Business
Cabinet Sets Up National Regulatory Reform Council Under President
Cabinet approved a National Regulatory Reform Council chaired by President AKD to overhaul business regulation, licensing and the wider investment climate.
Business
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Business
National Chamber of Exporters warns rupee slide risks long-term export competitiveness
NCE flags April inflation at 5.4% and a $1.26 billion March intermediate goods bill, saying forex gains will be outweighed by cost-push pressure on exporters.
Business
Sri Lanka to clear Rs.15bn renewable energy arrears to 386 developers by end-June, Karunathilaka tells parliament
Energy Minister says NSO released Rs.2bn on May 19 and Rs.1bn more next week, after FRED warned 389 power plants faced collapse due to unpaid dues.
Business
Sri Lankan Rupee Identified as Asia's Worst-Performing Currency in May
Sri Lankan rupee is Asia's worst-performing currency this month per a global business platform; Peradeniya economist warns of inflation risk if uncontrolled.
Business
Rupee falls to Rs. 352.50 TT selling rate, bond yields rise as dollar tops Rs. 354 at NDB
TT selling crosses Rs. 352.50 and four commercial banks breach Rs. 350 in a single session, extending the rupee's worst-in-Asia depreciation streak.
Business
SLT's Dollar Reserves Up 30% in Q1, But Exact Figure Withheld as 'Commercially Sensitive'
Sri Lanka Telecom Chairman Mothilal de Silva says SLT-MOBITEL's foreign currency reserves rose roughly 30% in Q1 but declined to disclose the exact figure.
Business
Sri Lanka's national inflation rises to 4.7% in April
NCPI inflation doubled from 2.4% in March to 4.7% in April 2026, driven by a sharp 7.8% jump in non-food prices after the fuel hike.
Business
Sri Lanka Tea Exports Fall 4% in January–April Amid Mideast Shipping Disruptions
Sri Lanka tea exports fell 4% YoY in Jan-Apr 2026 to 78.3 mn kg with earnings down 5.6% to $451 mn, as US-Iran shipping disruptions hit Middle East markets.
Business
UNP Warns of Public Hardship as Rupee Slides From Rs.292 to Rs.354 Under NPP
UNP said the rupee has slid from Rs.292 when Ranil left office to about Rs.354, warning the wider public will absorb cost-of-living pain from a weaker rupee.
Business
President urges public to cut fuel and import use as dollar crisis deepens; JAAF says rupee fall is global
President Dissanayake urged Sri Lankans to cut fuel imports as the rupee weakened; the apparel sector said the slide reflects global trends, not local policy.
Business
Courts fine Nuwara Eliya traders Rs.600,000 and Mulleriyawa supermarket Rs.500,000 for overpricing
Nuwara Eliya court fined two traders for selling water and rice above regulated prices; Mulleriyawa supermarket fined for overcharging on Keeri Ponni rice.
Business
CPC Says Fuel Stocks Last Until August; 90,000 MT US Crude Due May 28
CPC MD Mayura Neththikumarage says reserves cover August, orders are placed to November, and 90,000 MT US crude arrives May 28 with a second shipment May 31.
Business
Cabinet awards Crayon Software $1.816mn Microsoft licence contract for SriLankan Airlines
Two-year deal renews Microsoft licences for the national carrier; Crayon Software Lanka identified as the lowest responsive bidder, Vijitha Herath says.
Business
CSE closes sharply lower as rupee depreciation weighs on market sentiment
The ASPI fell nearly 2% to 21,856 on Wednesday as the rupee's ongoing depreciation drove selling pressure across the Colombo Stock Exchange.
Business
Sri Lanka Customs hits 65% of May revenue target in 18 days, ahead of pace
Customs collected Rs.122 billion of its Rs.187.8 billion May target by May 18, but a new 50% surcharge on personal vehicle imports may slow the pace.
Business
Expressways earned Rs. 16.3bn in 2025, cost Rs. 5.2bn to maintain — minister
Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake tells Parliament the first full-year disclosure: Rs. 11.15bn surplus across 312.57km, Southern Expressway top earner.
Business
Foreign investors turn net sellers of Sri Lanka bonds for first time in 2026
Offshore holders sold a net Rs. 4.73 billion of rupee securities to May 14, tipping cumulative 2026 flows into outflow as rupee depreciation resumed.
Business
Imported milk powder prices rise with immediate effect: 400g up Rs.50, 1kg up Rs.125
Milk Powder Importers' Association announces price revision Wednesday; cost-of-living hit lands alongside rupee at Rs.340 and credit-card growth slowing.
Business
India-Sri Lanka Mumbai forum closes with focus on energy, logistics and tourism partnerships
Ceylon Chamber-CII business forum in Mumbai on May 13 wraps with calls to deepen renewable-energy, port and ferry connectivity, and Indian FDI into Sri Lanka.
Business
Govt to waive full interest on income tax arrears settled within six months
Deputy Min. Nishantha Jayaweera tells Parliament the IR Amendment Bill grants a 6-month interest waiver on tax arrears, with base broadening over rate hikes.
Business
Ornamental fish farmers hit by Cyclone Ditwah to get up to Rs. 75,000 in relief
Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage announces transparent import mechanism, NAQDA operational plan and Rs.50,000–75,000 grants for small-scale producers.
Business
Rupee Selling Rate Hits Rs. 346.50 at Commercial, Sampath Banks
Commercial and Sampath both quote Rs. 346.50 on the dollar Wednesday, a fresh cycle high as bond yields move wider and Treasury TT prints Rs. 343.50.
Business
Rupee closes at 345.50 TT-selling, bond yields up, T-bill auction undersold at Rs.67bn of Rs.140bn
Fixed-income wrap: TT-selling 345.50/USD with no spot close, bonds up across the curve, and weekly T-bill auction filled only 48% of Rs.140bn target.
Business
Sri Lanka adds 22,473 active credit cards in March 2026; total tops 2.21 million
Credit card base grew 1% in March and 2.3% across Q1, but analysts expect issuance to slow as fuel rationing and rupee weakness squeeze household budgets.