Category: Lead Story
CBSL to Cancel Nation Lanka Finance Licence; Liquidation Process Begins
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has officially cancelled the finance business licence of Nation Lanka Finance PLC (NLFP) effective today, July 3, 2026, moving forward with a formal winding up of the company. Full Statement The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) initiated resolution actions on Nation Lanka Finance PLC (NLFP) effective from […]
World Bank Approves $150 Million to Fuel Sri Lanka’s Economic Growth and Resilience
In a major move to transition Sri Lanka from economic stabilization to long-term development, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved US$150 million in financing to back the country’s comprehensive reform agenda. The funding is part of the Sri Lanka Reforms for Growth, Resilience and Openness Development Policy Operation (REGROW DPO). This initiative […]
Accelerating SOE reforms & maintaining cost-recovery energy pricing are key to minimizing fiscal risks: IMF Staff Mission
Accelerating reforms in state-owned enterprises and ensuring energy prices reflect cost-recovery are essential to reducing fiscal risks, according to the IMF Staff Mission at the conclusion of its visit to Sri Lanka. The mission emphasized that, alongside these measures, authorities should focus on strengthening the targeting and coverage of social safety nets to safeguard vulnerable […]
Law Association for Asia & Pacific Sounds Alarm Over Proposed Changes to Sri Lankan Judicial Retirement Age
LAWASIA, the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific, has officially voiced grave concerns over the Sri Lankan government’s proposed constitutional amendment aimed at extending the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges. In a formal statement released on June 26, 2026, the regional legal body warned that the ad hoc initiative […]
Sampath Bank Launches Sri Lanka’s First Real-Time USD Payment Solution for Sri Lanka Ports Authority Users
Sampath Bank PLC and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) have jointly launched Sri Lanka’s first real-time USD payment solution for the maritime industry, eliminating traditional manual payment processes and streamlining foreign currency transactions across the country’s shipping and logistics ecosystem. The initiative marks another industry-first innovation from Sampath Bank and a significant step forward […]
CDS to Limit Activity on Dormant Accounts Until Reactivation as Part of Investor Protection Measures
Central Depository Systems (Pvt) Ltd (CDS), a subsidiary of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), has announced new measures aimed at protecting dormant CDS accounts that have remained inactive for three years or more. The measure will involve a staggered suspension framework for dormant accounts which can be re-activated at any time quite easily by account […]
Sri Lanka’s Exports exceeds USD 7.3 Bn in First Five Months
Sri Lanka’s export sector has sustained its resilience, with total exports exceeding US$ 7.3 billion in the first five months of 2026. Combined merchandise and services exports were estimated at US$ 7,393.39 million between January and May, marking a 7.56% year-on-year increase compared to the same period in 2025. Merchandise exports contributed US$ 5,758.44 million […]
United States Transfers Ten Texas-Built Helicopters to Sri Lanka to Strengthen Maritime Security and Disaster Readiness
The United States today formally transferred ten American-made TH-57 Sea Ranger (Bell 206) helicopters to the Sri Lanka Air Force, delivering a major boost to the country’s helicopter training program, search-and-rescue capabilities, and the security of its air and maritime domains — a milestone that reflects the growing strength of the U.S.-Sri Lanka defense partnership. […]
Government to back apparel exporters with land reforms, ‘Plug and Play’ factories
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chaired a discussion at the Presidential Secretariat on Monda aimed at resolving challenges facing Sri Lanka’s apparel sector and boosting the country’s export earnings. The meeting brought together top business leaders and investors from the industry to discuss practical hurdles and the support needed to roll out the Export Development Board’s […]
FCCISL and Indian High Commission Chart Path for Economic Cooperation; Focus on Digital Economy, SME Support, and Rupee-to-Rupee Bilateral Trade
The President and the Board of Directors of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) convened with the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka His Excellency Santosh Jha to discuss a bilateral economic framework. The meeting focused on advancing SME development, creating a unified startup ecosystem, driving digital economic […]
Sri Lanka GDP Growth Rate YoY increased to 5.1-pct
The GDP for the first quarter of 2026 at constant price (2015) has increased up to Rs. 3,652,503 million from Rs. 3,476,664 million which was reported in the first quarter of 2025. The GDP growth rate for the first quarter of year 2026 has been reported as 5.1 percent of positive growth rate. In the […]
Fitch Changes Global Sovereigns Sector Outlook to ‘Deteriorating’ on Iran War Impact
Fitch Ratings has changed its 2026 global sovereign sector outlook to ‘deteriorating’ from ‘neutral’ because of the impact of the US-Iran war. We expect the conflict will weaken GDP growth, raise inflation and bond yields, and heighten geopolitical risks. However, recent resilience of the global economy and financing conditions temper risks. We have changed five […]