Exports continue to do well in April narrowing trade deficit

The growth in merchandise exports outstripped the growth in imports to help narrow the trade deficit in April compared to a year ago levels, but the cumulative four months deficit stands higher compared to the corresponding period of last year signalling an expanding economy.

Colombo inflation cools to 0.9% in May

The Colombo district inflation eased further to 0.9 percent in May, from 1.5 percent in April, as both food and non-food prices continued their months-long streak of declines,

CSE sees growing trend among listed entities adopting ESG standards

Having nearly one third of listed entities adopting Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles in their business models and reporting, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Chief acknowledges a growing interest among listed entities to adopt ESG principles.

Central Bank hopeful of faster recovery in credit to private sector

Although the private sector credit growth hasn’t so far picked up to the desired levels, the Central Bank said it is hopeful that the pace of growth would improve along with the recovery in the economy as well as the easing of credit conditions, alongside the easing of interest rates.

Central Bank stays pat on rates

As widely expected, the Central Bank left its key policy rates unchanged at the policy meeting held this week.

Industry fears wage hike impact on Ceylon Tea brand

The tea industry veterans warned that the Ceylon Tea brand would face irreparable damage in international markets, leading to both decline in auction prices and global market share, if the government forced the plantation companies, including the smallholder sector, to implement the unprecedented 70 percent minimum wage hike arbitrarily.

Tea smallholders express grave concerns over unprecedented wage hike

Alarmed by the government’s move to increase the minimum daily wage without additional revenue streams and with no industry consultation, Sri Lanka’s tea smallholders....

CB launches SL’s first-ever Financial Literacy Roadmap

The Central Bank on Tuesday launched Sri Lanka’s first-ever Financial Literacy Roadmap (2024-2028), in particular targeting to promote financial literacy among the youth and women in the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sectors.

JKH records strong Q4 2023/24 with recurring EBITDA growth

Premier bluechip, John Keells Holdings PLC, recorded a strong fourth quarter, which contributed to satisfactory financial performance for the 2023/2024 financial year. During the fourth quarter, the

State coffers lose billions as Customs officers enjoy unfair benefits

The state coffers have been deprived of billions of rupees, as Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) officers enjoy unfair benefits in penalties related to customs offenses and overtime pay, a special audit carried out by the Auditor General on the management/administration of various funds in SLC revealed.

Govt. revenue in January surge 62% on economic turnaround, higher taxes

The revenue to the government, including the grants, rose by a staggering 61.8 percent in January 2024. This is a result of the government raking in billions of rupees out of people’s pockets to appease the International Monetary Fund’s revenue targets.

IMF commends SL’s progress achieved thus far

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) this week commended the progress achieved by Sri Lanka thus far in rolling out the economic reforms, the majority of which have been rather painful to the general public.

SL’s digital transformation lags behind despite online transaction surge: Industry

Despite the significant surge in adoption of digital payment in 2023, Sri Lanka is yet to reach inflection point in digital transformation as the economy still remains largely a cash-based, industry stakeholders said. In 2023, the number of dig

Rupee expected to dip to Rs.310-320 range later this year: FCR

The Sri Lankan rupee is likely to depreciate in the range of Rs.310-320 against the US dollar in the latter part of the year, First Capital Research (FCR) said.

FX Global Code to be rolled out by end 2024

In line with the objectives to foster a deeper and more liquid foreign exchange market and develop adequate systems for managing exchange rate risks, the Central Bank (CB) plans to implement the FX Global Code (FXGC) in the domestic forex market by the end of this year.

Central Bank advises businesses to grasp current exchange rate mechanism

The Central Bank emphasised the importance of businesses in Sri Lanka understanding the current exchange rate system.

SL to see an increase in automobile assembly plants

Sri Lanka will see the addition of automobile assembly plants, as four are set to begin operations within the next three months and another 11 have been registered by the Industries Ministry.

Digitised maritime trade adoption Logistics sector concerned about delaying tactics

The logistics sector has raised concerns over delaying tactics, as that could hinder the full adoption of the ASYCUDA World and ASYHU8S System. These systems aim to transition from cumbersome, paper-based processes to streamlin

Exporters demand swift action from government

The senior representatives of Sri Lanka’s key export sector came on to one platform this week to shed light on their list of woes, which only seems to be getting longer, with little being done to address the challenges faced.

Gross official reserves surpass US$ 5bn mark

Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves have continued to increase through the end of April topping the US$ 5.0 billion level for the first time since December 2020 when the country was coming out of the second wave of the virus outbreak.

VFS gears up to promote Sri Lanka amid visa woes

VFS Global, which is currently facing a backlash, vows to boost Sri Lanka’s global image through a robust marketing plan with Sri Lanka Tourism. However, the details remain under wraps from the tourism authorities, Mirror Business learns.

CSE remains bullish on 10 new listings

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) remains bullish on adding 10 new equity listings to the exchange by end ....

Minimum Room Rate to end by May 31

The highly debated Minimum Room Rate (MRR), which has the tourism industry divided, would be removed the end of this month, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando confirmed.

Planters’ Association slams daily wage increase announcement

The Planters’ Association (PA) of Ceylon representing Regional Plantation Companies (RPC) is moving ahead to object to the Rs.1700 daily wage increase proposed for plantation workers, while asserting that a final decision is yet to be reached on the matter.

March exports reflect continued heft despite strengthening rupee

The growth in exports in March outstripped the increase in the expenditure for merchandise imports for the same month, as the exports of textiles and garments showed strength once again, after losing a bit of steam in the recent months.

Tourism Minister to fix new visa system issues by May 7

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando has pledged to address technical issues of the new visa system by May 7. This comes amid concerns of potential losses of 230,000 tourist arrivals and US$ 425 million in tourism earnings for the year.

Sri Lankans rich in financial knowledge but poor in practice: CB

The financial knowledge of Sri Lankans is at satisfactory levels when compared with the other countries but the island nation is lagging behind financial behaviour, the financial sector regulator, the Central Bank said.

CB optimistic of stability amidst ongoing economic reforms

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka sounded optimistic about Sri Lanka witnessing stability on multiple fronts, provided that the ongoing ambitious reforms and economic adjustments underpinned by the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continue without any interruptions.

Government delays decision on future of oil palm cultivation

The government has been sitting on an expert committee report on how to permit oil palm cultivation in identified Mahaweli areas and other areas, without deciding for nearly five months. According to the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry, the ministry forwarded the report to the secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers on January 12. In November 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to appoint an expert committee to explore the possibi

Colombo skyline redefined with India's ITC Ratnadipa

As a testament to Sri Lanka’s comeback in tourism and returning investor confidence, India’s luxury hotel giant yesterday launched its first ever international venture, US$ 500 million investment ITC Ratnadipa in the iconic Colombo