Author: LBO
Sri Lankan garment exports gain tariff-free access to UK from 01 January
Reforms to the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme are now in force with liberalised trade rules taking effect from 1 January 2026. Manufacturers can now source up to 100% of materials globally while maintaining zero UK tariffs. Garment exports from Sri Lanka to the UK are expected to increase significantly under the new arrangements. Sri […]
Ray Jayawardhana Appointed Caltech’s Tenth President
January 8, 2026 (LBO) – Dr. Ray Jayawardhana, an accomplished academic leader and renowned astrophysicist who currently serves as provost of Johns Hopkins University, has been named Caltech’s next president, the tenth in the Institute’s 105-year history. Jayawardhana’s appointment by Caltech’s Board of Trustees, announced today at a community-wide gathering on the Institute’s Pasadena campus, […]
CSE Halts Market Trading to Ensure a Fair and Orderly Market
WealthTrust Securities Limited commenced trading on Diri Savi Board on 07th January 2026 and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) observed unusually high prices of certain transactions of WealthTrust Securities Limited due to market orders being matched with these unusually high sell orders. The CSE further observed that those clients who have sold the shares at […]
U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung to Depart Sri Lanka
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung will depart Sri Lanka on January 16 after almost four years of dedicated service, marking the conclusion of her tenure as the United States’ top diplomat in Colombo. “I have loved every moment of my time in Sri Lanka,” said Ambassador Chung. “From day one, my focus has been to advance America’s interests—strengthening our security partnerships, expanding trade and investment, […]
SEC and CSE Collaborate to Expedite Listings Through Advisor Awareness
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) in collaboration with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) conducted an awareness session for Corporate Finance Advisors focusing on enhancing regulatory compliance and streamlining the listing process. The forum brought together Corporate Finance Advisors and senior officials from the SEC and CSE to enhance the listing process […]
ComBank & Mastercard launch SL’s first Dynamic Currency Conversion for online payments
As part of Commercial Bank of Ceylon’s sustained efforts to strengthen tourism-related businesses and improve convenience for foreign travellers, the Bank has partnered with Mastercard to introduce Sri Lanka’s first Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) capability for online payments, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital payments landscape. Enabled via the Mastercard Payment Gateway Services […]
SEC Eases Minimum Public Holding Rules for Listings via Introductions to Boost Market Flexibility
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) has approved amendments to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Listing Rules to provide greater flexibility regarding the Minimum Public Holding (MPH) requirement for companies listing through the Introduction method. These revisions were proposed and deliberated under Project 6 – New Listings (Public and Private), one of […]
VIDEO: The Salary Trap – Why The System Keeps You Broke
Ever feel financially insecure despite a stable job? This video offers crucial financial education to help you understand why you might be struggling with debt management and how to improve your personal finance situation. Discover the counterintuitive reality of how money works against employees—revealing why effective money management can lead to true financial security, even […]
Nine Direct Flights to Bring Tourists from Moldova to Mattala This Winter, Says Former Ambassador
Vision Air has finalized plans to operate nine direct flights from Moldova to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) this winter season, according to Udayanga Weeratunga, the former Sri Lankan Ambassador. According to him, this strategic flight schedule is expected to bring approximately 1,500 tourists to Sri Lanka. The first flight, designated as 4 V-5363, is […]
Preparation for Northern Investment Summit 2026 Gathers Momentum
The first ever Northern Investment Summit (NIS), a national milestone, is scheduled to take place in Jaffna on January 21 and 22, 2026 at the Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre. Organised by the Management Club (TMC), the two-day event themed ‘Empowering Growth, Driving Innovations’ will be a platform for promoting the northern province as an attractive destination […]
Trincomalee Power Company Invites Tenders for 50 MW Solar Project with Battery Storage in Sampur
Trincomalee Power Company Limited, which is 50% owned by the Ceylon Electricity Board and 50% owned by India’s NTPC, invites tenders for a 50 MW ground-mounted solar power plant to be constructed in the Sampur area of the Trincomalee District by the Sri Lanka Energy Company Limited (SLEC). The scope includes the entire process from […]
CoPF Chairman Harsha de Silva urges President to appoint an Auditor General
Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chair of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to immediately fill the Auditor General vacancy, which has been open since December 7. In a letter dated December 22, Dr. de Silva emphasized that the absence of an Auditor General disrupts constitutional mandates under Articles 148 […]