Business
Rathnayake says construction projects on track despite Middle East tensions
Minister says Central Expressway Phase III is 75% complete; CT Smith flags Rs. 2 trillion 2026-28 pipeline alongside input-cost risks.
Business
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Business
Colombo Stocks Close Up as Investors Watch US-Iran Ceasefire Talks
The ASPI gained 0.25% to 22,625.48 on Tuesday as brokers said volatility had been priced in ahead of the Wednesday US-Iran ceasefire deadline.
Business
Expressway Revenue Tops Rs. 536 Million Over 10-Day Avurudu Period
Sri Lanka's expressway network earned more than Rs. 536 million from vehicles travelling between April 10 and April 20, the Ministry of Transport said.
Business
Fitch Warns Sri Lanka, Other Frontier Oil Importers Face Balance of Payments Pressure
Fitch warns high energy prices will pressure the balance of payments of oil-importing frontier economies including Sri Lanka, amid Hormuz disruption.
Business
Fitch Withdraws CEB's A(lka) Rating After Utility Dissolved and Split Into Six
Fitch withdraws the CEB's A(lka) national rating after the utility was dissolved in March into six state-owned successor companies, ending its existence.
Business
Tourism Down 17.4%, Freight Up 40%: Industry Leaders Warn Recovery Under Strain
Forum hears $65m tourism revenue lost, one-third of airlines disrupted and 35% of global shipping routes affected as geopolitics hits Sri Lanka's recovery.
Business
IMF ties Sri Lanka's $700m EFF unlock to cost-reflective energy pricing
Srinivasan says Asia growth will slow from 5% to 4.4% in 2026; Sri Lanka's fiscal buffers allow targeted — but temporary — shock support.
Business
Japan Commits USD 2.6 Million for Climate Dairy and Women Deminer Projects
Japan provides USD 2.6 million via UNDP for a dairy programme in Kilinochchi and Nuwara Eliya and a women deminer expansion in the Northern Province.
Business
Pharma Chamber Warns of Looming Medicine Shortage Crisis in Sri Lanka
The SLCPI says import licence delays, Hormuz-linked freight costs, and rupee pressure threaten essential medicine supply, calling for urgent state action.
Business
Sri Lanka NCPI Inflation Climbs to 2.4% in March 2026
The National Consumer Price Index rose to 2.4% year-on-year in March, up from 1.6% in February, Department of Census and Statistics data shows.
Business
Sri Lanka Rupee Closes at 316.50/75, Bond Yields Steady Tuesday
The rupee weakened slightly to 316.50/75 per dollar while government bond yields held steady, with a Rs. 110 billion Treasury bill auction due Wednesday.
Business
April Tourist Arrivals Cross 88,000 as India Leads with 29% Share
Sri Lanka welcomed 88,221 tourists in April so far, with India accounting for 29% of arrivals and cumulative 2026 tourism reaching 828,845, SLTDA says.
Business
World Bank says para-tariff phase-out will cut duties 9 points, lift incomes
South Asia Economic Update projects 3.1% short-term consumption boost; processed food and beverages sector faces largest duty cuts.
Business
Shipping Executive Urges Sri Lanka to Tap Alternative Oil Routes Beyond Hormuz
Maritime executive Capt. A.B.C. Cashmere has written to President Dissanayake urging Sri Lanka to diversify oil sourcing away from the Strait of Hormuz.
Business
Central Bank Presents Annual Economic Review 2025 to President
CBSL Governor Weerasinghe presented the 2025 Annual Economic Review to President Dissanayake; the report credits reforms for resilience despite Ditwah.
Business
CBSL Survey Shows Resilient Business Outlook Between Cyclone Ditwah and Middle East War
The CBSL Business Outlook Survey captured continued expansion into early 2026 before the Middle East conflict disrupted global energy and supply chains.
Business
CBSL: No Evidence Other Banks Hit by NDB's Rs. 13.2bn Fraud, Forensic Audit to Begin Shortly
The Central Bank says no other regulated institution has suffered losses from the NDB fraud and a leading international firm will run a forensic audit.
Business
Colombo Stocks Close Down 0.89% as Hormuz Tensions Dent Monday Trade
ASPI lost 203 points to close at 22,570.03 on Monday as Middle East uncertainty weighed on sentiment, with Softlogic calling it a 'one-off' dip.
Business
CSE Slides, Rupee Weakens as Iran Tensions Dent Monday Market Open
ASPI fell 0.39% and the rupee softened to 316.40/80 in Monday midday trade as investors were unsettled by the escalating US-Iran standoff.
Business
Excise Department Beats Q1 Target with Record Rs. 70.4B Revenue
Excise revenue hit Rs. 70.4 billion in Q1 2026 — 113.6% of target, up 114.8% year-on-year, driven by tighter enforcement and security seals on liquor.
Business
IMF Cuts 2026 Global Growth to 3.1%, Warns of Recession Risk from Iran War
The IMF trimmed its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.1% and said a prolonged Iran war and 100-200% oil spike could push growth toward recessionary 2%.
Business
Oil Prices Jump 6% to $96 as Iran Refuses Islamabad Talks and US Seizes Tanker
Brent crude surged 6.4% to $96.13 in Monday Asian trading after Iran refused Islamabad talks and the US seized the Iranian-flagged Touska cargo ship.
Business
Sri Lanka's Three State Banks Report Record 2025 Profits; BOC Sets 87-Year High
People's Bank, Bank of Ceylon and NSB reported record 2025 profits as chairmen handed annual reports to President Dissanayake on Monday.
Business
Tourist Arrivals Cross 800,000 for 2026, but April Falls 27% as Iran War Bites
Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals hit 809,595 by mid-April, but daily visitor numbers fell 27% year-on-year as the Middle East conflict weighs on travel.