Category: Business and Economy

Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has deferred the mandatory requirement to submit a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Certificate for specified transactions until April 1, 2027, after people panicked and lined up to get registered. In light of the administrative bottleneck that followed, the government has decided to push back the deadline. The rule, which…

The newly concluded European Union-India Free Trade Agreement could reshape the competitive landscape for Sri Lankan exports, even as the government moves to safeguard preferential access to a vital market. Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando stated that Indian exporters are expected to gain duty-free or concessionary access to the European Union…

The “National Single Window for Trade” system was officially launched Yesterday (05) under the leadership of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, marking a major milestone in Sri Lanka’s trade facilitation efforts. As part of the initial phase, exporters are being onboarded sector-wise, with the coconut and tea sectors selected for the first…

The Government is working to expand cooperation with Germany and other international partners in advanced manufacturing, investment and trade with the aim of elevating Sri Lanka’s industrial sector to the international stage, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe said. He made these remarks while attending the “Top German Brands 2026 – The…

 Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 332.70/80 to the US dollar spot on Wednesday, weaker from 332.65/70 the previous day, while bond yields were quoted lower, dealers said. An auction of 90,000 million rupees Treasury bills was ongoing. A bond maturing on 01.03.2030 was quoted at 11.35/45 percent. A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 was quoted…

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and its Sri Lanka-China Business Council (SLCHBC) hosted a business delegation from China’s Yunnan Province, bringing together companies from a wide range of sectors to explore trade, investment and commercial partnerships with Sri Lankan businesses. The delegation, led by the Yunnan Provincial Federation of Industry and Commerce, included representatives from…

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Union (EU), successfully conducted the final pitching event of batch III of ExpoScaleUp, designed to help Sri Lankan SMEs become more competitive and expand into global markets. Supported through the EU’s regional Accelerating Climate Smart and Inclusive…

The continued upward trend in real estate prices, together with the banking sector’s increasing exposure to real estate activities, warrants continued monitoring, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said, warning that a sharp correction in property prices could spill over to the financial system. In its recent Financial Stability Review 2026, the CBSL said…

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…