Category: Business and Economy

Sri Lanka and China have discussed ways to deepen bilateral relations and expand economic cooperation to support the island’s economic development. The discussions took place on Thursday (14) at the Finance Ministry during a meeting between Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Wei Huaxiang and Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha…

Sri Lanka must earn free trade agreements (FTAs) through deep domestic reforms rather than expect them to follow from negotiation alone, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said.  The Government is now moving to dismantle import levies left untouched for two decades and is seeking entry into Asia’s largest trade bloc. “We only…

In a major move to boost industrial and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and the European Union (EU), a special high-level discussion was held on October 15, chaired by Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe. The meeting focused on leveraging the EU’s multi-billion-euro ‘Global Gateway’ strategy to drive fresh investments into Sri…

Sri Lanka is moving ahead with a World Bank-backed global destination marketing and communication campaign aimed at strengthening the country’s competitiveness in international tourism markets. A high-level discussion on implementing the initiative was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, focusing on developing a long-term, data-driven strategy to promote Sri Lanka…

The Quarticentennial Funnel of Merit: 1.9 million names, 38 icons, one new metric LONDON// Picture a funnel wide enough to swallow a small nation: 1.9 million names, drawn from 195 countries, representing every conceivable form of human distinction — scientists, monarchs, child activists, blood donors, mountaineers, ethicists. At the narrow end of that funnel, after…

The 6th Sampath Bank SME Business Circle, organised for small and medium-sized business owners in the Galle and Matara regions, was successfully held recently. The event featured an insightful panel discussion on the growth, competitiveness and future business opportunities for SMEs, with representatives from Sampath Bank, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Sri Lanka…

The country’s manufacturing and services sectors in September have expanded, as per the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), its compiler the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said.  The Manufacturing PMI registered an index value of 53 in September, remaining unchanged compared to the previous month, indicating that manufacturing activities continued to expand at a similar…

As the nation’s Total Mobility and Logistics Solutions Provider, Toyota Lanka marked an important step in its island wide expansion with the groundbreaking of its new Jaffna facility on 17 September 2026 at Kandy Road, Navatkuli, Chavakachcheri, Jaffna. The development strengthens Toyota Lanka’s presence in the Northern region and brings its trusted mobility and after-sales…

Sri Lanka’s Pan Asia Banking Corporation has listed its 12.75 and 13.50 percent debentures on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), the company said in a market filing. The listed, rated, senior, unsecured, redeemable debt securities have been issued across 3-year and 5-year tenors, carrying an annual coupon option: The lender’s public debenture issuance sought to…

Pan Asia Bank recently participated in the FinLit Expo 2026, reaffirming its commitment to promoting financial awareness and responsible banking. The FinLit Expo is a national initiative organised by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to strengthen financial literacy and encourage informed financial decision-making among Sri Lankans. Held from October 8-9, at the Centre…