CPC says no fuel shortage; US and UAE crude ships due within days
CPC says there is no fuel shortage, with two crude ships from the US and UAE due within days; it blamed station queues on false rumours of a price hike.
CPC says there is no fuel shortage, with two crude ships from the US and UAE due within days; it blamed station queues on false rumours of a price hike.
Colombo stocks fell 0.85% to 22,175.14 as markets digested the Central Bank's 100bps rate hike; turnover surged to Rs.4.92bn on insurance crossings.
The Ceylon United Business Alliance has urged President Dissanayake to temporarily ban non-essential imports to protect dollar reserves and local industry.
Free Lawyers warn Customs applies a gazetted Rs.351.17 per dollar rate for May 25-29, above the CBSL market rate, inflating import duties and consumer prices.
Dialog Axiata has overtaken John Keells Holdings to become the Colombo bourse's most valuable listed company, regaining the top spot after 11 years.
An IPS study finds Sri Lanka's sugar tax and traffic-light labels are losing traction with low-income consumers, blunting their health goals.
Cabinet approves the tender sale of about 115,000 tonnes of Paddy Marketing Board stocks to free warehouse space and raise funds ahead of the Yala harvest.
Sri Lanka's rupee firmed to 324.00/325.50 against the dollar as Treasury bond yields rose across maturities after the Central Bank's surprise rate hike.
Sampath Bank says it is the first Sri Lankan bank to let customers link PayPal and withdraw funds in rupees or dollars, targeting freelancers and exporters.
The Banks' Association says Sri Lanka's banking sector is stable and deposits secure, with recent fraud incidents addressed without threatening customer funds.
Treasury bill yields jumped at Tuesday's auction after the Central Bank's 100bps rate hike, with the 12-month rate at 8.83% and Rs.95.55bn of Rs.140bn sold.
The Central Bank warned against misleading public statements on money printing, money supply and exchange rates, urging reliance on technical experts.
Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.98% to 22,364.77 on Monday on rupee stabilisation, with Dialog Axiata leading gains and market turnover of Rs. 2.43 billion.
Verité Research finds Sri Lanka's EPF discloses less than listed firms, banks and unit trusts, faulting CBSL for weak transparency at the pension fund.
Hemas Holdings' net profit rose 17.6% to Rs.3.03bn in the March 2026 quarter on healthcare and consumer growth; the board declared a Rs.0.75 final dividend.
Brent crude fell 4.5% to $98.83 as US-Iran peace deal optimism eases Hormuz pressure, though analysts warn oil flows could take months to normalise.
Bank dollar selling rates fell as low as Rs.330 on Monday, while BMI (Fitch Solutions) forecast a rupee recovery to Rs.320 against the dollar by end-2026.
Sri Lanka's services exports fell 6.13% to USD 317.16 million in April, dragged by transport and construction, even as financial services jumped 119%.
Sri Lanka's exports rose 4.3% to $5.78 billion in January–April, the EDB says, as electronics and food gains offset falling apparel and tea earnings.
Sri Lanka's merchandise exports grew 9.87% year-on-year to $1.06 billion in April 2026, with China up 24% and India overtaking the UK year-to-date.
Sri Lanka has logged 990,032 tourist arrivals in 2026, nearing the one-million mark, with 113,755 visitors in the first 24 days of May, SLTDA data shows.
Vehicle importers warn prices will rise after the Central Bank cut loan-to-value caps, urging relief for vehicles already imported or under open LCs.
Prof Wasantha Athukorala says the 5x surge to USD 23.71 million in LCs opened on May 15 cannot be explained by normal market behaviour alone.
Minister Bimal Ratnayake says the dollar has eased from above Rs. 340 to around Rs. 334 and a USD 700 million IMF disbursement will strengthen reserves.