Fewer crowds at Passport Office
There are fewer queues at Sri Lanka’s Passport Office, these days. This is after the Government introduced the 24/7 work schedule which has helped ease the congestion. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara.
USAID freeze: Uncertain future for SL NGOs
The recent USAID freeze on funding to institutions and communities across the world has resulted in hundreds of job losses in Sri Lanka with humanitarian organisations scratching their heads wondering how to fund their projects. According to Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), more than 400 workers [...]
BIA Tender Controversy: Unfair deadline extension raises concerns
The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Phase II expansion project has been in the eye of controversy in recent days after the most recent tender process raised serious concerns about fairness, transparency, and the integrity of Sri Lanka’s public procurement system. A highly questionable extension was granted to the bidding process, allegedly to favour one bidder, [...]
National strategy for statistics development, Statistics Act by DCS
A new Statistics Act along with Sri Lanka National Strategy for Statistics Development is being worked on by the Department of Census and Statistics in a bid to disseminate data accurately to policymakers. The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) operates under the Statistics Ordinance and the Census Ordinance, which govern the conduct of censuses [...]
SEC approves social bonds in Sri Lanka
The Social Bond Framework was approved on Tuesday by the SEC Commission, paving the way for more such bonds to enter the market, top officials said. Social bonds, a type of fixed-income instrument issued to finance projects with a direct and measurable social impact on the capital markets were given clearance by the regulator after [...]
Tourism global promo to kick off end March
The long-awaited global tourism promotion campaign as a nation branding push is scheduled to finally kick off by the end of this month on the digital platform and subsequently via road shows in identified key markets. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam told The Sunday Times Business that everything has been finalised [...]
SL mission visit to US, premature?
Sections of Sri Lanka’s garment industry are concerned over an impending visit to the US by a delegation to discuss tariffs on Sri Lankan products. “We were not consulted on what this delegation was going to do. We were totally unaware,” one garment business owner said, adding: “The government should have consulted the industry before [...]
Feeding the rich
Yippee! Warella warella Sinhala Avurudu avilla! Already banks and retail stores are scrambling to offer new and innovative products all for the sake of profit. The bottom line being to make money. Of course, there is no harm in this but also spare a thought – more than loose change – to help the underserved [...]
Matching the unmatched with reciprocal tariffs
On February 13, US President Donald Trump announced the “Fair and Reciprocal Plan,” aimed at addressing the country’s international trade imbalances through the implementation of reciprocal tariffs. It was suggested that these tariffs could take effect as early as April 1, 2025. Last week, local media reported that a Sri Lankan delegation is set to [...]
CSE on target to demutualise, drive growth
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is aiming to demutualise its bourse into a limited company this year while trying to remove roadblocks for certain products that have been launched but have not taken off in the market. The CSE is now an entity limited by guarantee with brokers as members, where profits are not [...]
Finch Foods expands international retail presence to Australia
Finch Foods, a Sri Lankan FMCG brand, is expanding internationally with the launch of its retail presence in Australia. The move marks yet another turning point for the homegrown company, following four international market launches under the Finch Foods brand within the space of just three years, the company said in a media release. This [...]
Sysco LABS’s ‘Mentor Mash’ Mentorship Programme
Sysco LABS recently concluded the first edition of ‘Mentor Mash’, an internal mentorship initiative designed to foster learning and professional development among colleagues. Over the course of six months, 26 mentor-mentee pairs engaged in structured mentorship, focusing on knowledge-sharing, career guidance and professional growth, the company said in a media release. Speaking on the initiative, [...]
WNPS withdraws petition following Adani’s exit from Mannar
The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) this week withdrew its legal petition before the Supreme Court following confirmation that Adani Green Energy has officially withdrawn from the proposed Mannar Island wind power project. During Tuesday’s hearing, the Attorney General’s Department submitted a letter dated February 12, 2025, from Adani Green Energy to the Board [...]
LOLC Al-Falaah pioneers Sri Lanka’s first Wakalah-based factoring solution
LOLC Al-Falaah, Sri Lanka’s leading provider of alternate financial solutions, has announced the launch of ‘Al-Falaah Wakalah Future-Cash’, a pioneering Shariah-compliant alternative for Factoring, Invoice and Cheques discounting facility, designed to transform business financing. This ground-breaking financial solution empowers businesses to elevate and realise future cash flows in real-time, while maintaining adherence to ethical financial [...]
Auto assembly industry likely to collapse amid new taxes
Sri Lanka’s automobile assembling sector which has been expanding with high growth, is now under threat with the recent decision to slap new taxes and lift the ban on the import of cars without introducing protection for local assemblers. Industry stakeholders such as Nalin Welgama, Founder of Ideal Motors, warn the current measures can severely [...]
JK Auto’s role in accelerating the NEV Industry in Sri Lanka
While the rapid expansion of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) is helping to transform the way ‘we’ travel — a lesser appreciated benefit of the industry in Sri Lanka has been its potential for generating new high-value industries and employment opportunities for skilled EV technicians. Recognising this potential, John Keells CG Auto, [...]
