Business
Sri Lanka evaluating 19 proposals to revive loss-making Mattala airport
A request for proposals is expected within two months once qualified bidders are shortlisted, the Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation says.
Business
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Business
Oil falls more than $1 as OPEC and IEA cut demand forecasts
Brent fell to $87.69 and WTI to $81.97 as OPEC and IEA lower 2026 demand forecasts; US crude stockpiles post biggest weekly build since 2023.
Business
Sri Lanka open to transparent, long-term investment, PM tells SDG forum
PM backs investors with decent wages and environmental protection, citing 5% growth and US$1.5 trillion financing gap.
Business
Sri Lanka's official poverty line rises to Rs. 17,592 in June
The Department of Census and Statistics puts the minimum monthly spend per person at Rs. 17,592, up Rs. 277 from May and 6.7% higher than a year earlier.
Business
Sri Lanka and EU hold ministerial investment dialogue with GSP+ transition at its centre
Talks at Colombo's Shangri-La covered the Investment Protection Bill and a single-window approval system, as the current GSP+ cycle runs out on December 31.
Business
COPE recommends forensic audit over $10.39mn paid to Embilipitiya power plant
Parliamentary papers show the former CEB paid Ace Power Embilipitiya millions in equity returns for a decade after its power purchase agreement expired in 2015.
Business
Colombo bourse edges higher as S&P SL20 closes above 6,000
The ASPI added 15.77 points to 21,418.57 on Wednesday while the S&P SL20 gained 0.35 percent to close at 6,004.01. Turnover reached Rs. 2.05 billion.
Business
Customs July revenue beats target by 35.5 percent
Customs collected Rs. 260.6 billion in July, beating the Rs. 192.4 billion target by 35.5%, lifting seven-month revenue to Rs. 1.64 trillion.
Business
EDB delegation courts Indian buyers for Sri Lankan gems and jewellery
An Export Development Board delegation is in India until August 13, meeting buyers and chambers to expand Sri Lanka's gem and jewellery exports.
Business
Oil and gold climb as geopolitical tension builds ahead of US inflation data
Brent rose to $89.60 and spot gold to $4,387 an ounce as attacks on shipping and a North Korean missile launch unsettled markets before US CPI data.
Business
Rupee firms to 334.20/25 as bond yields fall across the curve
The rupee closed stronger at 334.20/25 to the US dollar on Wednesday, with government bond yields declining across every tenor, dealers said.
Business
Sampath Bank funds upgrades at Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital
The bank refurbished a blood filtration machine, air-conditioned the physiotherapy unit and installed signage at Sri Lanka's largest free paediatric hospital.
Business
Tourist arrivals open August down 8% as Gulf disruption bites
Sri Lanka recorded 42,810 arrivals between August 1 and 6, down from 46,541 a year earlier, with cumulative 2026 arrivals now trailing last year by about 2%.
Business
Women-led firms took Rs. 145.5bn in loans under first year of WE Finance Code
First annual report shows 36,087 loans worth Rs. 145.5bn approved to women-owned MSMEs by 13 lenders under WE Finance Code.
Business
CAA seizes 436 items in islandwide raids on Atapirikara and Pirikara sellers
Inspectors found single robes instead of pairs, missing components, aluminium bowls and blunt razors in sealed Atapirikara and Pirikara sets.
Business
Cabinet approves coconut land rehabilitation scheme for 85,000 acres
Small growers with five acres or less will get incentives covering up to 65% of costs under a three-year coconut land rehabilitation programme.
Business
Cabinet awards coal, fuel and Muthurajawela storage tank contracts
Cabinet has awarded contracts for 2.28 million tonnes of Norochcholai coal, long-term petrol, diesel and crude supplies, and three new Muthurajawela tanks.
Business
Cabinet clears amendments to Fishermen's Pension Scheme Act
The Legal Draftsman has been instructed to prepare a Bill amending the 1990 Act, with the aim of raising benefits for contributing fishermen in old age.
Business
Central Bank bought US$348.6mn in July, taking 2026 net purchases to US$905mn
The Central Bank sold no dollars in July as the rupee steadied, having intervened on the sell side in May for the first time in nearly two years.
Business
No further rate hikes needed this year, Central Bank Governor says
Nandalal Weerasinghe told Reuters inflation is tracking expectations after May's surprise 100-basis-point hike and should ease back to the 5 percent target.
Business
CCCC signals more Port City investment, pledges 90 percent local hiring
The Chinese construction group told President Dissanayake it wants to expand into renewable energy, logistics and digital services in Sri Lanka.
Business
Colombo bourse snaps four-session winning streak
The ASPI eased 14.67 points to close at 21,402.80 on Tuesday as buying momentum faded, with turnover at Rs. 1.52 billion and foreign investors net sellers.
Business
Customs appoints committee over vehicles stuck without clearance
A special committee will resolve disputes over vehicles imported under Letters of Credit that have been denied customs clearance.
Business
Dry weather damages crops in four provinces as parks turn to water bowsers
Farmers in the Northern, North Central, Eastern and Uva provinces report crop damage, with the Met Department expecting no significant rain before October.