Business
Rs. 9.18 billion September Aswesuma payment to be credited on Wednesday
Rs. 9.18 billion Aswesuma payment to 999,053 families on September 16, with second phase following day.
Business
1511 stories 
Business
China offers Sri Lanka smart farming tech and saline-tolerant hybrid rice
Ambassador Wei Huaxiang told Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha China would share soil-monitoring apps and rice varieties that grow in seawater.
Business
CSE falls a second session as a single block trade props up turnover
ASPI closes down 51.79 points at 21,262.13. Crossings made up 52% of Rs. 2.23bn turnover, leaving real participation far below average.
Business
EU grants €110,000 to three university teams to map single-use plastics in food chains
Research teams at Ruhuna and Kelaniya will trace how disposable plastics move through Colombo and Galle food value chains under the EU's CIRCULAR project.
Business
Sri Lanka's economy grows 4.2% in Q2 as fuel costs and weak tourism bite
Q2 2026 GDP growth slows to 4.2% from 5.1% in Q1. Industry expanded 7.3%, services 2.7%, while agriculture contracted 2.3%.
Business
Cabinet clears 39 new health projects for 2027 as capital budget target hits Rs. 2,000bn
Cabinet approved 39 new health projects for 2027 while the government targets Rs. 2,000bn in capital spending — against a 17.4% execution rate this year.
Business
Rs. 73bn Kaluganga water project to be fast-tracked for 500,000 families
The JICA-funded scheme will supply Colombo and Kalutara districts through a new 140,000 cubic metre per day treatment plant, storage towers and pipelines.
Business
Sri Lanka's 3.9% unemployment hides 8.6 million people outside the labour force
Only 49.4% of working-age Sri Lankans are in the labour force. For every one person counted as unemployed, roughly 26 are not counted at all.
Business
Cabinet adds Rs. 2.5 billion for Yala paddy purchases as harvest runs past its budget
The Paddy Marketing Board had already been given Rs. 6 billion, but harvesting is unfinished in five districts and three Mahaweli zones.
Business
Services PMI jumps to 65.6 in August as manufacturing gives back July's gain
Central Bank PMI shows services accelerating to 65.6 in August while manufacturing falls to 53.0, erasing July's improvement and returning to the June level.
Business
Prime Melwa gets strategic status for $112mn Port City waterfront project
The mixed-use development is expected to create about 800 direct jobs. Cabinet granted tax exemptions under Section 53 of the Port City Act.
Business
SITA Switzerland wins SriLankan Airlines network contract as sole bidder
Cabinet awards SITA Switzerland SARL a US$4.01mn five-year contract for SriLankan Airlines' global network. Only one bid was received.
Business
Budget swings back into deficit in July, wiping out the first-half surplus
July's Rs. 119bn deficit wipes out half-year surplus; seven-month shortfall Rs. 109.72bn, down 80% year-on-year.
Business
CAA reports more than 1,000 raids on electrical goods this year
The Consumer Affairs Authority says 204 raids in a recent special operation seized over 1,150 items, and that it will trace supply chains back to importers.
Business
Coconut Board says yield has fallen despite a 24% rise in first-half production
CCB Chairman Dr. Sunimal Jayakody says annual yield is down even though output rose 24% in the first six months. The two figures are not explained.
Business
Army and Mahaweli Authority launch 'Construction Assistant' training for 40 youth
A five-day residential course at Ambepussa aims to turn informal construction labour into salaried jobs carrying EPF and ETF cover.
Business
Colombo bourse opens week lower as oil surge drags ASPI to 21,313
ASPI falls 68.82 points as oil surge weighs on sentiment. Foreign investors net sellers; decliners outnumber gainers 2:1.
Business
Government prepares alternate-market plan for food imports ahead of El Niño
Government ready with food import plan for 2027 El Niño. No 2026 shortfall expected, but Opposition calls El Niño '100% certain'.
Business
Filling stations say they are not receiving fuel, as Energy Minister signals a price revision by end-September
Filling stations report fuel delivery restrictions. Energy Minister signals price revision or subsidy possible by end-September.
Business
Official reserves reach five-month high of US$6.9bn in August
Official reserves reach five-month high of US$6.9bn in August; Central Bank record US$579m purchase.
Business
Cabinet asked for a further Rs. 2.5 billion to buy Yala paddy
Cabinet seeks Rs. 2.5bn more for Yala paddy. Rs. 6bn already allocated; interest-free loans fund 60 Anuradhapura mills.
Business
Private sector borrowing slows 31% in July to Rs. 169 billion
Private sector credit slows 31% in July to Rs. 169bn from Rs. 245bn; annual growth remains 26.4%.
Business
Range Rover's first electric SUV goes on sale in Sri Lanka
Two 260kW motors, 550PS and a 372-mile WLTP range. The battery-electric Range Rover arrives in a market whose tax structure already favours EV-first models.
Business
Treasury sells Rs. 120 billion in bonds across three maturities
Treasury sells Rs. 120bn across three maturities at yields 10.83%-12.08%; all bonds fully subscribed.