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💵 Sri Lanka to Raise US$ 100 Mn via Domestic Dollar Bond Auction

Sri Lanka's public debt office is issuing dollar-denominated domestic bonds to absorb local foreign currency liquidity and bolster official reserves. • Key Auction Terms • Debt Auction Details: Sri Lanka's Treasury is issuing 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year fixed-rate dollar-denominated bonds to raise US$ 100 Mn from the local market. • Subscription & Terms: Bidding opens from Oct 19 to Oct 23, 2026. Interest rates will be set via competitive bidding, with a minimum investment threshold of US$ 10,000 (and in multiples of US$ 10,000). • Economic Context: The move leverages domestic foreign currency liquidity—including potential investments from exporters under updated regulations—to boost national foreign reserves and manage debt service needs.

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💵 Sri Lanka to Raise US$ 100 Mn via Domestic Dollar Bond Auction

Sri Lanka's public debt office is issuing dollar-denominated domestic bonds to absorb local foreign currency liquidity and bolster official reserves. • Key Auction Terms • Debt Auction Details: Sri Lanka's Treasury is issuing 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year fixed-rate dollar-denominated bonds to raise US$ 100 Mn from the local market. • Subscription & Terms: Bidding opens from Oct 19 to Oct 23, 2026. Interest rates will be set via competitive bidding, with a minimum investment threshold of US$ 10,000 (and in multiples of US$ 10,000). • Economic Context: The move leverages domestic foreign currency liquidity—including potential investments from exporters under updated regulations—to boost national foreign reserves and manage debt service needs.

Capital Markets & Investment
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Sri Lanka Rupee Closes Lower at 331.00/10 Against US Dollar; Bond Yields Steady 📉

• Forex & Exchange: • US Dollar: Spot rate closed weaker at 331.00/10 per USD on Tuesday, down from 330.90/331.00 on the previous day. • Government Securities & Bonds: • Bond yields were broadly steady across key maturities. • 01.08.2030: Closed at 11.30/35% (down from 11.30/37%). • 15.10.2030: Closed at 11.35/40% (down from 11.37/40%). • 01.02.2031: Closed flat at 11.42/47%. • 15.12.2032: Closed flat at 11.75/85%. • 15.10.2034: Closed at 12.12/18% (down from 12.15/20%). • Upcoming Liquidity: • Treasury bill auction scheduled for October 14, targeting LKR 90,000 Mn (Rs 90 Bn).

Capital Markets & Investment
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📈 CBSL Open Market Operations Summary - 13 Oct 2026

• Overnight Money Market: • Call Money: Total gross volume stood at Rs. 34,975 Mn (Net: Rs. 29,975 Mn) with a Weighted Average Rate (WAR) of 8.99% (Range: 8.95% - 9.02%). • Repo Market: Total volume reached Rs. 86,555 Mn with a WAR of 9.04% (Range: 9.00% - 9.07%). • Open Market Operations: • Overnight Repo Auction: Rs. 60,000 Mn offered; Bids received and accepted totaled Rs. 11,000 Mn. WAR recorded at 8.71% (Cut-off: 8.70% - 8.75%). • 7-Day Short Term Repo Auction: Rs. 20,000 Mn offered, but no bids were received/accepted (based on provisional data). • CBSL Standing Facilities: • Standing Deposit Facility: Rs. 104,982 Mn utilized. • Standing Lending Facility: Rs. 155 Mn utilized. • CBSL Treasury Holdings: • Face Value: Rs. 2.49 Tn (Rs. 2,492,619.35 Mn). • Book Value: Rs. 1.53 Tn (Rs. 1,530,310.39 Mn).

Banking & Financial Services
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Sri Lanka Stocks Dip Mid-Morning; Market Turnover Reaches Rs. 213.11 Mn 📈

• Market Indices Movement: The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) dipped marginally by 0.04% (-8.97 pts) to 20,251 after opening in green. Meanwhile, the liquid S&P SL20 rose 0.12% (+7.02 pts) to 5,790. Total turnover stood at Rs. 213.11 Mn. • Sector & Stock Drivers: • The Food, Beverage & Tobacco sector led turnover with Rs. 63.11 Mn. • Top gains: Ambeon Holdings (+5.18%), Hemas Holdings (+2.32%), and Ceylon Cold Stores (+1.71%). • Top declines: Colombo Dockyard (-1.71%), Overseas Realty (-0.99%), and Sri Lanka Telecom (-0.97%). • Corporate Updates: • Financials & Insurance: Softlogic Life Insurance plans to merge subsidiary Softlogic Life Insurance Lanka into the parent entity, pending Colombo District Court approval. • Tourism & Hospitality: Dinlanka Logistics acquired a 20 Mn share block (11.11% stake) in Ceylon Hotels Corporation PLC at Rs. 30.00/share on Oct 12. • Manufacturing & Exports: Dipped Products launched operations at its new Rs. 4.2 Bn facility in Katunayake EPZ to boost value-added glove production for export.

Capital Markets & Investment
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📈 IMF Warns of AI Slowdown, Spiking Bond Yields & Cyber Risks to Global Markets

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned in its latest Global Financial Stability Report against market complacency, identifying key near-term catalysts that could trigger systemic market disruptions: • AI Sector Vulnerabilities: A potential drop in AI profits or investment momentum could trigger asset price selloffs. Debt risks have grown, with hyperscalers accounting for 10% of global investment-grade bond issuance (up from <1% in 2024). • Rising Bond Yields & Debt Burdens: Escalating energy prices, high sovereign debt, and fiscal deficits threaten to spike government bond yields, increasing rollover costs for debt-reliant nations—a factor closely monitored by emerging economies navigating external debt sustainability. • Cybersecurity Threats: Over 70% of software vulnerabilities in 2026 were exploited before patches were available (up 20 percentage points YoY). A severe attack on key financial infrastructure risks market-wide disruption. • Global Banking Resilience: Stress tests indicate overall bank capital remains robust, though "pockets of weakness" expanded, with vulnerable assets rising to 22% of global banking assets (up from 18% in 2025). _Source: Based on provisional data from the IMF Global Financial Stability Report._

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📈 Sri Lanka Rupee Slightly Weaker at 330.90/331.00; Bond Yields Broadly Steady

• Foreign Exchange: The Sri Lankan rupee closed slightly weaker in the spot market on Monday at 330.90/331.00 against the US dollar, compared to 330.85/95 in the previous session. • Government Securities Market: Yields on Sri Lanka treasury bonds remained broadly stable across key maturities: • 01.08.2030 bond: closed at 11.30/37% (up from 11.30/35%) • 15.10.2030 bond: closed flat at 11.37/40% • 01.02.2031 bond: closed flat at 11.42/47% • 15.12.2032 bond: closed flat at 11.75/85% • 15.10.2034 bond: closed at 12.15/20% (up from 12.10/15%)

Capital Markets & Investment
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📈 Sri Lanka Bond Market Subdued Ahead of Rs. 100 Bn Auction; Yields Hold Steady

• Secondary Bond Market Overview: Yields remained broadly steady amid subdued trading activity ahead of today's Treasury Bond auctions. • Trading Rates: • 15.12.28 maturity: 10.67% • 15.10.30 maturity: 11.38% • 01.12.31 maturity: 11.60% • 15.10.34 maturity: Recovers to 12.15% (after peaking at 12.20%) • Upcoming Treasury Bond Auction: Rs. 100 Bn total offered across three maturities today: • 15.09.29 (11.00% coupon): Rs. 20 Bn • 01.12.31 (12.00% coupon): Rs. 30 Bn • 15.08.36 (10.85% coupon): Rs. 50 Bn • Settlement Date: 15 October 2026 • Previous Auction Recap: Full offered amount of Rs. 150 Bn raised with strong demand (2.58x bid-to-acceptance ratio). Weighted average yields: 01.08.30 at 10.83%, 15.10.34 at 11.96%, and 01.07.37 at 12.08%. • Money Market Liquidity: • Net liquidity surplus stood at Rs. 168.96 Bn. • Central Bank SDF deposits: Rs. 94.27 Bn (8.25%); SLF withdrawals: Rs. 0.32 Bn (9.25%). • Liquidity absorbed via overnight repo: Rs. 60 Bn (8.72%) and 7-day term repo: Rs. 15 Bn (8.75%). • Call money rate: 8.98% | Repo rate: 9.04%. • Forex Market: Spot USD/LKR closed slightly weaker at Rs. 330.95/331.00 (vs. previous Rs. 330.85/330.95). Total traded volume stood at US$ 71.60 Mn.

Capital Markets & Investment
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📉 CSE Opens Week in Red Down 0.28% Amid Mixed Sentiment

• Overall Bourse: The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) started the week on a soft note amid mixed investor sentiment. - ASPI: Down 0.28% (-56.85 points) to 20,260.06 (152 counters declined vs 56 advanced). - S&P SL20: Down 0.10% (-5.72 points) to 5,783.03. • Market Activity & Foreign Flows: - Turnover: Stood at nearly Rs. 1.2 Bn on volume exceeding 46.5 Mn shares traded. - Foreign Sentiment: Net buyers with a modest inflow of Rs. 7.2 Mn. - Key Drivers: High-net-worth (HNW) investors drove turnover, supported by an off-board transaction in CHOT accounting for 50.3% of total turnover. Retail interest remained moderate. • Sector Breakdown & Drag: - Consumer Services: Led market turnover contributing 51%, followed by capital goods and materials sectors collectively accounting for 20%. - Key ASPI Drag: Declines in HHL, CIC, CTHR, SEMB, and LOLC weighed down the main index.

Capital Markets & Investment
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📈 Sri Lanka Stocks Trend Marginally Up as ASPI Gains 0.10%

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) moved up on Monday, with key indices showing modest gains supported by positive trading in core holdings. • Overall Market Performance: • Benchmark ASPI gained 0.10% (20.11 points) to reach 20,337.02. • S&P SL20 rose 0.36% (20.95 points) to settle at 5,809.70. • Total market turnover stood at LKR 54.93 Mn. • Sector & Corporate Highlights: • Capital goods sector led market turnover, contributing LKR 25.77 Mn. • Top positive contributors: SMB Finance (up 10.00% to LKR 1.10), Vidullanka (up 3.26% to LKR 22.20), diversified conglomerate John Keells Holdings (up 2.17% to LKR 18.80), LOLC Holdings (up 1.08% to LKR 419.75), and Dialog Axiata (up 0.90% to LKR 44.90). • Top negative contributors: John Keells Hotels (down 3.21% to LKR 15.10), Hemas Holdings (down 1.96% to LKR 30.00), Prime Lands Residencies (down 1.91% to LKR 35.90), and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (down 0.20% to LKR 50.90). • Corporate Announcement: Lion Brewery declared a first interim dividend of LKR 40.30 per share for FY2026/27, totaling LKR 3.224 Bn, with the entitlement date set for October 21, 2026.

Capital Markets & Investment
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📉 Sri Lanka Stocks Start Week Lower as ASPI Drops 0.28%

• Market Indices & Overview: The Colombo Stock Exchange ended down on Monday in a relatively flat day of trading. The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) shed 56.85 points (-0.28%) to close at 20,260.06. The liquid S&P SL20 index slipped 5.72 points (-0.10%) to end at 5,783.03. • Top Stock Contributors: • Gainers: Carson Cumberbatch (+1.89% to Rs. 689.00), Lion Brewery (+1.65% to Rs. 1,829.75), Overseas Realty (+0.80% to Rs. 50.40), and Hatton National Bank (+0.26% to Rs. 380.00). • Decliners: Cargills (-2.62% to Rs. 651.25), Hemas Holdings (-1.31% to Rs. 30.20), LOLC Holdings (-1.26% to Rs. 410.00), and Vallibel One (-1.26% to Rs. 85.90). • Turnover & Key Deals: Total market turnover stood at Rs. 1.19 Bn, with the consumer services sector taking the lead at Rs. 608.02 Mn. Trading volume was primarily bolstered by crossings, including a major Rs. 600 Mn crossing in Ceylon Hotels Corporation (CHOT.N) alongside transactions in CIC Holdings.

Capital Markets & Investment
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🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Market Update: Rupee Firm, Bond Yields Mixed & Stocks Gain 📈

• Foreign Exchange & Rates: The Sri Lanka rupee traded slightly firmer in the spot market at 330.80/331.00 against the US dollar on Monday morning, compared to 330.85/95 on the previous day. • USD TT Rates: Buying at 326.40 | Selling at 335.40 • EUR TT Rates: Buying at 363.43 | Selling at 377.21 • GBP TT Rates: Buying at 431.34 | Selling at 445.44 • Government Securities: Treasury bond yields remained broadly steady across key maturities: • 2028 Bonds: 01.07.2028 at 10.45/60% (up from 10.40/55%); 15.12.2028 at 10.60/70% (up from 10.65/70%). • 2029–2031 Bonds: 15.09.2029 flat at 10.80/11.00%; 01.08.2030 up to 11.30/37%; 01.02.2031 up to 11.40/48%. • Long-Term Bonds: 15.12.2032 down to 11.75/80%; 15.10.2034 down to 12.08/15%. • Equities Market: The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) opened in positive territory: • ASPI: Up +0.13% (+25.71 pts) to 20,342 • S&P SL20: Up +0.31% (+18.07 pts) to 5,806

Capital Markets & Investment
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📈 Money Market Liquidity Nears Rs. 400 Bn Mark to Hit 7-Month High

• Money Market & Liquidity: Surplus liquidity reached Rs. 399.14 Bn for the week ending Oct 9, 2026—its highest since mid-March 2026—up from Rs. 360.11 Bn the previous week. Weighted average rates for Call Money and Repo stood at 8.99% and 9.04%. • Government Securities & Foreign Inflows: Foreign holdings in rupee Treasuries posted a net inflow of Rs. 3.24 Bn (+1.60% WoW) for the week ended Oct 8, bringing total foreign holdings to Rs. 202 Bn. • T-Bill Auction Results: Public Debt Management Office (PDMO📈 Money Market Liquidity Hits Over 7-Month High; Treasuries Foreign Holdings Rise • Money Market Liquidity: Surplus liquidity expanded to Rs. 399.14 Bn for the week ending 9 Oct 2026 (up from Rs. 360.11 Bn prior), reaching its highest level since mid-March 2026. Weighted average Call Money and Repo rates settled at 8.99% and 9.04% respectively. • Government Securities & T-Bills: • T-Bill Auction: The Public Debt Management Office raised the full Rs. 80 Bn offered (total aggregate raised reached Rs. 88 Bn including Phase II). Weighted yields on 91-day and 182-day tenors edged up slightly to 9.26% (+1 bps) and 9.44% (+3 bps), while the 364-day rate held steady at 9.95%. • Secondary Bond Market: Yields moved steady to moderately higher across selected maturities in range-bound trading (e.g., 15.10.28 traded up to 10.65%; 15.10.34 traded up to 12.12%). • Foreign Inflows & Currency: • Foreign Holdings: Foreign investment in rupee treasuries recorded a net inflow of Rs. 3.24 Bn (+1.60% Wo0W), bringing total foreign holdings to Rs. 202 Bn. • Foreign Exchange: The Sri Lankan Rupee (USD/LKR) depreciated marginally to close at Rs. 330.85/330.95 (vs. Rs. 330.59/330.64 previous week). Average daily USD/LKR traded volume stood at US$ 54.48 Mn over the first four trading days.

Capital Markets & Investment
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Regulatory & Policy News

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Sri Lanka Secures US$ 100 Mn ADB Loan for Water Sector Reforms 📈

• Funding Structure & Breakdown - Total approved loan: US$ 100 Mn from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). - US$ 50 Mn: Policy-based loan. - US$ 50 Mn: Concessional ordinary capital resources. - Part of a broader US$ 620 Mn total ADB loan package financing national economic reforms. • Program Focus & National Impact - Target initiative: Water Supply and Sanitation Reform Program – Sub-program 2. - Addressing operational and financial inefficiencies, climate risk exposure, and water resource management weaknesses. - Improves stakeholder coordination and social inclusion across key public services.

Energy & Utilities
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📈 Sri Lanka President Outlines Reforms to Accelerate Capital Investment Spending

Sri Lanka is overhauling its public procurement and budget timelines to address deep-rooted structural delays in executing state-funded capital investment projects. • Capital Expenditure Deficit • Execution shortfall: Only ~30% (Rs. 385 Bn) of the Rs. 1,380 Bn capital budget spent in the first 9 months of 2026. • 2027 Expansion: Budget plans to raise public capital expenditure to ~Rs. 2,000 Bn (US$ ~6.6 Bn). • Key Procurement & Administrative Reforms • Procurement Modernization: Redesigning rigid rules to create domain-specific e-procurement protocols for complex software, defense repairs, and commercial operations (e.g., SriLankan Airlines). • Timeline Realignment: Treasury will provide advance funding assurances to agencies (e.g., Road Development Authority for Kurunegala–Galewela expressway) to tender and evaluate bids before formal budget passage, allowing instant deployment in January. • Talent Acquisition: Offering specialized, competitive compensation packages outside standard civil service salary scales to recruit high-caliber engineers and ICT/BPM specialists, expanding on the GovTech model. • Economic Implications • Unlocking delayed public investment in infrastructure, power grids, and digital networks is vital to boosting productivity, preventing GDP drag, and maintaining investor confidence in a post-default macroeconomic environment.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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Sri Lanka Holds Tier 2 Ranking in US Trafficking Report for 5th Year 📈

• Overall Status: Sri Lanka retained its Tier 2 status in the US Department of State's 2026 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for the fifth consecutive year. Tier 2 applies to countries making significant efforts despite not fully meeting minimum US elimination standards. • National Policy Action: Key progress was driven by launching the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking 2026-2030, establishing a five-year framework under the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) chaired by the Defence Secretary. • Local & Sectoral Frameworks: • District Anti-Trafficking Forums: Expanded across districts to link local authorities and law enforcement for early victim identification and referral. • Capacity & Partner Initiatives: Expanded training for frontline officers alongside inter-agency and international cooperation. • Emerging Threats: Targeted focus on technology-facilitated recruitment, online exploitation, and forced involvement in cyber-criminality. • Economic Context: Maintaining Tier 2 status supports compliance in key export-oriented foreign exchange sectors—such as foreign employment & migrant labor, apparel & textiles, and hospitality & tourism—safeguarding trade access and foreign remittance flows.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📈 Sri Lanka Retains $15 Bn Digital Economy Target for 2030 Despite AI Risks

Government reaffirms its ambitious goal to build a $15 Bn digital economy—including $5 Bn in digital exports—by 2030, despite AI disruption threatening traditional ICT/BPM service exports. • Export & Talent Strategy: • Aims to pivot from cheap back-office services to products, IP, and Global Capability Centres (GCCs). • BOI to introduce a capital mobility facility enabling local startups receiving FDI to expand overseas. • Virtual Special Economic Zones and global mobility policies to retain talent and IP locally. • Digital & Data Infrastructure: • Plans to expand local data centre capacity from ~5 MW to 25 MW in the short term, inviting private sector FDI. • Targets 100% broadband coverage by 2028 supported by 5G and a viability gap financing scheme. • Government & Citizen Services: • Limited rollout of Digital ID expected late 2026 / early 2027; full population coverage targeted within 18 months post-grant. • Over 350 institutions connected to GovPay, targeting 2,000 within 6–12 months. • Digital Economy Sandbox to open publicly within a month; Digital Economy Bill and Authority setup underway.

