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Energy Minister Outlines Plan for 1,200 MW Battery Storage to Cover Evening Peak Demand
Speaking in Parliament in response to a question raised by Opposition Member of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Government has taken active steps to double the country’s rooftop solar generation capacity. He noted that while electricity generated through rooftop solar systems stood at 867 megawatts in 2024, government initiatives have […]
CBSL keeps OPR unchanged; Gross Official Reserves at USD 6.45 bn at end June
The Monetary Policy Board, at its meeting held yesterday, decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at the current level of 8.75%. The Board arrived at this decision after carefully considering the evolving conditions and outlook on the domestic and global fronts. Renewed tensions in the Middle East have resulted in a surge in […]
Opinion: Will the “tax shock” kill Sri Lankan economy?
By Indika Hettiarachchi “Current IMF backed tax policy framework likely to slowdown economic growth and increase poverty.” Under the latest IMF extended fund facility program, Sri Lanka has achieved substantial increase in tax revenue – to a level never seen in the history. Data show that for the first quarter of 2026, tax collections increased […]
Raising the bar: Clinical governance, transparency and innovation in Sri Lanka’s private healthcare sector
Sri Lanka’s public healthcare system carries an enormous load. Hospitals are stretched, waiting lists are long, and the demand for specialist care continues to grow. It is within this reality that private healthcare has stepped into a role far greater than many give it credit for. The Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes has […]
Energy Sector Stakeholders Identify Priorities to Accelerate Sri Lanka’s Renewable Energy Transition
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently convened “Energy Transition in Sri Lanka: Strategic Insights from Global Markets,” bringing together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and the energy sector to discuss the policies, investments, and reforms needed to accelerate Sri Lanka’s transition towards a more secure, affordable, and sustainable energy system. The discussion focused on the […]
IFC and HSBC Back Sustainable, More Competitive Port Infrastructure in Sri Lanka
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and HSBC are investing up to $40 million through financing in South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd. (SAGT) to modernize and decarbonize operations at the Port of Colombo, the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s maritime trade. The investment will advance the port’s competitiveness, resilience […]
Commercial Bank MD/CEO Sanath Manatunge appointed Chairman of EFC
Sanath Manatunge, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been appointed Chairman of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), one of the country’s most influential apex business bodies representing the interests of employers across a wide spectrum of industries. The Bank said Mr Manatunge’s appointment is a significant recognition of his […]
SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub Launches Sinhala and Tamil Export Handbooks to Strengthen Women Entrepreneurs and SME Exports to the UK Market
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), the host institution of the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, collaborated with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the British High Commission in Colombo to launch two sector-specific export handbooks in Sinhala and Tamil. The handbooks aim to strengthen Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) […]
Opinion: We Were Here First – The Case for Malay Political Representation in Sri Lanka
By Thanzyl Thajudeen, a Sri Lankan Malay There is a mosque on Slave Island in Colombo that has stood for more than three centuries. Masjidul Jamiya was not built by merchants or pilgrims. It was built by soldiers, Malay soldiers who came to this island in service to the Dutch crown and, after 1796, to […]
From cane field to finished product: The value chain powering Gal Oya
In the fields around Ampara, sugarcane begins as a rural crop. By the time it has moved through theGal Oya Plantations complex, however, it has become far more than sugar. The cane juice is processed for the domestic market. The fibre helps generate steam and electricity. Molasses is converted into Extra Neutral Alcohol. Fermentation creates […]