SL Tourism Taps Japan Market at JATA Expo 2025 📈
• Sri Lanka Tourism successfully participated in the JATA Tourism Expo 2025 in Nagoya, Japan (Sept 25-28), one of Asia’s premier travel trade events, which attracted 127,677 visitors. • The Sri Lanka Pavilion was organized by the SLTPB and showcased offerings from 15 Sri Lankan tourism stakeholders. • Key activities included vibrant traditional dance performances and the serving of Ceylon tea, which was widely appreciated by Japanese attendees. • Japan is noted as a top primary and high-potential tourism source market for Sri Lanka. • Tourist Arrivals from Japan reached 28,799 as of September 2025. • This figure marks a significant 29.4% increase in Japanese arrivals compared to the same period in the previous year, highlighting the market's strong potential.
MBFWSL 2025: Defining the South Asian Voice in Global Fashion 👗
• Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka (MBFWSL) 2025 returns as the flagship event of the 16th Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF), powered by AOD. • Key Focus: Exploring intelligent luxury, emphasizing design grounded in craftsmanship, technology, and sustainability, and moving beyond seasonal trends. • The platform aims to define a distinct "South Asian aesthetic" and strengthen regional collaborations, positioning Sri Lanka as a creative hub within South Asia. • MBFWSL acts as a crucial gateway, connecting South Asian creative talent (e.g., Amesh Wijesekera) to the international fashion stage, including events like Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. • SLDF and AOD continue their legacy of two and a half decades, bridging design education, industry, and innovation to drive the island's creative industries. 💡
SL Fintech Forum Marks 1st Year: Targets Less-Cash Economy! 🚀
• The Fintech Forum Sri Lanka celebrated its 1st anniversary and inaugural AGM, successfully uniting the fragmented financial ecosystem, including banks, NBFIs, fintech companies, and regulators. • National Goal Defined: The industry has agreed on a shared target to reduce the country’s cash in circulation-to-GDP ratio from 4.5% to 3.5% within three years, aiming for a less-cash economy. • The milestone was capped by the successful Sri Lanka Fintech Summit 2025, which secured industry-wide consensus and attracted global fintech leaders. • Future Focus: The Forum is now focusing on building international partnerships, driving financial inclusivity, and positioning Sri Lanka as a regional fintech centre of excellence. • Regional collaboration is driven through the Asia Fintech Alliance, connecting SL with 14 other Asian fintech associations to boost visibility and investment. • The initiative to build talent was launched through the Finnovation Lab, mentoring over 200 interns and students. • With support from LankaPay and policy guidance from CBSL, the groundwork is set to align industry initiatives with the national digital agenda.
AI: Sri Lanka's Catalyst for Digital Transformation 🚀
• The discourse positions Artificial Intelligence (AI) as Sri Lanka's opportunity to leapfrog traditional development barriers and accelerate its national digitisation drive. • Digital Economy Status & Targets: • Current Value: $\sim\$ 3.47$ Bn (4.37% of GDP). • ICT/BPM Revenue Target: Grow from $\$$ 1.2 Bn to $\$$ 5 Bn by 2030. • ICT/BPM Workforce: Projected to expand to 300,000 by 2024 (from 125,000 in 2018). • Government Commitment: The 2025 Budget allocated Rs. 3 Bn for digital transformation programs, building on the Rs. 1.5 Bn set aside in 2024 for a national AI strategy. • Readiness: Sri Lanka currently ranks 95th out of 193 countries in the Government AI Readiness Index, an improvement of 10 places in one year. • Key Application Areas: AI is seen as crucial for streamlining complex tax systems, speeding up public service delivery (via virtual assistants), and enhancing efficiency for SMEs and sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and logistics. • Local Innovation: Sri Lankan firms (e.g., hSenid with Sprout AI) and academia (e.g., Sinhala-language AI models from UoM) are developing homegrown solutions tailored to local needs. • Challenges: Success depends on addressing the digital access gap (nearly 50% of the population lacks reliable internet) and ensuring strong data governance and regulatory frameworks.
🇮🇹 Sri Lanka Tourism Shines at TTG 2025 in Italy 🚀
• Sri Lanka made a strong presence at the TTG Travel Experience 2025 in Rimini, Italy's leading B2B travel fair, with a delegation including 24 Destination Management Companies (DMCs). • The focus was on promoting Sri Lanka as a diverse, sustainable, and high-value destination, featuring wellness, cultural, adventure, wildlife, and experiential tourism. • Market Performance Boost: Italy remains a key source market, showing a record 33% increase in tourist arrivals for the first three quarters of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. • This growth significantly surpasses the overall national tourist arrival increase, which stood at 16.2% for the same period. • The event provided a vital platform for partnership building, attracting high interest from travel professionals and buyers seeking authentic Asian destinations.