Technology & Digital Services
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📈 BOI Plans Hambantota Zone Expansion & New Incentive Scheme

The Board of Investment (BOI) is preparing a new incentive scheme and expanding the investment zone at Hambantota Port, prioritizing clean energy, EV production, and vehicle parts, BOI Board Member Vish Govindasamy announced at SLEIS 2026. • Key Operational & Policy Initiatives: • New Incentive Scheme: Drafting updated incentives to attract future foreign direct investment (FDI) while prioritizing reinvestments from existing flagship investors. • National Land Database: BOI now holds a digitized master database identifying land availability and ownership across state agencies to streamline site allocation. • Zone Expansion: Developing 3 new zones in the Northern Province under BOT models. Currently, 278 active companies across 17 BOI zones account for ~$3 Bn in exports. • Growth Constraints & Reforms: • Policy Inconsistency: Cited overnight regulatory shifts as a primary barrier to long-term FDI; advocates guaranteed policy stability over 3–10 year horizons. • Labour & Bureaucracy: Stressed urgent labor law reform to improve regional competitiveness and highlighted efforts to streamline one-stop inter-agency approvals across 30–40 state entities. • Market Context & Market Access: • Maintains 100% foreign ownership in most sectors and 100% profit repatriation with MIGA coverage and 46 double-taxation relief agreements. • Trade agreements with India, Pakistan, and Singapore provide export access to ~2 Bn regional consumers, with BOI strongly prioritizing export-oriented projects.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📈 Govt. Launches National Export Plan to Boost Growth & FDI: EDB

The Government of Sri Lanka is positioning exports at the core of its economic strategy, backing the newly approved National Export Development Plan with promised policy consistency, expanded trade deals, and exporter incentives, according to EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe. • Key Plan Framework & Targets - Alignment: Aligns 32 State institutions across 130 action plans over an 8-month design process. - Growth Projection: Overall exports projected to grow 6–7% this year (historically steady at 5–6%). - Trade Agreements: Exploring entry into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) alongside expanded bilateral trade deals. - Market Diversification: Maintaining core markets in the US and EU (~50% share) while penetrating Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. - Upcoming Event: Sri Lanka Expo 2027 (Jan 14–17, 2027) targeting 1,500+ foreign buyers (900+ registered). • Sector & Industry Performance - Apparel & Textiles: Accounts for 30–32% of total exports, built on ethical manufacturing standards. - Electrical & Electronics: Expanding rapidly at 20–30% annually; surged by over +30% in the first 8 months of this year. - ICT/BPM: Employs over 150,000 professionals, maintaining steady annual growth of 10–15%. - Agriculture & Heritage: Premium demand for Ceylon tea, Ceylon cinnamon, coconut, spices, and organic products. • Investment & FDI Strategy - Shift toward high-value, tech-driven, branded products and knowledge services over bulk commodities. - Prioritizing foreign investment in auto components, minerals (graphite/mineral sands), rubber, marine services, pharmaceuticals, and food processing.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📈 Sri Lanka Opens "ViYASA" National Business Facilitation Centre

• Key Objective: The National Business Facilitation Centre (NBFC) was officially opened under the Presidential Secretariat to streamline regulatory processes and eliminate administrative bottlenecks impacting corporate investments and industrial ops. • Strategic Context: Establishes a centralized mechanism to fast-track inter-agency approvals, support foreign investment flow, and build long-term economic resilience for vital sectors, including manufacturing, export services, and ICT/BPM.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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24.9% of Sri Lanka Financial Credit Bound to Vehicles & Gold: CBSL 📈

Nearly one in four rupees lent by domestic banks and finance companies is now secured against motor vehicles or gold, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) warned in its Financial Stability Review 2026, citing collateral valuation risks. • Credit Share Growth: Combined share of motor vehicle credit and gold-backed lending rose to 24.9% of total credit by end-June 2026 (up from 19.6% at end-2024). • Sector Breakdown: • Motor Vehicles: Rose to 12.9% of total loans (up from 9.8%) as import easing in early 2025 unleashed pent-up demand. • Gold-Backed Lending: Climbed to 12.0% (up from 9.8%). Bank pawning facilities alone surged 49.2% YoY. • Macro & Credit Trends: Overall credit growth accelerated from 14.0% in June 2025 to a peak of 27.9% in March 2026, before easing to 26.4% in June 2026. • Key Risk Factor: Global gold prices dropped ~18% from ~US$ 1,393/sovereign (Jan 2026) to ~US$ 1,141/sovereign (Aug 2026), threatening asset quality and collateral values. • CBSL Policy Controls: • Lowered vehicle LTV limits: Capped at 60% for new commercial and used vehicles, and 40% for other new vehicles. • Max 70% LTV on gold-backed lending imposed in May 2026, followed by higher capital risk weights in September. • Finance company credit growth decelerated to 45.0% in Q2 2026 (down from 52.4% in Q1).

Banking & Financial Services
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📈 Govt Revenue From Legal Cigarette Trade Hits 6x CTC Profit

Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC) is calling for balanced taxation and stronger anti-smuggling enforcement, noting high price differentials are driving consumers toward illicit alternatives and shrinking state revenues. • Fiscal Highlights & Returns: • CTC contributed Rs. 173.8 Bn to Govt revenue in 2025 (~4% of total state revenue), up 8% YoY from Rs. 161 Bn in 2024 and up Rs. 63 Bn since 2021. • Total 2025 tax contribution was nearly 6x CTC’s PAT of ~Rs. 29 Bn. • Corporate Income Tax (45%) accounted for ~Rs. 25 Bn in 2025; total tax incidence on legal cigarettes exceeds 80% of retail price. • Market Breakdown & Illicit Trade Surge: • Total combustible tobacco market: ~9 Bn sticks. • Legal cigarettes: ~1.92 Bn sticks (~20% of total tobacco consumption, down from ~3 Bn in 2022). • Illicit cigarettes: 500 Mn sticks (~5.5%). • Beedis: 6.5 Bn sticks (~73% of market). • Policy Warnings: • High price/tax gaps incentivize smugglers and shift consumers to non-taxed or lower-taxed products. • BAT executives emphasize that moderate, transparent, and predictable fiscal policies—paired with enforcement—are crucial to protect long-term public revenue and local GDP contributions.

Food, Beverage & Consumer Goods
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Sri Lanka Shapes Virtual Asset Rules Ahead of Global AML Peer Review 📈

Sri Lanka is finalizing draft legislation to regulate virtual assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) as it prepares for its third Mutual Evaluation on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT). • Regulatory Framework & Authority: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will lead the regulation of virtual assets, trading platforms, and custodians. Cabinet approved the policy framework on July 27, establishing clear operational boundaries between the SEC and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). • Asset Scope & Utility: Virtual assets will be treated strictly as investment assets and will not be permitted as legal tender. Domestic payment uses will be restricted during the initial phase, which focuses on licensed crypto exchanges and custodians. • Implementation Roadmap: The VASP concept paper was submitted to the Legal Draftsman's Department on September 24 to amend the SEC Act. GovTech Sri Lanka and the Legal Draftsman’s Department are implementing an AI-assisted legislative drafting pilot under human and legal oversight. Parallel steps include establishing licensing schemes, AML controls, and reporting systems.

Banking & Financial Services
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📈 FCCISL and Department of Commerce Partner to Drive $36 Bn Export Target

The Department of Commerce and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) held a high-level consultation to strengthen public-private collaboration, aiming to achieve US$ 36 Bn in annual export earnings by 2030. • Key International Trade Highlights: • Preferential Market Access: Preferential trade schemes supported 41.35% of Sri Lanka's total exports in 2025, led by the EU GSP scheme. • EU Regulatory Preparedness: Exporters were advised to build technical and infrastructure capacity to lower MOAH levels in food products & packaging ahead of strict EU standards taking effect in January 2027. • US Market Compliance: Discussions focused on tariff adjustments and preventing trade circumvention by enforcing stricter origin verification and due diligence for Certificates of Origin. • China Market Expansion: Sri Lanka is exploring a proposal with Yunnan Province featuring 2,000 sq. meters of free bonded-warehouse/exhibition space, free e-commerce access, and expedited customs clearance for fresh/perishable exports. • Strategic Directions: • Public-private alignment with overseas Commercial Officers to support chamber trade activities through 2027. • Regional chamber preparation to ensure district-level Sri Lankan businesses meet global compliance standards.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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🏛️ Govt. Sets Two-Week Deadline to Revise Prison Rules for Buddhist Monks

• Overview: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed a special committee to propose amendments to the Prisons Ordinance of 1877 within two weeks to update procedures governing imprisoned Buddhist monks, following discussions with the Maha Sangha. • Committee Details: A 5-member panel chaired by Buddhasasana Ministry Secretary Prince Senadheera—including officials from Justice, Public Administration, Buddhist Affairs, and Prisons—held its first meeting on Oct 9 under policy guidance from Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara. • Key Proposals: • Maha Sangha Recommendations: Notify the relevant Nikaya/Chapter when a monk receives a sentence exceeding 3 years. • Robes Provision: Permit monks to be taken outside prison wearing their robes, subject to the relevant Nikaya's approval to maintain transparency and prevent abuse. • Legal Position: President Dissanayake rejected issuing individual orders overriding existing law, emphasizing that formal regulatory amendments must address religious and social sensitivities within a structured legal framework.

Other
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Product & Service Launches / Business Expansions

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Sri Lanka Approves Rs 5.43 Bn Project to Establish Center for Disease Control 📈

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has approved a Rs 5.43 Bn (Rs 5,431 Mn) initiative under the _Integrated One Health Pandemic Preparedness and Response Strengthening Project_ to set up a dedicated Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and upgrade public health infrastructure. • Funding Structure: - Pandemic Fund Grant: Rs 4.785 Bn - GOSL Contribution: Rs 646 Mn - ADB: Expected to fund the CDC’s physical establishment • Key Highlights & Infrastructure Upgrades: - Sri Lanka CDC: Construction of a standalone 7,200 sq. meter facility on Ministry of Health land in Mulleriyawa. - Lab & Storage Expansion: Modernization of 5 pharmaceutical warehouses, upgrading the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) laboratory, and enhancing physical infrastructure at the Medical Research Institute (MRI) National Public Health Reference Laboratory. - Covers 35 identified activities under an action plan running from 2026 to March 31, 2028. • National Context: While Sri Lanka maintains a routine vaccination coverage exceeding 95%, COVID-19 and zoonotic threats highlighted gaps across human and animal health response mechanisms. The standalone facility aims to strengthen overall national health security, disease surveillance, and systemic pandemic resilience.

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
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📈 SLT-MOBITEL Launches 'SMART AI' – South Asia's First Token Credit-Based AI Platform

SLT-MOBITEL has officially launched SMART AI, South Asia's first token credit-based artificial intelligence platform. The initiative aims to democratise advanced AI technology for everyday Sri Lankans by replacing expensive recurring global subscriptions with an affordable, flexible pay-as-you-go credit model. • Platform Pricing & Access: - 10,000 token credits available for Rs. 749. - 1,000 free token credits awarded to new users upon registration. - Integrates a tailored Sinhala and Tamil interface to drive localized adoption across multi-lingual communities. • Strategic Economic Context: - Expands access across Sri Lanka's ICT/BPM and digital creation ecosystem, targeting students, creators, entrepreneurs, and enterprises. - Leverages national connectivity infrastructure to reduce financial and technical entry barriers, driving inclusive digital economy growth.

Telecommunications & Media
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🏢 Prime Group Commences Construction of "The Elizabeth" Ultra-Luxury Project in Colombo 07 📈

Prime Lands Residencies PLC, the condominium arm of Prime Group and the largest real estate firm listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, has officially broken ground on its ultra-luxury development, The Elizabeth, located on Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07. • Project Overview & Scale: Location & Extent: Prime location in Colombo 07 spanning nearly 1 acre of land. Units & Configurations: Approximately 200 residences offering 2, 3, and 4-bedroom layouts. Pricing: Starts from LKR 129,750,000 upwards. • Piling & Key Partners: Foundation piling works awarded to Access Engineering PLC. • Developer Track Record: Over 30 years of operations with 45 completed apartment projects and more than 50 developments across Colombo and suburbs.

Construction & Real Estate
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🇱🇰 Sri Lanka-Developed PACCP-X Pest Framework Secures UK IP Rights & Expands Globally

Entrepreneur Marlon Ferreira (Founder & MD of Exterminators PLC) has secured UK trademark registration (No. UK00004413460) via the UK Intellectual Property Office for the Sri Lankan-invented PACCP-X pest risk management framework. • Global & Regional Reach: Launched in the UK, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives (via Sentario UK Limited in technical collaboration with Exterminators PLC for resort pest-risk management). Licensing and training opportunities are now open for eligible international markets. • Domestic Economic Impact: Strengthens standard operating procedures and risk management across key Sri Lankan export and service drivers, specifically the tourism & hospitality and food industry sectors. • Framework Scope: Features 7 core pillars (Pest Intelligence, Root Cause Analysis, Critical Containment, Control Optimisation, Preventive Control Points, Predictive Analytics, and Continuous Learning) offering Level 1 certification workshops. • Promotional Offer: Free point-based pest risk assessment reports are being offered to food businesses and hotels during October 2026 via hello@exterminators.lk.

Professional & Business Services
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📱 Dialog Finance & Softlogic Retail Partner for Smart Device Financing

Dialog Finance PLC has partnered with Softlogic Retail to expand access to affordable smart device financing across Sri Lanka through its digital platform, Lesi Pay. • Strategic Partnership Overview • Combines Dialog Finance’s digital financing capabilities with Softlogic’s nationwide retail network (including Softlogic Max showrooms). • Designed to boost digital inclusion by reducing the upfront financial burden of purchasing essential smart devices. • Key Lesi Pay Financing Details • Flexible Terms: Up to 18-month repayment plans with minimum upfront payments. • No Credit Card or Guarantor: Accessible financing without requiring traditional collateral or guarantors. • Paperless Process: Fully digital eligibility verification via the Dialog Pay app with minimal documentation. • In-Store & Digital Integration • Customers complete eligibility checks on the Dialog Pay app and pick up devices at participating Soft • Strategic Partnership: Dialog Finance PLC and Softlogic Retail have partnered to offer fully digital smart device financing via Lesi Pay across Softlogic's islandwide retail network (including Softlogic Max). • Financing Terms: Eligible customers can access smartphone & digital device financing with a minimal upfront payment and flexible repayment plans up to 18 months—no credit card or guarantor required. • Digital Process: Uses a paperless, minimal-documentation application process initiated via the Dialog Pay app, combined with in-store fulfillment at Softlogic showrooms. • National Context: Aims to lower the financial entry barrier for device ownership, boosting digital inclusion and supporting Sri Lanka's growing digital economy, ICT/BPM, digital finance, and remote education access.

Banking & Financial Services
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📈 SLT-MOBITEL Partners with 36 Tech Firms to Boost Sri Lanka's Micro Business Ecosystem

• Partnership Overview: National ICT provider SLT-MOBITEL onboarded 12 new Solution Partners and 24 Tech-Lead Partners to deliver tailored ICT/BPM and digital solutions for Sri Lanka's micro-enterprises. • Key Collaborations: Major industry players joining the ecosystem include Metropolitan Technologies, Hayleys Fentons, KBSL Information Technologies, and Siyol International. • Crowdsourcing Model: The inclusion of 24 Tech-Lead Partners leverages a collaborative tech-professional network to accelerate digital adoption and ensure faster service delivery. • Impact on Micro Enterprises: • Offers one-stop access combining connectivity, hardware, and specialized business software. • Delivers affordable, scalable tools aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, cybersecurity, and customer engagement. • Provides expert technology consultancy to help small entrepreneurs navigate digital transformation and drive national economic growth.

Telecommunications & Media
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💊 AMPTECH Sri Lanka 2026 launched to boost domestic pharma manufacturing and lab infrastructure

Exhiconect Media officially launched the flagship AMPTECH Sri Lanka 2026 – Pharma & Lab Expo during a Networking & Business Meet at The Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo. The initiative aims to enhance local self-reliance and reduce reliance on finished drug imports through B2B technology transfer. • Key Event Details • Main Expo: 18–20 December 2026 at BMICH, Colombo. • Organizer: Exhiconect Media Private Limited. • Theme: "Connect | Collaborate | Grow - Bringing Global Pharma & Laboratory Solutions to Sri Lanka". • Exhibition Sectors & Focus Areas • Pharmaceutical manufacturing machinery & automation: Processing, formulation, and cleanroom technologies. • Laboratory & analytical instruments: Testing equipment, specialized chemicals, and R&D solutions. • Packaging & processing technology: Specialized packaging materials and machinery. • Raw materials & bulk chemicals: High-grade lab chemicals and bulk active ingredients. • Partnerships & Sponsorships • Official Sponsor: MSB Chemical Limited ("House of Ethanol"). • Logistics Partner: Logipharma. • Supporting Partners: Point Five Events, SMAU International Industry & Trade Chambers, and SHEA.

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
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🇱🇰 Yaden Laboratories Historic Debut at CPHI Europe 2026 📈

Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturer Yaden Laboratories Ltd. became the first local producer to exhibit at CPHI Europe 2026 in Milan, Italy (6–8 October), marking a landmark step for the nation's export capabilities. • Key Highlights & Scale: • Showcased alongside 2,900+ global exhibitors and 62,000+ industry professionals from over 166 countries. • Features advanced capabilities in sterile injectable pharmaceutical manufacturing. • Strategic & Economic Impact: • Supports Sri Lanka’s transition from an import-dependent market to a global pharmaceutical exporter. • Aims to save foreign exchange, enhance local access to quality medicines, and drive high-value export earnings. • Strengthens national efforts in economic diversification, skilled employment creation, and foreign investment attraction.

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
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📈 Dipped Products PLC Opens Rs. 4.2 Bn Glove Plant in Katunayake EPZ

• Key Highlights: Hayleys Group subsidiary Dipped Products PLC (DPL) commenced operations at its new manufacturing plant in the Katunayake Export Processing Zone on 8 October 2026, following a Rs. 4.2 Bn investment. • Strategic Value & Impact: The facility expands DPL’s production capacity for value-added export gloves, aiming to enhance foreign exchange earnings and strengthen Sri Lanka’s position in high-value rubber exports. • Operational Scale: DPL operates 5 manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka and 2 in Thailand, alongside dedicated distribution hubs across Italy, France, Poland, India, and the Middle East. • Employment: DPL employs a total workforce exceeding 18,207 personnel across its manufacturing and plantation divisions.

Manufacturing & Industrials
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Indra Traders Expands FOTON Service Infrastructure in Ja-Ela 📈

• Key Highlights & Investment: - Sole agent Indra Traders opened a dedicated FOTON Service Center in Ja-Ela, tailored for large vehicles over 12 meters. - Backed by over LKR 200 Mn in stocked spare parts to enhance maintenance reliability and minimize fleet downtime. - Planned expansion includes a new sales center opening in Kelaniya. • Fleet & Sector Footprint: - Supports Sri Lanka's growing commercial vehicles segment, including 114 FOTON Metro buses supplied to the public transport sector. - Serves small trucks (e.g., Foton Double) to heavy commercial fleets. • Partnership Milestones: - Capitalizes on a nearly 20-year partnership between Indra Traders and Foton Motors of China (est. 2006, vehicles introduced in 2008).

Transport, Logistics & Infrastructure
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🎬 'Teardrop Nation' Documentary Series Launched to Explore Sri Lanka's Post-Independence History

• Overview & Launch: 'Teardrop Nation,' a 4-part documentary series covering Sri Lanka’s political and conflict history from independence to 2009, was formally premiered at Scope Cinemas, Colombo City Centre on 8 October. Bimal Rathnayake attended as Chief Guest. • Production Details: Developed over 6 years by Project 72, the initiative was led by Project Director Sarah Kabir, alongside Research Lead/Archival Producer Ramla Wahab-Salman and Associate Director Kris Thomas. • Key Episode Structure: • Episode 1: Foundations of Conflict (1930s–1970s) • Episode 2: The Trigger (1970s–1980s) • Episode 3: Battle for Peace (1980s–late 1990s) • Episode 4: War in Paradise (1990s–2009) • Objectives: Designed as an educational resource to engage younger generations, promote reconciliation, and foster public discussion on social, political, and ethnic drivers of historical conflict to support non-recurrence.

Telecommunications & Media
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🚗 BYD Launches RACCO Electric KEI Car in Sri Lanka

BYD and authorized distributor John Keells CG Auto have officially introduced the BYD RACCO to Sri Lanka, marking the model's first market release outside Japan following its July debut. • Market Entry & Scale: Sri Lanka becomes the second country globally to receive the RACCO electric KEI car. The model was unveiled simultaneously across Colombo, Kandy, and Galle, and is now available across a 10-city islandwide showroom network including Kurunegala, Rathnapura, Moratuwa, Negombo, Batticaloa, Ampara, and Jaffna. • Performance & Specs: Built to meet Japan's strict KEI car standards for safety and space efficiency, RACCO has recorded over 1,500 unit sales in Japan since its launch. • Economic & Industry Relevance: Positioned as a versatile family and small-business vehicle, the introduction of an affordable electric KEI car targets cost-effective daily transport and expands adoption in Sri Lanka's automotive and emerging New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sector.

Manufacturing & Industrials
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Politics & Government Impact

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📈 2027 Budget to Heavily Focus on Rural Empowerment, Says President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced at the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026 that the upcoming 2027 budget will focus on long-term rural economic empowerment to address entrenched poverty. • Rural Economic Context: Rural poverty accounts for ~80% of Sri Lanka's poor, driven by structural constraints, low productivity, land fragmentation, and limited market access. • Key Initiatives & Financial Highlights: • Collateral-Free Lending: Successfully channeled nearly LKR 18 Bn so far to address capital shortages for rural entrepreneurs without financial assets. • Infrastructure Investment: Treasury revenue will fund rural roads, high-speed digital networks, and the rehabilitation of minor tanks and irrigation canals to link rural production with urban centers. • Strategic Focus Areas: • Transitioning rural smallholder agriculture from subsistence-based survival toward modern tech integration, climate resilience, and cold-storage access. • Diversifying economic opportunities beyond traditional smallholder agriculture, marine & inland fisheries, and micro-retail village boutiques.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📜 Urgent Parliamentary Committee Review Sought Over Clergy Prison Attire Rules

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has requested the immediate convening of the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection to examine regulations regarding the attire of Buddhist monks and clergy of other religions in prison custody. • Key Issues Raised: • Concerns surround the implementation of the Department of Prisons’ Standing Order No. 550, following controversy over attire worn by clergy while serving sentences and during transfers outside prison premises. • Failure to promptly address the matter has led to public distress over this sensitive issue. • Proposed Actions: • Convene the Sectoral Oversight Committee without delay to review existing regulations and propose necessary amendments. • Summon representatives from key state institutions, including the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Department of Prisons, and the Attorney General’s Department. • Opposition Leader seeking permission to attend and present resolution proposals to address the matter.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📈 Public Appeal: Trade Unions & Civil Society Urged to Guard Democratic Rights

• Overview & Governance: A public appeal highlights serious concerns over evolving legislation and administrative directives in Sri Lanka. It emphasizes that democratic accountability requires active public scrutiny beyond party politics to protect the rule of law and fundamental freedoms. • Role of Working Class: The organized working class and trade unions are called upon to look beyond immediate workplace disputes (wages and hours) to defend broader democratic safeguards, including freedom of association and collective bargaining rights. • Risk of Silence: Silence from responsible organizations risks creating a leadership vacuum, leaving room for clandestine or unaccountable groups to exploit public grievances, thereby threatening democratic stability. • Key Actions: Professional associations, academics, and independent civil society bodies are urged to engage in factual, non-partisan scrutiny, dialogue, and lawful collective action to safeguard civic rights and democratic institutions.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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⚖️ Global Accountability: US vs. Brazil & Democratic Trends

A comparative analysis highlights contrasting institutional responses to political corruption, insurrection attempts, and high-level abuse of power. • Global Comparisons: • Brazil: Supreme Court convicted former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years (later reduced to 22 years by Congress bill) for a 2022 coup attempt, leveraging constitutional safeguards and multi-party judicial independence. • United States: Former President Donald Trump faced two impeachments and a 34-felony count conviction, receiving an unconditional discharge; US Supreme Court rulings reaffirmed broad presidential immunity for core official acts. • Public Accountability & Protests: • US witnessed the "No Kings Protest" in March 2026 across 3,300 events against unilateral executive actions. • In South Asia, student-led mass protests in India over exam leaks prompted the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. • Macro Context: Highlighting the role of horizontal (institutional) and vertical (electoral/protest) accountability in preserving democratic rule globally. _Note: Summary based on provided global commentary commentary data; direct Sri Lankan economic data incomplete/omitted in text._

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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⚓ NSC Urges Humanitarian Aid for Stranded Iranian Vessels South of Galle

The National Shoora Council (NSC) has sent an urgent appeal to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to facilitate immediate humanitarian assistance to Iranian vessels stranded in Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). • Situation Overview The vessels are facing critical shortages of water, food, and medicine south of Galle due to an ongoing naval blockade and unilateral US sanctions. The crews consist of civilian seafarers from Iran, India, Bangladesh, and neighboring states. • Key Legal & Humanitarian Appeals • Principle of Sovereignty: NSC stressed that territorial seas define sovereignty boundaries, not limits for humanitarian aid. • International Obligations: Cites UNCLOS (Art. 98) on search and rescue duties in the EEZ, ICCPR (Art. 6) right-to-life protections, and Geneva Conventions on neutrality. • Sanctions Exemption: Notes that basic food and medical provisions are universally exempted from international sanctions regimes. • Key Sectors Affected • Maritime & Logistics: Local shipping agents and ship chandlers currently lack official clear guidance to supply basic provisions legally without facing commercial sanctions risks. • Humanitarian Action: Proposed immediate deployment of the Sri Lanka Navy, Coast Guard, MRCC Colombo, Red Cross, and ICRC for medical evacuations and aid delivery. • Key Demands to Government • Direct state maritime authorities to deliver urgent food, water, and essential medicines. • Clear local shipping agents to provide purely humanitarian non-commercial supplies. • Engage diplomatic channels with Iran, India, and Bangladesh to arrange seafarer welfare and repatriation.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📈 Sri Lanka’s Governance & Democratic Outlook: Key Insights

• Political Transition & Governance: Following the historic 2024 political transition driven by the NPP and JVP, field research (Sept 2026) highlights growing scrutiny over whether current electoral dominance could shift toward long-term institutional dominance. • Institutional & Judicial Reforms: Key focus areas include proposed constitutional, electoral, and judicial updates (e.g., 22nd Amendment). Experts emphasize that transparency and inclusive national consensus are essential to maintaining public and judicial confidence. • Anti-Corruption Framework: Public support remains strong for investigating past misuse of public funds. However, maintaining equal legal enforcement across both government and opposition figures is vital to protect system credibility. • Civil Society & Social Authority: Maintaining the independence of non-state institutions—including universities, media, trade unions, and religious bodies—remains critical to safeguarding democratic pluralism and checks on power.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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Sri Lanka Condemns Attacks on Saudi Civilian Airports 🇸🇦

• Official Statement: The Government of Sri Lanka has strongly condemned recent attacks targeting civilian airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which resulted in fatalities and injuries. • Diplomatic Stance: Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the statement extended condolences to victims' families and wished a quick recovery to the injured. • Regional & Economic Relevance: Sri Lanka expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia—a major destination for foreign employment and worker remittances—and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and pursue constructive dialogue to de-escalate tensions.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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Suresh Sallay Discharged from Hospital and Returned to CID Custody 📈

• Legal & Custodial Status: Former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay was scheduled to return to Criminal Investigation Department (CID) custody yesterday afternoon following his discharge from Colombo National Hospital. • Medical Clearance: A 10-member medical board at the Colombo National Hospital confirmed to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that Sallay completed his medical treatment and was fit to be discharged. • Proceedings & Investigation: Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris officially informed the court of the custody transfer. Sallay remains detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

Other
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🌾 Cabinet Approves Rs. 16 Bn Fertiliser Subsidy for 2026/27 Maha Season

• Subsidy Allocation: The Cabinet of Ministers approved a fertiliser financial subsidy of Rs. 30,000 per hectare for paddy and other field crops cultivated in paddy fields during the 2026/27 Maha season. • Support Limits & Coverage: Financial support is capped at a maximum of two hectares per farmer to target smallholder agriculture and maintain sustainable production support. • Financial Commitment: The total cost for implementing the subsidy program for the 2026/27 Maha season is estimated at Rs. 16 billion. • Implementation: Submitted by Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Minister K. D. Lal Kantha, the continuous program aligns with seasonal agricultural recommendations to ensure input support for Sri Lanka's domestic paddy farming sector.

Agriculture, Plantations & Fisheries
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🇱🇰 Jayaweera & Indian Envoy Discuss Economy & Politics

• Bilateral Engagement: Sarvajana Balaya Party Leader MP Dilith Jayaweera met with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha at Jayaweera’s office. • Key Focus Areas: Discussions centered on current political developments, bilateral cooperation, and key issues of mutual concern between Sri Lanka and India. • Economic Context: Dialogue touched on broader aspects of the national economy and bilateral relations (specific financial metrics or sector targets were not disclosed).

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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🕊️ National Peace Council Calls for Unity Amid Controversy

• Context & Concerns: The National Peace Council (NPC) has highlighted two sensitive events—the death sentence of Sri Lankan citizen Sivarasa Anojan in Saudi Arabia and the police removal of the Thileepan memorial statue in Jaffna—warning against them becoming deep-seated communal grievances. • Anojan Clemency Case: • NPC welcomed clemency appeals made by political, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim leaders. • Stressed that protecting a citizen's life is a collective national concern and urged leaders to prevent anti-Muslim sentiment or collective blame. • Thileepan Memorial Issue: • A statue commemorating Thileepan, who died during a 1987 hunger strike, was removed by police on 27 September due to legal prohibitions against LTTE-associated commemorations. • NPC noted the deep Tamil anguish and historical grief tied to the event, urging government engagement through the Office for Reparations Act (No. 34 of 2018) framework. • Key Recommendation: Drawing parallels to the ruling JVP/NPP's own history of post-proscription memorialization, NPC advocated for lawful, equitable memorial rights across all communities to prevent future ethnic divisions.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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🤝 Korea & Sri Lanka Celebrate 49 Years of Bilateral Relations

The Embassy of South Korea hosted its 4,359th National Foundation Day in Colombo, marking 49 years of diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka ahead of the golden jubilee next year. • Bilateral Cooperation: Focused on expanding engagement in employment, education, tourism, and development priorities to boost future trade and investment potential. • Tourism & Exchange: Highlighted growth in South Korean arrivals—reaching ~12,000 in 2025 following Korea's travel advisory easing (Level 1 in 2024)—further supported by Sri Lanka’s visa-free/ETA exemption scheme. • Trade & Industry Showcase: Event featured Korean commercial presence under the 'K-Initiative', including cosmetics & skincare via KOTRA and consumer electronics by LG Electronics.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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Industry & Sector News

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Mind Adventures to Host De Profundis 2.0 in Aid of Palestinian Children 🎭

• Event Details: Mind Adventures theatre company will stage De Profundis 2.0 on 21st October at 7:00 PM at the Namel and Malini Punchi Theatre, Borella. Tickets are available via WhatsApp at +94 76 244 3221. • Performance & Content: The production features extracts from prominent international and Sri Lankan writers—including Mahmoud Darwish, Refaat Alareer, V.V. Ganeshananthan, and Anne Ranasinghe—blending English and Sinhala readings with improvised sound compositions by Simon Allen and Sarani Perera. • Creative Lead: The show marks the start of an Artistic Residency with Thusitha Jayasundera, a RADA graduate and founder of Saara Nilla, a local permaculture initiative supporting children in Kirulapone. • Humanitarian Cause: All event profits will be donated to United for Gaza and Hope Nest to aid health, safety, and malnutrition relief for Palestinian children. Final donation accounts will be disclosed to the audience.

Telecommunications & Media
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Sri Lanka’s First 3D Animated Feature Debuts at International European Conference 🎬

• Milestone Launch: Sri Lanka’s inaugural 3D animated feature film, _The Secret of the Moonstone_, makes its European premiere at the 27th VIEW Conference in Turin, Italy (Oct 12–16). • Economic & Industry Impact: Showcases local capability in high-value digital content creation, helping connect domestic talent with the global marketplace and strengthening the broader ICT/BPM and creative technology ecosystems. • Production Highlights: Developed entirely by Mogo Studios with local talent, the project reimagines traditional Sri Lankan folklore in a futuristic Colombo setting. • Global Outreach: Representatives from Mogo Studios are pitching the country's growing capability as an emerging hub for international animation, visual effects (VFX), and digital storytelling. [The Secret of the Moonstone Official Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JERNyI7iH1c) This video is relevant as it showcases the official trailer for The Secret of the Moonstone, illustrating Sri Lanka's technical and creative animation capabilities featured at the conference.

Telecommunications & Media
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🧠 CIM Sri Lanka to Host Corporate Quiz Night 2026

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Sri Lanka will host Corporate Quiz Night 2026 – The Ultimate Marketing Mind to promote professional development, strategic thinking, and corporate networking. • Event Details: - Date & Time: 6 November 2026, from 5:30 p.m. onwards - Venue: The Atrium, Cinnamon Grand, Colombo - Format: Teams of 4 competing across multiple rounds - Prize: LKR 125,000 cash prize for the winning team • Focus Areas: - Marketing Strategy, Brands & Advertising, Consumer Insights, Digital Marketing, and Business & Current Affairs • Key Objective: - Provide a platform for corporate professionals across Sri Lanka's business landscape to test industry knowledge, showcase modern marketing skills, and strengthen sector connections.

Professional & Business Services
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📈 IFS.ai Unleashed 2026 Launches in Orlando

IFS has officially kicked off its flagship global conference, IFS Unleashed 2026, in Orlando, Florida. The event brings together global industry leaders to feature over 100 sessions covering eight key domains. • Key Highlights & Financials: • Deliveries: IFS recorded a 25% YoY growth in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) for 1H 2026. • Expansion: Enhanced supply chain execution via the acquisition of Softeon in March 2026. • Platform Capabilities: Powered by IFS Cloud, offering composable solutions across ERP, EAM, Supply Chain Management, ITSM, and Field Service Management. • Sri Lanka Footprint: • Crucial R&D Hub: Sri Lankan operations account for 60% of IFS's global research and development capabilities and 80% of worldwide product support. • Economic Contribution: Cumulative contribution to Sri Lanka reached US$ 1 Bn by 2024. • Local Workforce: Employs over 3,000 local professionals out of its 7,000 global workforce. • Core Target Sectors: • Focuses on mission-critical industries including manufacturing, aerospace & defence, construction & engineering, energy, utilities & resources, telecommunications, and transportation.

Technology & Digital Services
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📈 Plantation Sector Shifts to Tech & Automation Amid Skilled Labour Deficit

Sri Lanka’s Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) are rapidly adopting mechanization and digital tools to counter rising operating costs and worsening labour shortages caused by migration and sectoral shift. • Driver & Core Shift • Migration, demographic changes, and competing industries have squeezed manual worker availability. • Companies are combining human expertise with automation to boost output, attract younger workers, and sustain long-term industry viability. • Field & Factory Mechanization • Tea: Automated harvesters, backhoes, mechanical pruning, and drone-based foliar/agrochemical spraying deployed across estates (Bogawantalawa, Agarapatana, Talawakelle, Horana). • Cinnamon: Malwatte Valley Plantations developed and patented custom cinnamon-peeling machinery to overcome acute peeler shortages, alongside automated machinery for "matcha" production. • Factory operations are over 80% mechanised in firms like Elpitiya to maximize processing capacity and energy efficiency. • Precision Agriculture & Renewable Energy • Adoption of GIS mapping, automated green-leaf weighing systems, facial recognition, and tea-leaf composition readers (Ballotronix). • Estate management utilizes ERP platforms (Microsoft Dynamics 365, iHarvest) for real-time digital reporting. • Widespread integration of solar power, hydro plants, and biomass boilers (e.g., 6 Agarapatana factories carbon neutral; rooftop solar/hydro at Talawakelle). • Workforce Impact • Workers are being upskilled to operate machinery, manage digital data, and perform technical upkeep rather than facing complete job replacement.

Agriculture, Plantations & Fisheries
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North Takes Centre Stage in Sri Lanka's Tourism Drive 📈

Sri Lanka is stepping up tourism & hospitality development in the Northern and Eastern provinces through major international funding and new connectivity initiatives. • Funding & Key Projects: - World Bank: Agreed to provide an additional US$ 100 Mn for tourism development, alongside existing ADB and World Bank funding. - Colombo-North Cruise: BOI-approved passenger cruise service set to launch soon, boosting domestic travel from the South. - Green Initiatives: Delft Island to be developed as a carbon-neutral destination; Mannar projects supported by British High Commission. - Facility Centres: SLTDA establishing 5 tourism facility centres under the Clean Sri Lanka program. • Community & Ecotourism: - Northern Tourism Plan: Prioritizes eco-tourism access, ecosystem protection, and local heritage. - Kokkilai Piliyamune: Selected as a sustainable tourism village for community-based livelihoods and heritage experiences. • Skill Building & Employment: - SLITHM Jaffna: Trains 100+ youth annually. - Samurdhi Youth Placement: 202 youth from Jaffna (102) and Kilinochchi (100) trained and employed in 2025 via a 3-month multi-tasker course; expanding to Mullaitivu in 2026. • Promotions: - Plans underway for regional cultural and culinary festivals, supported by global PR, digital campaigns, and influencer marketing to promote Jaffna and the North.

Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure
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🦁 Yala National Park Zones 1 & 1A to Reopen After Drought Closure

• Tourism Recovery: Zones 1 and 1A of Yala National Park, a major destination for Sri Lanka’s wildlife tourism, will reopen to local and foreign visitors from 6:00 a.m. on 16 October 2026. • Closure Context: The one-month closure (14 September – 15 October) was enforced by park authorities due to severe drought conditions in the Tissamaharama region. • Accommodations Timeline: Tourist bungalows and campsites located within the park are scheduled to resume operations starting 1 November 2026, according to Park Keeper A.T.R. Ravinda Kumara.

Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure
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Lanka Metro Transit (LMT) Launch Signals Strategic Shift in Sri Lanka Transport Infrastructure 📈

• Overview & Fleet Growth: Approved by Cabinet in 2025 as a subsidiary of the Sri Lanka Transport Board, LMT expanded rapidly from an April 2026 pilot of 10 low-floor, air-conditioned buses to over 100 Foton units, scaling operations from 2 initial routes (Makumbura–Fort and Makumbura–Kadawatha) to 7 routes reaching beyond Colombo. • Economic Transport Impact: Inadequate transport infrastructure creates a material drag on national output. Following Cyclone Ditwah in November 2025—which caused US$ 4.1 Bn in direct physical losses—infrastructure sustained US$ 1.735 Bn in damage, disrupting track access across 1,115 km out of 1,593 km of rail lines and severely impeding worker access and tourism earnings. • System Integration Focus: LMT is positioned as a connective layer to integrate existing passenger modes, linking buses, railways, and first-and-last-mile three-wheelers via central hubs like Makumbura, Kadawatha, and Borella to improve urban labor productivity.

Transport, Logistics & Infrastructure
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📈 CMA Sri Lanka & SAFA Seminar Focuses on Energy Sector Modernisation

• Event Overview: CMA Sri Lanka and the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) wrap up an international seminar on implementing cost records, cost accounting, and cost audits today (Oct 12) at Taj Samudra, Colombo. • Regional Representation: Features presentations and panel discussions by SAFA member nations including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. • Focus Sector: Standardized cost accounting framework is targeted to support the energy sector, driven by the unbundling of electricity into generation, transmission, and distribution to benefit business undertakings and the public. • National Context: The initiative aligns with Sri Lanka's economic acceleration and upper-middle-income growth goals under World Bank criteria. • Key Officials: Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Prof. Lalith Chandralal will deliver the Valedictory Address alongside PUCSL CEO Damitha Kumarasinghe, SAFA President Mohammed Humayun Kabir, and CMA Sri Lanka President Prof. Lakshman R. Watawala.

Energy & Utilities
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Monetising Geopolitical Disruption: Sri Lanka's Strategic Imperatives 📈

Sri Lanka faces a critical window to leverage global supply chain and energy realignments by evolving beyond basic transhipment into high-value economic sectors. • Key Growth Driver: Maritime & logistics volume at Colombo Port grew ~12% in early 2026 due to Red Sea rerouting, yet capturing higher economic value requires structural diversification. • Six Strategic Capture Opportunities: • ICT/BPM & Digital Infrastructure: Establish South Asia’s primary disaster-recovery "failover" data hub powered by subsea cables (e.g., SEA-ME-WE 6) and dedicated renewable contracts. • Energy Sector: Transform Trincomalee into a multi-fuel storage, bunkering, and LNG hub via Gulf sovereign partnerships, alongside a two-way grid interconnection with India. • Light Manufacturing & Textiles: Serve as a "friend-shoring" consolidation node for apparel & textiles, electronics assembly, and regional light manufacturing. • Re-export & Free Port Economy: Build integrated free-port regimes at Colombo and Hambantota focusing on bulk breaking, repackaging, and light assembly. • Aviation & Air Cargo: Develop Mattala into an MRO free zone and cold-chain hub for pharmaceuticals and high-value perishables. • International Finance: Leverage Port City Colombo (CIFC) as a financial bridge connecting Middle Eastern capital to Asian growth using Sharia-compliant instruments and green/blue bonds. • Execution Priorities: Require long-term regulatory stability, grid readiness, targeted strategic zones, and single-window investor approvals to capture capital before global volatility stabilizes.

Transport, Logistics & Infrastructure
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Container Dwell Time Emergency Threatens Sri Lanka’s Logistics Competitiveness 📈

Prolonged cargo clearance times are severely inflating costs, disrupting supply chains, and risking investor confidence, making container dwell time a critical national economic emergency rather than just a port issue. • Overall Figures & Comparisons: - Current import container dwell time at the Port of Colombo stands at 7 days, significantly lagging regional competitors like India. - Baseline delays in the clearance ecosystem threaten Sri Lanka’s ambition to serve as a leading regional transshipment and trade hub. • Impact on Key Sectors: - Manufacturing & Apparel: Clearance delays for imported machinery, fabric, and raw components disrupt factory schedules, cause idle production lines, and trigger costly missed export deadlines. - Logistics & ICT/BPM Support: Extended clearance strains working capital, elevates demurrage, storage, and transport costs, and undermines time-sensitive trade diversification. - FDI & National Competitiveness: Unpredictable clearance timelines create perceived procedural risk, driving prospective international buyers and foreign direct investment toward competing regional jurisdictions. • Key Policy Recommendations: - Implement a 45-minute operational target for straightforward declarations. - Fully digitize payment, regulatory approval, and release processes. - Strengthen automated, risk-based controls to reduce manual examinations. - Form an empowered national mechanism to track performance and publish real-time dwell time metrics. _Note: Figures based on provisional data, including September 2025 comparative metrics._

Transport, Logistics & Infrastructure
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📈 Musk Pledges Low-Cost Starlink to Challenge Reliance Jio

• Market Strategy & Price Battle SpaceX founder Elon Musk announced plans to offer affordable pricing for Starlink satellite internet in India to compete with Mukesh Ambani's low-cost Reliance Jio. While India’s mobile data costs remain around US$ 0.08 per GB, Musk noted that competitive pricing is essential for market penetration and will benefit consumers by offering expanded digital access. • Key Corporate & Sector Developments The price rivalry comes ahead of Jio Platforms launching India's largest-ever IPO, targeting a $106 Bn valuation. Both Jio’s satellite venture and Starlink are currently awaiting final security clearances to deploy commercial satellite connectivity. • Global Expansion & Telecom Context SpaceX is leveraging low-cost connectivity strategies previously deployed in emerging markets to disrupt established local operators. The firm also plans to expand into direct-to-mobile carrier operations, commencing in the US, as regional satellite competition ramps up.

Telecommunications & Media
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Awards & Recognitions

(45)

Alumex PLC Wins Bronze at National AI Awards 2026 for Smart Manufacturing 📈

• Overall Achievement: Alumex PLC (a member of the Hayleys Group) secured the Bronze Award in the 'Best AI Solution in Manufacturing & Industry 5.0' category at the National AI Awards 2026, held on September 30 under the Ministry of Digital Economy. • Core Innovation: Recognized for its AI-powered Extruder Production Monitoring and Smart Real-Time Energy Monitoring & Analytics System, featuring a "Golden Batch" for extrusion digitization. • Key Operational Benefits: - Analyzes production data to eliminate process variations and enhance batch consistency. - Delivers real-time operational visibility for faster, data-driven decision-making. - Tracks and optimizes energy consumption across manufacturing processes to drive operational efficiency. • National Impact: Highlights the integration of AI, data analytics, and digital technology into Sri Lanka's manufacturing sector to advance smart Industry 5.0 practices.

Manufacturing & Industrials
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Nanaska Edge Honoured at National AI Awards 2026 📈

Nanaska Edge, an AI-powered learning and assessment platform for professional education, has been recognised under the Best AI Solution in Education category at the National AI Awards 2026. The event was pioneered by the Ministry of Digital Economy and SLT-MOBITEL. • National Distinction: Nanaska is the only professional education institute recognised under this category at the 2026 awards. • Platform Launch & Purpose: Introduced in January 2026, Nanaska Edge serves as an AI learning ecosystem for CIMA qualification preparation. It delivers instant marking, strength/weakness analysis, personalized improvement plans, and study timetables. • Efficiency Gains: By removing manual marking delays, the platform enabled students to complete over 2x the number of mock papers compared to prior periods, with over 2,000+ mock papers marked to date. • Performance Outcomes: Out of a pass mark of 80, over 50 students achieved 100+ marks across three examination windows in 2026.

Education & Training
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📈 15 Sri Lankan Firms Named Among 2026 Best Workplaces in Asia

Great Place To Work has announced the 200 Best Workplaces in Asia for 2026, compiled from confidential survey feedback representing over 3.8 million employees across 16 countries. Recognized organizations achieved an average 91% positive employee experience rating. • Overall Survey Scope: 200 regional winners were selected across two categories (100 Small & Medium; 100 Large) from over 8.9 million employees surveyed across Asia and the Middle East. • Large Category (>500 Employees): Key Sri Lankan representation included plantations sector leader #30 Hayleys Plantations, along with #66 Amsafe Bridport Ltd. Regional multinationals operating in Sri Lanka also secured top spots: #1 Hilton, #2 Marriott International, #5 DHL, #11 COATS Global, #15 AIA Group, #25 Allianz, #28 Ericsson, and #44 Perfetti Van Melle. • Small & Medium Category (50–499 Employees): 10 Sri Lankan companies made the list, led by #18 Ideal Motors Ltd., #34 AB Mauri Lanka Ltd., #40 YKK Lanka Ltd., #43 Bairaha Farms PLC, #49 Oxford College of Business Ltd., #56 Agro Ventures Plantations Ltd., #62 Dijital Team (ICT/BPM), #64 Technomedics International Ltd., #72 Douglas & Sons Ltd., and #76 Altrium Ltd. (ICT/BPM). The awards highlight local workforce excellence in driving organizational trust, leadership, and regional competitiveness.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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🏆 LAUGFS Group Leaders Honored at CPM Excellence Awards 2026

LAUGFS Group secured multiple individual accolades for leadership and management excellence across its retail, lubricants, and petroleum operations at the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers of Sri Lanka (CPM Sri Lanka) Awards. • Supermarkets & Retail Sector Highlights: • Gold Award (C-Suite Leadership): Niroshan De Silva (Sector MD/CEO - Retail) for driving business growth and strategic development. • Gold Awards (Executive Decision Maker Leadership): Sujeewa Vidanapathirana (COO - LAUGFS Supermarkets) won sector Gold and management skills Gold, along with an Overall Bronze Award. • Fuel, Gas & Lubricants Sector Highlights: • Gold Award (C-Suite Leadership - Fuel & Gas): Kumar Rodrigo (MD/CEO - LAUGFS Lubricants) for strategic transformation and operational growth. • Gold Award (Executive Decision Maker Leadership): Nalin Mallikaarachchi (Deputy GM - LAUGFS Petroleum & Southern Petroleum). • Silver Award (Executive Decision Maker Leadership): Oshadh De Silva (Senior Manager Marketing - LAUGFS Lubricants). • Strategic Impact: • Highlights leadership strength across key Sri Lankan consumer and industrial sectors including retail, energy, and lubricants, supporting overall corporate performance and sustainable growth.

Manufacturing & Industrials
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2026 Nobel Peace Prize to Navi Pillay: NPC Reminds Sri Lanka of Unfulfilled Commitments 📈

The National Peace Council (NPC) highlighted that awarding the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to former UN High Commissioner Navanethem (Navi) Pillay serves as a key reminder of Sri Lanka’s unfulfilled human rights commitments. • Key Highlights & UN Mandates: - Navi Pillay's 2013 Sri Lanka visit directly informed the 2014 UNHRC resolution mandating an international accountability probe. - 17 years post-conflict, major demands on accountability, rule of law, and structural root causes remain unaddressed. • Current Geneva Stance: - At the September 2026 UNHRC session, Sri Lanka called to limit country-specific resolution durations while opposing the evidence preservation mechanism. - NPC emphasized that time limits cannot replace addressing core human rights issues. • Unfulfilled Recommendations & Civic Space: - Key pending measures: credible investigations into wartime violations, resolving enforced disappearances, land restoration, and demilitarisation in the North & East. - Growing concerns over civic space due to upcoming legislation: Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill, Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, and NGO Registration & Supervision Bill.

Other
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📈 US Economists Win 2026 Nobel Prize in Economics for Macroeconomic Stabilisation Frameworks

• Key Details & Award: US economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford have been awarded the 2026 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. The prize carries a cash award of 12 million Swedish crowns (approx. US$ 1.20 Mn). • Research Focus: Recognized for their work on the "microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation," showing how monetary policy and fiscal policy can be structured to control economic fluctuations and smooth growth cycles. • Relevance to Emerging Markets & Sri Lanka: The awarded research provides essential theoretical tools for managing inflation, optimizing interest rate policy, and achieving long-term stability—frameworks vital for developing economies managing debt restructuring and fiscal consolidation. • Historical Context: Established by Sweden's central bank in 1968 (first awarded in 1969), the economics prize concludes the 2026 Nobel award announcements. The majority of past recipients originate from the United States.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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Expolanka Leisure Wins Big at SATA 2026 📈

• Overview: Expolanka Leisure Group achieved a historic double victory at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, sweeping top honors in the Leading Travel Agency (Outbound) category across two regional markets. • Award Breakdown: • Classic Travel Sri Lanka: Won the Gold Award for the 3rd time. • Travel Classic Bangladesh: Secured the Silver Award for the 2nd consecutive year. • Key Context: Securing both Gold and Silver in a single regional category highlights the group's regional footprint and cross-border brand strength in outbound travel and tourism services.

Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure
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🤖 Roar Global Bags 3 Honours at Sri Lanka National AI Awards 2026 📈

• Overall Highlights: Roar Global won three main accolades at Sri Lanka’s National AI Awards 2026, marking its transition into an AI-led venture builder connecting local talent with global markets. • Sector & Award Breakdowns: • ICT/BPM & AI Exports: Venture brand Apex AI secured Silver for the National AI Export Excellence Award, underlining the growth of Sri Lanka's AI and tech export capabilities. • Women in AI Leadership: Ishani Karunadasa (Regional Director, Apex AI) won Gold, while Udara Hettiarachchi (Director of Client Partnerships, BrandRadar) won Bronze. • Strategic Focus: The group emphasizes expanding technology exports, developing AI capabilities across diverse disciplines, and creating opportunities for local talent to serve international client bases.

Technology & Digital Services
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🏆 Cinnamon Grand Colombo Secures Double Gold & Silver Wins at SATA 2026

Cinnamon Grand Colombo reinforced Sri Lanka's presence in South Asian hospitality by winning three top awards at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026 held in the Maldives. The accolades recognize leadership, emerging talent, and culinary excellence within the regional tourism & hospitality sector. Key Highlights & Awards: • Leadership Excellence: General Manager Nazoomi Azhar won the Gold Award for Best General Manager in South Asia. • Emerging Talent: Gayani Punchihewa received the Gold Award for Best Young Hotelier in South Asia. • Food & Beverage: Cinnamon Grand Colombo secured the Silver Award for Best Food and Beverage Hotel in South Asia, recognizing its diverse culinary offerings and venue footprint in Colombo. The achievements highlight the tourism industry’s ongoing commitment to workforce talent development, service elevation, and positioning Sri Lanka as a premier regional dining and hospitality hub.

Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure
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✈️ Vietjet Named Asia’s Leading Airline Brand 2026

Vietnamese budget carrier Vietjet has been recognized as "Asia’s Leading Airline Brand 2026" at the World Travel Awards in Malé, Maldives, highlighting its shift toward a hybrid airline model. • Brand & Valuation: Vietjet’s brand value rose 117% to US$ 906 Mn in 2026, ranking it among the world’s Top 50 most valuable airline brands and making it the year's fastest-growing airline brand. • Operational Performance: Carried 13.4 Mn passengers in H1 2026 across 213 domestic and international routes, supported by expansion into tourism and global travel markets including Europe. • Growth Strategy: Aircraft order book exceeds 600 Airbus and Boeing jets to support long-term international expansion, enhancing regional connectivity and transportation & logistics infrastructure.

Transport, Logistics & Infrastructure
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🏆 People’s Bank Wins Four Commonwealth Business Excellence Awards 2026

• International Recognition: People's Bank secured four major awards at the 4th Commonwealth Business Excellence Awards 2026 in London: - Best Banking Brand of the Year - Best Bank for Youth and Students - Best Bank in Digital Banking - Best Bank in SME Banking • Key Performance & Reach: - Assets: Consolidated assets exceed Rs. 3.7 Trillion. - Customer Base: Serves over 15.2 million customers nationwide. - Network: Supported by 745 branches/service centres, over 300 Self Banking Units (SBUs), and 8,100+ employees. • Economic Impact: The accolades highlight the state bank's focus on digital innovation, inclusive banking, youth empowerment, and strengthening local SMEs to support Sri Lanka's national economic development.

Banking & Financial Services
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📈 Expolanka Leisure Wins 7 Awards at NBQSA 2026

Expolanka Leisure Cluster secured seven accolades at the National ICT Awards – NBQSA 2026, highlighting its ongoing digital transformation and technology integration in tourism & hospitality. • Key Recognition Breakdown: • Total Awards: 7 (2 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze, and 2 Merit Awards). • Classic Travel: Secured 6 awards for platforms including Travel Insight, Competitor IQ, Classic Direct, and SocialHive. Categories include In-House Innovation, Tourism & Hospitality, Marketing Solutions, and Digital Marketing / Advertising. • Expo Visa Services (EVS): Awarded 1 Merit Award for its EZ Visa platform under Consumer – Tourism & Hospitality. • Strategic Focus: • Solutions span travel intelligence, competitor analytics, B2B travel platforms, marketing tech, and digital visa applications. • Highlights integration of local ICT/BPM innovation within Sri Lanka's tourism & travel industry to enhance customer experience and internal operational efficiency. • Industry Context: • Organised by the Sri Lankan section of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, NBQSA has benchmarked local tech innovations since 1998.

Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure
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Appointments & Executive Moves

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Andre Fernando Appointed to EDB Trade Logistics Advisory Committee 📦

• Key Appointment: Andre Fernando, Group Chairman of MAC Holdings and Chairman of SLFFA, has been appointed to the EDB Trade Logistics and Hub Operations Advisory Committee, effective 2 August 2026. • Strategic Role: The committee will drive export growth by supporting activities under the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) and advising the EDB on policy formulation and EDB Act implementation. • National Impact: The move leverages private-sector expertise to enhance Sri Lanka's export competitiveness, trade facilitation, and overall capacity in logistics & hub operations.

Transport, Logistics & Infrastructure
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📈 SDB Bank Appoints Banking Veteran Manoj Akmeemana as New CEO

SDB bank has announced the appointment of Manoj Akmeemana as its Chief Executive Officer to drive strategic business expansion, digital transformation, and growth in the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector across Sri Lanka. • Leadership & Background: • Over 35 years of financial sector experience spanning corporate, SME, and retail banking, strategy, and risk management. • Former Senior Deputy General Manager at Sampath Bank PLC, with experience in credit control, corporate finance, recoveries, and branch operations. • International experience as Head of Authorisation at the Commercial Bank of Qatar. • Strategic Focus: • Expertise in corporate lending, renewable energy financing, and financial inclusion at the bottom of the economic pyramid. • Positioned to support SDB bank's commitment to sustainable development, customer-focused innovation, and nationwide economic progress.

Banking & Financial Services
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📈 Wealth Trust Securities Appoints Vindhya Jayasekera as Deputy CEO

Wealth Trust Securities PLC has appointed seasoned capital markets leader Vindhya Jayasekera as its new Deputy Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 October 2026. • Executive Profile & Experience: - Over 20 years of experience across investment banking, asset management, and financial market development in Sri Lanka. - Former CEO-Designate of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), contributing to debt market enhancements and new product initiatives across CSE, CDS, and CSE Clear. - Served nearly 15 years at NDB Wealth Management as Chief Investment Officer, directing strategy for over Rs. 380 Bn in assets under management (AUM). - Early career experience at NDB Investment Bank, key involvement in major CSE IPOs, and a stint at Lehman Brothers in New York. • Advisory & Qualifications: - Former consultant to the World Bank Group and Wealth Trust Securities PLC has appointed Vindhya Jayasekera as its Deputy Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 October 2026. • Executive Background: Jayasekera brings over two decades of expertise in capital markets, investment banking, and asset management. • Key Prior Roles: • Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE): Served as CEO-Designate across CSE, Central Depository Systems, and CSE Clear, focusing on debt market enhancements and new product development. • NDB Wealth Management: Spent nearly 15 years as Chief Investment Officer, overseeing fixed-income and equity portfolios exceeding Rs. 380 Bn in assets under management. • NDB Investment Bank: Advised on major IPOs, securitisations, and private placements. • International & Advisory: Experience includes Lehman Brothers (New York), World Bank Group consultancy, and member of the 2022 Presidential Taskforce for Protecting Minority Investors. • Qualifications: CFA Charterholder, Financial Risk Manager (FRM), ACMA/CGMA, Fulbright Scholar (MSc in Finance, Univ. of Illinois), and First-Class Civil Engineering graduate (Univ. of Moratuwa). The leadership addition strengthens Wealth Trust Securities' strategic positioning in Sri Lanka's financial services and capital markets sector.

Capital Markets & Investment
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📈 SLAITO President Calls for Policy Role and Industry Level Playing Field

• Key Highlights & Sector Impact: Newly elected Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President Bobby Jordan Hansen highlighted that 95% of members are SMEs. She urged a formal role in shaping national tourism policy, emphasizing that inbound tour operators act as a vital bridge for foreign exchange and global market links. • Macro Context & Earnings: Sri Lanka welcomed over 2.36 Mn tourists in 2025, generating approximately US$ 3.20 Bn in tourism earnings, underscoring the sector's critical role in national economic recovery and employment. • Informal Economy & Formalisation: Called for a level playing field by bringing unregistered businesses into the formal economy via compliance and fair regulation, rather than punitive measures, to broaden the tax base and safeguard service standards. • Marketing & Workforce Challenges: Urged targeted, experience-specific marketing to convert global interest into actual bookings instead of over-relying on influencers. Highlighted worker migration risks to hospitality service standards, advocating for enhanced training and youth career pathways.

Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure
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📈 SLIC General Appoints Asiri Wickramarachchi as Acting CEO

• Appointment Details: Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Limited (SLIC General) has appointed Mr. Asiri Wickramarachchi, FCII (UK), Chartered Insurer, as Acting Chief Executive Officer, effective 21 September 2026. • Executive Background: Brings over 19 years of insurance experience across local and multinational insurers in underwriting, claims, reinsurance, and technical operations. He previously served as Chief Officer – General Insurance at SLIC General. • Qualifications: Holds a Fellowship (FCII) from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), UK—the highest professional qualification in insurance. Achieved ACII and Chartered Insurer status in 2011 and won the Most Outstanding Student Award at the 2012 Insurance Congress in Colombo. • Strategic Direction: The appointment supports SLIC General’s focus on customer experience, service excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth within the national insurance sector. • Company Profile: SLIC General is Sri Lanka’s No. 1 general insurer, holding a Fitch A+ rating and an extensive islandwide presence offering motor, property, marine, medical, and personal accident insurance solutions.

Insurance
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📈 Planters’ Association 172nd AGM: New Leadership Proposes 5-Point Plan for Sector Revival

At the 172nd AGM of the Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PAC), newly appointed Chairman Shanaka Samaradiwakara outlined a five-point vision focusing on value addition, R&D, land-use/productivity, irrigation, and security of tenure to revive Sri Lanka's commercial agriculture. • Sector Overview & Financials: • Total agricultural exports grew from US$ 2.8 Bn in 2024 to US$ 3.1 Bn in 2025. • Value-added tea accounted for over 50% of total tea export volumes in 2025, driven mainly by Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs). • RPCs manage ~154,000 hectares (tea, rubber, oil palm, coconut), growing their capital base from Rs. 8 Bn (1995) to Rs. 108 Bn, with Rs. 290 Bn invested in replanting and modernization. • 5-Point Vision & Key Priorities: • Value Addition: Protect local high-value segments (matcha, green tea, artisanal tea) from unsold auction stock and competing imports. • Research & Development: Develop practical alternatives for crop protection and urgently address diseases impacting the rubber sector. • Land-Use & Protection: Safeguard diversified crop investments (oil palm, pepper, avocado) against unsupportive policies, crop theft, and wild animal damage. • Irrigation: Relax restrictions on groundwater use and tube well drilling to build climate resilience. • Tenure Security: Extend lease clarity to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and long-term financing for replanting. • Industry Challenges: • Estate workforce reduced to ~88,500 workers (10% of resident estate population), necessitating productivity-linked wage models alongside challenges like rising input costs and climate impact.

Agriculture, Plantations & Fisheries
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📈 Sri Lanka Insurance Life Appoints Dr. Sameera Dharmasena as New CEO

• Leadership Transition: Sri Lanka Insurance Life (SLIC Life) has appointed Dr. Sameera Dharmasena as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 22 September 2026. • Industry Experience: Dr. Dharmasena brings over 21 years of experience in the Sri Lankan insurance sector, having held senior leadership roles across local and multinational firms, including his most recent role as CEO of Sri Lanka Insurance General Ltd. • Professional & Academic Background: • Former President of the Sri Lanka Insurance Institute. • Holds a PhD in Business Management, an MBA, an LLB, and a BSc (Hons). • Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute (FCII), UK, and Associate of the Insurance Institute of India (AIII). • Strategic Focus: His appointment comes at a key stage in SLIC Life’s growth and transformation within Sri Lanka's financial services sector.

Insurance
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Sri Lanka Appoints Three New High Court Judges ⚖️

• Judicial Sector updates: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has officially appointed three new High Court Judges during a ceremony at the President’s Office. • New Appointees: • Perumal Sivakumar: Special Grade Officer, previously serving as District Judge of Jaffna. • Anandi Kanagaratnam: Special Grade Officer, previously Senior Assistant Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission. • Gnanesa Lalith Kannangara: Special Grade Officer, previously District Judge of Colombo. • Court of Appeal Recommendations: Recommendations to elevate High Court Judges Navaratne Marasinghe and Manjula Thilakaratne to the Court of Appeal have been submitted to the Constitutional Council for approval.

Professional & Business Services
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📈 Warren Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Chairman; Howard Buffett Takes Over

• Executive Leadership Transition: Warren Buffett (96) has officially stepped down as Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, taking on the honorary role of Chairman Emeritus while remaining a director. His son, Howard Buffett (71), steps in as Non-Executive Chairman to safeguard company culture. CEO Greg Abel continues managing overall operations. • Corporate Legacy & Valuation: Under Buffett, Berkshire transformed from a failing New England textile firm into a US$ 1.1 Tn conglomerate. Berkshire ended June 2026 with US$ 364.7 Bn in cash, though stock performance lagged the S&P 500 by ~11% in 2026. • Global Market Context: While the news focuses on global markets rather than direct local economic indicators, the transition impacts broad institutional sentiment across global value investing and international stock markets.

Capital Markets & Investment
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350 Health Service Assistants Appointed in Northern Province 🏥

• Overall Appointments: The Government issued appointment letters to 350 newly recruited Health Service Assistants to strengthen regional public healthcare operations. • Regional Breakdown: The ceremony took place in Jaffna under the patronage of Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan. • Sector Impact: Expanding public workforce capabilities directly supports national healthcare capacity, aiding regional institutional development, social welfare, and service delivery across Northern Province medical facilities.

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
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🤝 David Myers Assumes Duties as US Deputy Chief of Mission in Sri Lanka

• Diplomatic Appointment: David Myers officially assumed duties as the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the US Embassy in Sri Lanka this September, joining Ambassador Eric Meyer to advance US–Sri Lanka bilateral and economic partnerships. • Professional Background: Myers brings diplomatic experience from prior assignments in China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Russia, and North Macedonia. • Legal & Regulatory Expertise: Prior to joining the US Department of State, Myers specialized in antitrust law, serving at the US Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and various private firms.

Professional & Business Services
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🎨 Fresh Chapter for George Keyt Foundation to Boost Local Art Ecosystem

The George Keyt Foundation (GKF) has announced strategic leadership changes, combining global academic expertise, corporate leadership, and artistic engagement to strengthen Sri Lanka’s cultural and creative economy. • Leadership & Advisory Enhancements: - New Advisory Committee: Formed to broaden operational reach, guide curatorial/educational directives, and expand engagement with global art markets. - Dr. Sujatha Meegama: Courtauld Senior Lecturer in Buddhist Art History, bringing specialized academic depth in South Asian art history. - Dr. Shamil Wanigaratne: Clinical psychologist, author, and art historian, focusing on public outreach and cultural preservation strategies. - Abbas Esufally: Veteran corporate leader transitioning from Trustee to Advisor, leveraging business acumen and networks. - New Board Trustee: Leesha Captain, active supporter of the Sri Lankan art scene, joins the Board of Trustees to oversee new art program development. • Strategic Focus: - Curating high-profile exhibitions and scaling local/international partnerships. - Preserving modernist painter George Keyt's legacy while promoting local artists to support growth in the creative and arts economy.

Other
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Global & International Business

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🇱🇰🇪🇺 Sri Lanka & Lithuania Hold Inaugural Political Consultations in Colombo 🤝

Sri Lanka and Lithuania held their inaugural Bilateral Political Consultations in Colombo, marking 30 years of diplomatic relations and establishing a structured framework for future cooperation. • Key Economic & Trade Focus Areas: • Sri Lanka invited Lithuanian investment into key sectors including renewable energy, logistics, tourism, and digital technology. • Lithuania offered expertise in high-tech fields, including FinTech, cybersecurity, life sciences, photonics, and laser technology. • Both nations agreed to boost bilateral trade under the EU's GSP+ scheme and initiate discussions on streamlined trade and investment agreements. • Partnership & Future Roadmap: • Agreed to fast-track direct business-to-business (B2B) engagements and knowledge exchange between tech incubators and export promotion agencies. • Focused on expanding university exchanges, technical training partnerships, and Baltic region tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka. • Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a regular dialogue framework, with the second round of consultations set for Vilnius in 2027.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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FM Vijitha Herath to Lead Sri Lanka Delegation at 7th CICA Summit in Azerbaijan 📈

• Summit Delegation & Agenda: Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will represent Sri Lanka at the 7th CICA Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan (14–15 October 2026). He will present the national statement under the theme _"Stronger CICA: Connectivity, Digitalisation and Sustainable Growth in Asia"_. • Regional Alignment: The summit gathers leaders and ministers from 28 Asian member states across South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East to advance peace, regional stability, and economic cooperation. • Bilateral & Market Focus: Minister Herath will conduct targeted bilateral discussions with host nation Azerbaijan, the CICA Secretary-General, and high-growth Central Asian partners including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan—opening opportunities to expand Sri Lanka's trade and economic diversification.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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🤝 Sri Lanka Launches Inaugural ITEC Alumni Association to Boost Bilateral Cooperation

• Event & Overview: The inaugural meeting of the Sri Lanka Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Alumni Association took place on 8 October 2026 at Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo. • Target Audience: The association unifies Sri Lankan professionals across government, semi-government, and private sectors who completed capacity-building training in India under the ITEC program. • Core Mission: Aims to strengthen bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and India by fostering professional networking, knowledge sharing, capacity development, and community-focused initiatives. • Key Outcomes: An Executive Committee was elected—comprising a President, Vice Presidents, General Secretary, Treasurer, and sectoral committee members—to drive future activities and mentor prospective Sri Lankan ITEC participants.

Professional & Business Services
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Sri Lanka Expo 2027 Promoted in Rome to Drive Italian Trade and Investment 📈

• Overview: The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Rome hosted a promotional event on 5 October 2026 for Sri Lanka Expo 2027 (scheduled for 14–17 January 2027 in Colombo) to showcase export capabilities, attract investments, and foster economic partnerships with Italian stakeholders. • Key Highlights & Sector Engagement: • Apparel & Textiles: Calzedonia Group was cited as a benchmark for successful Italian investment, highlighting over 25 years of operations, local employment creation, and export contributions. • Focus sectors discussed include food & beverage, hospitality, gems, pearls, and spices. • Existing key Italian footprints in Sri Lanka include Calzedonia, Intimissimi, Perfetti, and Banca UBAE. • Strategic & Institutional Participation: • Attended by ~30 business representatives, Italian government officials, chambers of commerce (Unioncamere, CNA World), diplomatic corps, and travel/tour operators. • Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman invited Italian business delegations to explore partnerships. • SriLankan Airlines is offering discounted airfares to support international participation in the Expo.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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🇱🇰 Sri Lanka & Montana Explore Investment Ties in Agribusiness, Minerals & Tech

Sri Lanka and the US State of Montana have held initial talks to strengthen trade and investment cooperation across several key growth sectors. • Key Focus Areas: • Agriculture: Expanding market access for farm products, developing cold chain & storage infrastructure, and exchanging modern agritech. • Manufacturing & Industrial Sector: Fostering direct links between manufacturers and industrial enterprises. • IT/BPM & Mineral Resources: Exploring joint commercial potential and technology transfer in mineral-based industries and technology services. • Next Steps & Key Takeaways: • Proposal to send a Sri Lankan business delegation to Montana to identify direct investment and trade opportunities (timeline unannounced). • Both sides highlighted stable, favorable economic policies as critical to attracting long-term foreign investment. • No formal agreements or financial investment commitments were finalized during this meeting. _Source: Based on provisional official statements._

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📈 SLTBC & Thai Ambassador Discuss FTA & 10,000 Job Openings

• Bilateral Agreements: The Sri Lanka–Thailand Business Council (SLTBC) met Thai Ambassador Paitoon Mahapannaporn to drive implementation of the Sri Lanka–Thailand Free Trade Agreement (signed 3 Feb 2024, awaiting enforcement) and operationalise signed labour agreements. • Key Highlights: • Employment Opportunities: Labour frameworks are expected to unlock 10,000 job opportunities for skilled Sri Lankan workers in Thailand. • Trade & Investment: Focus on identifying high-potential export sectors for Sri Lankan goods and mapping Thai investment spaces in Sri Lanka. • Visa Facilities: SLTBC requested a return to online or arrival visa issuance for Sri Lankan travelers to Thailand. • Council Initiatives: Offered to host targeted B2B meetings, form business delegations, organize an FTA Awareness Programme, and connect Thai employers with Sri Lankan recruitment and training institutions.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📈 EDB Engages Western Province Governor to Boost Exports and Promote Expo 2027

• Strategic Alignment: The Export Development Board (EDB) leadership met with Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof to align provincial and national efforts under the National Export Development Plan (NEDP). • Regional Logistics Hub: Discussions highlighted Sri Lanka’s strategic position along global shipping routes to develop the country as a regional logistics and trade facilitation center to drive export growth and foreign investment. • Sri Lanka Expo 2027: Key focus was given to promoting the upcoming flagship trade event (Jan 14–17, 2027) and its flagship Investment Forum, designed to attract global business leaders across key export and investment sectors. • Provincial Support: The Governor pledged support to leverage provincial networks for investor mobilization, emphasizing joint stakeholder collaboration to accelerate economic growth and job creation.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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Japan Grants US$ 447K (Rs. 148 Mn) for Northern Province Demining 📈

• Funding & Agreement: Japan signed a grant contract of US$ 447,432 (~Rs. 148 million) under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) scheme to support humanitarian demining in Sri Lanka's Northern Province. The grant was signed on 29 September 2026 by Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata and SHARP Program Manager Sarath Jayawardhana. • Project Impact & Scope: Implemented by the Skavita Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Project (SHARP), the project will clear over 190,000 sq metres of landmine-contaminated land. This will facilitate the return of 7,000+ people to their lands and allow ~11,500 local residents to expand their economic activities. • Long-Term Support & Cumulative Aid: Japan has been a key partner in post-conflict recovery, extending over US$ 50 million in demining assistance to Sri Lanka since 2002. SHARP acknowledged Japan as its sole funder from 2016 to 2021 and its primary donor since 2022. • Economic Strategic Context: Japanese Ambassador Isomata emphasized a holistic approach to bridge regional economic gaps for sustainable national development. He called on stakeholders, civil society, the private sector, and the diaspora to broaden support for demining and economic expansion in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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🤝 Pakistan and Sri Lanka Think Tanks Partner on Strategic Research and Regional Security

• Strategic Partnership: Pakistan's Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and Sri Lanka's South Asia Sustainability and Security Research Institute (SASSRI) signed a virtual MoU on 28 September 2026 to enhance bilateral academic and strategic cooperation. • Core Focus Areas: The collaboration establishes a formal framework for joint academic initiatives, scholar exchanges, and research focused on regional sustainability, peace, and security dynamics in South Asia. • Bilateral Framework: Attended by Pakistan High Commissioner Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. Nayyar Naseer, the agreement aims to leverage institutional dialogue for research-driven policy input and strengthen long-standing diplomatic and academic linkages between both nations.

Professional & Business Services
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🤝 Sri Lanka & Indonesia Hold Inaugural Political Consultations, Sign Bilateral Dialogue MoU

Sri Lanka and Indonesia held their inaugural Political Consultations in Colombo on September 22, 2026, establishing a formal framework to enhance economic and diplomatic ties ahead of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. Key highlights from the meeting: • Economic & Trade Growth: Both nations agreed to boost trade and investment, focusing on apparel & textiles, pharmaceuticals, and minerals, alongside strengthening business community connectivity. • Sectoral Cooperation: Discussions covered agricultural collaboration (specifically fertiliser supply), fisheries, tourism expansion, visa easing, and defense/maritime security. • Regional Integration: Sri Lanka requested Indonesia’s support for its bid to join the ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership (SDP) and accede to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). • Future Engagement: Joint celebrations are planned for 2027, with the 2nd Round of Consultations scheduled for 2028 in Jakarta.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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🤝 Sri Lanka Seeks Stronger Bilateral & Commercial Ties with South Korea Ahead of Sri Lanka Expo 2027

• Diplomatic Engagement: Ambassador of Sri Lanka to South Korea, M.K. Pathmanaathan, met with senior leaders of the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), including President Yang Jae Saeng, to deepen economic relations. • Institutional Framework: The discussions leveraged the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and BCCI as a foundation to expand trade linkages and investment between Sri Lanka and the Busan business community. • Featured Event: The delegation heavily promoted Sri Lanka Expo 2027, Sri Lanka's flagship international trade and business exhibition, taking place from 14–17 January 2027 at the BMICH in Colombo. • Key Goals: Kasun Balasooriya, First Secretary (Commercial), presented the Expo's value proposition, urging Korean companies to engage in B2B matchmaking, source local goods, and establish direct investments across Sri Lankan industries.

Professional & Business Services
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🇱🇰🇹🇭 Sri Lanka-Thailand Partner to Unlock 10,000 Job Opportunities

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath concluded a 2-day official visit to Thailand (14–16 Sept 2026), signing key pacts to broaden bilateral ties and worker mobility. • Key Agreements: Signed a MoU on Labour Cooperation and MoA on the Employment of Sri Lankan Workers, creating 10,000 job openings for Sri Lankans. • Foreign Employment: Expands access to skilled jobs and diversifies Sri Lanka's overseas labour markets while establishing structured recruitment and welfare safeguards. • Tourism Sector: Engaged Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to share best practices in destination promotion, tech integration, and cultural heritage promotion. • Bilateral & Trade Links: Held talks on visa exemptions for ordinary passport holders, economic investments, maritime security, and private sector business opportunities.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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Sustainability, ESG & Corporate Responsibility

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📈 Port City Colombo: Strategic Planning & Long-Term Competitiveness

• Strategic Positioning: Port City Colombo (PCC) serves as a key initiative to convert Sri Lanka's Indian Ocean maritime connectivity into long-term economic competitiveness and attract international foreign direct investment. • Master-Planned Ecosystem: Integrated framework combining financial services, logistics, commercial, residential, healthcare, and hospitality sectors. • Sustainability & Zoning: 33% of reclaimed land is reserved for green space and public use; Gazetted Development Control Regulations offer a 5% Gross Floor Area (GFA) incentive for top-tier green building standards. • Geopolitical & Policy Advantages: Leverages geopolitical neutrality and regulatory certainty to position Sri Lanka as a trusted, connected hub for international business, employment retention, and institutional development.

Construction & Real Estate
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📈 Pan Asia Bank Part-Finances Sri Lanka’s First Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage Project

• Project Details: Pan Asia Bank has provided part-financing for a landmark 10 MW/40 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility recently commissioned in Galle. • Key Stakeholders: Developed by Galilee BESS Ltd., a subsidiary of WKV Hydro Technics Ltd., in partnership with Singapore-based Khen Energy Ltd. • National Context: Introduces utility-scale battery energy storage to Sri Lanka, enhancing national energy infrastructure and advancing the country's transition toward sustainable energy solutions. • Strategic Focus: Highlights the banking sector's growing commitment to renewable energy and long-term infrastructure development through green financing.

Energy & Utilities
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📈 SLICGL Reaffirms Sustainability Commitment with ISO Greenhouse Gas Verification

Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd (SLICGL), the country's leading State-owned general and motor insurer, has received an official Greenhouse Gas Verification Opinion from the Sri Lanka Climate Fund Ltd (Environment Ministry). • Scope & Compliance: The independent assessment confirmed compliance with ISO 14064-1:2018 and ISO 14064-3:2019 standards across its head office and islandwide branch network for the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. • Emissions Breakdown: Total verified greenhouse gas emissions stood at 3,454.59 tons of CO₂ equivalent. - Direct Emissions (Scope 1): 1,626.10 tons - Indirect Emissions (Scope 2 & 3): 1,828.48 tons (including 1,342.82 tons from electricity consumption and 485.66 tons from other indirect sources) • Validity & Accreditation: Accredited by the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board and recognized under the International Accreditation Forum, the verification opinion remains valid until 31 March 2027.

Insurance
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📈 Sri Lanka Highlights Key Economic Sectors at India–Finland Gender Empowerment Dialogue

Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Mumbai, Priyanga Wickramasinghe, represented the nation as a regional benchmark for high human development indicators at the India–Finland Dialogue on Gender Equality, Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Mumbai. • Key Insights & Structural Interventions: - Stated that strong educational and healthcare foundations do not automatically grant economic authority, boardroom representation, or political leadership without structural policy support. - Stressed the urgent need to recognize unpaid care work and strengthen rights-based economic inclusion for working-class women. • Key Sector Protections: - Highlighted the necessity of safeguarding women employed in critical foreign revenue-earning industries, specifically apparel & textiles, tea exports, and foreign remittances. • Policy Recommendations: - Advised shared state and private sector investment in care infrastructure, including gender-neutral parental leave and employer-supported childcare. - Called for target-driven representation of women in leadership, pointing to Sri Lanka’s 25% local government quota as a precedent, while expanding financial inclusion and digital skills for women entrepreneurs.

Professional & Business Services
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📈 Dialog & Indira Cancer Trust Partner via Yeheli.lk for Breast Cancer Awareness

Dialog Axiata PLC has partnered with the Indira Cancer Trust and the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists (SLCO) for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, launching the 'A Pledge from the Heart' initiative to promote early detection and regular screening. • Campaign Focus: Encourages regular self-breast examinations, open dialogue, and early diagnosis to improve health outcomes across Sri Lanka. • Digital Advisory via Yeheli.lk: Public can register on Yeheli.lk for free monthly SMS reminders and access expert-verified advice on breast health. • Platform Capabilities: Features Sri Lanka’s first anonymous, trilingual (Sinhala, Tamil, English) advisory platform, equipped with an AI-powered Chat & Voice Bot offering 24/7 confidential support. • Corporate Role: Leverages telecommunications infrastructure to advance social sustainability and bridge accessible health information gaps.

Telecommunications & Media
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📈 JKH CSR Arms Conduct Parental Awareness Program in Colombo 2

John Keells Foundation (JKF) and John Keells Properties held a community awareness session in Colombo 2 for National Children’s Day 2026 under their John Keells Praja Shakthi initiative. • Key Highlights: • Theme: "Nurturing with Love – Protecting our Children" focused on child protection, positive parenting, and cyber safety. • Focus Areas: Addressed digital technology risks, substance abuse, mental wellbeing, and child abuse prevention. • Partnerships: Conducted with the Bureau for the Investigation of Abuse of Children & Women, LEADS, and Humedica Lanka. • Digital Outreach: Launched a parallel social media video campaign on peer pressure, bullying, and online safety. • Corporate Context: • Conducted by the CSR arm of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), Sri Lanka’s largest listed conglomerate on the CSE. • JKH operates over 80 companies across 7 key business sectors, employing over 18,000 people.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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💡 SLIIT Research Advances Industrial Energy Management with AI

Researchers at SLIIT have developed an AI-powered framework to enhance power forecasting accuracy for biomass-fuelled steam turbines, aiming to improve industrial efficiency and reduce energy waste. • Core Innovation & Impact: • Developed an AI forecasting model based on an 8-year industrial dataset, achieving ~25% higher predictive accuracy over benchmark methods. • Focuses on palm oil manufacturing using agricultural by-products (fibres, shells, husks) to generate renewable power. • Prevents biomass waste and cuts reliance on the national grid, reducing overall operating costs. • Economic & National Context: • Strengthens local research capacity in applied energy innovation and sustainable resource management. • Directly supports Sri Lanka's broader industrial efficiency goals and the alignment of manufacturing productivity with clean energy transition. • Demonstrates practical cross-border collaboration across engineering and ICT/BPM domains, involving SLIIT, La Trobe University (Australia), and Kyungpook National University (South Korea).

Energy & Utilities
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📈 SLIC Life Offers Rs. 1M Free Life Cover for Newborn Parents on World Children’s Day

Sri Lanka Insurance Life (SLIC Life) has extended a Rs. 1 million free life insurance cover to parents of all children born on 1 October 2026 across Sri Lanka. Implemented island-wide across hospitals, this marks the fifth consecutive year of the national initiative. • Core Initiative: Provides Rs. 1 million in free life cover per family for newborns on Children's Day to strengthen early financial protection. • Corporate Footprint: Part of SLIC Life's ongoing CSR strategy focused on family security and education support. • Broader Educational CSR Highlights: • Pasal Piriyatha Surakimu Program: Conducted since 2007, benefiting over 3,365 underprivileged schools through infrastructure and library enhancements; next edition set for November 2026. • Suba Pathum Scholarship Program: Conducted since 2014, awarding 2,425 scholarships valued at Rs. 265 million to high-achieving children of policyholders.

Insurance
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Rethinking Wealth: UN Global Compact Summit Highlights 📈

Dilhan C. Fernando (Chairman, Global Compact Network Sri Lanka and Dilmah Ceylon Tea) addressed the UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit in New York, urging a fundamental shift from price-driven extraction to collaborative sustainability in global supply chains. • Economic Systemic Failure: Current market structures fail to price nature and human costs accurately, compounding crises across climate, conflict, and displacement. Externalizing these costs threatens the long-term survival of key productive sectors. • Impact on Agriculture & Produce: Global demand for cheap food and "discount culture" drives a downward spiral—eroding soil quality, depressing grower wages, and threatening long-term food security for primary producers. • Role of Tea & Agriculture: The Sri Lankan tea and wider agrifood sectors face direct operational risks from severe climate events (droughts and floods) alongside disproportionate middleman margins. • Sustainable Business Model: Dilmah allocates a minimum of 15% of pre-tax profits annually to social and environmental sustainability via the MJF Charitable Foundation and Dilmah Conservation—exemplifying how local enterprises can embed sustainability directly into corporate structure. • Call for Industry Collaboration: Highlighting that single-company efforts cannot reshape entire markets, the speech urged cross-sector collaboration among business, government, academia, and NGOs. Transitioning from "cheap inputs" to fair pricing, adaptation investment, and worker security is critical to closing the estimated US$ 12 Tn lost annually in global agrifood systems due to hidden environmental and health costs.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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One Galle Face Partners with ICT and Make-A-Wish for Children’s Day 🎈

• Initiative Overview: Colombo mixed-use development One Galle Face teamed up with the Indira Cancer Trust (ICT) and Make-A-Wish Sri Lanka to organize specially curated "Wish Experiences" for children with critical illnesses and their families in celebration of Children's Day. • Tenant & Sector Collaboration: Selected mall tenants across key retail, food & beverage, and entertainment segments contributed discounts, gifts, donations, and tailored activities. Participating brands include: • F&B / Hospitality: Burger King, Delifrance, Popeyes, Tea Tang, Food Studio • Retail & Lifestyle: Nolimit, Red N Pink, AVR, Toytopia • Leisure: Playdium, Yah Empyrean • Community Impact: The partnership leverages One Galle Face's ecosystem (spanning over 350 world-class brands) to extend its corporate social responsibility beyond shopping, delivering personalized, dignified, and memorable lifestyle experiences for affected families.

Construction & Real Estate
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Clean Sri Lanka – Still Batting or Bowled? 📈

An analysis of the 'Clean Sri Lanka' initiative highlights the key challenges in moving from temporary public visibility to long-term structural and behavioral transformation across the national economy. • Current Progress & Operational Landscape • Evaluates the initiative using a cricketing metaphor to identify roles across government, local institutions, citizens, and businesses. • Notes that past successful initiatives, such as post-war Colombo beautification and infrastructure/real estate developments like Port City, succeeded through sustained enforcement, supervision, and institutional structure. • Challenges & Institutional Gaps • High-visibility campaigns create short-term enthusiasm but lack long-term institutional enforcement. • Environmental and public health impacts remain visible, such as persistent tourism and public space concerns, urban air pollution, and dengue risks. • Commercial and institutional responsibilities overlap, highlighted by localized waste management issues like effluent discharges into urban water bodies. • Key Recommendations for Sustainability • Shift focus from short-term public media drives to embedding institutional standards across local government bodies (Municipal Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas). • Build systemic enforcement mechanics to transition temporary awareness into permanent social norms and corporate accountability.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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Commercial Bank Drives Nationwide Conservation Effort Across 20 Locations 📈

• Initiative Overview: Commercial Bank of Ceylon organized an island-🌊 Commercial Bank Drives Island-wide Coastal and Aquatic Cleanup for ICCD 2026 • National CSR Initiative: Commercial Bank of Ceylon organized a island-wide environmental effort on International Coastal Cleanup Day (19 Sept 2026) under its 'Forward Together for a Cleaner Future' sustainability platform. • Widespread Reach: Spanned 20 key locations across Sri Lanka, comprising 16 coastal sites (including Mount Lavinia, Galle Face, Point Pedro, Trincomalee) and 4 inland waterways (including Mahaweli River, Parakrama Samudraya). • Strategic Partnerships: Conducted in collaboration with technical partner Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, government bodies, local communities, and bank volunteers. • Sustainability Focus: Aligns with the banking leader's formal adoption of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) as a priority goal, reinforcing its position as Sri Lanka's first 100% carbon-neutral bank and top-ranked local bank in financial services.

Banking & Financial Services
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Economic News

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📈 IMF Forecasts Sri Lanka’s GDP Growth to Settle at 3.7% by 2027

• National Economic Trajectory: According to the IMF's latest World Economic Outlook, Sri Lanka’s GDP growth rate is projected to moderate to 3.7% for 2027. During the same period, inflation is forecasted at 5.4% alongside an unemployment rate of 3.9%. • Program Timeline: These macroeconomic targets coincide with the conclusion of the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, which is scheduled to end in March 2027. • Global Economic Context: Global economic growth is projected at 3.1% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027. Global headline inflation is expected to reach 4.7% this year before cooling to 4.1% in 2027, driven by conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, elevated energy/commodity prices, and evolving trade barriers.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Exploring Growth-Oriented New IMF Deal

Sri Lanka is exploring a new agreement focused on economic growth following the scheduled completion of its current US$ 3 Bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF) in March 2027, according to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. • IMF Programme Status & Policy: - The current EFF has delivered economic stability, improved credit ratings, and progress toward foreign reserve targets. - Officials from the Finance Ministry and Central Bank are assessing modalities for a future framework. - No firm commitments have been made; Sri Lanka is open to a new deal but is neither desperate nor compelled. • External Risks & Sector Breakdown: - The economy has built capacity to withstand domestic shocks, but external vulnerabilities remain high due to global geopolitical tensions. - Impacted significantly by rising costs in the energy & petroleum import sector due to Middle East conflicts. - Fuel import bill reached US$ 4.08 Bn in the first 8 months of 2026 (exceeding full-year 2025 imports of US$ 4.04 Bn), with 2026 projections nearing US$ 6 Bn.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📈 Sri Lanka Open to New IMF Deal as Fuel Import Bill Rises

Speaking at the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated the government is open to a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) program after the current arrangement ends in March 2027, though no final decision has been made. • IMF Engagement & Stability: • Sri Lanka will use the remaining 6 months of its current 48-month, US$ 3 Bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to evaluate options. • Future agreements will shift focus from crisis recovery to sustainable economic growth, supported by the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank. • Priority remains on building foreign exchange reserves, boosting credit ratings, and buffering against global uncertainty. • Macroeconomic Pressures & Energy: • Fuel import expenditure is projected to reach ~US$ 6 Bn in 2026 due to Middle East conflicts. • Comparative import figures: US$ 4.04 Bn total in 2025 vs. US$ 4.08 Bn already spent in the first 8 months of 2026. • Higher fuel costs pose significant pressure on the country's external reserves and trade balance.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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President Pledges Investor Safeguards & Major Reforms at Economic Summit 📈

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced major private sector initiatives across port, energy, tax, and tech sectors during the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026. • Port & Infrastructure Development • Proposed private management of East Container Terminal (ECT) under State ownership to boost annual capacity from 500,000 TEUs to 3.2 million TEUs. • Seeking ~$1.4 Bn in multilateral funding (ADB supporting design phase) for a breakwater at West Container Terminal II (WCT II) to add 3.2 million TEUs capacity. • Fresh tender planned for Port of Colombo logistics centre (bonded warehousing, freight stations). • Cabinet approved a public-private partnership (PPP) container examination facility at Kerawalapitiya for ~150 containers. • Energy & Fuel Sector Outlook • Budget 2027 may reduce the 2.5% bunkering levy to improve regional competitiveness; proposed CPC-private partnership for JCT Oil Bank storage. • 75 new CPC stations planned; review of existing private fuel agreements (Lanka IOC, Sinopec) underway with the Attorney General. • Opening 4 grid lines to private participation; shifting toward floating solar parks (e.g., Ibbankatuwa project). • Allocated Rs. 60 Bn in fuel concessions and Rs. 41 Bn in targeted relief following economic challenges and Cyclone Ditwah. • Tax, Tech & Workforce Enhancement • Considering tax concessions for rural business investments to drive regional diversification. • Signing an agreement with Singapore to open a new ICT and AI training centre on Wijerama Mawatha to address critical skill gaps.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📉 Lessons for Sri Lanka from Britain’s 1976 IMF Bailout

A historical look at Britain’s 1976 IMF bailout highlights key economic lessons for Sri Lanka as it navigates its current stabilization program. • Key Historical Context: • Britain’s inflation peaked at nearly 27% in 1975, causing the pound to slide from $2.00 to $1.65 within six months. • Interest rates hit a record 15% before Britain secured a $3.9 Bn IMF loan—the largest at the time. • Actual borrowing came in lower than projected (£8.5 Bn vs. £10.5 Bn expected), leading Britain to use less than half the funds, repay early, and never return to the IMF. • Four Takeaways for Sri Lanka: • Data Accuracy: Britain accepted overly harsh terms due to flawed fiscal estimates. Reliable, timely reporting is critical for debt negotiations. • Domestic Ownership: Sustainable reform requires political leadership to actively defend hard choices locally, beyond external mandates. • Permanent Fiscal Discipline: Sri Lanka (having visited the IMF 17 times) must sustain tax reform, spending controls, and Central Bank independence long after the program ends. • Growth Beyond Stability: Restoring stability without driving investment, exports, and employment risks public fatigue over rising taxes and living costs.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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Sri Lanka Economic Update: Moving Beyond Stabilisation to Transformation 📉➡️📈

Key Fiscal Figures & Economic Position • Total Public Debt stands at US$ 102.27 Bn (~95% of GDP), with US$ 61.50 Bn domestic and US$ 37.47 Bn central government external debt (repayments due to start in 2028). • Fitch upgraded Sri Lanka's credit rating to ‘B’ (Stable Outlook) following major restructurings; gross foreign reserves stand above US$ 7.2 Bn (~3.2 months of imports) amid 11 consecutive quarters of GDP growth (avg. 5%). • Direct State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) debt totals US$ 3.48 Bn (FX: US$ 2.08 Bn; LKR: US$ 1.41 Bn), creating a net annual budgetary drain of ~Rs. 47 Bn despite combined book profits. • Financial risks remain concentrated in loss-making SOEs: Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), and SriLankan Airlines (liabilities > Rs. 600 Bn). Transformation Blueprint: Sovereign Development Fund (SDF) • Policy think-tank proposal outlines an SDF with 51% State and 49% Private equity (open to the Diaspora) to tap Rs. 25 Tn in stagnant local liquidity. • Focuses on technology-driven structural growth across high-potential sectors: • Agriculture & Tea: Deploying AI/IoT precision farming to cut fertiliser import costs by 30–40% and using blockchain marketplaces to capture a 15–20% premium for Ceylon Tea exports. • Fisheries & Marine Logistics: Integrating satellite AI fish finding and IoT-monitored blockchain cold chains for high-value exports. • Renewable Energy: Building predictive AI smart grids and cross-border subsea interconnectors to eradicate fossil-fuel import leaks and export power to South India.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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37.7% of Listed Sri Lankan Companies Fail to Cover Interest Expenses in 1H 2026: CBSL 📈

Sri Lanka’s non-financial listed sector faced a debt squeeze in 1H 2026 as rising operating costs and interest rates outpaced strong top-line revenue growth, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s Financial Stability Review 2026. • Overall Financial Performance: - Revenue grew 22.0% YoY (+LKR 199.0 Bn), accelerating from 7.6% growth in 1H 2025. - Cost of sales rose by LKR 152.3 Bn, while operating expenses drained LKR 52.3 Bn. - Net profit declined 6.1% YoY to LKR 136.8 Bn (down from LKR 145.7 Bn). - Aggregate Interest Coverage Ratio (ICR) dropped from 4.2x to 3.7x. • Debt Servicing & Credit Risk: - 37.7% of surveyed firms (204 listed companies) recorded an ICR below 1.0 (up from 33.8% a year earlier), signaling earnings are insufficient to pay interest bills. - Higher market borrowing costs followed the central bank's May 2026 policy rate hike. • Sector Breakdown: - Automobile: Led revenue expansion with a 138.9% YoY surge following the reopening of vehicle imports. - Power & Energy: Revenue boosted by higher energy prices. - Trading & Distribution: Weakest sector with aggregate ICR below 1.0 (0.7x) and negative net profits. - Construction & Engineering: High debt-to-equity levels paired with depressed earnings. - Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Real Estate: Strongest operational performers.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📈 CBSL Financial Stability Review 2026: Financial System Resilient Amid Rising Risks

Sri Lanka's financial system remained stable in H1 2026, backed by a 4.2% GDP growth in Q2 2026 and improved fiscal conditions, though external uncertainties and rapid private sector credit growth pose emerging risks. • Macro & Financial Markets - GDP growth reached 4.2% in Q2 2026, while inflation rose to 7.3% (July 2026). - ASPI rose 5.2% (Jan–Aug 2026) to 21,338.69 with net foreign outflows of US$ 171.8 Mn. - Foreign investors bought a net US$ 207.7 Mn in T-Bills/Bonds; 364-day T-Bill yield rose to 9.80%. - CBSL net forex purchases stood at US$ 1.52 Bn; USD/LKR rate was Rs. 328.01 as of August 2026 (-5.5%). • Banking Sector - Credit grew 23.6% YoY in Q2 2026, led by consumption, trade, financial services, and construction. - Gross Stage 3 loans ratio improved to 9.1% (vs 11.9% in Q2 2025), but Stage 2 loans rose 17.8% YoY. - PAT grew 12.9% YoY in H1 2026; Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) remained healthy at 18.2%. • Non-Bank Financial & Insurance Sectors - Finance Companies (FCs) credit jumped 45.0% YoY in Q2 2026, driven by vehicle and gold-backed lending, though PAT fell 21.0% YoY. - Insurance sector Gross Written Premium (GWP) grew 20.3% YoY in H1 2026; general claims rose 21.4% YoY due to Cyclone Ditwah impact. • Household & Corporate Sectors - Household credit grew 25.4% YoY in Q2 2026; banks held a 62.5% share while NBFIs accounted for 37.5%. - Listed Non-Financial Corporate revenue grew 22.0% YoY in H1 2026, though aggregate profitability moderated due to higher operating costs.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📈 Private Sector Borrowing Falls to Four-Month Low of Rs. 106 Bn in August

Sri Lanka’s private sector borrowing slowed for a second consecutive month in August, with net credit expanding by Rs. 105.7 Bn MoM—a 37% drop from July's Rs. 169.1 Bn and less than half of August 2025's expansion (Rs. 226.8 Bn) (based on provisional data). • Overall Private Credit Performance • Total outstanding credit reached Rs. 11.56 Tn (YoY growth slowed to 24.5% from 26.4% in July). • Offshore Banking Units (OBUs) drove the contraction, falling by Rs. 33.1 Bn MoM to Rs. 557.3 Bn (YoY decline deepened to 6.5%). • Domestic Banking Units (DBUs) credit grew by Rs. 138.7 Bn MoM to Rs. 11 Tn (YoY growth eased to 26.6%). • Government & SOBE Credit Dynamics • Net credit to the Government fell by Rs. 83.2 Bn MoM to Rs. 7.74 Tn, led by a Rs. 114.4 Bn decline in Central Bank (CBSL) net credit. • Commercial bank net lending to the government rose by Rs. 31.2 Bn MoM to Rs. 6.3 Tn. • Credit to public corporations and SOBEs contracted by Rs. 6.2 Bn MoM to Rs. 479.8 Bn (YoY down 22.3%). • Monetary & Foreign Assets Summary • Banking system Net Foreign Assets (NFA) rose by Rs. 109.5 Bn MoM to Rs. 1.67 Tn (YoY growth eased to 67.5%). • Broad money supply (M2b) expanded by Rs. 97 Bn MoM to Rs. 17.14 Tn (YoY growth eased to 11.5%).

