Business
Vegetable supply to Dambulla falls by a third as dry spell bites
Daily supply to the Dambulla Economic Centre has dropped from 600,000kg to 400,000kg, traders say, blaming drought and fertiliser shortages.
Business
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Business
CAA seizes 431 helmets in islandwide crackdown on uncertified motorcycle headgear
The Consumer Affairs Authority says 98 raids on July 27 seized 431 helmets lacking the SLS 517 mark, and blocked the sale of 3,520 more from two factories.
Business
COPE told Avant Garde took US$320,000 a month from floating armoury revenue
COPE told Avant Garde received monthly payments from floating armoury revenue; 13 weapons held by Rakna Arakshaka Lanka are unaccounted for.
Business
Excise revenue reaches Rs. 141.5 billion in first half of 2026, beating target
The Excise Department collected 118.6% of its half-year target, with alcohol volumes used in liquor production up 13.6% despite repeated price increases.
Business
Probe launched into fake financial institutions registered as cooperatives
Fraudulent financial institutions are exploiting cooperative registration rules, Deputy Minister Samarasinghe says.
Business
Fisheries Department suspends fishing off northern and south-eastern coasts
Fishing is banned until further notice from Kankesanthurai to Kalpitiya and Hambantota to Pottuvil after the Met Department's Red-level sea advisory.
Business
Irrigation Department says reservoirs at 42% but drinking water secure to October
Irrigation Department reservoirs at 42% capacity; small tanks risk drying up under El Niño conditions.
Business
CBSL to start Nation Lanka Finance depositor payouts through People's Bank from August 1
Insured depositors of Nation Lanka Finance PLC can claim up to Rs. 1.1 million each through People's Bank branches from August 1, the Central Bank says.
Business
August declared Pig Insurance Month for farmers hit by swine fever
The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has declared August Pig Insurance Month, offering cover up to Rs. 200,000 per breeding pig.
Business
Government weighs 2027 Budget funds to revive 5,000 stalled housing projects
Committee identifies halted housing projects for completion; 2027 Budget support planned.
Business
CPC signals fuel price cut at month-end revision
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation says falling global crude and refined fuel prices will be passed on to consumers at the next price revision, due July 31.
Business
Sri Lanka Customs beats July revenue target for seventh straight month
Customs collected Rs. 227.6bn in July's first 27 days against a Rs. 192.4bn monthly target, reaching 73% of its full-year goal before seven months were out.
Business
Over 1,000 new exporters have entered the sector, EDB says
EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe says training programmes converting entrepreneurs into exporters are focused primarily on small and medium-scale businesses.
Business
New metro buses docked at Colombo Port, bound for nine city routes
A fresh shipment of metro buses reached Colombo Port on Wednesday, with NewsFirst reporting 104 units and Hiru 106, for deployment on nine Colombo-area routes.
Business
Agriculture Minister puts Yala paddy production cost at Rs. 76 to Rs. 119 a kilo
Minister K.D. Lalkantha released a government report costing 2026 Yala paddy production at Rs. 76 to Rs. 119 a kilogram, depending on the variety.
Business
Cabinet clears Rs. 15bn procurement for Ruwanpura Expressway Phase 1
The Road Development Authority will select a contractor within 2026 for the Kahathuduwa–Ingiriya stretch, funded entirely from local budget allocations.
Business
Sri Lanka tourist arrivals pass 1.3 million for 2026
SLTDA data shows 1,313,974 arrivals between January 1 and July 26, with 167,401 visitors in the first 26 days of July and India still the largest market.
Business
Western Province water network upgrade under way, minister says
Minister Susil Ranasinghe says work has begun to expand the Horana-Kadana treatment plant and modernise the ageing Labugama-to-Colombo pipeline.
Business
Cabinet approves legal framework to regulate virtual assets
Cabinet has approved a proposal to regulate virtual assets and service providers, presented by President Dissanayake as Minister of Digital Economy.
Business
DFCC launches Sri Lanka's first eight-language ATMs and cash recyclers
DFCC Bank has rolled out Sri Lanka's first ATMs and cash recyclers operating in eight languages, at BIA arrivals and three tourist-area locations.
Business
Sri Lanka ranked fourth-fastest improver in IIF investor relations assessment
Sri Lanka's Investor Relations Country Score rose to 43.67 from 37.33, placing it fourth among the biggest improvers in the IIF's 2026 transparency report.
Business
John Keells to open first Wendy's outlet in Sri Lanka by December
JKH says franchise agreements for the US burger chain are complete, as the group reports a 26% rise in first-quarter EBITDA to Rs. 16.35 billion.
Business
Oil falls 1% as markets weigh pause in US strikes on Iran
Brent slipped to $87.82 and WTI to $81.95 on Tuesday as a pause in US strikes on Iran raised hopes of a diplomatic settlement in the Middle East.
Business
Paperless customs declaration system to go live on October 1
Sri Lanka will switch customs declarations to a fully electronic system from October 1, pairing LankaSign digital signatures with ASYCUDA.