Local apparel faces stress test as global demand weakens  

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector is entering a critical stress phase, where weakening global demand is no longer the sole concern but a trigger exposing deeper structural pressures within the industry.

Sri Lanka pitches itself as a safe AI hub as global interest gathers pace

The government is set to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the establishment of artificial intelligence (AI) data centres shortly, transitioning from a highly successful Request for Information (RFI) phase.

March tourist arrivals surpass 150,000 as Middle East crisis threatens 200,000 target

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has crossed the 150,000 mark for March, but the industry is grappling with a sudden contraction that threatens the newly revised monthly target of 200,000 arrivals.

Court of Appeal quashes RTI order against Central Bank’s Monetary Board

The Court of Appeal has set aside a 2018 order issued by the Right to Information Commission against the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, ruling that the commission had exceeded its statutory powers under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

February exports grow as services surge, core sectors weaken

Sri Lanka’s export sector maintained a measured recovery in February 2026, with total earnings rising 4.22 percent year-on-year (YoY) to US$ 1.40 billion, as strong services momentum offset weaker performances in key merchandise categories.

Central Bank resists rate hike

The Central Bank left its key policy rate, the Overnight Policy Rate, unchanged at 7.75 percent yesterday, at its second policy meeting for the year.

ADB steps up SL support with increased allocation

Visiting ADB President Kanda commends govt.’s handling of economic stability amid domestic recovery challenges and broader external uncertainty, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East

Colombo Port expected to benefit from Middle East crisis as February numbers hint at growth

​The Port of Colombo recorded a 4.8 percent year-on-year (YoY) growth in total container throughput in February, handling 636,084 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), compared to 606,784 TEUs in the same period last year. Reflecting this heightened activity, the total number of ships arriving at the port rose by 4.3 percent, increasing from 305 vessels in February 2025 to 318 vessels in February 2026.

Container transport costs jump 20% as fuel shock feeds into logistics chain

Sri Lanka’s logistics sector has begun absorbing the first clear pass-through from the global oil price shock, with container transport operators raising charges by 20 percent from Monday as fuel costs surge following disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

Untapped Sri Lankan insurance market holds strong growth potential: AIA Chief

Sri Lanka’s largely underpenetrated insurance sector presents significant economic and societal opportunities as the country transitions from crisis-era stabilisation toward sustained economic expansion.

Tourist arrivals drop 18% in early March as transit disruptions bite

Following a historic start to the year, Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is experiencing a notable deceleration, recording a steep 18.4 percent drop in international visitors during the first half of March 2026, a

Economy holds steady at 5% in 2025 despite Cyclone Ditwah disruptions

Sri Lanka’s economy maintained its momentum in 2025, recording a 5.0 percent expansion for the second consecutive year and exceeding forecasts set by major multilaterals.

Sri Lanka Tourism ensures seamless travel with priority fuel and LPG access

Fearing a possible fuel shortage stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict, the government has introduced a national fuel quota for vehicles.

CCC calls for urgent economic safeguards as global volatility intensifies

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) yesterday pressed the government to act decisively to shield the economy as international volatility and the Middle East conflict threaten domestic stability.

Vehicle registrations slip in February after strong start to year

Vehicle registrations eased in February after the strong momentum seen at the start of the year, with declines across several passenger vehicle segments even as overall activity remained relatively high following the reopening of vehicle imports.

​Sri Lanka climbs to 20th in global web-borne cyber threats in 2025- Kaspersky

​Sri Lanka continues​ to face significant cybersecurity challenges, with 30.4 percent of internet users experiencing Kaspersky web-borne cyberattacks in 2025, according to the latest Security Bulletin.

Former CB Governor urges AI credit models to democratise SME funding

Says emergence of AI-driven credit mechanisms offers a profound paradigm shift in how risk is assessed, effectively bypassing outdated physical asset requirements

Deeper regional and global integration will determine Sri Lanka’s emergence as a regional hub, says AIA Chairman

Deeper regional and global integration will ultimately determine how Sri Lanka emerges as a regional hub in the reconfigured global economy, according to AIA Group Independent Non-Executive Chairman Sir Mark Tucker. Delivering the keynote address at the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors Chairman’s and CEO’s Forum held in Colombo this week, Tucker emphasised that while the nation has achieved commendable economic stabilisation, transitioning to su

Rising claim ratios squeeze insurance margins

The Sri Lankan insurance sector is grappling with heavily squeezed profit margins and soaring claim ratios, prompting urgent calls for deeper structural synergies with the private healthcare system.

Regulatory void leaves virtual asset sector exposed to financial crimes

Sri Lanka’s financial landscape is facing new challenges, as an unregulated virtual asset market opens potential avenues for financial crimes.

Sri Lanka better equipped than before to absorb oil shocks: CB Governor

Sri Lanka is better equipped than during its 2022 financial crisis to absorb shocks from rising oil prices, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said, citing a strong US$ 7 billion foreign reserve buffer and low inflation as critical safeguards.

War risk disrupts Sri Lanka’s tea shipping routes

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is beginning to disrupt one of the global tea trade’s most critical corridors, with the exporters in Sri Lanka, India and Kenya warning of mounting logistical and financial pressures as the shipping routes through the region become increasingly risky.

Domestic dollar bonds to support SL’s liquidity after debt restructuring: LRA

Sri Lanka’s recent regulatory measures to introduce Domestic Dollar Bonds and widen investor participation represent “two coordinated phases of a domestic foreign currency funding strategy” aimed

Tourist arrivals hit record high in February

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector recorded a massive milestone in February 2026, welcoming 279,328 international visitors during the month. The figure marks a solid 16.2 percent year-on-year growth, compared to the 240,217 arrivals registered in February 2025.

Govt. accelerates push for new apparel trade agreements

​Sri Lanka’s apparel sector is urgently calling for a level playing field in the global market, prompting the government to accelerate its pursuit of new free trade agreements (FTAs) and preferential trade agreements (PTAs).

External sector opens 2026 on firm footing

Sri Lanka’s external sector delivered a stronger-than-expected start to 2026, with January’s numbers pointing to a more broad-based foreign exchange cushion.

Sri Lankan exporters to see tariff relief amid volatile US trade environment

​The Sri Lankan exporters could soon experience a measure of relief following a recent US Supreme Court ruling that struck down the reciprocal tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Hasrath Munasinghe appointed/COO

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC yesterday announced the appointment of Hasrath Munasinghe as Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of the Bank with effect from 27 April 2026.

SEC must gain independence to regulate complex markets: BASL President

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Sri Lanka must be granted full financial and operational independence, Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) President and former SEC Commissioner

Colombo Port starts 2026 strong as transshipment surges 15%

The Port of Colombo kicked off 2026 with robust performance metrics, driven by a significant expansion in its core transshipment business and the successful scaling of new deep-water terminal capacity.