Power and Energy Ministry to set up independent energy regulator as new players strain resources

The Power and Energy Ministry has initiated moves to establish an independent regulatory authority for the petroleum sector, admitting that it currently lacks the resources and manpower to effectively regulate the expanded market, following the entry of global giants Sinopec and R.M. Parks.

Unit trust assets top Rs.610bn in January

The unit trust industry kicked off 2026 on a stronger footing, with the assets under management rising above Rs.600 billion by end-January, supported by the renewed investor appetite for equity-linked products. The industry reported Rs.610 billion in assets under management, up 6.1 percent from a year earlier and 3.8 percent higher than December 2025 levels, with the funds spread across 84 portfolios managed by 16 licensed companies.

Tender for Muthurajawela-BIA aviation fuel pipeline to be awarded in April

The Energy Ministry is on track to award the contract for the construction of the aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in April 2026.

Indices close in green

Indices closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Sampath Bank, Hatton National Bank and John Keells Holdings with the turnover crossing Rs.5.6 Bn. High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in ACL Cables, C. W. Mackie and Commercial Bank. Mixed interest was observed in Softlogic Capital, Asia Siyaka Commodities and Sampath Bank whilst retail interest was noted in HVA Foods, SMB Leasing and Browns Inves

January tea production falls 4% year-on-year

The Ceylon Tea production slipped in January 2026 from a year earlier, as the weaker output from the low-grown areas outweighed the gains at the higher elevations, the industry data showed.

T-bill auction yields decline across the board

The secondary market yield curve remained largely unchanged, with moderate trading volumes and mixed activity. Within the 2028 maturities, 15.02.2028, 15.03.2028, 01.07.2028 and 01.09.2028 traded in the range of 8.90 percent to 9.15 percent.

Global Accounting Body Chief praises CA Sri Lanka’s leadership in sustainable finance

In a significant address to the accountancy profession in Sri Lanka, the President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Jean Bouquot, commended the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) for its exceptional leadership and pivotal role in advancing high-quality global standards.

IMF Managing Director visits Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director (MD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), visited the Central Bank of Sri Lanka on February 17 during her visit to Sri Lanka.

ComBank’s ‘Pita Rata Wasi’ remittance promo back with Rs. 6 mn in cash prizes

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC will make the Sinhala and Tamil New Year more rewarding for remittance recipients and reaffirm is commitment to always thinking about its customers and delivering the very best, with the return of the bank’s popular ‘Pita Rata Wasi’ seasonal promotion, which offers a total of Rs. 6 million in cash rewards during the 2026 Avurudu period.

DFCC Bank hosts Branch Managers’ Conference

DFCC Bank PLC (DFCC Bank) recently convened its Annual Branch Managers’ Conference, bringing together branch leaders from across the island to align on strategy, leadership expectations, and customer experience priorities for the year ahead.

Asia Asset Finance delivers strong 3Q performance with robust asset growth, profitability gains

Asia Asset Finance PLC (AAF) recorded a strong financial and operational performance for the third quarter ended December 31, 2025, demonstrating sustained balance sheet expansion, improved profitability and strengthened risk buffers amid a competitive and evolving financial sector landscape.

HNB Finance crosses Rs. 1 bn PAT mark in 9 months, up 152% YoY

HNB Finance PLC reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 1.15 billion for the nine months ended 31 December 2025, up 152 percent year-on-year, first time the company surpassed one billion mark in nine months performance. Profit Before Tax (PBT) increased 209 percent to Rs. 1.88 billion, supported by stronger core income and balance sheet growth.

SLID concludes high-impact session on directors’ accountability under PDPA

The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) successfully concluded its high-level executive session titled “Your Data. Your Risk. Your Responsibility.” – Director’s Accountability under Sri Lanka’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo recently.

People’s Bank recognises ‘BizTeen’ winners; launches ‘YES TEEN’ Account

People’s Bank, recently held the awards ceremony for winners of People’s ‘BizTeen’ Entrepreneurship Challenge 2025 organized in partnership with the Industrial Development Board (IDB) of Sri Lanka, at a grand ceremony held at the People’s Tower Auditorium, Colombo 02.

