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Sampath Bank PLC and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) have jointly launched Sri Lanka’s first real-time USD payment solution for the maritime industry, eliminating traditional manual payment processes and streamlining foreign currency transactions across the country’s shipping and logistics ecosystem. The initiative marks another industry-first innovation from Sampath Bank and a significant step forward…
Featured
Climbs from 7th to 5th in LMD Readers’ Choice 2026, marking a strong endorsement from consumers and growing consumer preference Janashakthi Life, a leading brand in the insurance industry and a flagship brand of JXG (Janashakthi Group), has entered the Top Five Most Loved Life Insurance Brands in Sri Lanka, rising from seventh to fifth…
New industry-led platform to support investment, infrastructure sharing and Sri Lanka’s digital future Recognizing that digital infrastructure is fundamental to economic growth, investment and national competitiveness, three Sri Lankan licensed telecommunications infrastructure service providers today launched the Sri Lanka Digital Infrastructure Forum (SLDIF), the country’s first industry platform established to advance telecommunications infrastructure development and…
The Students Visa has been recognised with the Navitas UK – New & Emerging Agent Award (Sri Lanka) 2025/26, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth as one of Sri Lanka’s emerging international education consultancies. Presented by Navitas UK through a Certificate of Appreciation at a ceremony held recently at Amari Colombo, the award…
Sri Lanka’s record-breaking javelin thrower, Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, was honoured by Uswatte Biscuits Pvt Ltd, his official sponsor, at a special felicitation ceremony held on 22 June 2026 at Vinro Reception Hall, Kennanthudawa. Hosted in Rumesh’s hometown, the event brought together family members, relatives, friends, neighbours, and members of the local community who have supported…
People’s Insurance PLC has once again reaffirmed its position as one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurers through a prestigious international accolade and the continued recognition of exceptional performance within its sales force. In a significant achievement, People’s Insurance was named Best General Insurance Company of the Year 2026 – Sri Lanka at The Global…
Barista, Sri Lanka’s largest café chain, has launched Tap Grab Go, a new mobile app designed to deliver a faster and more convenient takeaway experience for customers across the island. Built around the needs of today’s fast-paced lifestyles, the app allows customers to place orders in advance and collect them from their preferred Barista outlets…
DFCC Bank PLC has introduced a new value-added benefit for DFCC Garusaru Loan customers, enabling eligible pensioners to access concessionary loan rates while building savings for their children and grandchildren through linked DFCC Junior Savings Accounts. The enhanced proposition recognises the important role many grandparents continue to play in supporting their families, often balancing their…
Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Limited (SLICGL), the nation’s No.1 General Insurer, hosted its annual General Insurance Summit 2025 under the inspiring theme ‘Together We Rise.’ The premier event celebrated the achievements of top‑performing teams and individuals throughout the general insurance category, reiterating SLICGL’s commitment to recognising excellence, encouraging new ideas, and driving sustainable growth. …
Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC (SDF) delivered a strong financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026, recording significant growth in income, profitability, portfolio expansion, and asset quality while continuing its commitment to responsible and inclusive finance. For the financial year under review, SDF reported total income of LKR 6.42 billion, a year-on year increase…
Profit Before Taxes increased to Rs. 701.6 million from Rs. 481 million in the previous year Profit After Tax rose to Rs. 449 million, reflecting a 76% growth Total Assets surpassed Rs. 24.5 billion Customer Deposits increased to Rs. 11.68 billion Shareholders’ Funds strengthened to Rs. 4.43 billion Net Operating Income increased to Rs. 1.74…
Top News
The Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association (SLRA) successfully held its 9th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 23 June 2026 at Hilton Colombo Residencies, bringing together members of the country’s organized retail sector to review the Association’s achievements over the past year and outline its strategic priorities for the future. The AGM formally adopted the Annual Report…
New pharmaceutical manufacturing facility to be developed at BOI Horana aims to improve local access and availability of quality medicines Reinforces over three decades of Zydus’ commitment to Sri Lanka Strengthens Sunshine’s role in national healthcare and economic resilience Zydus Lifesciences, an innovation-driven global lifesciences company and Sunshine Healthcare today announced the setting up of…
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) officially opened its Gampaha Branch to the public this Tuesday (23rd June), further strengthening its countrywide presence. The inauguration of the branch was officiated by the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Senior Professor D.B.P.H Dissabandara, Director of the CSE Mr. Sujeewa Peiris, and CEO Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike,…
Reuters – Asian shares pulled back on Friday after a stellar quarter, as Apple’s hefty price hikes revealed the downside of booming chip demand, while the threat of Japanese intervention kept the yen from hitting 40-year lows. Oil prices fell toward their lowest in fourth months, with Brent crude futures down 1.9% to $73.9 a…
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $57.4 million financing package to help Sri Lanka expand access to affordable clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through rooftop solar aggregation and virtual net metering. The financing consists of a $35 million concessional loan, grants of $16.9 million from the European Union and $5.5 million…
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce announced the re-election of Chairperson Krishan Balendra and the election of its Board for the Year 2026/27 at the Chamber’s 187th Annual General Meeting on June 25. High Commissioner of Britain to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Andrew Patrick, attended as Chief Guest. The 2026/27 office-bearers are Chairperson Krishan Balendra, – Chairperson John Keells Holdings PLC,…
Central Depository Systems (Pvt) Ltd (CDS), a subsidiary of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), has announced new measures aimed at protecting dormant CDS accounts that have remained inactive for three years or more. The measure will involve a staggered suspension framework for dormant accounts which can be re-activated at any time quite easily by account…
Vietjet has opened bookings with special launch fares for its new Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City route, scheduled to commence on 18 August 2026. The service will be the first scheduled direct air connection between Sri Lanka and Vietnam, further strengthening tourism, business, and cultural ties between the two countries. To celebrate the new route, Vietjet…
Analysis
Sri Lanka has earned a prestigious spot in the 2026 global medical tourism landscape, ranking 49th among the world’s most sought-after healthcare destinations. The island nation is increasingly recognized for its sophisticated “integrated healthcare journeys,” which combine high-quality clinical procedures in fields like cardiology, oncology, and fertility treatment with world-renowned Ayurveda traditions. From the advanced…
Fitch Ratings: The formation of an El Niño weather phenomenon that is set to persist into early 2027 raises the risk of economic disruption in a range of sovereigns, says Fitch Ratings. Fitch is unlikely to link rating actions directly to El Niño unless the effects are clearly reflected in credit metrics, but related environmental…
By Professor Devaka Weerakoon, Department of Zoology and Environment Science, University of Colombo Sri Lanka’s decision to phase out oil palm cultivation has been shaped by perception rather than policy. At the center of the debate lies a powerful claim: that oil palm poses a significant threat to biodiversity and the environment. Scientific evidence however,…
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