Category: Industry
AirAsia Restores Frequencies on the Colombo–Bangkok and Colombo–Kuala Lumpur Routes
AirAsia continues to strengthen connectivity between Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia by restoring frequencies on its Colombo (CMB) – Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Colombo (CMB) – Bangkok (Don Mueang – DMK) routes for the Winter 2026/27 season, from 01 November 2026. The restored schedule provides travellers even greater flexibility and choice when planning their trips. […]
Apparel exports grow in September, but the year-to-date picture remains cautious: JAAF
Sri Lanka’s apparel exports returned to growth in September 2026, an encouraging sign for the sector. Although the nine-month total is still behind last year, the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) sees the latest result as a positive step. Apparel exports for the month came to US$ 416.99 million, up 3.47% from US$ 403.01 million […]
Vietjet offers USD90 flights from Colombo as Asia network expands
Vietjet is launching a limited-time promotion featuring Eco tickets from USD90 (including taxes and fees) on its Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City route, and from USD175 (including taxes and fees) on its Colombo–Maldives service, as the airline continues to expand its international network. Passengers can enjoy the promotional Eco fares from now to 21:30 on 1 […]
Fitch Assigns Asia Asset Finance’s Proposed Senior Debt ‘A+(EXP)(lka)’ Rating
Fitch Ratings has assigned Asia Asset Finance PLC’s (AAF, A+(lka)/Stable) proposed Sri Lankan rupee-denominated senior unsecured debentures of up to LKR2 billion an expected National Long-Term Rating of ‘A+(EXP)(lka)’. The proposed debentures are likely to have a maturity of five years and are to be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. The company plans to […]
Pine Labs and WEBXPAY bring the Indian payment experience to Sri Lanka – UPI, cards and net banking
First PA-on-PA cross-border partnership under India’s PA-CB framework, live for Sri Lanka’s merchants, with Southeast Asia to follow India is Sri Lanka’s largest and fastest-growing tourism source market. In 2025, over 5.3 lakh Indian travellers visited Sri Lanka, making India the country’s largest source of tourists by a wide margin, with this momentum continuing into […]
Preparing Sri Lankan Stakeholders for the New EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
On 14 October 2026, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Belgium, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development of Sri Lanka, and the EU-funded AGRINFO programme implemented by the Committee Linking Entrepreneurship, Agriculture and Development (COLEAD), organised an educational webinar to strengthen the preparedness of Sri Lankan public […]
Fitch Assigns CBC Finance’s Proposed Subordinated Debt ‘BBB+(EXP)(lka)’ Rating
Fitch Ratings has assigned CBC Finance PLC’s (CBCF, A(lka)/Stable) proposed Sri Lankan rupee-denominated subordinated listed debentures of up to LKR1 billion an expected National Long-Term Rating of ‘BBB+(EXP)(lka)’. The proposed debentures are likely to have a maturity of five years and are to be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. The company plans to use […]
HIPG sees stronger opportunities as container shipping’s return to Suez gathers pace
Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) has welcomed the prospect of a sustained return of container shipping through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, saying the recovery of the main East–West shipping corridor could strengthen Hambantota’s commercial position as it prepares to increase annual container handling capacity to two million TEUs in the first quarter of […]
Govt Tightens Import Regulations to Shield Domestic Tire Manufacturers
Under the banner of ensuring a fair playing field for domestic industries, the government has moved to enforce strict quality compliance on imported motor vehicle tires. Acting on recommendations from the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal submitted by the President—in his capacity as the Minister of […]
Daily Power Cuts Proposed Starting Today as NSO Seeks PUCSL Approval
The National System Operator (Private) Limited (NSO) has formally requested approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to implement daily one-hour scheduled power cuts starting today, continuing through October 21. The proposal was confirmed by Buddhika Samarasekara, Chief Executive Officer of National System Operator (Pvt) Ltd. The power interruptions are proposed to […]
China Merchants Port, Access Engineering & Sri Lanka Ports Authority Pull the Plug on South Asia Logistics Hub
China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited has officially terminated the South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub project in Sri Lanka following a mutual agreement among all project partners. According to a company announcement released on October 15, 2026, the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, FCGL, alongside Access Engineering and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, signed a settlement […]
Sri Lankan Companies Take Hospitality Products and Services to Maldives
Sri Lankan exhibitors with the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives, representatives of the High Commission, SLMLBC, and Sri Lanka Export Development Board in front of the Sri Lanka Pavilion at Hotel Asia 2026 in the Maldives Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council (SLMLBC) of […]