Category: Business and Economy

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank bought a net US$64.2 million in September, official data showed, amid depreciation pressure on the local currency that touched a four-year low in the May this year. The rupee fell 0.9 percent in September, the Central Bank has said. The Central Bank bought US$85 million from the domestic foreign exchange market…

The absence of a staff-level agreement does not mean that the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme is off track, IMF Resident Representative for Sri Lanka Martha Tesfaye Woldemichael has said. Discussions can require additional time to reach agreement on key policies and parameters she told the Sampath Bank Economic Forum 2026. Sri…

By Michelle Therese Alles The National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) is working on policy and regulatory reforms to boost Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry, including relaxing regulations that may leave room for unlawful or unethical practices. Speaking at the launch of JEWELS 2026, the International Gem and Jewellery Exhibition and Competition organised by…

Sri Lanka’s external current account recorded a surplus of $ 133 million in August following four consecutive months of deficits. The surplus was supported by the lower trade deficit compared to recent months, reflecting lower import expenditure.  The current account recorded a cumulative deficit of $ 291 million during January-August, reflecting pressures on the external…

Sampath Bank PLC has launched Sampath Book Finder, Sri Lanka’s first community-powered book discovery platform, giving visitors to the Colombo International Book Fair a faster and more seamless way to find the books they are looking for across the fair’s 150+ stalls, while also opening up new opportunities to discover titles recommended by fellow readers.…

Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC’s Senior Listed Rated Unsecured Redeemable Debenture issue of up to Rs. 5 billion was oversubscribed following its opening yesterday, reflecting strong investor interest. The debentures, with a par value of Rs. 100 each, will be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The three-year debentures offer an interest rate of…

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, convened a coordination meeting with the Lead Implementing Agencies of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030 Tuesday, 29th September 2026, at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. The meeting brought together representatives of…

The Sri Lanka Logistics & Freight Forwarders’ Association (SLFFA) held its 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo, electing new office bearers for the 2026/2027 term. The event was graced by Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, as Chief Guest, alongside Mr. W.W.S. Mangala, Secretary to the…

Union Bank modernised its credit card business by implementing BPC SmartVista, a unified payment platform designed to provide greater control over product development, integrations, data management and customer experience in Sri Lanka. The deployment enabled Union Bank to gain operational control and improve its ability to deliver secure and enhanced credit card services. The new…

DFCC Bank has signed a Master Trade Loan Agreement with the Export-Import Bank of India under its Trade Assistance Programme, expanding the Bank’s capacity to support trade between Sri Lanka and India. The agreement was signed on 22 September 2026 by Thimal Perera, Director/Chief Executive Officer of DFCC Bank; Prins Perera, Senior Vice President –…