Author: Ashanthi Ratnasingham
Amana Takaful PLC concludes rights issue, Raises over Rs. 1Bn amid strong shareholder demand
Amana Takaful PLC has successfully closed its Rights Issue, raising more than Rs. 1 billion through the allotment of over 52.8 million new ordinary voting shares priced at Rs. 19 each. The offer, extended exclusively to existing shareholders, was oversubscribed by 68.8%, signaling solid investor confidence in the company’s direction. The response builds on a […]
President Dissanayake meets CHEC Chairman, Reaffirms commitment to foreign investment
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with the Chairman of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), Mr Bai Yinzhan and a delegation from the company this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat. During the meeting, Mr Bai Yinzhan stated that President Dissanayake’s “direct and visionary leadership” had greatly enhanced the company’s confidence in investing in Sri Lanka. […]
Sri Lanka and France strengthen bilateral relations at second round of political consultations
The Second round of Political consultations between Sri Lanka and France was held on 9th June 2026, virtually. The consultations were co-chaired by Director-General of the Europe and North America Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, Sugeeshwara Gunaratna and Director for Asia & Oceania in the Ministry for Europe […]
Sri Lanka’s largest battery energy storage programme to strengthen grid stability and accelerate renewable energy integration
Sri Lanka is set to commission battery energy storage capacity across 16 substation sites nationwide, marking the country’s largest energy storage programme to date. The initiative represents a significant step in strengthening the national grid and supporting the country’s transition toward a cleaner and more resilient energy system. Each Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is […]
Sri Lanka needs a united front against financial scams
Financial fraud is no longer a fringe problem in Sri Lanka. It is a national challenge and tackling it will take more than periodic warnings from a single regulator. That was the central message from Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe at the launch of the “Be Scam Proof” campaign on 2 June 2026. Speaking […]
Sri Lanka’s new poverty line shows why recovery must be measured at household level
Sri Lanka’s official poverty line has been revised to Rs. 17,117 per person per month for April 2026, according to the latest update published by the Department of Census and Statistics. The figure represents the minimum monthly expenditure required by an individual to meet basic needs, and provides an important benchmark for understanding how far […]
EVs and the grid: What the data really says about Sri Lanka’s energy future
Guest Column by Dr. Beshan Kulapala, Co-Founder, Director & CEO of Volt Charge Sri Lanka Recent discussions around electric vehicles (EVs) and their impact on Sri Lanka’s electricity grid have gained traction, particularly amid broader global energy uncertainty. Concerns around grid stability are both valid and important as the country navigates evolving energy conditions, making […]
CEPA:Twenty-Five years of not looking away
by Rebecca Jayatissa, Communications Professional – CEPA As the Centre for Poverty Analysis marks a quarter century of work, Sri Lanka has cause to reflect on what independent research has meant for the country’s most vulnerable communities. In May 2001, nine professionals working on poverty-related issues in Sri Lanka came together around a shared conviction: […]
Middle East military escalation could cost Asia-Pacific up to US$299 billion, UNDP
Years of human development gains across Asia and the Pacific are under pressure as the impacts of the recent military escalation in the Middle East ripple through economies and households, despite a temporary ceasefire. As the situation remains fluid, a current preliminary analysis by UNDP examines how heightened volatility, transmitted through energy, trade, and labour […]
IMF warns Middle East shock could hit Sri Lanka growth, backs targeted relief as tariffs rise
The International Monetary Fund has warned that escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pose a significant risk to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, even as authorities move ahead with price reforms and fiscal adjustments. The IMF said the evolving crisis could impact key external sectors including exports, remittances, tourism and connectivity, describing it as one […]
Middle East conflict threatens Sri Lanka recovery as inflation, tourism and reserves come under pressure
Sri Lanka’s economic recovery is facing renewed pressure as the escalating Middle East conflict begins to feed through to inflation, tourism, and external balances, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said. The island entered 2026 from a position of relative strength, recording 5.0 percent growth in 2025, supported by broad-based expansion across services, industry, and agriculture. […]
Sri Lanka faces renewed economic risks despite recovery momentum, ADB says
Sri Lanka’s economic recovery is expected to continue into 2026, but fresh global and domestic risks are beginning to test its stability, according to the latest Asian Development Outlook (April 2026) by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The report notes that while the country has moved past its worst crisis phase, growth is likely to […]