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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CBSL: Fiscal Safety Nets, Not Monetary Policy, Must Shield Against Inflation Impact 📈

• Key Directive: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) reaffirmed that fiscal policy and social safety nets—rather than monetary policy—are the correct mechanisms to protect vulnerable social segments from inflation. • Blunt Instrument: CBSL Assistant Governor Dr. P.K.G. Harischandra highlighted that monetary policy cannot differentiate impacts across income groups, making distributional policy outside its effective reach. • Inflation Target: CBSL defended its 5% inflation target, stating that household and business inflation expectations are expected to align with this benchmark based on historical pre-crisis credibility.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📊 Sri Lanka Capital Expenditure Update: Under 30% Spent Through Sept 2026

Sri Lanka has spent less than 30% of its total capital expenditure allocation for 2026 during the first nine months, according to government sources. • Overall Figures: Out of the allocated Rs. 1,380 Bn for 2026 capital spending, only approximately Rs. 385 Bn has been utilized through September 2026. • Government Response: The government expects to fully utilize the remaining allocation before year-end, noting that around 70% of capital spending is finalized in the final quarter (November-December). • Economic Context: Analysts highlight that chronic capital under-utilization stems from procurement disputes, bureaucratic delays, and technical deficits. Persistent delays in infrastructure funding (transport networks, power grids, digital public systems) risk stifling productivity, long-term GDP potential, and investor confidence during post-default recovery.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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📉 Sri Lanka’s Foreign Reserves Fall 1.1% to US$ 6.85 Bn in Sept 2026

Sri Lanka’s gross official foreign reserves dropped by 1.1% month-on-month to US$ 6,851 Mn at the end of September 2026, down from US$ 6,929 Mn in August, despite active market interventions by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). • Reserve Building & Dollar Purchases: - CBSL net purchased US$ 64.2 Mn in September as part of an aggressive reserve accumulation strategy. - Year-to-date net purchases reached US$ 1,548.8 Mn for the first nine months of 2026 (compared to US$ 2 Bn net purchases in 2023/2024). - Analysts maintain the CBSL’s year-end target of US$ 8 Bn remains achievable, supported by expected Q4 multilateral and IMF inflows under the US$ 3 Bn EFF programme. • Currency & External Pressures: - The rupee experienced high downward pressure in May 2026 due to an elevated import bill for fuel (triggered by Middle Eastern tensions) and vehicle demand, leading to net dollar sales of US$ 211 Mn—the first net sale in 22 months. - Despite appreciating in June and July, currency pressure resurfaced in September. • Debt Servicing & Economic Context: - Rebuilding foreign exchange buffers remains vital ahead of sovereign bond debt repayments commencing in April 2028. - Maintaining adequate reserves is critical for post-default macroeconomic stability, fulfilling IMF targets, and ensuring sustained relations with international capital markets.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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Uncategorized

Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa Admitted to NHSL Cardiology Unit 🏥

• Current Status & Legal Developments: Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, currently held in remand custody at Welikada Prison, has been admitted to the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. The admission coincided with the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court rejecting her application for anticipatory bail to prevent arrest. • Arrest Details: She was arrested on 7 October 2026 by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). Following her arrest, she was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court and remanded in custody. • Key Charges & Financial Allegations: The legal action stems from allegations regarding the misappropriation of funds involving the Siriliya Saviya organisation. Investigating authorities allege that Rs. 10 million was obtained from the National Savings Bank (NSB), a state banking institution, under the premise of purchasing a CT scanner for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children.

Other
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🎓 University of Jaffna 41st Convocation Begins Tomorrow

The University of Jaffna will hold its 41st General Convocation from 6–8 October across 9 sessions at the University Indoor Stadium, chaired by Chancellor Emeritus Professor Rajaratnam Kumaravadivel. • Academic Breakdown: - Total Awards: 3,411 degrees conferred across 14 faculties (including Management Studies, Engineering, Technology, and Medicine). - Postgraduate: 314 postgraduate degrees and diplomas. - Internal Graduates: 2,680 degrees awarded to internal students. - External & Open Learning: 417 degrees conferred via the Centre for Open and Distance Learning. - Diplomas & Certificates: 10 higher diplomas/diplomas, 24 Professional English certificates, and 1 Business Management qualification. • Excellence & Heritage: - Academic Honors: 100 Gold medals, 63 prizes, and 15 scholarships will be awarded, including the Professor Alagiah Durairajah Gold Medals. - Associated Events: Post-convocation cultural program on 10 October, followed by the Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan and Lady Leelawathi Ramanathan Memorial Lectures on 15 October.

Education & Training
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⚠️ Heavy Rain and Wind Alert Issued; Infrastructure and Key Regions Affected

• Weather System: Low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal drives heavy rainfall (>100 mm) and strong winds (30–40 kmph) across Western, Sabaragamuwa, North Western provinces, and Galle, Matara, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya districts. • Infrastructure Impact: Traffic completely disrupted on the Hatton-Bagawantalawa-Maskeliya-Balangoda road at Wanraja Estate (Dikoya) due to an earth mound collapse. Police and RDA clearing operations underway; high landslide risk remains. • Flood Warnings: Irrigation Department warns of potential heavy flooding along the Mahaweli River in Kandy District, affecting Gelioya, Gampola, Nawalapitiya, and Peradeniya. • Sector Vulnerabilities: Heightened operational risks for agriculture (specifically tea estates in the Central Hills) and transport/logistics networks. • Public Advisory: Extreme caution advised for motorists; public urged to take precautions against lightning and localized winds. Emergency evacuations stand ready for flood-prone areas.

Other
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Human Oversight Critical for AI & Tax Automation in Sri Lanka 📈

• System Failure & Anxiety: The Inland Revenue Department's automated RAMIS tax system is causing severe anxiety for taxpayers due to rigid algorithm-driven processes, generating premature penalty assessments, legal threats, and asset seizure warnings caused by data synchronisation lags. • Public Finance & Reform Pressure: Operating under strict automated settings to meet revenue targets following national tax reforms, RAMIS rapidly processes high-volume financial data but lacks mandatory human due diligence to verify manual records before sending automated demand notices. • Automation vs. Human Touch: While advanced tools in ICT/BPM, creative sectors, and corporate governance enhance efficiency, they rely on computational simulations without human conscience, empathy, or emotional understanding. • Strategic Imperative: Experts—including a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka—emphasize that tech adoption in the public sector and wider economy must balance automation with active human oversight to prevent toxic workplace environments and public distrust.

Other
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🏥 Exhibition Highlights 40-Year Evolution of Sri Lanka’s Surgical Sector

• Overview: Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke is hosting "Beyond the Scalpel," a unique historical and educational exhibition showcasing the evolution of trauma surgery, clinical practice, and public service over four decades. • Core Exhibits: Features over 500 historical documents, photographs, medical illustrations, and clinical materials documenting developments in rural hospitals, war-affected zones, and national healthcare. • Sector Value: Serves as a key educational resource for medical professionals and students, highlighting resilience, professional leadership, and institutional development within the healthcare & medical education sector. • Event Details: - Dates: 25 – 27 September 2026 - Time: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM - Venue: Auditorium, The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, Colombo 07 - Admission: Free to the public

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
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Startups & Entrepreneurship

🚀 Dialog & IESL Launch National Startup Challenge to Boost Innovation

• Key Initiative: Dialog Axiata PLC partnered with the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) to launch the IESL National Startup Challenge, creating a structured pathway to turn ideas into investment-ready startups. • Categories & Verticals: Open to Engineering Undergraduates, Engineering Practitioners, and Non-Engineers across 12 innovation verticals aligned with national priorities, emerging technology, and inclusive growth. • Support & Financial Incentives: - Top prize of Rs. 1.00 Mn for the 1st-place winner. - Top 10 teams receive a Dialog Digital Startup Support Package valued at Rs. 250,000 each, along with technical support, mentorship, and digital resources. • Economic Context: Aims to drive national economic growth, foster an "Engineer to Entrepreneur" transformation, and support job creation within Sri Lanka's ICT/BPM and startup ecosystem. • Ecosystem Partners: Supported by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (Ecosystem & Mentoring Partner), Helago, Helakuru, and Real Life. • Timeline: Applications are open via www.iesl.lk/announcements and close on 16 November 2026.

Telecommunications & Media
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📈 First Capital Startup Nation by Hatch Opens Regional Pathways for Sri Lankan Startups

• Startup Ecosystem Growth: Ten emerging Sri Lankan startups presented tech-led solutions at the 2026 Demo Day hosted by First Capital Holdings PLC and Hatch, aimed at scaling businesses across Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. • New Venture Funding: Hatch announced "HLAB", a LKR 3 Bn fund backed by First Capital (LKR 300 Mn anchor investment), Lankan Angel Network, and BOV Capital to support early and growth-stage local startups. • Investment & Global Exposure: The top 3 startups advanced to a closed-door equity funding round, while the overall winner will compete at the Startup World Cup in San Francisco in November 2026. • National Digital Target: Sri Lanka aims for a $15 Bn digital economy by 2030 (targeting $25 Bn in cumulative value creation), supported by upcoming initiatives including Capital Mobility facilitation and a Virtual SEZ for digital businesses. • Key Sector Impact: Enhances access to capital markets, regional scaling, and foreign investment for Sri Lanka's growing ICT/BPM and technology innovation sectors.

Economy-wide / Cross-sector
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Corporate News

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📈 Akzo Nobel Paints Lanka Excluded from US$ 1.35 Bn South East Asia Divestment

• Scope of Transaction: Imperial Chemical Industries Limited (a subsidiary of Akzo Nobel NV) retains its 50.63% voting stake in Akzo Nobel Paints Lanka (Private) Limited (ANPL). The Sri Lankan associate entity of CIC Holdings PLC remains completely outside the regional sale. • Regional Deal Details: Akzo Nobel NV agreed to sell its South East Asia Decorative Paints business across seven markets (Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, and Australia) to Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. for approximately US$ 1.35 Bn. • National Impact: CIC Holdings confirmed via a CSE market filing that local operations for the paints & coatings manufacturer remain unaffected, ensuring continuity in domestic production, supply chains, and local market share within Sri Lanka's construction & building materials sector.

Manufacturing & Industrials
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Commercial High Court Dismisses Petition Against NDB Over Alleged Rs. 13.2 Bn Fraud ⚖️

• Banking & Financial Services: The Colombo Commercial High Court dismissed a petition filed by M. Thiyagaraja against National Development Bank PLC (NDB), its Directors, and external auditors regarding an alleged Rs. 13.2 billion fraud. • Legal Ruling: High Court Judge Viraj Ranatunge ruled on 9 October that statutory requirements to proceed were not met and that insufficient grounds existed to allow the petitioner to pursue independent action against the bank's leadership. • Internal Investigation & Actions: The Court noted NDB had already taken active steps, including initiating an internal investigation, commissioning a forensic audit, and lodging an official complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). • Court Order: The court officially dismissed the petition and ordered the petitioner to pay applicable legal costs.

Banking & Financial Services
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📈 Sri Lanka’s Private Sector Faces Paradigm Shift Amid Governance & Consumer Dynamics

• Economic Shift: Frontier Research highlights a fundamental structural transition from state-propped demand and currency depreciation to private sector-led growth. Capital and skilled workforce are expected to shift from weaker to stronger firms without government bailouts. • Consumer Behavior: According to a BCG & Ceylon Chamber of Commerce study, brand loyalty in consumer staples dropped significantly, with only 6% of buyers staying with a single brand compared to 14% in 2020. • Corporate Governance & Oversight: CBSL Governor and CoPF reported a Rs. 13.6 Bn fraud at NDB that went undetected by internal controls and external auditors. Receivables on CEFT quadrupled within a year to over Rs. 12 Bn in 2025. CBSL confirmed no deposits were compromised, while regulatory reviews remain ongoing. • Market Realities: Reduced tariff protections and absence of active capital market discipline mean corporate boards must proactively enforce internal governance, robust oversight, and decision-making quality to remain viable.

Banking & Financial Services
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📈 LB Finance Marks 55 Years with Over Rs. 450 Bn Asset Base

• Financial Performance & Assets: Group total assets exceeded Rs. 450 Bn by end-June 2026. The company stands as Sri Lanka’s largest taxpayer in the non-banking financial institution (NBFI) sector with a low cost-to-income ratio. • Core Sectors & Outreach: Strong focus on MSMEs via collateral-free LB Sanmitha solutions, alongside auto leasing, gold loans, and agriculture equipment financing. Operates with 5,000+ employees nationwide, driving employment generation beyond Colombo. • Digital Innovation: Won 'Most Popular Digital Payment Solution' (LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2026) and Silver for 'Best AI Solution' (National AI Awards 2026) for its AI-powered personal loan platform, LB CIM. • Global & Strategic Expansion: Operates 20 branches in Myanmar (LB Microfinance Myanmar) with second overseas expansion planned in the Philippines in 2026. Consolidated presence via acquisitions of Multi Finance PLC and Associated Motor Finance PLC (AMF). • Ratings & ESG: Holds A-(lka) (Fitch) and A+ (LRA) ratings with Stable Outlooks. First NBFI in Sri Lanka to earn ISO 14001:2015 certification under its ESG Roadmap 2.0. Secures foreign impact funding from Norfund, Swedfund, and BlueOrchard.

Banking & Financial Services
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CPC Assures Stable Fuel Prices Through October, Expedites Extra Imports 📈

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) confirmed that current fuel prices will hold steady through the end of October, with confidence in maintaining price and supply stability over the next three months provided no major disruptions occur. • Price & Supply Assurance: CPC assures adequate buffer stocks nationwide and advises the public against panic buying. Price and supply stability projected for the next 3 months under normal conditions. • Imports & Precautionary Measures: Two additional fuel shipments are being expedited. October import volumes planned to exceed estimated national requirements as a buffer. • Addressing Localised Shortages: Recent queue reports are linked to private sector distributors reducing filling station supplies rather than a national deficit. CPC identified 62 vulnerable areas 3 weeks ago and arranged boosted supplies with distributor companies. Public urged to utilize nearby CPC filling stations if private stations experience localized delays.

Energy & Utilities
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📈 Sri Lanka Bank Profits Rise 13% as Assets Top Rs. 26 Tn in 1H 2026

Sri Lanka’s banking sector post-tax profit grew 12.9% YoY to Rs. 209 Bn in 1H 2026, driven by a balance sheet shift toward core lending, according to Central Bank data. • Overall Performance & Income • Profit Before Tax (PBT): Up 8.2% YoY to Rs. 312 Bn. • Net Interest Income: Rose 11.3% YoY to Rs. 555 Bn (NIM narrowed slightly to 4.4%). • Non-Interest Income: Jumped 31.9% YoY to Rs. 178 Bn. • Impairment Charges: Doubled (+104.7% YoY) to Rs. 69 Bn. • Balance Sheet & Capital Metrics • Total Assets: Expanded 9.3% YoY to Rs. 26 Tn. • Net Loans: Surged 25% YoY to Rs. 14.2 Tn (+Rs. 2.8 Tn surge). • Investments: Declined 9.9% YoY to Rs. 8.9 Tn. • Deposits: Rose 7.3% YoY to Rs. 20.6 Tn; credit-to-deposit ratio climbed to 74%. • Asset Quality: Stage 3 impaired loans ratio improved to 9.1% (vs 11.9% YoY). • Capital Buffer: Capital Adequacy Ratio eased to 18.2% (vs 19.4% YoY); ROE slipped to 17.5%. • Non-Bank Finance Company (NBFI) Sector • Total Assets: Surged 41% YoY to Rs. 3.2 Tn, backed by a 47.8% lending expansion (loan book at Rs. 2.6 Tn). • Funding: Deposits up 22.9% YoY to Rs. 1.43 Tn, while borrowings grew 124% YoY to Rs. 1.05 Tn.

Banking & Financial Services
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🎨 AkzoNobel Sells Southeast Asia Paints Business to Nippon Paint for $1.35 Bn

• Deal Overview: Dutch paint maker AkzoNobel (owner of Dulux) agreed to sell its Southeast Asian decorative paints business to Japan's Nippon Paint for US$ 1.35 Bn. Net cash proceeds are expected at ~US$ 1.0 Bn after taxes and minority partner payouts. • Geographic Coverage: The transaction spans decorative paint operations across Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. • Timeline & Strategy: The sale completes AkzoNobel's Asia portfolio review, following prior divestments in India (US$ 1.6 Bn) and Pakistan (€50 Mn). The Indonesia portion is expected to close in late 2026, with all remaining regions closing around mid-2027. • Corporate Focus: AkzoNobel will now prioritize closing its pending merger with US coatings producer Axalta, while Nippon Paint expands its market presence across regional paint and chemical supply chains.

Manufacturing & Industrials
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📈 Millennium Housing Reports Unauthorized Entry on Athurugiriya Land Eyed for Metro Bus Terminal

• Property Dispute Details: Millennium Housing Developers PLC stated its subsidiary, Millennium Housing Ltd (MHL), did not consent to the acquisition, occupation, or release of its land at No. 23, Kaduwela Road, Oruwala, Athurugiriya. The property was earmarked for a future real estate & housing development project. • Unconsented Entry & Police Complaint: Despite prior correspondence from the Board of Investment (BOI) on Aug 20 and Sept 21, boundary fencing and gates were removed without permission on Sept 27 for a proposed Metro Bus station. MHL lodged a complaint with Athurugiriya Police and is pursuing legal options. • National Transport Link: The dispute coincides with the government's launch of an expanded Metro Bus Service under Lanka Metro Transit (LMT) on Sept 29, deploying 104 new buses across 7 routes to curb Colombo traffic congestion. Affected routes include CM02 (Millennium City to Colombo Fort).

