Business
Sampath Bank opens Port City branch in first banking transaction inside SEZ
Sampath Bank's Port City branch is now open at the zone's Business Centre, marking the first banking transaction conducted inside Sri Lanka's SEZ.
Business
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Business
Vehicle imports not falling despite customs surcharge, Sri Lanka Customs confirms
Customs spokesperson Punchihewa said vehicle imports still contribute 30% of revenue, with monthly vehicle takings of Rs. 75–91 billion through May 28.
Business
Vehicle number plate printing restarts at Werahera under Bimal Rathnayake's patronage
The DMT resumed vehicle number plate printing at 10am Monday at its Werahera premises, ending a more than year-long suspension that began in May 2025.
Business
Central Bank sold a net USD 211.3mn in May to defend rupee, second straight month as seller
Sri Lanka's Central Bank sold a net USD 211.3mn in May as it intervened to slow the rupee's slide to a four-year low, ending its long run as a net dollar.
Business
CICT discharges record 2,241-tonne battery storage shipment in midnight Colombo Port operation
Colombo International Container Terminals discharged a record 2,241-tonne battery energy storage shipment in a specialised midnight operation, CICT said.
Business
Harsha questions SriLankan Airlines' Rs.100bn fresh request from government
SJB MP Harsha de Silva says the loss-making carrier is seeking Rs.100bn more from the State while operating without a CEO for 1.5 years and without a chairman.
Business
Major reservoirs at 63% capacity; Irrigation Department warns El Niño could hit Maha season
73 major reservoirs hold 63% capacity, enough water for Yala cultivation, but the Maha season could be hit by El Niño conditions, P.S.D. Herath says.
Business
Private buses to operate at 50% capacity from Monday, LPBOA says, after fare-revision deadlock
LPBOA chair Gemunu Wijeratne says about a quarter of the fleet is already off the road and the rest will be cut from June 8 if the government does not respond.
Business
No rice shortage until Maha season — PMB holds 140,000 MT, Samarasinghe says
Trade Minister Samarasinghe says the Paddy Marketing Board holds 140,000 MT in red and white rice and that only substitute varieties will be imported this.
Business
CBL Group Chairman Ramya Wickramasingha passes away
Ramya Sanath Amaraweera Wickramasingha led the Sri Lankan confectionery and snacks conglomerate behind the Munchee biscuit brand and consumer food exports.
Business
EU-funded project updates Sri Lanka's National Green Reporting System to GRI standards
An EU-funded UNIDO project has revised Sri Lanka's National Green Reporting System guidelines, the first overhaul since 2011, aligning them with GRI standards.
Business
Fitch cuts 2026 global growth forecast to 2.4% on US-Iran oil shock
Fitch lifted its 2026 Brent assumption to $87/bbl, cut US growth to 1.9% and eurozone to 0.9%, and warned of a $100 adverse scenario as Hormuz stays shut.
Business
Foreigners sell $15mn of Sri Lanka bonds in week to June 4 as rate hike fails to stem outflows
EconomyNext reports a fourth straight weekly outflow, $65mn over four weeks, with the rupee weakening to 342 against the dollar despite CBSL's May 26 rate.
Business
Rupee depreciation not an economic crisis, Deputy Finance Minister says
Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha says the rupee's slide reflects Middle East fuel demand, not a crisis, and the dollar rate is back near Rs. 330.
Business
Deputy Minister Ilyas says 300 MW of wind projects underway, grid integration in 18 months
Dep Min Arkam Ilyas says 50 MW Mannar, 100 MW Mullikulam and 150 MW Kondachchi-ADB wind projects are underway, targeting grid integration within 18 months.
Business
Drainage canal cleaning begins around BIA to tackle airport access flooding
Sri Lanka's Civil Aviation Ministry started canal cleaning at Bandaranaike International Airport on June 4 to stop access roads flooding in heavy rain.
Business
CBSL Financial Stability Review: bank credit up 24.4%, finance company credit up 52.4%
CBSL Q1 review: banking credit grew 24.4% and finance company credit 52.4%; new caps target gold loans and vehicle financing as equity outflows hit $103.4mn.
Business
Sri Lanka's official reserves rise 1.6% to USD 6,873mn in May 2026
Sri Lanka's official reserves rose 1.6% to USD 6,873mn at end-May 2026 from USD 6,766mn in April, the Central Bank said, including the PBoC swap proceeds.
Business
Ceylon Chamber Climate Summit 2026 set for June 9 with focus on business readiness
Sri Lanka Climate Summit at Taj Samudra pairs Environment Minister Patabendi with ADB, UN-FAO and IFC officials on investment readiness and climate finance.
Business
Sri Lanka extends green hydrogen and ammonia RFI deadline to June 19
The Board of Investment extended its Request for Information deadline for green hydrogen and ammonia projects to June 19, two weeks past the original date.
Business
IMF says Sri Lanka's PAYE tax to be reviewed under medium-term revenue strategy
Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou said the configuration of income taxes including PAYE will be a key part of the strategy being completed with IMF help.
Business
Litro keeps LPG cylinder prices unchanged for June, citing cost discipline
Litro Gas Lanka holds the 12.5kg cylinder at Rs.4,765 for June despite higher global LPG prices and rupee depreciation, citing strong profits in other.
Business
Sri Lanka remittances hit US$847mn in May, taking five-month total to US$3.91bn
CBSL data show May 2026 remittances of US$847mn, up from US$767.9mn in April; the January-May total is 26% ahead of the same period a year ago.
Business
Sri Lanka confident US tariff concerns will be resolved through talks – Dy Finance Minister
Sri Lanka is confident US concerns over reciprocal tariffs and supply-chain rules can be resolved through talks, Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha says.