Category: Economy and Markets
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Colombo Stock Exchange Sign MoU to Strengthen Capital Market Connectivity
Members of the Sri Lankan Delegation meeting with members of ADX The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen capital market cooperation between Sri Lanka and the UAE. The agreement aims to promote knowledge exchange, enhance, support collaboration across trading technologies and […]
IMF Team to Visit Sri Lanka next week for EFF Seventh Review and Article IV Consultation
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, Evan Papageorgiou, announced on September 3, 2026, that an IMF staff team will visit Sri Lanka from September 10 to 23, 2026. During the visit, the team will hold discussions with Sri Lankan authorities regarding the combined Seventh Review of the country’s reform program supported by […]
Sri Lanka’s Exports Surpass US$ 10 Bn in First Seven Months of 2026, Maintaining Positive Growth Momentum
Sri Lanka’s export sector continued its positive growth in 2026, with total exports surpassing the US$ 10 Bn milestone during the first seven months of the year. Combined merchandise and services exports are estimated to have reached US$ 10,487.80 Mn during January–July 2026, recording a 5.5 % year-on-year growth compared to the corresponding period in […]
Cabinet Approves Amendment to Foreign Exchange Act to Criminalize Unauthorized Outward Fund Transfers
In a significant regulatory shift aimed at strengthening financial law enforcement, Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval in principle to amend the Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017. The proposed amendment will classify the unauthorized transfer of funds out of Sri Lanka as a criminal offense, addressing a crucial gap in the […]
Governor’s remarks do not signal future policy rate path or level: CBSL
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) clarified that recent media reports had misinterpreted remarks made by the Governor during a media interview. CBSL said its monetary policy is “forward looking and data driven” and that decisions to increase, decrease or maintain policy rates are made at each Monetary Policy Review based on the latest […]
Sri Lanka remains vulnerable to energy price shock but is more resilient than in the past – Moody’s Ratings
Bangladesh (B2 negative), Pakistan (Caa1 stable) and Sri Lanka (Caa1 stable) are among the most vulnerable economies in Asia to high oil prices stemming from the Middle East conflict, Moody’s Ratings said in their latest analysis. However, the countries have built capacity to absorb shocks in recent years, so are less exposed than in 2022, […]
Hemas Sustains Q1 Revenue Amid Market Volatility; Sharpens Focus on Margin Recovery
Hemas delivered revenue growth of 0.9% YoY to Rs. 28.77 Bn in Q1 FY27, supported by growth in Consumer Brands, Hospitals and Mobility. Gross profit margin improved to 30.4%, demonstrating the benefits of pricing actions and portfolio mix improvements. The escalation of conflict in the Middle East led to rising global fuel, freight and raw […]
Cabinet Approves $200 Mn ADB Loan for Trade, Investment, and Industrial Development
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, to obtain a US$ 200 million policy-based loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The funding, sourced from ADB’s regular general capital resources, will support Sub-Programme 1 of Sri […]
Cabinet Approves Amendments to Modernize Sri Lanka’s EPF Act
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft legislation amending the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Act No. 15 of 1958. The proposed revision aims to modernize the original framework in response to contemporary social, economic, and technological changes, reducing operational bottlenecks and delivering a more efficient service […]
EDB expects to reach record-breaking $19 bn export revenue by end 2026, says Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe
The 47th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) fell on August 1st. In a commemorative ceremony held today, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the EDB, Mangala Wijesinghe, addressed the media, outlining the progress and future targets of the national export sector. Established under Act No. 4 of 1979, the EDB […]
Sri Lanka’s inflation climbs to 7.3% in July, highest since early 2025
Sri Lanka’s headline inflation picked up pace in July, with the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) rising to 7.3% year-on-year, up from 6.8% in June, according to Central Bank data released this week. The uptick was driven largely by a jump in housing rents, which pushed non-food inflation contributions higher for the month, along with […]
Registrations now open for Sri Lanka economic and investment summit 2026
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that registrations are now open for the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 (SLEIS 2026), taking place on 12th and 13th October at the Shangri-La Colombo. Held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy,” […]