Author: LBO
Sri Lanka invites Indian businesses to partner in its next phase of economic growth
Sri Lanka’s transition from economic stabilisation to sustainable growth, opportunities for Indian investment and the potential to build stronger partnerships in industry, technology and entrepreneurship were the key themes of the visit of Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development of Sri Lanka, to New Delhi from 22 to 23 October 2026. […]
AirAsia Restores Frequencies on the Colombo–Bangkok and Colombo–Kuala Lumpur Routes
AirAsia continues to strengthen connectivity between Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia by restoring frequencies on its Colombo (CMB) – Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Colombo (CMB) – Bangkok (Don Mueang – DMK) routes for the Winter 2026/27 season, from 01 November 2026. The restored schedule provides travellers even greater flexibility and choice when planning their trips. […]
28th Presidential Export Awards Ceremony to be held at BMICH on December 08
The 28th Presidential Export Awards 2026, organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), will be held on Tuesday, 08 December 2026 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), under the patronage of His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. A media briefing on the event […]
Sri Lanka and Türkiye Sign MoU to Strengthen Agricultural Cooperation
Sri Lanka and Türkiye signed two important bilateral instruments on 27 October 2026 in Ankara, marking a significant step towards further strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in the fields of agriculture and air transport. The signing of the two instruments took place during the official visit of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign […]
Apparel exports grow in September, but the year-to-date picture remains cautious: JAAF
Sri Lanka’s apparel exports returned to growth in September 2026, an encouraging sign for the sector. Although the nine-month total is still behind last year, the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) sees the latest result as a positive step. Apparel exports for the month came to US$ 416.99 million, up 3.47% from US$ 403.01 million […]
Vietjet offers USD90 flights from Colombo as Asia network expands
Vietjet is launching a limited-time promotion featuring Eco tickets from USD90 (including taxes and fees) on its Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City route, and from USD175 (including taxes and fees) on its Colombo–Maldives service, as the airline continues to expand its international network. Passengers can enjoy the promotional Eco fares from now to 21:30 on 1 […]
USS Canberra Returns to Colombo for Second Visit in 2026
The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka appreciates the warm welcome extended to USS Canberra (LCS 30) as the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship returns to the Port of Colombo on October 26 for a routine port call. This marks the ship’s second visit to Sri Lanka this year, following a port call in June, and underscores […]
Opinion: A way forward for Sri Lanka to capitalize on the new Indian ocean order
How Sri Lanka Can Turn Great-Power Competition into US$10 Billion in Foreign Investment—and Become the Economic Bridge Between India, China, the Gulf, the USA and West By Jithendra Antonio From Trincomalee’s energy reserves to Colombo’s maritime gateway, from Hambantota’s industrial potential to Mannar’s renewable-energy frontier, Sri Lanka has an opportunity to transform its geography into […]
Fitch Assigns Asia Asset Finance’s Proposed Senior Debt ‘A+(EXP)(lka)’ Rating
Fitch Ratings has assigned Asia Asset Finance PLC’s (AAF, A+(lka)/Stable) proposed Sri Lankan rupee-denominated senior unsecured debentures of up to LKR2 billion an expected National Long-Term Rating of ‘A+(EXP)(lka)’. The proposed debentures are likely to have a maturity of five years and are to be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. The company plans to […]
More Draconian Than PTA: Human Rights Commission Demands Withdrawal of Organised Crime Bill
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has called for the immediate withdrawal and substantial revision of the proposed Prevention of Organised Crime Bill, warning that the draft law is “wholly incompatible” with the country’s Constitution and international human rights treaties. In a formal letter to Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara […]
Pine Labs and WEBXPAY bring the Indian payment experience to Sri Lanka – UPI, cards and net banking
First PA-on-PA cross-border partnership under India’s PA-CB framework, live for Sri Lanka’s merchants, with Southeast Asia to follow India is Sri Lanka’s largest and fastest-growing tourism source market. In 2025, over 5.3 lakh Indian travellers visited Sri Lanka, making India the country’s largest source of tourists by a wide margin, with this momentum continuing into […]
Preparing Sri Lankan Stakeholders for the New EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
On 14 October 2026, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Belgium, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development of Sri Lanka, and the EU-funded AGRINFO programme implemented by the Committee Linking Entrepreneurship, Agriculture and Development (COLEAD), organised an educational webinar to strengthen the preparedness of Sri Lankan public […]