Category: Economy and Markets
CSE collaborates with European Union-funded Green Recovery Facility in Driving Sri Lanka’s GSS+ Bond Market
Sri Lanka’s sustainable finance market continues to gain momentum as the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) collaborated with the European Union-funded Green Recovery Facility, implemented by Expertise France, to advance the country’s growing pipeline of Green, Social, Sustainable and Sustainability-Linked (GSS+) bonds through a series of targeted market-building programmes earlier last month. CSE collaborated with the […]
Sri Lanka to End Duty-Free Vehicle Scheme, Cancel Existing Permits in 2027 Budget
Sri Lanka’s government has pledged to abolish the long-standing duty-free vehicle import scheme for public officials, with the cancellation of existing permits to be formalized in the 2027 Budget. The commitment was outlined in the government’s Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP) attached to the IMF Country Report No. 26/111 (May 2026). Under the […]
Why Sri Lanka’s SME apparel sector needs a national sustainable industries policy framework
By Nishantha Bakmeege President Sri Lanka chamber garment exporters (SLCGE) A clear national sustainable industries framework is becoming essential if Sri Lanka’s SME apparel manufacturers are to cut carbon, adopt renewable energy and remain competitive in global export supply chains. Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is entering a new phase where export competitiveness will increasingly be […]
IMF Board Approves Sri Lanka’s Fifth & Sixth Reviews, Unlocks USD 695 Mn for Reforms
The International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board has completed the combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility, unlocking immediate access to SDR 508 million (approximately US$695 million) to bolster the country’s economic policies and reforms. Performance under the program has been described as broadly strong. Key prior actions, including restoring fuel and […]
Central Bank increases Overnight Policy Rate to 8.75-pct
The Monetary Policy Board, at its meeting held yesterday, decided to increase the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 100 bps to 8.75%. Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR), which are linked to OPR with predetermined margins of ± 50 bps, are also increased to 8.25% and 9.25%, respectively. The Board […]
Sri Lanka’s Exports Surpass USD 5.7 Bn in First Four Months of 2026
Sri Lanka’s total exports, including both merchandise and services, reached US$ 1,380.93 million in April 2026, marking a year-on-year growth of 6% compared to April 2025. Based on provisional data from Sri Lanka Customs, along with estimated figures for Gems & Jewellery and Petroleum Products, merchandise exports in April 2026 rose by 9.87% to US$ […]
Central Bank of Sri Lanka launches Complaint Management System for Financial Consumers
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) announces the launch of an online Complaint Management System (CMS) marking a significant step to facilitate the submission of complaints and grievances by financial consumers relating to Financial Service Providers (FSPs) regulated by CBSL. The CMS has been introduced with the aim of enhancing accountability, efficiency, and transparency […]
Smart Quest marks 20 years of transforming Sri Lanka’s leaders
As the world marks ICF International Coaching Week 2026, Smart Quest Coaching & Consulting (Pvt) Ltd is celebrating a major milestone of its own, marking 20 years of contribution to leadership development, professional coaching and organisational capability building in Sri Lanka. Founded in 2006 by Andrea Jayatilleka, Smart Quest began with a clear belief that […]
Sri Lanka’s New VAT Amendment to Digitize Tax Collection via Secured POS Systems
As part of a strategic effort to modernize the national tax infrastructure, the Government of Sri Lanka has tabled an amendment to the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act, No. 14 of 2002. The proposed Clause 12 introduces Section 64B, which centers on the integration of “secured point of sale machines” into the daily operations of […]
CCPI based headline inflation accelerated in April 2026 amidst tensions in the Middle East
The Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2021=100) based headline inflation (year-on-year, Y-o-Y) accelerated in April 2026 reflecting the spillovers from the ongoing war in the Middle East, particularly the significant upward adjustments in domestic energy prices. Accordingly, headline inflation (Y-o-Y) was recorded at 5.4% in April 2026 compared to 2.2% in March 2026. Food […]
JXG Debuts on CSE’s Main Board
Janashakthi Limited operating as JXG (Janashakthi Group) marked the debut trading of its 500,000,000 ordinary voting shares (Symbol: JXG.N0000) on The Main Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday (29th April 2026) by way of ringing the ceremonial market opening bell on the trading floor of CSE. The Initial Public Offer (IPO), which took […]
ADB Fact-Finding Mission Visits EDB to Review Progress of National Export Development Plan
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is making significant progress in the formulation of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for the period 2026–2030. This strategic initiative is designed to position Sri Lanka on a path of sustained export-led economic growth, aligned with the Government’s national […]