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 […]
Govt plans major tax overhaul and full digitization to boost efficiency
Plans are underway to simplify Sri Lanka’s tax system for the upcoming year, making it both highly efficient and user-friendly, according to Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayawardena. Speaking at the official launch of the digital signature and paperless customs declaration system, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the government is taking decisive steps to […]
Sri Lanka Central Bank buys US$64.2mn in September amid depreciation pressure
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
Pan Asia Bank’s Rs. 5 Bn debenture issue oversubscribed
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 […]
Lead Agencies Convene to Accelerate Implementation of National Export Development Plan 2026–2030
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, convened a coordination meeting with the Lead Implementing Agencies of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030 Tuesday, 29th September 2026, at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. The meeting brought together representatives of […]









