Category: Economy and Markets
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 […]
Alert To The General Public – Blue Ocean Securities (BOSL)
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) alerts the public not to engage with the entity operating as Blue Ocean Securities Ltd. or its mobile application BOMate for investing in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). This entity is not licensed by the SEC to function as a market intermediary. Individuals identified as Rohan […]
Good Intentions, Bad Economics: The Risks of Intervening in SME Lending Decisions
In the past weeks, newspaper headlines have brought to the forefront a growing narrative that banks are prospering while SMEs are struggling. This outcome has largely been attributed to banks overlooking the impact of external shocks on SMEs and to the current lending frameworks that govern credit markets. Such headlines call for independent statutory mechanisms to probe the fairness of cases leading to credit enforcement. Whilst such concerns are understandable on moral and ethical grounds, urging for artificial interventions in credit markets risks promoting […]
Wealthtrust Securities (WLTH) explodes higher in stock market debut
January 8, 2026 (LBO) – Wealthtrust Securities (WLTH), a leading primary dealer of government securities in Sri Lanka, has spiked 167% from its IPO price in its stock market debut. WLTH shares closed the day at LKR 18.70/share after coming public at an IPO price of just seven Sri Lankan Rupees. The IPO was heavily […]