Business
Tourism industry pushes back against government plan for blanket e-cigarette ban
Operators warn the prohibition could deter European and UK visitors, where vaping has overtaken traditional smoking; NATA has tabled the amendments.
Business
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Business
Gold prices in Sri Lanka jump Rs. 7,000 as international price hits USD 4,648/oz
A 22-carat sovereign now sells for Rs. 363,400 in Pettah; 24-carat reached Rs. 395,000 as Iran-war uncertainty pushes bullion to record highs.
Business
Sri Lanka issues RFI for green hydrogen and ammonia projects, targets USD 1bn export by 2030
Energy Ministry and BOI invite local and international developers to submit project concepts for green hydrogen and ammonia manufacturing, storage and export.
Business
Cabinet clears ADB advisory for 150 MW Kondachchi wind power and battery storage project
$1.2 mn ADB technical assistance grant funds the transaction advisory; the wind farm pairs with battery storage to deliver firm renewable power to the grid.
Business
LAUGFS Raises 12.5kg LPG Cylinder by Rs. 545 to Rs. 6,245 from Midnight
LAUGFS Gas hikes LPG prices from midnight May 7, citing global market pressures, opening a Rs. 1,480 gap with Litro on a 12.5kg cylinder.
Business
Litro keeps LP gas prices unchanged for May despite rising costs
Litro Gas Lanka will hold cylinder prices flat through May, citing consumer relief, even as international LPG and exchange-rate pressures persist.
Business
Sri Lanka raises special commodity levy on imported maize to Rs. 50 per kg
Finance Ministry gazette extraordinary sets the rate from May 5 through December 31, 2026 — a protectionist measure for local poultry feed producers.
Business
Sri Lanka invites investors for green hydrogen and ammonia projects
The Ministry of Energy and BoI have issued a Request for Information for green hydrogen and ammonia projects with submissions due by June 5.
Business
ADB backs India–Sri Lanka grid link as Pan-Asia power initiative gains pace
Senior ADB energy director Priyantha Wijayatunga calls the India grid link Sri Lanka's most promising power option, says ADB ready to support the project.
Business
Sri Lanka, South Korea formalise USD 267mn EDCF debt restructuring covering 18 loans
Amendment agreements were exchanged at the 2026 EDCF Policy Dialogue and complete the bilateral leg of Sri Lanka's external debt restructuring with Korea.
Business
SriLankan Airlines Rs. 91.3bn state-bank debt restructured; PPP and management contract on the table
Minister Karunathilaka tells Parliament the carrier's total liabilities stand at USD 993.78mn and Treasury will continue twice-yearly capital injections.
Business
Upcountry railway: 92 of 97 Cyclone Ditwah damage sites restored
Deputy Transport Minister Gunasena inspects progress as five sites between Rambukkana and Kadugannawa remain under NBRO engineering review.
Business
World Bank Pledges Support for Sri Lanka's Revenue Institution Reforms
World Bank Country Manager Gevorg Sargsyan met the President's Secretary to discuss reform of revenue-generating state bodies and integrity safeguards.
Business
Australia and FAO launch AUD 2 million cyclone recovery project for highland vegetable farmers
12-month initiative will reach 2,400 smallholders in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla, restoring climate-resilient vegetable production after Cyclone Ditwah.
Business
Melstacorp, Aitken Spence offer Rs. 30 a share to Browns Beach Hotels minorities
Joint exit offer to minority shareholders runs from May 5 to June 5 ahead of delisting from the CSE, after sustained losses since 2019.
Business
First half of CEB VRS compensation to be paid by May 15, Energy Minister tells Parliament
Anura Karunathilaka says 50% of compensation for ex-CEB retirees will be paid via Treasury funds by May 15, with the remaining 50% to follow shortly after.
Business
Colombo stocks slide 0.49% as Middle East panic selling drags banks lower
ASPI ends at 22,584, with First Capital citing 'panicked retail selling' tied to Middle East escalation and Hormuz fears.
Business
Customs revenue beats April target by 30.5%, four-month collections jump 49.8%
Sri Lanka Customs collected Rs. 236.5 billion in April against a Rs. 181.2 billion target, with cumulative four-month revenue at Rs. 919.3 billion.
Business
Deputy Minister denies VAT hike, says 20.5% rate is consolidation of two taxes
Nishantha Jayaweera says financial services VAT and SSCL are being merged into a single 20.5% rate, not raised, ahead of the July 1 amendment.
Business
Fertilizer Secretariat denies overpriced import claims, cites global urea prices above USD 900
Fertilizer Secretariat rejects claims Sri Lanka overpaid for urea at USD 800 per tonne, citing the Indian benchmark against Kazakhstan's USD 220-320.
Business
Sri Lanka Moves to Stabilise Grid With Software, Battery Storage and Synchronous Condenser
Energy Minister Karunathilaka tells Parliament Sri Lanka is procuring grid-stability software, battery storage and a World Bank synchronous condenser.
Business
IMF leaving Sri Lanka out of GDP projections signals fragile recovery, Wignaraja warns
Ganeshan Wignaraja says the IMF's blank GDP forecast groups Sri Lanka with Syria and Lebanon, exposing debt-restructuring risk and weak foundations.
Business
India HC Jha urges 'bold reset' on trade and Palk Strait connectivity
Indian HC Santosh Jha calls for permanent land link, ETCA progress and submarine power line, citing 50% FDI share and 65% FTA usage by SL exporters.
Business
Cabinet clears land acquisition for Kelani Valley railway upgrade, Maradana to Avissawella
Cabinet approves land acquisition across seven DS divisions for the long-delayed Kelani Valley line upgrade from Maradana to Avissawella.