbing a significant new supply of properties, according to the latest annual report from the diversified conglomerate Carson Cumberbatch PLC.

August begins with gains

Indices closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Hatton National Bank, John Keells Holdings and Commercial Bank with the turnover crossing Rs. 7.3 Bn.

Yields shift slightly as secondary market rallies on US tariff cut

Yesterday, the secondary market saw heightened investor interest, marked by elevated trading volumes and robust activity, following the further reduction in US tariff rates on Sri Lankan imports to 20%.

Deutsche Bank and WNPS PLANT partner to restore SL’s Budunwela Forest Corridor

Deutsche Bank has partnered with Preserving Land and Nature (Guarantee) Ltd. (PLANT) to support the restoration of the Budunwela Forest Corridor in Sri Lanka—an ecologically significant area devastated by fire in 2024 and long threatened by illegal gem mining and poaching.

New book on Bevis Bawa’s Brief Garden by Juliet Coombe launched

A new era of nature and garden tourism in Sri Lanka was officially launched recently with the unveiling of acclaimed British travel writer Juliet Coombe’s latest book ‘Brief Garden by Bevis Bawa’ — a compelling tribute to one of the world’s most iconic tropical gardens.

Fairfirst celebrates landmark 560th road safety session in Matara

Fairfirst Insurance recently conducted a landmark road safety awareness programme in Matara, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to promoting responsible road behaviour among schoolchildren and the public.

David Pieris Group donates computer lab to Kalaimagal Maha Vidyalayam

The David Pieris Group, through its Social Welfare Committee, has donated a fully equipped computer laboratory to Myiliddy North Kalaimagal Maha Vidyalayam in Kankasanthurai, a school located in a recently resettled area in the Northern Province.

ComBank’s ‘Arunalu Siththam 2025’ invites young imaginations

Brushes out, imaginations ready – ‘Arunalu Siththam,’ Sri Lanka’s much-loved online children’s art competition, is back for 2025.