Business
February Imports Surge 25%, Vehicle Bill Up 1,897% Year-On-Year
Sri Lanka's February import bill jumped to $1.83 billion as vehicle and fuel purchases pushed the monthly trade deficit to $776 million.
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Business
Sri Lanka secures political-level Russia oil deal, supplies expected mid-April
Transport Minister Rathnayake tells TASS Sri Lanka has a political-level deal with Russia for oil from mid-April; financial terms still pending.
Business
Sri Lanka Tourist Arrivals Cross 750,000 for 2026 Despite March Slump
Cumulative tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka crossed the 750,000 mark in early April, even after a 19.7% March drop triggered by the Middle East conflict.
Business
Vallibel Finance Launches Rs. 2.12 Billion Rights Issue to Hit Rs. 200 Billion Asset Target
Dhammika Perera-backed NBFC issues 29.4 million new shares at Rs. 72 to strengthen Tier I capital and fund Northern Province branch expansion.
Business
Banks Blocking SMEs From Rs. 95 Billion Government Credit Line, Deputy Minister Says
Deputy Minister Abeysinghe accuses bank branches of prioritising profits over government-subsidised SME lending.
Business
CAA Raids Kegalle Traders Over Rice Overpricing, Expired Goods Ahead of Avurudu
Consumer Affairs Authority inspectors found samba sold above MRP, hoarded keeri samba and expired stock during April 5 raids in Thalduwa and Dehiowita.
Business
Central Bank Dollar Sales Hit 31-Month High Amid Currency Pressure
CBSL intervenes heavily in forex market as rupee comes under stress from bond outflows and rising import costs.
Business
Digital Services VAT Pushed to July 2026 in Third Postponement
IRD delays 18% VAT on Netflix, Spotify and foreign digital platforms to July 1 after industry requests more preparation time.
Business
Dissanayake Launches National QR Payment Drive, Summons Bank Heads
President launched cash-lite initiative April 6 with top banks; merchant fees waived on LankaQR transactions up to Rs. 5,000 across 450,000 outlets.
Business
Industry Minister Handunnetti Briefs IMF Team on SME Challenges
Sunil Handunnetti met IMF delegation April 6 to push for SME incentives and production-based economy ahead of Trump tariff shock on April 9.
Business
Liberty Lands Takes Full Ownership of Scope Cinemas in Group Restructuring
Liberty Lands & Developments acquires remaining Scope Cinemas shares as part of broader consolidation across entertainment and hospitality.
Business
Cabinet Bans Scrap Metal Exports to Protect Local Industries
Government formalises export prohibition on scrap iron, copper, aluminium and other metals to shield domestic manufacturers.
Business
Police Arrest 31, Seize Over 52,000 Litres in Month-Long Fuel Hoarding Crackdown
Sri Lanka Police confiscated 52,000 litres of illegally stockpiled fuel in islandwide raids from March 3 to April 4.
Business
IMF Review Team in Colombo as Tariff and Energy Crisis Collide
IMF's 5th/6th review mission meets Dissanayake in Colombo through April 9 — the date a 44% US tariff activates — as Sri Lanka seeks programme flexibility.
Business
IMF Review Mission Praises Sri Lanka's Economic Progress, Warns of External Fragility
IMF delegation finds 'notable resilience' with $7.3B reserves and 5% growth, but flags Middle East risks.
Business
IMF Cuts Sri Lanka's 2026 Growth Forecast to 3.1% Amid Energy and Trade Pressures
IMF cuts Sri Lanka's 2026 growth forecast from 3.5% to 3.1% while praising stabilisation progress under the Extended Fund Facility programme.
Business
Sri Lanka Sends Delegation to IMF Spring Meetings as Tariff Clock Ticks
State Minister Wickramaratne leads delegation to Washington April 13-18 to finalize IMF review and negotiate tariff relief.
Business
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Seek US Sanctions Waiver for Russian Fuel as April 11 Deadline Looms
Bangladesh formally requests waiver for 600,000 tonnes of Russian diesel; Sri Lanka faces same April 11 expiry with no US response.
Business
Sri Lanka Credit Card Numbers Continue Recovery With 10,113 New Cards in January
Active credit cards reach 2.18 million as banking sector recovery accelerates after the 2022 economic crisis.
Business
Sri Lanka Delays Digital Services VAT Again, No New Date Set
IRD confirms 18% VAT on Netflix, Spotify and other digital services will not take effect April 1 as planned.
Business
Sri Lanka Tourism Arrivals Plunge 19.7% in March as Middle East Conflict Bites
Tourist arrivals fell to 183,979 in March 2026 — down 19% year-on-year — as the Middle East conflict disrupted Gulf transit hubs for Western visitors.
Business
Rupee Slides 1.6% Against Dollar in 2026 as Middle East Crisis Hits Currency
Central Bank data shows rupee at Rs. 319 per dollar, though reserves remain healthy at $7.3 billion.
Business
Global Food Prices Jump in March as Middle East Conflict Drives Up Energy Costs
FAO Food Price Index rises 2.4% to 128.5 points, with sugar up 7.2% and vegetable oils 5.1%, raising inflation concerns for import-dependent Sri Lanka.