New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, David Gregory Pine, visited the Hambantota International Port (HIP) on August 11, 2025, to gain firsthand knowledge on its development and growing international relevance. Accompanying him was Rasika Sumudhu Jayasinghe, Policy Adviser at the High Commission. The delegation was taken on a tour of HIP’s state-of-the-art facilities and…
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board’s (EDB) National Packaging Centre (NPC) conducted an awareness workshop on spices packaging for over 75 exporters and potential exporters, aimed at enhancing product competitiveness in local and international markets. The session, held at EDB premises, was conducted in collaboration with packaging consultant Mr. W. Abhaya Senavirathna and focused on…
Reuters – China is considering allowing the usage of yuan-backed stablecoins for the first time to boost wider adoption of its currency globally, sources familiar with the matter said, in a major reversal of its stance towards digital assets. The State Council – China’s cabinet – will review and possibly approve a roadmap later this…
Sri Lanka’s labor market showed significant signs of recovery in the first quarter of 2025, with the unemployment rate dropping to a historic low of 3.8%, according to the latest Quarterly Report from the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS). This marks a notable improvement from 4.5% in the same period last year and reflects…
Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have established a strategic partnership to strengthen the Sri Lankan ICT/BPM sector within the Japanese market. Started in 2024, this initiative supports 30 Sri Lankan SME ICT/BPM companies and startups over a period of two years by providing market intelligence, business coaching,…
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce welcomes the UK Government’s liberalisation of rules of origin under its Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), set to take effect in early 2026. This important step reflects the UK’s continued commitment to greater trade openness and flexibility, offering Sri Lankan exporters enhanced access to one of their key markets. The…
Tea Avenue, Sri Lanka’s flagship tea café brand with a heritage spanning four generations, today announced its official entry into the Indian market through a strategic partnership with FranGlobal, the international arm of Franchise India Group. This milestone marks Tea Avenue’s first step outside Sri Lanka and into one of the world’s most dynamic tea…
Fitch Ratings – Fitch Ratings has updated its five-year projections for supply-side potential GDP growth for the 10 developed economies (‘DM10’) covered in its Global Economic Outlook. The GDP-weighted average DM10 potential growth projection has been raised to 1.6% a year from 1.4% in the previous report in August 2023. This reflects more optimistic projections for…
Reuters – Thailand’s cabinet has approved the hiring of 10,000 Sri Lankan workers as it tries to address a labour shortage caused by Cambodian workers returning home in the wake of a deadly border conflict between the two countries, a Thai senior official said on Tuesday. Thailand’s ageing population and shrinking workforce has forced it to rely on at…
The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) today (19) warmly welcomed the UK Government’s announcement of liberalised rules of origin under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which will come into effect in early 2026. The reforms will allow Sri Lankan manufacturers to source up to 100% of inputs for garments from any country worldwide while…
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