Category: Economy and Markets
OPINION – Northern Investment Summit, Jaffna January 2026
By Jekhan Aruliah When the topic of the Northern economy comes up, Jaffna is often criticized for living on remittances. Small transfers, perhaps a hundred US dollars a month, sent by hard working people overseas to their families in Jaffna and the Northern Province. These gifts are said to be ruining Jaffna youth and the […]
IMF Staff Concludes Sri Lanka Visit; Policy Talks for Next EFF Review Set to Resume ASAP
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Evan Papageorgiou, concluded a visit to Colombo conducted from January 22 to 28 to assess the economic impact of Cyclone Ditwah. During the mission, the team engaged with authorities and stakeholders to understand the social and economic damage caused by the storm, specifically regarding infrastructure and livelihoods. […]
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank keeps the overnight policy rate (OPR) unchanged
At its meeting held yesterday, the Monetary Policy Board decided to keep the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged at 7.75%, citing an assessment of recent domestic economic developments, the outlook ahead, and continuing global uncertainty. The Board is of the view that the current monetary policy stance will support steering inflation towards the target of […]
Sri Lanka’s apparel exports grow 5.4-pct in Dec 2025; full-year exports top USD5Bn
Sri Lanka’s exports of apparel and made-up textile articles (HS Chapters 61, 62 and 63) rose to US$447.21 million in December 2025, up 5.43% from US$424.18 million in December 2024, according to industry export statistics. Growth was recorded across the three main destination markets. Exports to the USA increased 6.49% year-on-year to US$178.29 million (from […]
Rising climate risks and poverty in focus at CEPA policy panel today, Open University
The Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development of the Open University of Sri Lanka, will host a high-level policy panel titled “Facing the Future: Environmental Disastersand Poverty in Sri Lanka”on 26 January 2026, from 3.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m., at the Auditorium of the Faculty […]
IFC Invests USD 166 Mn to Support Sri Lankan Businesses & Drive Economic Growth
Reinforcing its longstanding commitment to Sri Lanka’s private sector, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, today announced a high-impact investment program of $166 million to support Sri Lankan businesses and accelerate the country’s transition from economic stabilization to sustainable growth. This comprehensive country-level financing package aims to expand financial […]
CBL Group acquires Indonesian coconut processor in USD 25m expansion push
CBL Group, one of Sri Lanka’s largest diversified food manufacturing conglomerates, announced the strategic acquisition of PT Tri Jaya Tangguh Indonesia (TJT), a large coconut processing facility, with an investment of over USD 25 million. TJT has a workforce of over 800 employees. The investment was supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member […]
Sunshine Holdings to acquire 75-pct stake in Joint Agri Products Ceylon
Sunshine Holdings PLC (SUN), one of Sri Lanka’s diversified conglomerates, announced its intention to acquire a 75% stake in Joint Agri Products Ceylon (Private) Limited (JAPC), a leading export-oriented company, subject to the conditions in the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) signed on 21 st January 2026. The signing of the SPA took place at Sunshine […]
Softlogic Life secures long-term growth capital from Norfund and OP Finnfund
Sri Lanka’s top notch insurer Softlogic Life Insurance PLC has secured a USD 15Mn landmark 5-year Tier 2 loan facility from Norfund and OP Finnfund Global Impact Fund I, that will be the initial part and set the next phase of growth for the immensely successful life insurer that has established itself as the industry […]
Sri Lanka earns LKR 904bn from vehicle import taxes in 2025
January 21 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has earned LKR 904 billion (approx. US$3bn) from vehicle import taxes in 2025. This figure is a massive upside surprise over the 441 billion rupees stated as expected by Deputy Economic Development Minister Nishantha Jayaweera. In 2026, analysts expect tax revenues from vehicle imports to drop significantly unless import […]
TikTok releases Q3 2025 community guidelines enforcement report
TikTok has released its Q3 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, showcasing its ongoing commitment to creating a safe digital space for its users. The report, which covers data from July to September 2025, details the proactive steps TikTok has taken to identify and remove content that violates its Community Guidelines, ensuring a positive experiencefor its […]
IMF Staff to Visit Sri Lanka to Assess Impact of Cyclone Ditwah
Statement by Mr. Evan Papageorgiou, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission Chief for Sri Lanka: “An IMF staff team will visit Sri Lanka from January 22 to January 28, 2026, to hold discussions with the authorities on the size and scope of the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The findings of the mission will feed into […]