NCE SVAT seminar’s 3rd session on July 3

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) will hold the third session of its high-demand seminar on the removal of the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) system on July 3, 2025, at the BMICH.

ComBank Jaffna opens 1st Women’s Banking Centre

Commercial Bank of Ceylon launched its first exclusive Women’s Banking Centre, managed by a dedicated team of female staff to serve female customers, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to meeting the unique needs of women.

Aquaspersions-Haycolour in strategic South Asia manufacturing, distribution partnership

Aquaspersions Group, a leading global provider of water-based chemical dispersions, has entered into a strategic licensing and distribution partnership with Haycolour, a subsidiary of Hayleys PLC.

HNB renews partnership with Parkway Hospitals

HNB PLC has renewed its exclusive healthcare concierge partnership with Parkway Hospitals, offering the Private Banking clients privileged access to world-class medical care.

Radisson Hotel Kandy recognised as Quality Accelerator for 1Q 2025

Radisson Hotel Kandy, managed by La Vie Hotels & Resorts, announced its recognition as a Quality Accelerator for 1Q 2025, achieving the highest improvement in Guest Review Index across the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia Pacific region.

Sri Lanka Insurance, Most Loved Life Insurance Brand again

Sri Lanka Insurance Life (SLICLL) has once again been recognised as the Most Loved Life Insurance Brand in Sri Lanka by LMD’s latest Brand Finance Most Loved Brands edition.

Dialog Delivers a World of Exclusive Benefits with All New Power Plans

Enjoy high-priority network access, smartphone offers, free access to Lionsgate Play and ViU+, family plans and more

World Bank Group to support Sri Lanka’s clean energy transition with $150 million program

The World Bank Group today approved a new $150 million program to support Sri Lanka’s move toward clean, reliable, and affordable energy. The program—Secure, Affordable, and Sustainable Energy for Sri Lanka—will support the country reduce its reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports and accelerate its shift toward solar and wind.

FDI records 90% increase in 1Q25

Sri Lanka’s foreign direct investment (FDI) has increased by US $ 96 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024.

Human development progress decelerating at alarming rate, says new UNDP report

For 30 years, the Human Development Index (HDI) showed a consistent increase in development progress and a decrease in inequality. Although the crises of 2020-2021 disrupted this trend, last year’s report saw tentative signs of recovery. The 2025 HDR has quashed this optimism.

AFC strengthens Sri Lanka holdings as consumer spending surges

In a strategic move to capitalise on the evolving market dynamics, Hong Kong-based global AFC Asia Frontier Fund further strengthened its existing holdings in Sri Lanka and two other Asian frontier markets, Pakistan and Bangladesh, last month.

Chali Weerakkody among South Australia’s top young entrepreneurs

Chali Weerakkody, the founder of the innovative online platform Editoz Club, has been named as one of South Australia’s 40 most influential entrepreneurs under the age of 40.

ASPI records largest daily gain in 6 weeks

The ASPI closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Ceylinco Holdings, Sampath Bank and Hayleys with the turnover crossing Rs. 2.5 Bn.

Selling hits 2028 maturities

Continuing the selling momentum from the previous day, market participants maintained a bearish stance amid the ongoing global uncertainty. The selling pressure was primarily concentrated on the 2028 maturities, with limited trading activity observed overall.

Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition recognizes top culinary talent

Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Chefs Guild of Lanka, relaunched the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition this year – an island wide culinary competition focused on developing up-and-coming culinary talent in the hospitality industry.

Cargills together with MAS Foundation expands efforts to combat plastic pollution

In celebration of World Environment Day, Cargills Food and Beverage Limited has taken another step towards environmental protection with the installation of its second Ocean Strainer in Wanathamulla.

British Council supports sector growth through TNE Quality Assurance workshops

The British Council in Sri Lanka concluded a four-day capacity-building workshop series on 30 May, focused on strengthening quality assurance in transnational education (TNE).

Drive Green Emission Testing Centers mark World Environment Day

The Drive Green Emission Testing Centers, operated by CleanCo Lanka (Pvt) Ltd organized a series of special programmes to mark this year’s World Environment Day, with activities taking place in various parts of the country.

Rotary District 3220 concludes impactful year with over Rs. 1 bn in service projects

The Rotary District 3220 (Sri Lanka & Maldives) ended its Rotary Year having conducted more than Rs.1 billion worth of community service projects throughout the island.

Allianz Insurance strengthens youth resilience with drug prevention education

Allianz Insurance Lanka Ltd. recently conducted a Drug Prevention Awareness Programme at Dhammissara College, Nattandiya, reaching over 580 students with life-changing knowledge on making safer, healthier life choices.

People’s Bank donates medication to Apeksha Hospital

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the Compliance Department of People’s Bank made a contribution to the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama (Apeksha Hospital), by donating essential cancer medication.

May tea output rises 2.9% YoY

Ceylon Tea production rose 2.9 percent year-on-year (YoY) in May 2025 to 25.37 million kilogrammes, up from 24.65 million kilogrammes a year earlier, the official data showed.

WB gathers public, private sectors to expand childcare access and boost SL women’s employment

Expanding access to affordable and quality childcare could be Sri Lanka’s next big move toward creating more and better jobs.

CSE ends positively as indices rebound

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed on a positive note today, marking a recovery after several consecutive sessions of decline. Both the All Share Price Index (ASPI) and the S&P SL20 recorded gains, reflecting renewed investor activity.

DFCC Bank with CCC strengthens customer-centric banking

DFCC Bank PLC has entered into a partnership with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), to formally integrate the CCC-led macroeconomic and sectoral intelligence into its service model.

Corporate earnings jump 57.4% in March quarter

Listed companies posted 57.4 percent year-on-year increase in earnings for the March 2025 quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of growth. This is as banking and consumer-led sectors

Insurance a ‘powerful engine’ for Sri Lanka’s economic revival: expert

The insurance industry can serve as a powerful engine for Sri Lanka’s economic revival and stability, lessening the heavy reliance on taxation for funding national development, according to Willis Towers

Public banks must evolve from lenders to outcome-oriented partners to fuel innovation: Top Economist

Public banks must transform from mere financiers into strategic, outcome-oriented partners to drive the mission-led innovation needed for economic transformation, according to a top economist.

CSE names Dimuthu Abeyesekera as new Chairman

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has appointed Dimuthu Abeyesekera as Chairman of its board of directors, the bourse said yesterday.

Blackstone acquires Altair Colombo’s unsold units

Global investment firm Blackstone has acquired the unsold inventory of the Altair luxury residential project and South City Mall in Kolkata from South City Projects for INR 3,250 crore. It is the largest real estate