Budget 2026 bets big on building back investor base

In a signal to the investors weary of Sri Lanka’s uneven playing field, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday used Budget 2026 to draw a line under what he called an era of “cronyism, racketeering and nepotism”.

JKH defies critics with blowout 2Q results

In a striking rebuke to its critics, top blue chip John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) reported a breakout performance for the three months ended September 2025, posting an 88 percent growth in revenue, a 127 percent surge in operating results and a 21 percent rise in profits attributable to the equity holders.

SL’s e-commerce rules still playing catch-up

Sri Lanka’s fast-expanding e-commerce sector is currently operating in a policy vacuum as critical regulatory gaps undermine consumer protection, transparency, and trust in the digital marketplace.

ASPI surpasses 23,000 milestone, fueling investor optimism

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) continued its bullish momentum as the All Share Price Index (ASPI) surpassed the 23,000 mark, reflecting growing investor confidence and sustained market optimism.

Tourist arrivals in October hit record high

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry posted a record-breaking performance in October 2025, welcoming 165,193 visitors.

Government revenue climbs by nearly 25% in 1H, driven by tax reforms and vehicle imports

The government’s fiscal position strengthened significantly in the first half of 2025, with total revenue excluding grants climbing by 24.8 percent to Rs. 2,321.7 billion from Rs. 1,860.6 billion in the same period last year.

SL targets 20% reduction in total waste by 2035

Sri Lanka is stepping up efforts to align its packaging industry with the global sustainability standards, targeting a 20 percent reduction in total waste by 2035 and meeting the European Union (EU) packaging benchmarks by 2040, a senior expert said.

CSE demutualisation awaits govt. policy on share split

The demutualisation of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is awaiting a final policy decision from the new government regarding its share allocation, according to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

CSE Ends Mixed as Selective Buying Lifts ASPI

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed Thursday’s session on a mixed note, with the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) ending in positive territory while the S&P SL20 edged slightly lower.

SEC proposes ‘investment portfolio for everyone’ in Budget 2026

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) is proposing a landmark initiative to introduce a ‘portfolio for everyone’ as part of Budget 2026, in collaboration with the Colombo Stock Exchange and government. This was revealed by SEC Chairman Senior Professor Hareendra Dissabandara yesterday at the Colombo launch of the Unit Trust Association of Sri Lanka’s (UTASL) new ‘Dhana Wadana’ unit trust investor awareness campaign. The propos

Sri Lanka’s 400 MnKg tea target overambitious, says industry veteran

Sri Lanka’s plan to lift tea production to 400 million kilograms by 2030 faces steep challenges, from underinvestment to producer reluctance, according to Ceylon Tea Brokers PLC Chairman and former Tea Board chief Niraj De Mel, who cautioned that the target may be more aspirational than achievable.

ADB funding to catalyse SL’s sustainable tourism development

Sri Lanka’s fast reviving tourism sector is slated to receive a fresh boost with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approving a US $ 100 million financing package.

Central Bank sees Sri Lanka outperforming fiscal goals for first time in history

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has expressed confidence that the country will outperform all fiscal targets set for this year, including the primary surplus, revenue, expenditure, and overall fiscal deficit, marking what it said would be a historic first.

Sri Lanka on track for 2026 NSW pilot

Sri Lanka is on track to pilot its transformative Trade National Single Window System (TNSWS) by end-2026, with full operations expected to commence in 2027.

CSE Slips Amid Profit-Taking After Consecutive Gains

After several consecutive sessions of upbeat performance, the market shifted to the red zone today, with both indices closing lower amid cooling investor sentiment. The session reflected a phase of profit-taking, following the strong rallies seen earlier this week.

Major shake-up for local retail as Hayleys enters supermarket race

Sri Lanka’s retail sector is in for some major competition as business tycoon Dhammika Perera-controlled Hayleys PLC yesterday announced fresh plans to foray into the large-scale supermarket segment.

National consumer prices pick up 2.1% in September on rising food prices

Consumer prices measured by the broader National Consumer Price Index picked up pace in September in a mirror image of how the Colombo prices changed for the same month.

Foreign investment flows surge to US $ 827mn in first 9 months

Foreign capital continued to flow into Sri Lanka at a brisk pace in the first nine months of 2025, with inflows reaching US $ 827 million, the Board of Investment (BOI) said yesterday, marking a 138 percent jump compared to the same period in 2024.

Port City Colombo hits major milestone with completion of Phase 1 infrastructure

Port City Colombo yesterday announced the completion of the first phase of its infrastructure development, a key milestone in Sri Lanka’s most ambitious urban development project to date.

Sri Lanka earning back investor confidence, says IMF

Sri Lanka’s progress in improving economic performance and rebuilding invwestor confidence following its debt restructuring received thumbs up from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this week.

SL should aim to be ‘Serendib of trust’ in digital economy race: Dr. Hans

Sri Lanka is charting an ambitious course to position itself as a regional leader in the digital economy, building its competitiveness on governance, data protection and artificial intelligence (AI) and defining “trust” as its national value proposition.

New plantation sector wage hike plan lacks economic logic: PA

Plantation companies yesterday pushed back against President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s bid to raise estate worker wages, warning the move has no firm economic logic and would saddle the sector with an additional Rs. 13 billion burden per year.

Colombo stock market extends gains amid renewed investor optimism

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) continued its upward momentum today, supported by renewed investor sentiment and sustained buying interest across key sectors. Following yesterday’s mixed performance, both the All Share Price Index (ASPI) and the S&P SL20 advanced, reflecting improved market confidence

United Petroleum slams govt. for unkept promises

United Petroleum Lanka yesterday expressed “deep disappointment” over the challenges it faced during its short-lived operations in the island nation, stating similar issues have now extended to its exit.

SL should mirror neighbours’ AI push to spur growth: Indian economist

As Sri Lanka positions itself on the cusp of an AI-driven transformation, a top Indian economist has urged the island nation to look less to the West and more towards its immediate neighbour, India, whose experience with artificial intelligence offers both promise and caution for Sri Lanka’s ambitions.

Sri Lanka eyes skill-driven economy to future-proof growth

Sri Lanka is ramping up efforts to bridge its widening skill gap as the policymakers and industry leaders warned that the country’s future competitiveness hinges on developing a workforce equipped for rapid technological and structural change.

IMF sets priorities ahead of Budget 2026

The IMF hailed Sri Lanka’s stronger growth and rising reserves, yet cautioned that the country’s recovery depends on delivering tough reforms in energy, SOEs and debt restructuring.

Sri Lanka surpasses 1.75mn tourist arrivals YTD driven by Asian demand in early October

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has logged a successful entry into the final quarter of the year, with tourist arrivals from October 1-6 reaching 34,046.

World Bank urges businesses to lead Sri Lanka’s comeback

The World Bank yesterday placed the private sector at the heart of Sri Lanka’s growth strategy as it acknowledged the government’s limited fiscal space that leaves little room for state-led investment.

Small business loans go at around 10.0% to boost economic activity

Sri Lanka’s small businesses are now getting their loans mostly at around 10.0 percent on average, a level they finally had in early 2022, right before the economy came crashing down, sending the interest rates through the roof when the Central Bank over-reacted by raising the rates by unprecedented levels.