Category: Business and Economy

People’s Bank has secured four accolades at the 4th Commonwealth Business Excellence Awards 2026, earning international recognition for its excellence across banking, digital innovation, youth and student banking, and SME services. The Bank was recognised with four awards: Best Banking Brand of the Year, Best Bank for Youth and Students, Best Bank in Digital Banking,…

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has crossed the 1.7 million arrival mark for 2026, with over 23,000 visitors registered during the first four days of October, but arrivals remain about 2% below last year’s pace as the industry enters its crucial winter season. According to the latest data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority…

The CSE indicated very dull and but volatile conditions yesterday as external and internal environmental factors continued to clog stock trading, market analysts said. Both indices reflected downward trends. The All Share Price Index went down by 151.47 points while the S and P SL20 declined by 32.27 points. Turnover stood at Rs 3.16 billion…

The officials of the Export Development Board (EDB) have taken measures to promote the upcoming Sri Lanka Expo scheduled to be held from 14 th to 17 January 2027. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the EDB together with the Director General and a team of senior officials, recently met with Hanif Yusoof…

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…