Category: Business and Economy

GovPay, Sri Lanka’s Government Digital Payment Platform, concluded the year 2025 by surpassing Rs. 2 billion in total digital transaction value, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey. Notably, GovPay doubled its collections from Rs. 1 billion to Rs. 2 billion in just 45 days, reflecting rapid adoption, growing public trust, and…

The European Union has allocated a total of Euro 2.35 million of financial assistance to Sri Lanka. This includes Euro 500,000 through IFRC and Euro 1.85 million through DG-European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) partners, WFP and UNICEF as humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, in response to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah,…

The Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF), Northern Sri Lanka’s largest multitrade exhibition, would be held from January 23 to 25, 2026, marking its 16th consecutive year as a key commercial platform for the region, the organisers said. Organised by Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services in association with the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Yarlpanam,…

Asoka Hettigoda, Chairman of the Hettigoda Group of Companies, was unanimously elected as the President of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) at the Association’s Annual General Meeting for 2025, held at Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams.  This election positions a seasoned industry veteran at the helm of the country’s premier hotel association,…

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC, to provide tailor-made home loan facilities for buyers of condominium units at Mireka Seascape, the company’s latest development. Through this partnership, Commercial Bank will offer loans covering up to 100 percent of the purchase price of properties developed by…

Uber marked 10 years of operations in Sri Lanka, a decade in which the platform has reshaped how people commute and how thousands of Sri Lankans earn a livelihood.  Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe graced the milestone event as the chief guest. U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung attended as the guest of honor,…

The Initial Public Offering (IPO) of WealthTrust Securities Limited (WTS) will open tomorrow, inviting the public to subscribe for 71,548,244 Ordinary Voting Shares at an Issue Price of LKR 7.00 per share. Through the Issue, WTS seeks to raise a total of LKR 500,837,708, with the Company’s shares expected to be listed on the Diri Savi Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange…

The World Bank Group is deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. Our thoughts are with the people who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, and with the communities now facing immense hardship. We commend the remarkable resilience shown by Sri Lankans in the face of this disaster and…

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai successfully hosted a high-level breakfast meeting today, bringing together leading travel trade professionals, media partners, airline representatives, and key influencers to promote Sri Lanka as a premier travel destination under the revitalized “Sri Lanka is Ready” tourism campaign. The networking event, held at the premises of the…

Ministry of Finance data confirms Bank’s dominant contribution to national SME credit in 2024, accounting for more than 30% of total loan value The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has once again emerged as the country’s largest lender to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), retaining its position for the fifth consecutive year, according to the Ministry…