Bangkok’s ‘Charcoal’ ignites Colombo’s dining scene with ‘fun dining’ concept at Twin Peaks

Bangkok-based Soho Hospitality is set to make its South Asian debut this March with the opening of ‘Charcoal Tandoor Grill’ at Colombo’s Capitol Twin Peaks, a venture that promises to disrupt the local hospitality landscape through a strategic partnership with construction giant Sanken and entertainment icons Bathiya and Santhush. Positioned on the 50th floor of the Twin Peaks residential complex, the restaurant aims to fill a critical vacuum in

Shangri-La Colombo welcomes Lunar New Year

As the Lunar New Year arrived, Shangri-La Colombo welcomed the Year of the Horse with a celebration inspired by vitality, optimism, and the strength to move confidently toward new horizons.

Belluna Lanka launches ‘Project Granbell Ella’ in partnership with Sanken Overseas

Belluna Lanka Pvt Ltd., the South Asian anchor of Belluna Co. Ltd., Japan, together with Sanken Overseas (Private) Limited, has formally launched Project Granbell Hotel Ella, a planned hospitality development located in Sri Lanka’s Uva Province.

IMF Chief calls for accelerated recovery and rural revival

In a rare high-level engagement, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat, which affirmed the international lender’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and long-term growth.

Sri Lanka seeks fresh Japanese investment via export corridor targeting Indian market

Sri Lanka is seeking to revive Japanese manufacturing investment through a proposed export-industrial corridor aimed at positioning the island as a regional production hub for Indian and other export markets, officials said after a high-level Japanese delegation met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday.

Pan Asia Bank kicks off December earnings with modest performance

Kicking off the December quarter banking sector earnings, Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC reported modest financial performance for the three months ended in December 2025 on the back of a strong credit growth in the economy.

UK-SL talks put spotlight on textile exports, tourism and post-cyclone recovery

The United Kingdom’s Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday to discuss trade, investment, and post-cyclone recovery, with a focus on sectors critical to Sri Lanka’s economic stabilisation.

MoC inked to strengthen business links

Sri Lanka and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on economic policy dialogue this week at the Finance Ministry.

WSO2 launches ‘Fair Pricing for Governments’ Initiative 

Tech entity WSO2 yesterday announced the launch of a new ‘Fair Pricing for Governments’ initiative, aimed at supporting public-sector organisations’ worldwide access to high-quality, ethical digital services at prices aligned with local economic realities.

Port City Colombo says 2026 Act amendments will boost investor clarity, ease of doing business

The 2026 amendments to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC) Act mark a shift in Sri Lanka’s regulatory framework for the Colombo Port City special economic zone, aimed at improving governance, streamlining oversight and providing greater certainty for large-scale international investment, Port City Colombo said.

Indices edge down

The ASPI edged down as a result of price losses in counters such as C T Holdings, Pan Asia Banking Corporation and Diesel & Motor Engineering with the turnover crossing Rs. 4.2 bn.

Selling pressure builds on long tenors

Yesterday, the 2029 segment saw mixed trading activity, while selling pressure emerged on the long tenors.

EDB-Riyadh Embassy-SFDA conduct webinar on export registration procedures to Saudi Arabia

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), successfully conducted an informative webinar on the registration procedures and regulatory requirements for exporting products to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), with the participation of over 90 Sri Lankan export companies.

PMF Finance posts strong 9-month results

PMF Finance PLC has reported a significant improvement in its financial performance for the nine months ended December 31, 2025, underscoring the company’s resilience and growth momentum in a challenging economic environment.

HNB relocates Bandaragama customer centre

HNB PLC marked another milestone in its legacy of industry leadership with the ceremonial opening of its newly relocated Bandaragama Customer Centre at 111, Horana Road, Bandaragama.

DFCC Bank achieves top honours at CIPM Great HR Quiz

DFCC Bank announced its achievement of First Place in the Banking Sector and recognition as Overall Second Runners-Up at the Great HR Quiz organised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM).