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…
Sri Lanka’s external current account recorded a marginal surplus in March 2026, bringing the total cumulative surplus for the first quarter of the year to USD 531 million. Despite this overall positive balance, the period was marked by significant volatility driven by the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has simultaneously driven up fuel…
By Dilani Hirimuthugodage 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 a more resilient, value‑driven export economy. With Sri Lanka’s export…
The business barometer dips again following a brief surge as corporate optimism fades Unpredictable global politics, T20 World Cup fever, progress on the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), emerging health concerns and the not unusual political drama have dominated conversations in recent weeks. Sri Lanka recorded notable progress on the CPI by Transparency International (TI),…
By Dr Erandathie Pathiraja Sri Lanka’s energy insecurity is structural, rooted in climate‑volatile hydropower, fossil fuel dependence, and an ageing grid. Solar adoption has grown quickly, but grid saturation and high storage costs limit further gains. Low‑cost policy fixes such as storage support, shared microgrids, daytime use incentives, and smart meters can strengthen resilience in…
Guest Column by Dr. Beshan Kulapala, Co-Founder, Director & CEO of Volt Charge Sri Lanka Real-world charging data shows that EVs contribute far less to peak electricity demand than commonly assumed Even under higher simultaneous charging scenarios, EV-related demand remains within manageable levels With the right systems in place, EVs can support grid stability by…
Video Story