📈 CISI Chair: High-Skilled Workforce Key to SL's Financial Future
Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) Chair Michael Cole Fontayn highlighted that Sri Lanka’s high-skilled professional workforce and strategic location are key drivers for growing opportunities in the financial services sector. • CISI Global Footprint: Sri Lanka is CISI's largest operational hub outside the UK, playing a crucial role in supporting the organization’s global reach. • Strategic Partnerships: The visit focused on building capacity through partnerships, including a recent MoU with the Association of Accounting Technicians and a collaboration with the University of Colombo to enhance professional pathways for graduates. • Industry Focus: CISI is actively working with local partners, including the SEC, to upskill local talent and explore themes such as sustainable finance and ethical AI. • Economic Context: The move supports Sri Lanka's aim to position itself as a regional financial hub. This follows a World Bank review noting significant economic stabilization efforts, including a fiscal adjustment equal to nearly 8% of GDP since 2021. • Future Engagement: CISI encourages Sri Lankans to pursue lifelong learning in finance, with the organization set to celebrate its 15th year in Colombo in 2026.
🚢 HIP Volumes Surge 151% Amidst Regional Hub Expansion!
• Hambantota International Port (HIP) has seen a massive surge in cargo volumes, recording a 151% Year-on-Year (YoY) increase up to September 2025. • Total throughput for the period reached 6.03 Million MT (up from 2.40 Million MT last year). • Key Drivers: Strong growth was noted in vehicle transshipment, which rose 26% YoY. The port also saw gains in bunkering, LPG throughput, and energy services. • Operational Management: The growth was sustained despite operational challenges and yard congestion following the lifting of the local vehicle import ban. HIP optimized yard allocation, increased stevedore manpower, and secured additional space to maintain productivity. • Strategic Investments: HIP invested US$ 41 Million in cranes in late 2024, significantly boosting container handling capacity to 1 Million TEUs annually. • The port is solidifying its position as a comprehensive multipurpose maritime hub to support Sri Lanka's broader trade, energy, and logistics goals.
📈 Sri Lanka Tea Exports Surge: Earnings Up 10% YoY (Jan-Sep 2025)
• Sri Lanka’s tea exports earned US$ 1.16 Bn for the January-September 2025 period, a strong 10% YoY increase over the US$ 1.06 Bn earned in the comparable period last year. • Cumulative export volume for the nine months rose 9% YoY to 198.3 Mnkg. September alone recorded a 20% YoY volume increase, reaching 23.7 Mnkg. • The FOB value improved to US$ 5.86 per kg (vs. US$ 5.81 per kg in 2024). Value addition saw positive traction, rising to 58% of total exports (up from 54%). • Key value-added segments driving growth include Instant Tea (+25% YoY) and Tea in Packets (+21% YoY). Tea Bags grew 6% YoY, accounting for 10% of total volume. • Top Markets & Growth: • Iraq remains the largest buyer at 30 Mnkg (+24% YoY). • Libya recorded massive growth, soaring 154% YoY to 15.9 Mnkg. • Turkey volumes rose 14% to 15.2 Mnkg. • Russia (-10%) and UAE (-18%) saw declines in volume.
🇱🇰 SSP Production Project: Strong Investor Interest Noted
• The Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development has concluded its call for investors to establish a new Single Super Phosphate (SSP) production plant. • This initiative aims to bolster domestic fertilizer production capacity. • A significant number of proposals were received from potential investors, indicating strong interest in the project. • This development is a key step towards enhancing local industrial output and supporting the agriculture sector.
📈 Sri Lanka's Largest Grid Substation Completed at Habarana
• The landmark 220/132/33 kV Habarana Grid Substation, valued at Rs. 5 Bn, has been successfully completed by Siemens and DIMO. • This greenfield project is officially Sri Lanka’s largest, significantly strengthening the nation’s Grid Infrastructure. • Partnership: Siemens served as the turnkey contractor (engineering, SCADA, protection), while DIMO was the principal subcontractor (civil and electrical works), underscoring their 70-year collaboration in the Power Sector. • Impact: The substation establishes a vital transmission hub, improving interconnections and transfer capability across the North, East, and Central regions. It also reduces transmission congestion and fortifies voltage stability. • Future Growth: It anchors strategic expansion corridors (e.g., Habarana–Kappalthurai) and is positioned to integrate future renewable energy generation and support the nation's industrial expansion. • The large-scale project was completed within the contractual timeframe and was honoured for safety excellence.
📈 SL-Built FinTech WealthOS Powers Major UK Wealth Migration
• London/Colombo-based WealthOS, Sri Lanka's only B2B FinTech SaaS business, successfully powered the migration of 126,000 UK ISA and Junior ISA accounts. • The migration transferred accounts for The Children’s ISA (TCI) from Embark (FNZ) to its client, Quai Digital. • The total value migrated represents £ 80 million in assets. • The overall migration program took just five months (after TCI selection), with the physical data and asset transfer completed in a rapid four weeks, showcasing the efficiency of the Sri Lankan-built technology. • This is noted as one of the largest migrations out of FNZ to date and was executed using an innovative "all-in-one" transition, moving away from the standard phased industry approach. • WealthOS enabled clients to go to market significantly faster, launching a new tax wrapper, JISA proposition, and migrating all 126,000 accounts in just three months. • This achievement strongly validates Sri Lanka's capability in the ICT/BPM sector for building advanced, scalable software solutions for one of the world's largest wealth management markets.
🇱🇰 Esports Makes Historic Debut at Asian Youth Games 2025 🎮
• Sri Lanka Esports athletes are set to make a historic national debut at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 in Bahrain, where Esports will be featured as a medal event for the very first time. • Representation: The team, selected via official qualifiers, will compete across multiple titles: Rocket League Girls, eFootball Boys, and Street Fighter Boys. • Athletes: The contingent includes W.L.A. Sayuni Sadushika (Rocket League Girls) and M.A. Haiyan Aqwam (eFootball Boys and Street Fighter Boys). • Significance: This inclusion reinforces the legitimacy of Esports as a professional discipline and a registered sport under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, opening new international platforms for Sri Lankan youth. • Key Partners: Long-standing partner Dialog Axiata powers the national team, while Gamer.LK continues to lead the development of the local Esports ecosystem.
BYD Announces Largest-Ever Recall of Over 115,000 EVs 🚗⚠️
• Chinese automaker BYD has initiated its largest vehicle recall to date, affecting over 115,000 Tang series and Yuan Pro vehicles. • The recall, filed with China's market regulator, is due to design defects and battery-related safety risks, impacting cars produced between 2015 and 2022. • Recall Breakdown: • 44,535 Tang series (2015-2017): Cited for component design flaws potentially causing abnormal function. • 71,248 Yuan Pro EVs (2021-2022): Cited for manufacturing issues affecting battery installation and overall safety. • This action follows a January recall of 6,843 Fangchengbao Bao 5 plug-in hybrid SUVs due to fire risks, and a September 2024 recall of nearly 97,000 Dolphin and Yuan Plus EVs related to steering control unit manufacturing faults.
🇱🇰🇮🇳 Digital Health Ecosystem: SL Focuses on National Electronic Health Record (NeHR)
• Sri Lanka and India co-hosted a key event on Digital Health ecosystems, held on the sidelines of the 78th WHO-SEARO Meeting in Colombo (Oct 13-15), reaffirming regional commitment. • National Strategy: The Sri Lanka Digital Health Blueprint (endorsed 2023) is now in the operationalisation phase. Its central aim is to create a National Electronic Health Record (NeHR), working towards a "single, shared digital health record for every individual." • Progress: Significant transformation has been made, including: • Digitising 135 hospitals across the country. • Integrating multiple public health programs. • Establishing a national drug information system. • Regional & International Support: Sri Lanka is leveraging lessons from digitally matured counterparts like India (via its Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission/ABDM) and Thailand. Financial and technical support is provided by WHO, ADB, World Bank, and others. • Challenges: Minister noted critical areas needing continuous investment: addressing the limited number of IT professionals within the Health Ministry, capacity building, system interoperability, and ensuring robust data security and privacy.
NTB Pushes Digital Payments at CBSL's "Pay Digital" Dambulla Drive 📱
• Nations Trust Bank (NTB) was an active partner in the Central Bank of Sri Lanka's (CBSL) "Pay Digital" Initiative held recently in Dambulla. • Objective: The drive is focused on promoting the use of safe and effective cashless digital payment methods nationwide to foster economic progress. • NTB's Contribution: The Bank demonstrated its digital banking capabilities, showcasing solutions like the Nations Direct and FriMi mobile apps, and offered instant account openings to visitors. • Context: The Dambulla event is the third in the CBSL's series, which previously kicked off in Hambantota and Nuwara Eliya. • Attendance: The initiative was attended by key officials, including CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.
