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Ceylon Chamber warns the two security bills could put GSP+ at risk
The country's main business body has filed observations on the terrorism bill and wants clear definitions, judicial oversight and due process safeguards.
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COPF clears the 2027 Appropriation Bill ahead of November budget speech
Parliament's public finance committee approved the draft Bill after a special sitting chaired by Harsha de Silva. The Budget Speech is set for November 12.
Business
ASPI closes above 20,000 for the first time this month, gaining 296.93 points
The All Share Price Index rose 1.49 per cent to 20,267.15 on Thursday, a third straight session of gains. Banks led turnover of Rs 2.27 billion.
Business
Distilleries Company absorbs its brewery subsidiary's beer operations
DCSL Breweries Lanka has transferred brewing, packaging and distribution to parent DCSL PLC. The company says group profits will not be significantly affected.
Business
DFCC Bank hosts Bhutan Development Bank and ADB for five-day finance exchange
The programme covered DFCC's MSME and women's banking propositions, concessional funding and impact investment.
Business
Dried chillies hit Rs 1,300 a kilo as Indian suppliers stop shipping to Sri Lanka
Importers say more than 100 containers held at Customs over standards have prompted Indian trade bodies to halt exports. Potatoes and big onions are up 10%.
Business
Esna Holidays acquires Mackinnons Travels from John Keells Holdings
The 55-year-old travel management company, Amex GBT's partner in Sri Lanka since 1979, passes from the John Keells Group to Esna Group.
Business
Deputy Finance Minister calls indirect taxes 'super high' but rules out a property tax decision
Anil Jayantha Fernando says revenue hit 16.7% of GDP in 2025, beating the 2030 target early. No property tax decision before the November 12 budget.
Business
Israel to hire Sri Lankan workers only through state-to-state scheme from 2027
Recruitment through licensed private agencies ends on 31 December. The SLBFE has told job seekers to stop paying agencies and to skip their interviews.
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Labour reforms strengthen workers' rights and are not IMF-driven, Deputy Minister says
Mahinda Jayasinghe told a Western Province consultation the draft is more progressive than current law, and gave unions until November 30 to respond.
Business
Wijaya Motors named top MAXXIS dealer at Champions of Champions awards
Tyre House Group's annual MAXXIS dealer awards drew around 200 dealers to the Shangri-La Colombo on 23 October.
Business
Sri Lanka joins Orange Movement, opening access to a $500 million gender-finance pool
An MoU signed in Colombo folds Orange Bond Principles into the CSE's existing GSS+ framework, letting issuers use listing infrastructure already in place.
Business
Second suspect in a week bailed in the Rs 190 billion outflow case for want of evidence
The seventh suspect walks on the same finding that freed the sixth a week ago — the prosecution had not put enough before the court.
Business
Mandatory hotel registration floated as President meets tourism industry on 2030 targets
President discussed mandatory SLTDA registration for all accommodations and increasing international airlines serving Sri Lanka to 50.
Business
28th Presidential Export Awards set for 8 December at the BMICH
The EDB will hand out 117 awards for the 2025/2026 financial year, judged on more than export revenue alone.
Business
Rupee weakens again as foreign investors sell government bonds for the first time in four weeks
The dollar's selling rate rose to Rs 337.13 on Thursday. Offshore investors sold a net Rs 2.8 billion of rupee bonds, ending three weeks of buying.
Business
Foreign Employment Bureau warns of fake SMS demanding payment for Korean language test
SLBFE says scam texts posing as the Bureau are telling 2026 Korean Language Test applicants to deposit money into fake bank accounts.
Business
The SOE Act is stuck in a department working with 40% of its senior posts empty
A deputy finance minister says reform bills are stalled at the Legal Draftsman's Department, which completed 42% fewer bills in 2025 than 2024.
Business
AirAsia restores Colombo frequencies to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok from 1 November
The carrier goes to 21 flights a week out of Colombo for the Winter 2026/27 season, with double-daily service to Kuala Lumpur.
Business
Consumer Affairs Authority tells lubricant traders to check agreement numbers, warns of legal action
Every pack of engine oil, gear oil or grease must carry the Government agreement number under a 2023 direction. Retailers are covered too.
Business
Cabinet clears a $60mn OPEC Fund loan for Mahaweli Phase 2, still $276mn short of the bill
Phase 2 costs $536.5mn. With ADB's $200mn and the OPEC Fund's $60mn committed, most of the financing is still to be found.
Business
Cabinet approves a performance-based framework for state enterprise collective agreements from January
The new structure replaces agreements frozen until December 31. A Treasury expert committee wants pacts bound to three existing labour statutes.
Business
Central Bank expects inflation near 8% into next year, and discloses a failed government dollar bond issue
Nandalal Weerasinghe puts a return to 5% inflation in the second quarter of 2027. Remittances are heading for close to $9 billion.
Business
Max App Media becomes the 27th name on the Central Bank's prohibited pyramid scheme list
CBSL determined the Max App Media group ran a prohibited scheme under the Banking Act and reissued the full list, now 27 entries long.