To reach US$8 billion, Sri Lanka apparel must grow differently

By Felix Fernando, Chairman, Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF)  Sri Lanka’s apparel industry has earned its place in the global market through consistency, trust,and a strong reputation for ethical manufacturing. Over many years, we have shown that Sri Lanka can deliver quality, compliance, and reliability at a level that global brands value. That foundation remains […]

Import Price Shocks of the Hormuz Crisis 2026: How Will This Affect Sri Lanka?

Dr Asanka Wijesinghe, Research Fellow, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has unsettled global energy markets. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 20 Mn barrels of crude oil products were transported through the Strait in 2025, which accounted for a quarter of the world’s daily energy […]

IMF Team Set to Visit Colombo for Crucial Dual Review

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has confirmed that a staff team led by Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou will visit Colombo from March 26 to April 9, 2026. This mission is designed to facilitate high-level discussions with Sri Lankan authorities regarding the nation’s ongoing economic recovery and policy trajectory. The visit marks a critical juncture for […]

Banks to maintain uninterrupted services; SLBA urges public to use digital channels

The Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) has assured the public that banks will continue to operate on all five weekdays as an essential service, despite the temporary measures introduced to conserve fuel and energy resources. Accordingly, banks will remain open from Monday to Friday, including Wednesdays, with operations on Wednesdays limited to the hours of […]

VIDEO: Petrodollar Under Threat? Iran’s Petro-Yuan Oil Plan Via Hormuz | Explained

Iran may be considering a dramatic economic counterstrike in the escalating US-Iran conflict — targeting the very foundation of Washington’s global financial power: the petrodollar system. Reports suggest Tehran could allow oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz only if transactions are settled in Chinese yuan, a move that could challenge decades of […]

EDB Chairman Announces Fast-Track Fuel Supply for Exporters Amid Fuel Shortage

In a critical response to Sri Lanka’s escalating fuel shortages driven by Middle East tensions and QR rationing, Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe has highlighted a priority program to ensure exporters receive their essential fuel stocks without delay. Treating the export sector as the nation’s top priority, this government-backed initiative aims to shield […]

Sri Lanka’s Economy Hits 5% Growth in 2025; 4.8% Expansion in Q4

The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) of Sri Lanka has reported a 5.0% GDP growth rate for 2025, with the economy expanding to Rs. 13,128,577 million at constant prices. This positive momentum was supported by a final fourth-quarter growth rate of 4.8%. In nominal terms, the GDP at current prices rose by 8.8% to […]

Macrofinancial Strength Drives Credit Surge in 2025, But Risks Loom: CBSL

Sri Lanka’s macrofinancial conditions strengthened throughout 2025, fueling a major expansion in credit despite persistent external vulnerabilities. According to recent year-end data, the financial sector has shifted its focus heavily toward the private sector, supported by a broad-based recovery and accommodative monetary policy. The banking sector saw credit growth accelerate to 21.4% year-on-year by the […]

World Wildlife Day 2026: From rescue to rewilding, Kalo’s journey continues

He arrived at the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe on March 23, 2024, barely eightmonths old. Kalo had spent an unknown number of days trapped at the bottom of anabandoned well near Galenbidunuwewa in Sri Lanka’s Anuradhapura District, separatedfrom the herd he had lost. When wildlife officers from the Department of WildlifeConservation pulled him out, […]

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