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Thailand to End Visa-Free Entry for Sri Lankan Travelers Starting September 15, 2026 In a major shift in immigration policy, travelers from Sri Lanka holding ordinary passports will soon be required to obtain a visa before entering Thailand. Starting September 15, 2026, Sri Lanka will be officially removed from Thailand’s visa exemption scheme, ending the…
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Hayleys Agriculture Holdings Limited launched its new Hayleys Grain & Food Processing Machinery business at ProFood, ProPack & AgBiz 2026, held from 21st to 23rd August 2026 at the BMICH, Colombo, marking a significant expansion of its portfolio into specialised machinery and technology solutions for Sri Lanka’s grain and food processing industries. Hayleys Agriculture used…
DIMO has expanded its specialized after-sales network with the opening of a new DIMO Diesel Lab branch in Kurunegala, bringing fuel injection pump repair and diagnostic services of the Bosch diesel service network closer to customers in the North Western Province and surrounding regions. Using Bosch diagnostic equipment, genuine spare parts, and internationally recognized repair…
Union Bank reinforced its commitment to overseas Sri Lankan workers by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to promote the Ethera Diriya Housing Loans offering loans up to Rs. 10 million with repayment terms spanning up to 10 years to support migrant workers seamlessly convert their foreign…
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider, and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) conducted a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on responsible electronic waste management at the CEA Auditorium on 1 September 2026. The programme marked the first major on-ground awareness activation following the e-Kunu Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Dialog and the…
Sri Lankan food brand receives two honours just seven months after launching its digital platform Sri Lankan food and spice brand රස පදම® (Rasa Padhama) has secured two category-level honours at the BestWeb.LK 2026 Awards, receiving the Bronze Award for Best Food & Beverage Website 2026 and the Best Mobile User Experience 2026 award in…
First Capital Holdings PLC, a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group) and a pioneering force in Sri Lanka’s capital markets, has been recognised as one of the Great Workplaces for Young Talent in Sri Lanka for 2026 by Great Place To Work® Sri Lanka, reflecting its commitment to creating a workplace where young professionals can grow,…
In a city where the word ‘luxury’ is used more often than it is earned, The Seasons, situated in Colombo 08, sets out to demonstrate what the idea truly represents. Developed by Prime Lands Residencies PLC, the real leader in modern real estate, The Seasons is evolving into one of Colombo’s most considered addresses under…
TBWA\Sri Lanka has been named the No. 1 Industry Leader at the 2026 Dragons of Sri Lanka, securing seven awards across four campaigns — one Gold, two Silver, two Bronze and two Black Dragons. The achievement is particularly significant for the breadth of work behind the result. All seven recognitions come from four distinct campaigns…
The Geoffrey Bawa Moonamal Award has opened the call for applications for its inaugural Award cycle. Presented in partnership with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka, the Award invites individuals and organisations across the country to submit implemented projects that demonstrate how human needs can be met while enabling nature and ecosystems…
On 11 August 2026, the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), in collaboration with the Department of Tourism Management of the Sabaragamuwa University, successfully conducted a specialized MICE Training Programme at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. Held at the Faculty of Management Auditorium, the comprehensive session brought together undergraduate students pursuing degrees in Tourism Management and…
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Hambantota, Sri Lanka, August 2026: NYK’s Azalea Leader, a new-generation LNG dual-fuel Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), made its maiden call at Hambantota International Port (HIP) recently, marking another significant development in the port’s growing role as a regional automotive transhipment gateway. Built in 2026 and sailing under the Liberian flag, the nearly 200-metre…
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) recently unveiled a specially branded Airbus A321 Neo aircraft of Sri Lankan Airlines, liveried with the “Sri Lanka Expo 2027” brand identity, to promote Sri Lanka Expo 2027 – the country’s premier international exhibition. The Expo will comprehensively showcase Sri Lanka’s diverse export sectors, including agriculture, industrial manufacturing,…
Homegrown global leader in coconut shell-based activated carbon, Haycarb PLC, in partnership with the Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB), is expanding its coconut cultivation programme in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, supporting farming communities while strengthening the long-term resilience of the country’s coconut value chain. As a member of the Hayleys Group, Haycarb’s work with coconut farmers…
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen capital market cooperation between Sri Lanka and the UAE. The agreement aims to promote knowledge exchange, enhance, support collaboration across trading technologies and post-trading infrastructure, and explore opportunities to broaden enhanced cross-market access. Discussions…
Central Depository Systems (Pvt) Ltd (CDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), commemorated its 35th anniversary by ringing the market opening bell at the Colombo Stock Exchange last week, marking three and a half decades of supporting the growth and development of Sri Lanka’s capital market infrastructure. The ceremony brought together…
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath visited the United Arab Emirates from 2 to 3 September 2026. During the 02 – day visit, Minister Herath, together with the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, graced the Sri Lanka Day event, the second edition of “Sri Lanka…
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs focused its attention on a number of matters relating to ensuring public security, curbing illegal activities, and enhancing the efficiency of the police service. This was discussed when the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs met in Parliament on the 21st, under…
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) has released data showing a significant increase in foreign purchases following its targeted outreach efforts, demonstrating the impact of sustained engagement with international markets. According to the SEC’s performance “report card” from the Invest Sri Lanka Forum held in Singapore on August 12, 2025, foreign stock…
Analysis
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…
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…
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,…
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