Analysis

Economic optimism shores up but corporates remain cautious amid cost pressures

Confidence in the economy strengthened in August with a larger share of corporate executives anticipating an improvement in the months ahead. However, the outlook remains cautious with half of those surveyed expecting economic conditions to remain unchanged amid rising costs and continued uncertainty surrounding the broader economic milieu. THE ECONOMY The latest LMD-PEPPERCUBE Business Confidence…

(0)Comments | September 3, 2026 2:10 pm

Sri Lanka’s Trade Deficit Widens to $6.5 Billion Amid Soaring Fuel Costs and Middle East Headwinds

Sri Lanka’s external current account recorded a deficit of US $142 million in July 2026, marking the fourth consecutive month in negative territory as the nation navigates severe headwinds from geopolitical developments in the Middle East. According to the latest data, the cumulative external current account has slid into a deficit of US $387 million…

(0)Comments | September 1, 2026 2:02 pm

Sri Lankan fintechs eye 200 million market opportunity beyond domestic shores

Conrad Dias, Vice Chairman of the Fintech Forum Sri Lanka and Chairman of LOLC Finance PLC, believes the next stage of Sri Lanka’s fintech journey is about helping local fintech companies access larger regional markets, strengthen collaboration with banks and regulators, and build an ecosystem capable of sustaining long-term growth. For Sri Lanka’s fintech companies,…

(0)Comments | September 1, 2026 10:12 am

Sri Lanka’s Exports Surpass US$ 10 Billion in First Seven Months of 2026, Maintaining Positive Growth Momentum

Sri Lanka’s export sector continued its positive growth in 2026, with total exports surpassing the US$ 10 Bn milestone during the first seven months of the year. Combined merchandise and services exports are estimated to have reached US$ 10,487.80 Mn during January–July 2026, recording a 5.5 % year-on-year growth compared to the corresponding period in…

(0)Comments | August 31, 2026 2:01 pm

Business Sentiment: Confidence Slips As Doubts Linger

The barometer loses ground as uncertainty makes for a cautious corporate mindset Extreme weather dominated headlines across the globe with much of Europe battling an unprecedented heatwave amid the developing effects of El Niño. Here at home, Sri Lanka faced the other end of the spectrum, as heavy rains and flash floods disrupted daily life…

(0)Comments | August 31, 2026 1:33 pm

Land Demand Set to Surge Along Ruwanpura Expressway Corridor, Reports LankaPropertyWeb

The Sri Lankan property market could enter its next major growth phase following the government’s approval to commence the procurement process for the first phase of the Ruwanpura Expressway Project. Phase 1 of the project, which will connect Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya and will include the construction of a new bridge interchange at Kahathuduwa, is expected…

(0)Comments | August 18, 2026 10:33 am

Colombo Land Valuation Indicator Up 5.9% in First Half of 2026

The Land Valuation Indicator (LVI) compiled for Colombo District increased by 5.9 per cent at a moderate pace during the first half of 2026, compared to the corresponding period of 2025. All three sub indicators of the LVI recorded moderate year-on-year increases during the period, with Residential LVI increasing by 6.7 per cent, followed by…

(0)Comments | August 18, 2026 10:18 am

The Economic Confidence Index returns to negative territory

Government approval moderates as economic outlook weakens: Mood of the Nation poll In the latest July 2026 round of the Gallup-style ‘Mood of the Nation’ poll conducted by Verité Research, the government’s approval rating moderated to 50%, following a post-election high of 65% in the previous February 2026 round. The polling partner was Vanguard Survey…

(0)Comments | August 17, 2026 10:12 am

Port City Colombo: Supporting Sri Lanka’s Next Phase of Global Business Growth

An exclusive Q&A with Senal Seneviratne – Senior Executive Vice President – Corporate Banking, Nations Trust Bank Port City Colombo is positioned to become a regional hub connecting global businesses with opportunities across South Asia and beyond. As this ambitious development continues to attract international interest, the financial sector will play an important role in…

(0)Comments | August 13, 2026 3:14 pm

Sri Lanka’s Platform for the Next Generation of Global Businesses

By Haridhu Abeygoonaratne, Managing Director/COO – SimCentric /Vice Chair – SLASSCOM At first glance, it seems improbable that a company developing advanced military simulation technologies for organisations such as the US Marine Corps, the US Military Academy, the UK Ministry of Defence and armed forces across NATO and Commonwealth countries would have its engineering nerve…

(0)Comments | August 10, 2026 5:33 pm

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