Trump targets trade with tough tariffs

The United States has imposed a 44 percent reciprocal tariff on Sri Lankan exports, sending policymakers into panic mode as they scramble to assess the impact and seek relief for the trade-

Sri Lanka targets US $ 6.25mn revenue annually from destination weddings

Sri Lanka is positioning itself as a premier global destination for high-profile weddings, as it aims to attract 20-25 luxury weddings annually, with an estimated revenue potential of US $ 6.25 million.

‘Diesel Mafia’ looms over Sri Lanka’s solar power sector again

The Federation of Renewable Energy Developers (FRED) Sri Lanka yesterday raised serious concerns about a resurgence of the ‘diesel mafia’, accusing it of systematically moving to cause a natural death to the country’s solar power sector.

Sri Lanka emphasises equitisation to reform SOEs and bolster capital markets

The government is prioritising equitisation as a key strategy to enhance the governance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and inject liquidity into the capital market, instead of embracing full privatisation, which has garnered negative sentiment among the Sri Lankan public, according to the comments by Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) Chairman Senior Professor Hareendra Dissabandara.

Deflationary pace slows in March

The consumer prices as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI), the mostly watched price gauge for March fell by 2.6 percent from a year ago, slower than the 4.2 percent fall in February.

Sri Lanka takes steps towards circular economy with GP Certified plastics

In a bid to uplift Sri Lanka’s recycling standards, Island Climate Initiative (ICI) officially launched GP (Good Practise) Certified, Sri Lanka’s first certification mechanism for high-quality recycled plastics. Key stakeholders,

Sri Lanka makes big pitch to attract capital market investments

Sri Lanka yesterday made a compelling case for investments into its capital markets, urging investors to be part of the island nation’s growth story. Having emerged from crisis, the country is now positioning

'Invest Sri Lanka’ Capital Market Investor Forum 2025

Sri Lanka’s capital market took center stage as the ‘Invest Sri Lanka’ Capital Market Investor Forum 2025 kicked off in Colombo on 27 March 2025.

Current monetary policy stance is appropriate: CB

The Central Bank, as widely expected, left the key policy rate unchanged at its second monetary policy review held earlier this week, as it reiterated that the current monetary policy stance is appropriate in achieving its desired inflation target of 5 percent, while supporting the ongoing recovery in the economy.

Apparel exporters fear over US$1 bn loss as SVAT abolition looms

Sri Lanka’s apparel exporters are expressing serious concerns that the impending abolition of the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) system could lead to a significant downturn in their export earnings, potentially exceeding US$1 billion.

Exports hit US $ 1.38bn in February

Sri Lanka’s export sector continued its growth momentum in February 2025, with total exports reaching US $ 1.38 billion, reflecting a 4.62 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase, data from the Export Development Board showed.

Sri Lanka’s national prices fall 3.9% in February over electricity tariff cut

The National Consumer Price Index showed that consumer prices, measured nationally, declined by 3.9 percent in February 2025 from a year earlier

Sri Lanka’s economic recovery ambitious but achievable: IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) this week asserted that Sri Lanka’s path to economic recovery is ambitious, yet achievable, emphasising that maintaining the reform momentum would be key to a full recovery.

Sri Lanka risks losing US$ 1.23bn in EU exports if GSP+ revoked

New study from IPS indicates the absence of preferential tariff scheme could potentially result in a loss of 36.7 percent of exports to the EU

CSE ramps up investor confidence

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is looking to build on its strong performance last year, when it ranked as the world’s second-best performing stock market in dollar terms, despite the signs of early 2025 market consolidation.

Sri Lanka hits 5% growth in 2024

In another reaffirmation of the strength of the ongoing economic recovery since the country fell into its economic depths back in 2022, Sri Lankan economy has recorded an estimated 5.4 percent growth in its economy in the fourth quarter of last year bringing the full year growth to the expected 5.0 percent in 2024.

Upcoming festive season drives economic activities across manufacturing and services

The upcoming festive season gave an additional boost to the already expanding activities across the economy, as both manufacturing and services activities continued to grow through February.

Sri Lanka’s industrial sector rebounds as economic conditions improve

Sri Lanka is regaining its industrial strength, which weakened during and after the economic crisis in 2022, as reflected in the index that tracks industrial activity.

March tourist arrivals cross 100,000 mark in two weeks

The tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka have surpassed 97,000 within the first 13 days of March, the latest provisional data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority showed.

SL must return to int’l capital markets at some point: Dr. Coomaraswamy

Adds cutting exposure to foreign holdings of rupee securities was deliberate to minimise volatility and troubles

Experts stress ILO C190 ratification to combat workplace violence

The renewed calls from experts, urging the government to ratify and implement the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention No. 190 (C190) on violence and harassment in the workplace, have gained momentum, following the recent sexual assault of a female doctor at a leading government hospital.

Portfolio investors bullish on SL, but FDI requires long-term stability: StanChart

Standard Chartered Bank yesterday expressed optimism about Sri Lanka’s economic outlook, highlighting renewed confidence among portfolio investors.

Adapt to digital supply networks under a unified strategy: Govt. tells industries

The government called on the industrialists to embrace digital supply networks under a unified industrial strategy or risk being left behind in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

Sweet surge in growth for local confectioneries in early 2025

Sri Lanka’s confectionery industry is experiencing some sweet growth as it on an upward trajectory this year, supported by improving economic sentiment, consecutive festive seasons, and a forecasted increase in consumer spending following the salary hikes outlined in the national budget.

Japan first among Sri Lanka’s OCC bilateral creditors to ink restructure agreements

Japan yesterday became the first bilateral creditor among the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) to restructure Sri Lanka’s bilateral external debt worth US $ 2.5 billion and unlocking doors to new projects.

Tourism leaders push for urgent promos to meet Sri Lanka’s 2025 targets

With Sri Lanka experiencing a rise in tourist arrivals compared to last year, industry leaders are calling for the urgent rollout of global promotional campaigns to sustain the momentum in order to achieve the government’s sector targets for the year.

Tax fears likely fuelling Sri Lanka’s cash surge, hindering digital shift

The fear of taxation may be contributing to the recent increase in cash circulation, highlighting Sri Lanka’s long journey towards a less cash-dependent society.

Strengthen reforms, IMF tells SL ahead of fourth review

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will closely monitor Sri Lanka’s fiscal and structural reforms ahead of the fourth review, following the successful completion of the third review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.

SL’s February tourist arrivals hit second-highest level since 2019

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector maintained its strong momentum in February, recording 240,217 international arrivals, the second-highest figure for the month since 2019, according to the data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Sri Lanka receives “no policy errors” warning from IMF as it approves 3rd review

On late Friday evening, Sri Lanka celebrated another positive development as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the third review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement, allowing authorities to access US$ 334 million.