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Port City Colombo Secures USD 300 Mn FDI Commitment For Phase II Development
CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd., the primary developer of Port City Colombo, has pledged approximately US$300 million in foreign direct investment to advance Phase II of the Port City Colombo project, marking a significant investment commitment at the start of the New Year and reinforcing confidence in Sri Lanka’s long-term growth prospects. The investment […]
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 […]
Hambantota International Port Records 175-pct Cargo Growth in 2025
Hambantota International Port (HIP) closed 2025 with a landmark performance, recording a 175% year-on-year increase in total cargo volumes despite what has been widely recognised as one of the most challenging years for the global port industry. HIP handled 8.24 million metric tonnes of cargo in 2025, up from 3.0 million metric tonnes in 2024, […]
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 […]
Sri Lankan garment exports gain tariff-free access to UK from 01 January
Reforms to the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme are now in force with liberalised trade rules taking effect from 1 January 2026. Manufacturers can now source up to 100% of materials globally while maintaining zero UK tariffs. Garment exports from Sri Lanka to the UK are expected to increase significantly under the new arrangements. Sri […]
Central Bank’s Gross Official Reserves Surpasses USD 6.8 Bn in Dec 2025, Highest Level Since Crisis
The Central Bank has announced that Gross Official Reserves (GOR) surged to over US dollars 6.8 billion by the end of 2025, marking the highest level of reserves recorded since the economic crisis. This was largely supported by US dollars 2.0 billion in net foreign exchange purchases made by the Central Bank (on value date […]
Thespian Jith Pieris (1947-2026)
January 8, 2026 (LBO) – Jith Pieris, among the most notable figures Sri Lanka’s theatre circuit, has passed away. Kumar de Sliva paints a colourful portrait of Pieris’s life and work on the blog linked below.
Nihal Seneviratne Sri Lanka Sec. General of Parliament (1934-2026)
January 8, 2026 (LBO) – Nihal (Galba) Seneviratne, former Sri Lanka Secretary General of Parliament, passed away on January 6th at the age of 91. With a career of over 30 years in parliament, he had a front row seat, observing and directing the legislature through different generations of politicians. His books, “Memories of 33 […]
Ray Jayawardhana Appointed Caltech’s Tenth President
January 8, 2026 (LBO) – Dr. Ray Jayawardhana, an accomplished academic leader and renowned astrophysicist who currently serves as provost of Johns Hopkins University, has been named Caltech’s next president, the tenth in the Institute’s 105-year history. Jayawardhana’s appointment by Caltech’s Board of Trustees, announced today at a community-wide gathering on the Institute’s Pasadena campus, […]
CSE Halts Market Trading to Ensure a Fair and Orderly Market
WealthTrust Securities Limited commenced trading on Diri Savi Board on 07th January 2026 and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) observed unusually high prices of certain transactions of WealthTrust Securities Limited due to market orders being matched with these unusually high sell orders. The CSE further observed that those clients who have sold the shares at […]
U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung to Depart Sri Lanka
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung will depart Sri Lanka on January 16 after almost four years of dedicated service, marking the conclusion of her tenure as the United States’ top diplomat in Colombo. “I have loved every moment of my time in Sri Lanka,” said Ambassador Chung. “From day one, my focus has been to advance America’s interests—strengthening our security partnerships, expanding trade and investment, […]
SEC and CSE Collaborate to Expedite Listings Through Advisor Awareness
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) in collaboration with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) conducted an awareness session for Corporate Finance Advisors focusing on enhancing regulatory compliance and streamlining the listing process. The forum brought together Corporate Finance Advisors and senior officials from the SEC and CSE to enhance the listing process […]