Short-term ROI no longer enough for banks, says CB Governor

Sri Lanka’s banks must rethink how they deploy capital, moving beyond a narrow focus on immediate financial returns to a “return on learning” approach that prioritises experimentation, data capability and long-term resilience, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said, as climate risks and digital disruption increasingly shape financial sustainability.

StanChart sees SL’s rating outlook turning ‘positive’ this year

Sri Lanka is likely to see its sovereign rating outlook upgraded from ‘Stable’ to ‘Positive’ later this year, setting the stage for a potential full credit rating upgrade in 2027 as the island nation continues to outperform key fiscal and debt targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Standard Chartered Bank said.

Tourism data reset lifts leisure share above 70% in December

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector recorded a massive statistical jump in leisure travellers in December 2025 compared to the previous year, a shift driven by both genuine demand and a significant rectification of data classification issues that had obscured visitor profiles in 2024.

SL must focus on addressing the real economy as country enters 2026: Verité Research Chief

Sri Lanka must urgently pivot from a narrow focus on crisis management and International Monetary Fund (IMF) targets to a holistic developmental agenda that addresses the real economy as the country enters 2026.

Local aluminium fabricators warn BOI policy gaps threaten local industry

Sri Lanka’s aluminium door, window and façade fabrication industry is being undercut by policy gaps that allow finished products to be imported duty-free, threatening jobs, foreign exchange savings and domestic manufacturing capacity, an industry body said.

Ditwah damage cripples local economies, exposes urgent financing gap: UNDP

Cyclone Ditwah has delivered a broad-based economic shock to Sri Lanka, damaging infrastructure in almost every affected community and crippling livelihoods across key local economies, a new UNDP

Port City Colombo lands US $ 300mn investment as phase II moves ahead

Port City Colombo has secured a US $ 300 million foreign direct investment (FDI) commitment from its primary developer, clearing the way for phase II of the flagship reclamation project and delivering an early boost to Sri Lanka’s efforts to revive the long-term capital inflows.

Women’s economic participation central to growth agenda: PM

Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and long-term growth prospects hinge on dismantling systemic barriers that limit women’s participation in enterprise, leadership and decision-making, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

Motor traders push to scrap used vehicle tax break

Sri Lanka’s oldest automotive industry body has stepped up pressure on the government to dismantle what it calls a deeply flawed tax concession on used vehicle imports, warning that the policy is eroding state revenue, distorting competition and undermining foreign exchange discipline.

Capital market watchdog clamps down after trading abuse jolts Colombo bourse

Capital market watchdog, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), confirmed it has identified the key players behind the price distortions that triggered an unprecedented halt on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) last week.

Sri Lanka emerges as third fastest growing destination for Australian tourists

​Sri Lanka has secured its position as the third fastest-growing travel destination for Australian tourists in 2025, recording a 19 percent year-on-year growth in arrivals.

CB Governor gives upbeat assessment of economy with 2026 growth set at 5%

Central Bank Governor, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe kicked off the New Year with policies aimed at shifting gears from recovery in the economy to an enhanced growth while building resilience.

Abnormal trades in new listing spark market halt at Colombo bourse

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) halted trading minutes after the market opened yesterday, cancelling all trades executed during the session.

Govt. awaits completion of Satellite Accounting surveys to set 2026 tourism revenue targets

The government has decided to hold off on finalising the specific tourism revenue targets for 2026, until the completion of a comprehensive data-gathering exercise under the Tourism Satellite Accounting framework.

Sri Lanka’s equity market ends 2025 as region’s 3rd best performer

Sri Lanka’s equity market concluded 2025 on a robust trajectory, securing its position as the third-best performing market in the region, according to the data released by CT Smith Securities.

Gem and jewellery industry calls for urgent implementation of reforms

Industry leaders at the opening of FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 have called for the urgent implementation of key reforms discussed with the government to unlock the full potential of the country’s gem and jewellery sector, warning that regulatory delays are holding back a potential multi-billion dollar export industry.

Colombo Port records historic high of 8.29mn TEUs in 2025

The Port of Colombo reached a defining milestone in 2025, recording a throughput of 8,291,178 TEUs, the highest volume ever handled in its history.

Concessionary pledge loan scheme of Rs.10bn to support paddy millers from January 2026

A concessionary pledge loan scheme for small and medium scale paddy millers and cooperative societies is to be implemented from 1 January onwards to purchase paddy for the Maha season

December inflation unchanged at 2.1%

The early December floods and landslides have caused the prices to move up a little in the month but the annual prices remained unchanged in a sign that the price pressures broadly remain muted, helping the Central Bank’s medium-term path towards its 5 percent inflation by the second half of 2026.

Corporate earnings snap seven-quarter winning streak in September

Sri Lanka’s listed corporates saw their cumulative earnings contract by 11.9 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs. 176.5 billion in the quarter ended September 2025, breaking a seven-quarter streak of continuous growth.

Former JAAF Secretary General Tuli Coory passes away

Former Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) Secretary General Tuli Coory has passed away.

Sri Lanka targets US $ 4.5bn revenue, 2.7mn arrivals in 2026 with pivot to high-spending markets

Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities have set an ambitious revenue target of US $ 4.5 billion for 2026, aiming to attract 2.7 million visitors by shifting focus toward high-spending demographics and untapped geographical markets to overcome the recent revenue stagnation.

Tourist arrivals poised to shatter 2018 record following Christmas surge

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is on the verge of a historic milestone as year-end arrivals move within striking distance of the all-time high recorded in 2018, according to the latest data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Exports rise 5.6% in November

Sri Lanka’s exports rose 5.56 percent year-on-year (YoY) in November 2025 to US $ 1.36 billion, supported by a steady growth in both merchandise shipments and services earnings, as the exporters sustained momentum amid the fragile global trade conditions, the official data showed.

IMF approves US$ 206mn emergency lifeline for Sri Lanka following cyclone devastation

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has approved an immediate disbursement of SDR 150.5 million, approximately US$ 206 million to Sri Lanka under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI).

Local malware incidents top Rs.3.9mn in 3Q as offline threats persist: Kaspersky

Sri Lanka recorded over 3.9 million local malware incidents in the third quarter of 2025 alone, with nearly a quarter of users encountering offline threats, new data from global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reveals.

SEC targets ‘smartphone generation’ with plans for regulated Digital Assets

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) has announced plans to introduce a regulatory framework for “Digital Assets,” aiming to capture the growing interest of tech-savvy youth who

SEC ropes in CID and FIU to battle capital market scams

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) has announced a strengthened collaborative mechanism with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank to combat a rising wave of sophisticated financial scams targeting capital market investors.

Construction sector momentum continues with 12.2% growth in 3Q

The Sri Lankan construction sector recorded a robust double-digit growth of 12.2 percent in the third quarter of 2025, maintaining its recovery momentum and catalysing broader activity across the real estate and professional services sectors.

Sri Lanka’s 3Q economic growth accelerates to 5.4%

Sri Lanka’s total economic output measured by gross domestic product (GDP) for the third quarter ended in September 2025 expanded by a robust 5.4 percent, much higher than anyone would have expected or imagined,