Latest News English

Tourism crosses 1.7 m arrivals, but remains behind 2025 pace

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 […]

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IMF airs Sri Lanka reform progress at Sampath Bank Economic Forum

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 […]

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Regulatory reforms to boost Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry: NGJA Chief

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 […]

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Balance of payments: External current account returns to surplus

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 […]

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Sampath Bank launches Sri Lanka’s first community-powered book discovery platform at Colombo International Book Fair

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. […]

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Hayleys Mobility and Siyapatha Finance Partner to Offer Flexible Vehicle Financing

Hayleys Mobility Limited, the mobility sector of Hayleys Fentons Limited, has entered into a strategic partnership with Siyapatha Finance PLC through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), providing customers with greater access to flexible and tailored vehicle financing solutions across its growing passenger and commercial mobility portfolio. The partnership combines Hayleys Mobility’s expanding […]