Signs long-term Technology Services Master Agreement for the deployment of Bank-controlled payment infrastructure The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced that it has entered into a long-term Technology Services Master Agreement with Bancstac, to deploy a secure, compliant, scalable and fully bank-controlled payment processing infrastructure, reinforcing the Bank’s leadership in digital financial services. Commercial Bank…
Purchasing Managers’ Indices indicate expansions in both Manufacturing and Services activities in March 2026. Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Manufacturing (PMI – Manufacturing) increased to 66.7 in March 2026, supported by heightened activity related to seasonal demand. However, many respondents reported a tight production environment, mainly attributed to raw material and fuel shortages, rising costs,…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Sri Lanka to stay committed to its reform agenda as the country faces renewed risks from global energy market volatility. Speaking during the IMF Spring Meetings 2026 press briefing, Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department, IMF said that while Sri Lanka has made notable progress in…
The region can best cope by protecting vulnerable people, letting prices adjust, anchoring inflation expectations, and accelerating structural reforms By Andrea Pescatori, Krishna Srinivasan Asia entered 2026 on a strong footing. Despite the region bearing the brunt of US tariffs last April and persistent trade policy uncertainty, growth was resilient in 2025 and trade remained robust. Now,…
Reuters – Asian stocks were poised for a second week of strong gains and oil prices were pinned below $100 a barrel with investors hopeful for a near-term resolution to the Middle East war. Investors have been quick to take an optimistic view on any signs of denouement this month, even though the Strait of…
The island nation has made remarkable progress since its 2022 default, but residual creditor negotiations and elevated vulnerabilities keep the recovery story unfinished. Sri Lanka’s long road back from its historic 2022 sovereign default is approaching its final stretch. The Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR), in its sixth Cochairs Progress Report released on April 15,…
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed a strong upward movement today (16), with both major indices recording notable gains amid improved investor activity. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) rose by 327.49 points during the session to close at 22,588.97, marking a 1.47% increase compared to the previous trading day. Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 Index…
Veteran global investor Mark Mobius, widely regarded as a pioneer in emerging markets investing, has passed away at the age of 89. Mobius played a significant role in directing global investor attention towards frontier and emerging economies, including markets such as Sri Lanka, at a time when they were largely overlooked. He spent more than…
Ninewells Hospital has marked a major milestone with the groundbreaking of its newest building expansion, signaling a bold step forward in advancing healthcare in Sri Lanka. The ceremony, attended by key stakeholders, partners, and management, celebrated the start of a transformative phase for the hospital. This development reflects Ninewells’ evolution beyond its strong foundation in…
The Sri Lanka – France Business Council of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce hosted its Members’ Day Evening for the second consecutive year, graciously hosted by the Ambassador of France H.E. Rémi LAMBERT at his residence. In his remarks, the Ambassador reaffirmed that France remains a reliable partner in supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. He…