Construction & Real Estate
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📈 Lanka Walltiles to Raise Rs. 5 Bn via Rights Issue & Merge Plantation Arm

• Capital Raising: Lanka Walltiles PLC (LWL) plans to raise Rs. 5.01 Bn by issuing 128.47 Mn new voting shares at Rs. 39 each (ratio: 8 new shares for every 17 held). The new shares will account for 32% of the expanded share base. • Debt Restructuring: Proceeds will be used to partially pay off high-interest bank borrowings and overdue intercompany payables, significantly strengthening the company’s capital structure. • Corporate Amalgamation: Following the issue, LWL will amalgamate its wholly owned subsidiary, Vallibel Plantation Management Ltd., with LWL remaining as the surviving entity, subject to solvency checks. • Market & Ownership Context: The offer price of Rs. 39 represents a discount to LWL's last traded price of Rs. 43 and Net Asset Value of Rs. 83 (as of June 2026). Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC remains the principal shareholder with a 54.55% stake. • Regulatory Approvals: The transaction remains subject to CSE listing approval and shareholder consent at an upcoming EGM.

Manufacturing & Industrials
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📈 Sanasa Life Insurance Plans Rs. 1.05 Bn Rights Issue & SGIC Divestment

Sanasa Life Insurance Company PLC has announced capital restructuring plans to meet regulatory capital requirements set by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL). • Capital Raising: - Plans to raise Rs. 1.05 Bn via a Rights Issue of 104.53 Mn new ordinary voting shares at Rs. 10 per share (ratio: 2 new shares for every 3 held). - Current stated capital stands at Rs. 1.57 Bn (156.80 Mn unlisted shares). - Each rights share includes one unlisted warrant exercisable at Rs. 10 within 24 months, offering potential to raise an additional Rs. 1.05 Bn. • Strategic Divestment in Insurance Sector: - Seeking shareholder approval to sell all or part of its 53.5% stake (up to 30.61 Mn shares) in subsidiary Sanasa General Insurance Company Ltd. (SGIC). - Recommends rescinding the previous resolution passed on 30 June 2026 regarding the insurance arm's strategic plan. • Regulatory & Governance Approvals: - Subject to approvals from shareholders, Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), and IRCSL.

Insurance
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📊 Ceybank Marks 35 Years in Fund Management with Focus on Digital Growth & Expansion

Ceybank Asset Management Ltd., a pioneer in Sri Lanka's unit trust industry, celebrated its 35th anniversary, highlighting decades of investment expertise, multi-shareholder stability, and future growth plans. • Ownership & Governance: • Bank of Ceylon (BOC): 44% stake (provides stability and nationwide network access). • Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC): 26% stake (institutional investment and long-term planning expertise). • SUUTI (India): 17.5% stake (international perspective and technical strength). • Carson Cumberbatch PLC: 12.5% stake (diversified corporate reach and market track record). • Product Portfolio & Market Reach: • Manages Sri Lanka's first Growth Fund (Ceybank Century Growth Fund) and largest Balanced Fund (Ceybank Unit Trust Fund). • Offers expertise across money market, fixed-income, equity, and discretionary portfolio management for corporates, institutions, and high-net-worth individuals. • Strategic Outlook: • Expanding access to retail and ordinary Sri Lankan investors through broader distribution and key strategic partnerships. • Accelerating digitalisation via platforms such as CEY360 to offer seamless investment management alongside professional advisory services.

Capital Markets & Investment
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📈 NTB Opens 35th Conversion Window for Non-Voting Shareholders

Nations Trust Bank PLC (banking sector) has announced its 35th quarterly window for non-voting convertible share conversion. • Conversion Terms & Eligibility: • Entitlement date: 31 December, 2026. • Application deadline: 5 January, 2027 (submitted via CDS to P W Corporate Secretarial Ltd). • Late applications will be processed in the following quarter ending 31 March, 2027. • Shares originated from a 2017 rights issue allowing conversion to ordinary voting shares and CSE listing. • Subject to single-shareholder voting share holding limits for licensed commercial banks. • Market Performance: • Voting shares: Rs. 303.50 (up 50 cents). • Preference shares: Rs. 385.25 (unchanged).

Banking & Financial Services
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Financial & Investment News

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📈 Sri Lankan Impact Investing Leader Represents Nation at GSG Impact Global Meeting

• Financial Inclusion & Social Enterprise: Chandula Abeywickrema, Founder and Chairman of Lanka Impact Investing Network (LIIN) and GSG Impact Sri Lanka, represented the country at the GSG Impact Global Leadership Meeting held in Amsterdam from 15 to 17 September 2026. • Global Network Engagement: Hosted by the Netherlands Advisory Board on Impact Investing (NAB), the 3-day meeting gathered national and strategic partners active across more than 50 countries to focus on capital mobilisation, policy transformation, and the impact economy approach. • National & Regional Role: Sri Lanka joined GSG Impact five years ago as its 39th National Partner. Abeywickrema—a banking and finance professional with over 40 years of experience—aims to leverage this global network to attract international impact investment funds to support Sri Lankan social entrepreneurs solving local social and environmental issues.

Capital Markets & Investment
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📈 Pan Asia Bank Debenture Issue Oversubscribed at Rs. 5.17 Bn

• Overall Demand: Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC’s debenture issue was oversubscribed, receiving 57 applications worth Rs. 5.17 Bn and surpassing the maximum cap of Rs. 5 Bn (initial Rs. 2 Bn offer plus Rs. 3 Bn in green-shoe options). • Debenture Types: • Type B: Strongest demand with Rs. 3.25 Bn raised across 45 applications. • Type A: Attracted Rs. 1.93 Bn across 12 applications. • Investor Participation: Heavy📈 Pan Asia Bank Debenture Issue Oversubscribed at Rs. 5.2 Bn Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC has successfully oversubscribed its debenture issue, raising Rs. 5.17 billion against an initial target of Rs. 2 billion, following strong market demand. • Overall Figures & Issue Structure: - Total Raised: Rs. 5.17 Bn across 57 applications (51.7 million debentures at Rs. 100 each). - Initial Offer: Rs. 2 Bn (20 million debentures). - Oversubscription Options: Fully exercised option to expand by Rs. 2 Bn, followed by a second option for an additional Rs. 1 Bn. • Debenture Type Breakdown: - Type B: High demand with Rs. 3.25 Bn from 45 applications. - Type A: Attracted Rs. 1.93 Bn from 12 applications. • Investor & Payment Insights: - Institutional Demand: Strong institutional support shown with Rs. 2.5 Bn (48% of total demand) secured via bank guarantees across 2 applications (Rs. 1.5 Bn for Type B, Rs. 1 Bn for Type A). - Cheque & RTGS: Remaining Rs. 2.67 Bn came from 55 applications. • Instruments Profile: - Banking Sector capital raise via listed, rated, senior unsecured, and redeemable debentures, ranking ahead of subordinated debt.

Banking & Financial Services
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📈 PM Rings Bell at CSE to Boost Financial Literacy & Launch Stock Market Game

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) marked World Investor Week 2026 and the CSE's 40th anniversary with market opening bell ceremonies presided over by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. • Key Initiatives & Launches: • Launched the Stock Market Game, an online ATrad-based stock simulation tool to boost practical investment skills among youth, university students, and 100 school Capital Market Clubs. • Released a commemorative stamp and First Day Cover celebrating 40 years of the CSE. • Rolled out island-wide campaigns across 14 locations aiming to open 10,000 new CDS accounts and expand retail investor participation. • Market & Economic Landscape: • National financial literacy stands at around 58%, yet capital market participation remains vastly underutilized. • Out of ~200,000 registered companies nationwide, only 291 companies are listed on the CSE, highlighting massive growth potential for Sri Lanka's capital market expansion and diversification. • Government Focus: • The government reiterated its commitment to moving beyond traditional savings schemes to build investor confidence, broaden financial inclusion, and unlock capital market opportunities for younger generations.

Capital Markets & Investment
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📈 Fitch AI Stress Test Finds Material Risks for Select Sectors Amid Broad Resilience

• Overall Assessment: Fitch Ratings' global AI Stress Test reveals broad credit resilience across most sectors over a 5-year horizon. However, AI poses a material risk of rating downgrades for a narrow band of vulnerable sub-sectors under adverse scenarios. • Sector Impact: • Resilient Sectors: ~86% of sub-sectors scored 40 or below (out of 100), indicating limited-to-no rating impact. Insurance, real estate, transportation, and natural resources are least exposed. • High-Risk Sectors: 14 sub-sectors scored 60–80, signaling potential downgrade pressures. Highest risk (score 80) is concentrated in services, particularly business process outsourcing (BPO) and outsourced production, relevant to global ICT/BPM operations. • Technology & Infrastructure: IT services, cybersecurity, data centers, semiconductors, and AI training facilities scored 60 due to high disruption or over-investment risks. • Financial Institutions: Mostly resilient (scores 0–20) due to capital buffers, regulation, and diversification, though private banking and business development companies show moderate risk (score 40). • Three Stress Scenarios: • Disruption: Business moats eroded fast; heaviest impact on BPO and IT services. • Over-Investment: Drop in AI capital flows impacts semiconductors and specialized infrastructure. • Asset Impairment: Stress from AI-exposed loan/investment portfolios. • Next Phase: Issuer-level analysis to follow across corporate, financial, and infrastructure entities.

Capital Markets & Investment
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📊 Galle Face Capital to Raise Rs. 1.96 Bn via 1-for-1 Rights Issue

Galle Face Capital Partners PLC has announced a massive capital raise to restructure its balance sheet and strengthen its financial position. • Key Transaction Details: - Capital to be Raised: Rs. 1.96 Bn (Rs. 1,958.21 Mn) - Share Issue Ratio: 1 new share for every 1 share held - New Shares Issued: 122.39 Mn ordinary voting shares at Rs. 16.00 per share - Impact on Stated Capital: Doubles total share count to 244.78 Mn shares; amounts to ~2.7x the current stated capital of Rs. 732.81 Mn • Use of Proceeds: - Primary objective is to pay down short-term bank and intercompany borrowings to cut finance costs, alongside funding future investment opportunities. • Market & Valuation Metrics: - Share Price: Closed down Rs. 0.50 at Rs. 18.40 (issue price offered at a discount to market value) - Net Asset Value (NAV): Rs. 24.56 per share (as of end-June 2026) - Major Shareholders: Ceylon Land & Equity (30.04%), Renuka Investments (23.88%), and Almas Holdings (13.94%) • Next Steps: - Subject to in-principle approval from the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and shareholder approval at an upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).

Capital Markets & Investment
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🏛️ CSE Approves Rs. 5 Bn Debenture Issue for Pan Asia Bank

• Overview: The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has granted in-principle approval for Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC to raise up to Rs. 5 billion through a debenture issue. • Issuance Details: Subscriptions open on 1 October 2026 for listed, rated, senior, unsecured, and redeemable debentures at a par value of Rs. 100 each. • Tranche Structure: • Initial Tranche: 20 million debentures (Rs. 2 Bn). • Second Option: Additional 20 million debentures (Rs. 2 Bn) if oversubscribed. • Final Option: Further 10 million debentures (Rs. 1 Bn) upon full oversubscription. • Investment Options: • 3-Year Tenor: 12.75% p.a. fixed rate (interest paid annually). • 5-Year Tenor: 13.50% p.a. fixed rate (interest paid annually). • Impact on Banking Sector: Strengthens capital structure and medium-term funding for banking & financial services, supporting credit growth and liquidity in the national economy. • Issue Managers: Managed by Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC's Investment Banking Unit; SSP Corporate Services Ltd. serves as registrar.

Banking & Financial Services
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📈 Sri Lanka’s Islamic Finance and ESG Converge for Sustainable Development

Sri Lanka’s financial landscape is seeing a strategic alignment between Islamic finance (Shariah principles) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks to drive post-crisis recovery and sustainable economic growth. • Key Principles & Synergies: Prohibition of interest (_Riba_), excess uncertainty (_Gharar_), and speculation (_Maysir_) aligns with ESG’s focus on real-economy investments, risk transparency, and strong governance. Ethical screening excludes harmful industries (alcohol, tobacco, weapons) mirroring negative ESG filters. Risk-sharing (Mudarabah, Musharakah) and asset-backed models (Ijarah, Sukuk) support long-term value creation and social justice. • Market & Regulatory Milestones: Banking & Capital Markets: Evolved under Banking (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2005; now includes licensed bank units, Islamic windows, and NBFI offerings. Capital Market Rules: 2024 SEC frameworks established rules for sukuk, accredited Shariah scholar certifications, and Whitelist Equity Indices. Historic Sukuk: June 2025 marked CSE’s first listed sukuk—a Rs. 500 million, 5-year redeemable issue linked to a mini-hydropower plant that was oversubscribed on opening day. • ESG Architecture: Guided by Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2.0 (2025–2029) and Green Finance Taxonomy. Mandated SLFRS S1 and SLFRS S2 sustainability disclosures adopted by CA Sri Lanka apply to top 100 listed entities from Jan 2025, expanding across main-board firms in 2026. • Challenges & Outlook: Growth is constrained by the lack of a dedicated Islamic banking law, institutional-level Shariah governance variations, and physical climate risks impacting asset-backed portfolios. Dual-compliant products (e.g., green sukuk) offer strong potential to attract Middle Eastern and global ethical capital.

Capital Markets & Investment
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📈 CSE and SEC Target Regional SMEs to Boost Alternative Capital Raising

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and CA Sri Lanka held joint issuer forums in Anuradhapura and Jaffna to raise awareness on alternative capital-raising avenues for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Key highlights from the sessions include: • Capital Market Access: Guidance on Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), regulatory requirements, and leveraging the CSE's Empower Board for business scaling and succession planning in family businesses. • Support Frameworks: Insights into the SME Creditworthiness Rating Framework, SME Magazine, and Entrepreneur Awards Programme to promote sustainable financial management. • Industry Collaboration: Panel discussions featuring representatives from SEC, CSE, CA Sri Lanka, Deloitte, EY, JA Partners, and Asia Securities providing actionable advisory support.

Capital Markets & Investment
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📈 Softlogic Finance Plans Rs1.002 Bn Rights Issue to Boost Capital & Vehicle Financing

• Capital Raising: Non-bank financial institution Softlogic Finance PLC (CRL) announced plans to raise Rs 1.002 Bn via a rights issue of 5 new ordinary voting shares for every 12 existing shares. • Issue Details: The company will issue 401,072,162 new ordinary voting shares at Rs 2.50 per share. • Current Capital Structure: Softlogic Finance currently holds 962,573,191 ordinary voting shares in issue, backed by a stated capital of Rs 2.32 Bn. • Strategic Purpose: Proceeds will be utilized to strengthen Tier 1 Capital and expand the company's lending portfolio, focusing specifically on vehicle financing. • Approval Status: The proposed issue remains subject to regulator and shareholder approvals.

Banking & Financial Services
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📈 SEC & CSE Investor Forums Draw 600+ Participants in Anuradhapura & Jaffna

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) conducted their 'Samata Kotasak, Samata Ekakayak' investor forums in Anuradhapura and Jaffna to boost capital market participation outside the Western Province. • Key Highlights & Turnout • Attracted over 600 participants across both locations. • Aimed at educating first-time investors on unit trusts and experienced investors on direct equities via stockbroking firms. • Market Performance & Data • The All-Share Price Index (ASPI) rose from 5,320 points (Aug 2020) to 21,315 points (Aug 2026), marking a 300% total growth (approx. 26% CAGR). • Market is trading at a low P/E ratio of 11.03x relative to global markets. • Capital market gains remain tax-free compared to traditional avenues.

Capital Markets & Investment
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📊 Fitch Affirms and Withdraws Rating for Capital Alliance Investment Grade Fund

• Rating Action: Fitch Ratings has affirmed Capital Alliance Investment Grade Fund’s National Fund Credit Quality Rating at 'BBf(lka)' and its National Fund Market Risk Sensitivity Rating at 'S4(lka)', and subsequently withdrawn the ratings for commercial reasons. • Compliance & Strategy: The open-end fixed-income fund remained compliant with Fitch’s Bond Fund Rating Criteria since its prior review on April 16, 2025. It primarily invests in term deposits and securities issued by Sri Lankan banks and non-bank financial institutions. • Asset Manager Profile: Managed by Capital Alliance Investments Limited (owned by Capital Alliance Limited and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited), the firm is the country's largest unit trust manager, holding approximately 36% market share with LKR 205 Bn in assets under management (AUM) as of end-July 2026.

Capital Markets & Investment
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📈 People’s Leasing & Finance to Issue LKR 10 Bn Debentures

• Issue Details: People’s Leasing and Finance plans to issue 100 Mn listed, rated, subordinated, unsecured, redeemable, 5-year (2026/2031) debentures. • Total Value & Pricing: Valued at LKR 10 Bn, priced at LKR 100 per debenture. • Returns: Fixed interest rate of 13.75% p.a. payable annually (AER 13.75%). • Key Dates & Status: Subscription opens on September 23, 2026, following in-principle approval from the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). • Managers to Issue: Jointly managed by People’s Bank Investment Banking Unit and HNB Investment Bank (Pvt) Ltd. • Economic Context: Supports funding mechanisms within Sri Lanka's banking & financial services sector.

Banking & Financial Services
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Real Estate

🏢 Sri Lanka Condominium Sales Drop 6.7% YoY in 2026 Q2: Central Bank

Sri Lanka’s real estate sector saw a shift in demand during 2026 Q2, as condominium sales volume dropped while property asking prices continued to rise, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). • Overall Sales & Regional Concentration: - Condominium Property Sales Volume Index fell 6.7% YoY across Colombo and major cities. - The Colombo District dominated market activity, accounting for 78% of total transactions. • Price Movements & Market Segments: - Price Index for New Condominiums in Colombo increased by 3.2% YoY. - Sales below LKR 25 Mn declined, whereas the LKR 25–50 Mn range recorded the highest transaction volume. - Higher-end tiers (LKR 50–70 Mn and above LKR 75 Mn) registered slight increases. • Asking Price Indices (Colombo District): - Lands: +15.2% YoY - Condominiums: +12.6% YoY - Houses: +9.0% YoY • Project Status & Buyer Demographics: - Most units in completed developments were fully sold; 55% of ongoing project units were reserved. - Local Sri Lankan residents made up the vast majority of buyers (up slightly YoY and QoQ), while purchases by dual citizens and foreign buyers dropped marginally.

Construction & Real Estate
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Prime Group Reaches Construction Milestone at The Colombo Border 🏗️

• Project Milestone: Prime Lands Residencies PLC completed the superstructures of all three towers—Brielle, Cosmos, and Amaa—at its flagship real estate & residential construction development, The Colombo Border, ahead of schedule. • Development Scale: Situated on ~6.5 acres in Peliyagoda, the project features ~5 acres dedicated to landscaped gardens, open green spaces, and recreational amenities, offering two-, three-, and four-bedroom penthouse residences. • Execution & Timeline: The phase was executed via parallel work by Prime Construction Ltd. (two towers) and Sanken Lanka Ltd. (one tower). Handover of units is scheduled to begin in mid-2027. • Market & Investment Demand: Reflecting strong buyer confidence in Sri Lanka's urban condominium & property market, Tower Cosmos is completely sold out. Remaining two and three-bedroom units are available starting from Rs. 48 million upwards.

Construction & Real Estate
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