Sri Lanka among top Eid getaways for Omani travellers 

Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the most sought-after international destinations for travellers in Oman this Eid season, according to Travel and Tour World (TTW).

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.

March arrivals up 13% YoY in first 20 days

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka have increased 13 percent Year-on-Year (YoY) in the first 20 days of March, provisional data from Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed.

Alipay+ goes live in SL

Over 400,000 LANKAQR merchants across Sri Lanka will be able to accept cross-border mobile payments from tourists and business travellers with Sri Lanka announcing the launch of Alipay+.

Orient Finance reports 161% PAT increase for 9-month period ended 31 December 2024

Orient Finance PLC for the nine months ended 31 December 2024 recorded a 161 percent increase in profit after tax, reaching Rs. 254.6 million compared to Rs. 97.6 million in the same period of the previous year.

Crossings boost turnover

The ASPI edged down as a result of price losses in counters such as Ceylinco Holdings, LOLC Holdings and Hatton National Bank with the turnover crossing Rs. 2.8 bn.

Selling sentiment emerges; yields edge up marginally

Pivoting from Monday’s mixed sentiment, market participants shifted towards a selling stance yesterday, generating moderate volumes and high market activity ahead of the CBSL’s monetary policy review, which is due today.

Singer launches new Nubia smartphone series

Singer Sri Lanka PLC unveiled the highly anticipated new line-up of Nubia smartphones, bringing a fusion of innovation and effortless style to Sri Lankan consumers.

CFA Society SL Charter Awards Ceremony 2025 celebrates new charterholders

CFA Society Sri Lanka honours a new generation of finance professionals, who have earned the prestigious CFA designation and those who have successfully completed the CFA Programme, at Charter Awards Ceremony 2025.

HNB group-wide agreement reinforces data privacy, security

HNB PLC has formalised a data-sharing agreement with its group companies—HNB Assurance PLC, HNB General Insurance Ltd, HNB investment Bank and HNB Finance PLC.

Mastercard Avurudu campaign to offer Rs.6mn worth prizes

Mastercard has launched a new Avurudu Spend and Win campaign, which is designed to offer the Mastercard cardholders the opportunity to win prizes worth Rs.6 million.

People’s Bank awards Remittance Vaasi Kotiyai 2024 grand prize

People’s Bank has awarded the grand prize of the People’s Remittance Vaasi Kotiyai 2024 draw to A.A. Harshanath Chinthaka from Matugama, who received a cash prize of Rs.2,000,000.

Russel’s Wellness unveils new Ceylon Tea range

Russel’s Wellness recently launched an extensive range of wellness teas in five distinctive categories, aimed at offering a unique wellness experience to the world.

ComBank introduces vehicle leasing promotion

As new vehicles begin arriving in the country after a lapse of several years, Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced it will support the aspirations of vehicle buyers with an attractive leasing package for a limited duration.

SLT-Mobitel Enterprise with Red Hat showcases Akaza container platform

SLT-Mobitel Enterprise, in partnership with Red Hat, hosted a customer forum showcasing its enterprise-grade container platform Akaza Containers - Red Flavor, at Monarch Imperial recently.

Unilever SL shines at SLIM-Kantar People’s Awards 2025

Unilever Sri Lanka, one of the country’s largest FMCG companies, was once again recognised across multiple categories at SLIM-Kantar People’s Awards 2025.

Plexus Global, Top Distributor for Asian Emerging Countries

Plexus Global (Pvt.) Ltd secured its second consecutive recognition as Top Distributor of the Year for 2024 in the Asian Emerging Countries region, at the HPE Aruba Networking FY25 SEATH Partner Kick-off held recently.

Millennium IT ESP S’pore and Transnational Group Singapore partner

Millennium IT ESP Singapore, a subsidiary of MillenniumIT ESP and a leading provider of enterprise technology solutions, has been selected by Transnational Group Singapore as its trusted provider for managed security operations services.

Nilwala Tea Factory honoured at National Industry Brand Excellence Awards

Nilwala Tea Factory (Pvt.) Ltd bagged the Best Turnaround Brand – Medium Scale award at National Industry Brand Excellence Awards 2024, organised by the Industrial Development Board, under the Industries Ministry.

Intrepid Travel hosts Global Summit in Colombo

Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure travel company, successfully hosted its largest and most impactful Global Summit event recently in Sri Lanka, bringing together 200 international team members, representing over 50 nationalities, alongside 300 local Sri Lankan team members, for a week of collaboration, connection and celebration.

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.

Rising bets for Central Bank to stay pat on current rates at upcoming policy meeting

The Central Bank is set to keep the rates when it meets for the second time for this year, this week, to decide on the key policy rate, after it left the overnight policy rate (OPR) unchanged at its January meeting.

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce celebrates 186 years of service to Sri Lanka

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Sri Lanka’s premier business chamber, proudly marks its 186th anniversary today (March 25).

Transshipment decline at Port of Colombo extends to second straight month in February

The transshipment volumes at the Port of Colombo declined for the second straight month in February, as the services that earlier pulled out of Colombo, amidst heavy congestion, were yet to return to the port.

Week begins on a mixed note

The ASPI closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as C T Holdings, Hatton National Bank and Sanasa Development Bank with the turnover crossing Rs. 1.9 Bn. Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 closed in red. High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in John Keells Holdings, CIC Holdings and Hatton National Bank. Mixed interest was observed in Sampath Bank, Chevron Lubricants and Capital Alliance whilst retail interest

Mixed activity emerges ahead of monetary policy review

As the week began, the secondary market experienced mixed interest.

Sri Lanka’s first multi-modal rail logistics solution launched

Cargoserv Shipping Ltd., a subsidiary of the Ceyline Group, has partnered with Prima Ceylon to introduce Sri Lanka’s first comprehensive multi-modal rail logistics solution. This strategic collaboration aims to revolutionize supply chain logistics by leveraging rail-based reverse logistics, significantly reducing environmental impact and enhancing efficiency.

LOLC clinches ‘People’s Financial Services Brand of the Year’ for ninth successive year

LOLC once again emerged as the ‘People’s Financial Services Brand of the Year’, securing the title bestowed at the SLIM Kantar People’s Choice Awards 2025 for an unparalleled ninth consecutive year.

‘Super-Crete Duraflex Ultra’ receives top award

Superbuild Pvt. Ltd, a prominent construction systems provider in the country, received an ‘Award of Excellence’ for its Super-Crete Duraflex Ultra product at the Annual Sessions 2025 of Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, held at the BMICH recently.

NTB Amex unveils exclusive privileges for Avurudu

Bringing an array of exclusive experiences and privileges to its loyal Cardmembers, Nations Trust Bank American Express has launched its much-anticipated seasonal campaign, ‘Style the Season #withAmex,’ as the festive Avurudu season draws near.