Category: Business and Economy

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon’s remarkable near two-and-a-half-decade run as Sri Lanka’s best bank was recognised on the global stage recently when Sanath Manatunge, the Bank’s Managing Director/CEO accepted the 24th Best Bank award presented to the Bank by Global Finance. The Global Finance Annual Awards ceremony for 2026 was held at the Dusit Thani…

The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) further strengthened its focus on the evolving Boardroom agenda with the successful conclusion of the first Executive Masterclass by its HR and Talent Governance Forum, titled “Redefining Human Capital: Shaping the Future of Work,” held on 18 September 2026 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. The Masterclass follows the launch of SLID’s HR and…

Sampath Bank PLC’s debenture issue attracted applications exceeding Rs. 10 billion, surpassing the maximum amount available under the offer. In a stock exchange disclosure, the bank said the issue would close at 4.30 p.m. on October 20 in accordance with its prospectus. The basis of allotment will be announced to the Colombo Stock Exchange in…

Sri Lanka’s banks increased lending to overseas borrowers by more than 50 percent in the year to June 2026, with offshore loans accounting for over a third of their outstanding foreign currency credit, even as emerging risks linked to the Middle East conflict placed growing pressure on loan portfolios, according to Central Bank of Sri…

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers have approved the publication of a new bill to establish a National Agency for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and provide the legal framework to promote and facilitate PPP projects in the country. Approval to introduce the legislation was initially granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 2 June 2025. Accordingly, the…

The Sri Lanka–Thailand Business Council (SLTBC) has sought a clear roadmap for implementing the Sri Lanka–Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and details on proposed employment opportunities for 10,000 Sri Lankan workers in Thailand. The Council’s delegation, led by President Rizan Nazeer and comprising several executive committee members, met Thai Ambassador to Sri Lanka Paitoon Mahapannaporn…

CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. and the Department of Town and Country Planning of the University of Moratuwa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry in urban development, urban informatics, research, innovation and talent development. Signed on 29 September 2026 at the University of Moratuwa, the agreement…

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…