By Prof. Samitha Hettige The PIC-NET (Public Impact Champions Network) to optimize Sri Lanka’s public services digitalization shall be implemented with men to man identified among serving officers. Minimizing hacking & cyber crimes etc. is the primary objective as national digital economy is forecasted to grow from 3% to 12% by 2030. The PIC-NET is…
The Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Construction (PMI – Construction), as reflected by the Total Activity Index, declined to 45.7 in April 2026, mainly due to the seasonal slowdown associated with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period. Further, many survey respondents cited input shortages, particularly of petrochemical-based raw materials, and rising costs…
Fitch Ratings – Sri Lanka’s tighter macroprudential restrictions on vehicle and gold-backed lending will benefit lenders’ risk profiles, particularly those of finance companies, Fitch Ratings says. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s lower loan-to-value (LTV) caps target two products that have expanded rapidly in recent years and represent a substantial share of mainly finance companies’…
By Prof. Samitha Hettige The Sripada (Adam’s Peak/ Samanala kanda) pilgrimage season running from December full moon day to May full moon day ended recently. President Premadasa was the last head of state to climb the mountain (early 1990s) after King Nissnaka malla (Ref. Mahavansa). The ‘Samanala’ hydroelectric power station (‘Laxapana dam’) built across the ‘Maskelioya-oya’ downstream…
Sri Lanka’s total exports, comprising both merchandise and services, reached US$ 1,380.93 million in April 2026, recording a year-on-year growth of 6 % compared to April 2025. According to provisional data released by Sri Lanka Customs, together with estimated figures for Gems & Jewellery and Petroleum Products, merchandise exports in April 2026 increased by 9.87%…
With India poised to become the world’s third-largest economy, Sri Lanka must treat its nearest neighbour not as a trade rival but as its most consequential export destination. Key Takeaways India is no longer optional — it is a defensive necessity. The simultaneous erosion of Sri Lanka’s US market access (20% tariff, up from near…
By Prof. Samitha Hettige When Sri Lankans were rushing to train stations to go home to celebrate Sinhala & Hindu New Year on 14th April 2026, Vietnam’s Paramount Leader & President ‘To Lam’ arrived in China for a 4 day state visit. He is referred such since he heads Vietnamese Communist Party & the government….
According to a research report by Mordor Intelligence, the coconut oil market size is projected to grow from USD 7.75 billion in 2026 to USD 11.05 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 7.36% during the forecast period (2026–2031). Growth is supported by rising demand for clean-label cooking oils, expanding use in pharmaceuticals, and increasing adoption in cosmetics and personal care products. Government initiatives in key producing countries such as the Philippines…
By Dilani Hirimuthugodage, Research Economist, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) Geographical Indications (GI) can unlock higher export earnings by leveraging origin‑based values in tea, spices, and other agricultural products. GIs enhance global recognition, secure premium prices, and access niche markets through branding and value addition. Targeted GI reforms are essential to build…
Economic sentiment plummets as uncertainty clouds the broader outlook Confidence in the economy took a sharp hit in April as the corporate community signalled a negative outlook – likely influenced by geopolitical tensions involving the US, Israel and Iran, and the broader instability in the Middle East. And indeed, the ripple effects are being felt…
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