Business
SLT-MOBITEL Q1 profit surges 53% as broadband revenue powers turnaround
SLT-MOBITEL group profit after tax jumped 53.3% to Rs.3.1 billion in Q1 2026 as broadband demand and reversed FX losses drove a double-digit revenue rise.
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Business
THASL Calls for Ban on Listing Unregistered Properties on Agoda, Booking.com
THASL wants a legal amendment limiting Agoda, Booking.com and Expedia to SLTDA-registered properties, citing unfair tax burden on the formal sector.
Business
Tourism industry opposes new Tourism Act, urges amendment of existing SLTDA law
THASL President Asoka Hettigoda and CEO Priantha Fernando warn that drafting a new tourism law could take two years and create redundant bureaucracy.
Business
Sri Lanka imposes 50% surcharge on imported vehicles for three months
An extraordinary gazette signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake imposes a 50% surcharge on customs import duty for vehicles from 16 May for three months.
Business
Weak Low Grown crop drags April tea production down 8.5%
Sri Lanka's tea output fell sharply in April with weak Low Grown performance, dry weather and reduced smallholder fertiliser use weighing on the national crop.
Business
Cutting inflation target to 2% would force growth-killing tightening, says Governor Weerasinghe
CBSL Governor tells COPF that reducing the 5% inflation target to 2% would require sharp rate hikes that compromise growth, ahead of the August renewal.
Business
Central Bank launches online complaint portal for financial consumers
CBSL has launched a 24/7 online Complaint Management System at reachus.cbsl.lk for consumers to escalate unresolved grievances against regulated providers.
Business
CEB Voluntary Retirement Compensation Payments Begin; Rs.8.9 Billion Set Aside for 1,600 Former Employees
Payments to former CEB voluntary-retirement employees began May 15, with Rs.8.9 billion set aside for nearly 1,600 staff, the Energy Ministry said.
Business
CSE closes flat Friday; ASPI inches up to 22,905 as Dialog leads gainers
Colombo's All Share Price Index added 6.22 points to 22,905 on Friday but ended the week 115 points lower. Turnover Rs.2.84bn, led by capital goods.
Business
Customs revenue tops Rs. 1.18 trillion; April sets monthly record at Rs. 236.5 billion
Sri Lanka Customs collected Rs. 236.5 billion in April alone — the highest monthly intake to date — pushing 2026 revenue past Rs. 1.18 trillion.
Business
Dialog Axiata Q1 2026 net profit more than doubles to Rs. 9.2 billion
Sri Lanka's largest listed telecom posted a 122.3% jump in Q1 2026 net profit to Rs.9.2bn, with revenue up 9.2% and an interim dividend of Rs.0.70 proposed.
Business
First Capital warns Sri Lanka risks Jamaica-style lost decade if growth stays sluggish
First Capital Research lays out three post-restructuring paths and warns the Treasury Single Account transition under the PFMA could choke private credit.
Business
Govt weighs ending odd-even fuel system, QR-code distribution under review
PM committee considers replacing odd-even rationing with a QR-code fuel distribution scheme; stocks confirmed secured through August 2026.
Business
IMF Spokesperson Declines Direct Comment on Rs.100 Diesel Subsidy, Reiterates Cost-Recovery Requirement
IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack would not be drawn on Sri Lanka's Rs.100 diesel subsidy but said the EFF programme requires cost-recovery fuel.
Business
Potuhera–Rambukkana expressway stretch to open by March 2027; Ruwanpura construction to restart
RDA Director General Hettiarachchi confirms Potuhera–Rambukkana opens March 2027, with Ruwanpura, Kurunegala–Galewela and Rambukkana–Galagedara all to begin.
Business
CBSL dollar rate hits Rs. 331.15 as economist, Dilith Jayaweera warn of cascading effects
Sri Lanka's CBSL selling rate hit a December 2023 high on Friday, with analysts and Sarvajana Balaya MP Dilith Jayaweera warning of an unprecedented slide.
Business
Rupee retail selling rate edges toward Rs. 332 as currency continues to slide
People's Bank quoted the dollar at Rs. 332.39 on Friday as the rupee extended its 2026 slide, now down more than 5% since the start of the year.
Business
THASL warns steep liquor licence fee hikes are hurting tourism competitiveness
Sri Lanka's hoteliers say sharply higher liquor licence fees are raising operating costs and driving demand to unregulated informal operators.
Business
BOI opens investment projects across eight sectors with feasibility reports
Acting Chairman Sulakshana Jayawardena says project information and feasibility studies are now on investsrilanka.com to streamline due diligence.
Business
CAA imposes Rs. 89 million in fines after 7,334 raids across Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's CAA fined traders Rs. 89 million in 7,334 raids across January–April 2026 for price gouging, short weights, and consumer protection violations.
Business
CBSL not mandated to drive growth, Governor Weerasinghe says in rare boundary statement
Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe says the Central Bank's role is limited to price and financial stability, not promoting growth, productivity or FDI.
Business
CBSL Governor declines to signal next rate move as inflation pressures resurface
Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe says the Central Bank is yet to assess emerging conditions before its next monetary policy review, with OPR held at 7.75%.
Business
Colombo stocks slip slightly Thursday; rupee closes with no spot quote at 326/327
The Colombo Stock Exchange edged 0.09% lower at Thursday's close on Rs. 2.6 billion turnover, while the rupee saw no spot quote on the dollar.
Business
EDB and Janathakshan partner under UNDP GEF-07 to push bio-friendly agri exports
EDB and Janathakshan have partnered under a UNDP biodiversity project to develop bio-friendly agri exports across six Sri Lankan wet-zone districts.