Business
Services PMI rebounds to 56.9 in May as manufacturing also expands to 56.6
Sri Lanka's services PMI jumped to 56.9 in May 2026 from 46.7 in April while manufacturing also expanded to 56.6, the Central Bank said.
Business
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Business
AKD orders new policy to open underutilised state lands for investment
President Dissanayake told a circular-revision panel a new policy is needed to address underutilised state lands and ensure their more efficient use.
Business
June tourist arrivals reach 54,465 as 2026 YTD crosses 1.076 million
Sri Lanka's mid-June tourist tally hit 54,465 with India contributing 40%; 2026 YTD reached 1,076,487 led by India, the UK and Russia.
Business
UK Trade Envoy Lord Hannett to visit Sri Lanka June 17–19 for second time in a year
UK Trade Envoy Lord Hannett of Everton will visit Colombo on June 17–19 for talks with Industry Minister Sunil Handunnetti and apparel and SME exporters.
Business
UNDP and CBSL formalise second phase of financial literacy partnership
UNDP and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka have launched Phase 2 of a financial literacy partnership under the 2024-2028 National Roadmap, adding a climate angle.
Business
Colombo bourse rebounds 3.43% as Iran deal lifts ASPI past 22,380
The All Share Price Index surged 743 points on Monday in its strongest single-day gain in weeks, lifted by Iran-deal optimism and a broad rally.
Business
RDA launches 10% toll discount for ETC users on Colombo–Katunayake Expressway
Motorists using electronic toll tags on the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway will get a 10% discount per journey, with coverage to be extended to Kadawatha.
Business
Gold sovereign hits Rs. 392,000 in Colombo as world price climbs to USD 4,325
Local gold prices in Sri Lanka jumped Rs. 6,000 by mid-morning Monday after the international price climbed to USD 4,325 per ounce, dealers said.
Business
Oil prices tumble 4% after US-Iran deal, Brent slides to $83.96 in Asian trade
Brent crude fell about 4% to $83.96 a barrel in early Asian trade Monday after Trump and Sharif announced the US-Iran war is over, easing Hormuz supply fears.
Business
Siyambalanduwa 100MW solar plant reaches 20% completion on Rs. 45bn build
Sri Lanka's largest single-site 100MW solar plant at Siyambalanduwa is 20% complete with 200,000 tracking panels planned across 500 acres, Newswire reported.
Business
Sri Lanka GDP grows 5.1% in Q1 2026, led by industry and services
Sri Lanka's economy expanded 5.1% in Q1 2026, accelerating from 4.7% in the prior quarter, with industry and services driving the gain, official data show.
Business
Sri Lanka's GDP grows 5.1% in Q1 2026, led by industry and services
First-quarter GDP accelerated from 4.7% in the previous quarter on a 7.2% jump in industry, with mining, construction, insurance and IT all in double digits.
Business
Sri Lanka textile and garment export earnings fall 7.3% in January–April
Apparel and textile export earnings dropped to USD 1,624.7m in the first four months of 2026 — a 7.3% fall — even as total exports rose, CBSL data show.
Business
Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated 7% against US dollar in 2026, CBSL confirms
CBSL confirmed the rupee has depreciated 7% against the dollar in 2026, citing external sector pressures from the Middle East conflict since late February.
Business
Around 4 million Sri Lankans yet to obtain mandatory TIN, IRD says
About 4 million Sri Lankans have not yet obtained a Taxpayer Identification Number, the IRD said, despite registration being mandatory under Act No. 11 of.
Business
Govt plans Rs. 2tn capex for 2027 after Rs. 1,350bn this year, Rs. 5,500bn 2025 revenue — Jayatissa
Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the government will allocate around Rs. 2 trillion for capital expenditure next year, with Rs. 1,350bn approved for.
Business
CAA raids Kollupitiya supermarket over unlabelled imported food products
Sri Lanka's Consumer Affairs Authority raided a Kollupitiya supermarket selling imported packaged foods without importer details, MRP, batches or expiry dates.
Business
BIA second terminal construction to resume in November after JICA loan talks
Sri Lanka's Ports Ministry says work on the stalled second passenger terminal at BIA Katunayake will restart in November under Japan's 75-billion-yen loan.
Business
CHEC Chairman Bai Yinzhan tells AKD Port City incentives strengthened Sri Lanka investment confidence
China Harbour Engineering Chairman Bai Yinzhan met President Dissanayake on June 13 and commended Port City Colombo SEZ incentives and economic stability.
Business
CoPF grills Central Bank on Rs.13.2bn NDB fraud; Deloitte forensic report due July 18
CoPF grilled CBSL Governor Weerasinghe on supervisory blind spots that let an NDB inputter siphon Rs.13.2bn; Deloitte India forensic report due July 18.
Business
CPC tells CoPF fuel subsidies set to end in June with no price hike decided yet
Ceylon Petroleum officials told the CoPF that government fuel subsidies are scheduled to end in June, with no price-hike decision yet taken.
Business
Mattala airport EOI deadline extended to July 9; proposals valid until November 5
BOI extended the Mattala airport investor EOI deadline by a month to July 9 on a Cabinet committee's request; proposals will remain valid until November 5.
Business
RDA opens diplomatic search for alternative tar suppliers after Middle East conflict halts Dubai imports
Sri Lanka has not imported road-construction tar since February; the RDA is in diplomatic talks with Malaysia, Thailand, India, Oman and Russia.
Business
ADB deploys $4bn shield for 14 nations including Sri Lanka, reactivates oil-import trade finance
ADB President Masato Kanda said the bank is deploying $4bn for 14 nations hit by the West Asia conflict, with $3bn requested by governments including Sri.