Category: Business and Economy

Sri Lanka welcomed 168,625 international tourists in October, with India continuing to dominate the tourism market, according to the latest figures released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). India accounted for 62,211 arrivals, representing 37% of all tourists who visited Sri Lanka during the month. The United Kingdom was the second-largest source market,…

Sri Lanka’s expenditure on vehicle imports declined by 34% year-on-year in September 2026 compared to the corresponding period last year, according to the latest External Sector Performance Report released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). During September, the total outlay for private and commercial vehicle imports stood at USD 188 million, maintaining a…

The European Union has agreed to provide a €10 million grant to Sri Lanka to strengthen sustainable trade relations and improve the country’s access to the European market. The four-year project aims to enhance institutional capacity in trade-related activities, support Sri Lanka in meeting international standards required by the EU market and promote trade initiatives…

Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry is being called to take its place on a global platform as the JEWELS 2026 International Gem & Jewellery Exhibition & Competition takes place from 4–6 December 4-6, at Colombo Lotus Tower. Organised by the Gemmologists Association of Sri Lanka (GASL) under the theme ‘From Sri Lanka to the…

The Sri Lanka–Italy Business Council (SLITBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held its 27th Annual General Meeting recently, electing a new leadership team for the year ahead and reflecting on the Council’s longstanding role in strengthening business ties between Sri Lanka and Italy. Dushy Jayaweera of the Acorn Group was elected President, while Shamil…

Sri Lanka is stepping up efforts to expand export earnings and attract  investment from the United Kingdom, using Sri Lanka Expo 2027 as a key platform to strengthen trade partnerships and secure new business opportunities. The Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK, conducted a two-day business…

Economic policies essential to the country must be implemented irrespective of whether they are popular or unpopular among the general public, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has emphasised. Governor Weerasinghe made these remarks while delivering a lecture at the University of Kelaniya, highlighting the importance of taking…

Seylan Bank reported a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of LKR 14,044 Mn in Q3 2026, compared with LKR 12,809 Mn in Q3 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 9.64%. For the nine months ended 30 September 2026, the Bank recorded a Profit After Tax (PAT) of LKR 9,116 Mn, an increase of 9.47% from LKR…

Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector, a vital contributor to the country’s export earnings, took a decisive step toward the global stage on October 24, with the staging of the ‘Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Exhibition and Marketplace’ at the World Trade Centre (WTC), Colombo 01. Held from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with free…

Pan Asia  Banking Corporation PLC reported a strong set of results for the first nine months of 2026, recording a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 3.59 billion, up 19% from the corresponding period last year, underpinned by solid growth in lending, deposits and fee-based income, alongside further improvements in asset quality. The  Bank’s latest…