FAO: Strengthening food safety in Sri Lanka
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), supported by the European Union (EU) and in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, recently hosted a high-level panel discussion and media knowledge-sharing event titled “Strengthening Food Safety Control Mechanisms in Sri Lanka: Current Challenges, Collaborative Solutions, and Future Pathways.” The event [...]
IPS on effects of possible GSP+ impact
Growing uncertainties on the future of global trade as President Donald Trump seeks to impose reciprocal tariffs make programmes such as the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) more significant for small exporters such as Sri Lanka. With a reported visit by EU representatives to assess GSP+, it is important to note that [...]
Mark Zuckerberg declares end of mobile phones
Mark Zuckerberg just made a bold prediction that could change everything. Smartphones, the device we rely on daily, may soon become obsolete. A new technology is emerging, promising to replace screens and revolutionise how we interact with the digital world. For nearly three decades, smartphones have ruled our lives—until now. If Zuckerberg is right, their [...]
Sri Lanka’s creative economy sector remains untapped
While Sri Lanka’s arts, crafts, dance, architecture, design play a pivotal role in the country’s rich culture and traditions historically, it remains an untapped sector to reach greater heights globally. The creative economy is a booming export sector where Sri Lanka has immense potential for improvement and development. European Union, Cultural Relations Platform Project Lead, [...]
Amended Direction on Sustainable Finance for banks
The Central Bank (CB) intends to come up with an amended direction on sustainable finance for Sri Lankan banks after launching the CB Road Map 2.0 which will entail green and social aspects covering women and SME financing. Dilrukshini Watudura, Assistant Governor CB, a panellist at the ‘Sustainable Finance a Key to Greening the Business [...]
Adding value to Chinese Electrical Components for re-export
Sri Lanka is now moving up the global manufacturing value chain by bringing in electrical equipment and components made in China and adding a 25 per cent value in the island for re-export, industry Ministry officials said. The Government focuses attention on trade and investment reforms and combining them with a proactive investment promotion campaign, [...]
Are we victims of personal branding in the corporate world?
As per the “Rachel Greenwald” report in the “Harvard Business Review”, personal branding is the intentional, strategic practice of defining and expressing your value. “It’s the amalgamation of the associations, beliefs, feelings, attitudes, and expectations that people collectively hold about you,” In a competitive corporate world, we want to brand ourself to remain more attractive. [...]
Sri Lanka appoints Tourism Advisory Committee
Some of Sri Lanka’s biggest names in the leisure industry have been appointed to a new Tourism Advisory Committee by the government to drive the tourism agenda in the country. The 14-member committee is chaired by Dileep Mudadeniya, Senior Vice President of John Keells Holdings. Other members include SriLankan Airlines CEO Richard Nuttall; Nuwara Eliya [...]
Sri Lanka’s economy grew by 5 % in 2024
The Census and Statistics Department said this week the economy of Sri Lanka grew by 5 percent in 2024. The GDP for the year 2024 at constant prices (2015) increased up to Rs.12,472,469 million from Rs. 11,877,556 million which was recorded in the year 2023. All the three sectors of the economy; Agriculture, Industry and [...]
NDB Bank hosts investor and analysts Earnings Call
National Development Bank PLC (NDB) recently conducted its Investor and Analysts Earnings Call following the release of the financial results and annual report for the full year ended December 31, 2024. The session, led by Kelum Edirisinghe, Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDB Bank, along with the bank’s senior management team, was held virtually [...]
ComBank launches ‘TradeLink’, digital platform for importers/exporters
Sri Lanka’s importers and exporters have been provided with a sophisticated new digital platform for all their trade finance requirements by the Commercial Bank of Ceylon. ‘ComBank TradeLink’ is a seamless, intuitive, user-friendly and future-ready digital front-end that will provide end-end solutions covering the entire customer journey, simplifying and accelerating trade finance transactions and promoting [...]
JXG-PIM’s eXplore Leadership Development Programme
JXG (Janashakthi Group) recently concluded the second consecutive edition of eXplore, the Postgraduate Institute of Management’s (PIM) Leadership Development Programme, which is specifically designed to develop the managerial staff of JXG, with resounding success. The second edition, initiated in mid-2024, led 21 exceptional participants to develop leadership competencies and support skill building during an informative [...]
Sri Lanka’s digital industry poised for growth
The digital services sector in Sri Lanka has witnessed new tax measures introduced in the latest national budget, which mark a significant shift in the industry’s financial landscape. While these measures present challenges, the industry remains steadfast in its commitment to growth, innovation, and resilience. The Ministry of Digital Economy, in collaboration with key industry [...]
Round Table Sri Lanka conference today
Round Table Sri Lanka is presenting “Bridging Borders: Fostering Regional Cooperation and Global Impact”, a landmark fireside chat set to take place today, at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte. This event will bring together 500–600 influential leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and experts from Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal to strengthen trade, investment, and regional cooperation. As [...]