Colombo Port Targets Record 8.2 Mn TEUs in 2025 🚢
• The Colombo Port is projected to handle a record 8.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) this year, driven by the rapid ramp-up of operations at the new West Container Terminal (WCT). • This forecast volume is approximately 5.4% higher than the 7.78 million TEUs handled in 2024, a figure which already exceeded the Port’s maximum capacity of 7 Mn TEUs. • Capacity Expansion: The total Port capacity is expected to more than double, targeting 15 million TEUs by 2026, up from the current capacity constraints. • Transshipment Performance (2024): Transshipment volumes rebounded strongly, rising 9.7% to 6.31 million TEUs in 2024, largely due to global shipping diversions (Red Sea via the Cape of Good Hope). • Terminal Contributions (2024): China-backed CICT handled 3.3 Mn TEUs, SLPA's JCT and ECT managed 2.4 Mn, and JKH's SAGT handled 2.0 Mn. The India-backed CWICT began operations this year.
📈 Future-Proofing Ceylon Tea: Climate Resilience & GI Certification Key
• The Sri Lankan tea industry must urgently embrace climate-resilient cultivation and Geographical Indication (GI) certification to secure its long-term sustainability and competitiveness, according to the TRI Deputy Director of Research. • Production Target: The industry's goal is to increase production from approximately 262 Mn kg (until 2024) to 400 Mn kg, requiring major advancements in technology and modernisation of farming systems. • Climate Challenge: The sector, which supports nearly 1 million people, is highly vulnerable to climate change, with shifting rainfall already causing production declines. • Adaptation Focus: Strategies include focusing on cultivar selection, shade management, and the adoption of new farming methods like tea-and-coconut intercropping and micro-irrigation to counter water scarcity. • GI Competitive Edge: Securing GI protection is crucial to prevent counterfeiting, ensure traceability, and build consumer trust. GI can assure higher market prices and strengthen international recognition, which is vital given Sri Lanka's high production costs. • Next Steps: Institutional reforms are needed to improve certification and digital traceability, building on the concluded project that aims for EU GI protection for Ceylon Tea.
📈 Visa Outlines Inclusion Drive to Strengthen Sri Lanka’s Digital Economy
Visa Sri Lanka is deepening its role in supporting the country's digital transformation by focusing on cybersecurity, data standards, and financial inclusion, according to Country Manager Avanthi Colombage. • Trust Barrier: A key challenge is the lack of consistency across public sector digital platforms, creating a trust barrier that sees citizens prefer in-person transactions for government services, unlike the private banking sector. • Global Investment: Visa has invested over $12 billion globally in the last few years towards cybersecurity and data security, operating four 24/7 global security centers. • Strategic Pillars: The company's strategy is centered on three key pillars: • Investment in security infrastructure. • Adherence to global standards (e.g., PCI DSS, ISO) by banks and fintech partners. • Advisory Support to government and banking entities on security best practices. • Inclusion Focus: Visa is committed to expanding financial inclusion through capacity-building, helping underserved communities and supporting women home entrepreneurs with business skill development for secure and profitable ventures. • Key Initiatives: Ongoing projects include a financial education program with SOS Children’s Village and SME-focused initiatives in partnership with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB).
IRCSL Boosts Insurance Awareness in Northern Province 📈
The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) is expanding its countrywide awareness campaign, "Insurance for All: For a Secure Future," into the Northern Province. • The initiative aims to enhance financial inclusion and improve insurance penetration by educating the public on available protection tools and consumer rights. • Key programs are scheduled for Jaffna (October 22, 2025) and Kilinochchi (October 23, 2025), following the campaign's launch earlier in the Southern Province (Matara). • Targeted Workshops: • Morning Sessions: Will focus on Government officers, bankers, SMEs, and the general public, covering life, motor, non-motor insurance, and state schemes (e.g., Agrahara, OCS). • Evening Sessions: Will target university/A/L students and teachers, featuring segments on 'Suraksha,' policyholder protection, and career opportunities within the insurance sector. • The programs are conducted in collaboration with the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka (IASL), SLIBA, SLII, and all licensed life and general insurance companies.
🚀 Sri Lanka Esports Highlights Nation at Global NGSC; Esports Nations Cup (ENC) Launched!
• Raveen Wijayatilake, President of Sri Lanka Esports, represented the nation at the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) 2025 in Riyadh, underscoring Sri Lanka's growing stature in the global Esports community. • The event featured the official announcement of the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), a landmark, recurring nation-versus-nation tournament. • The inaugural ENC tournament is set for 2026, creating a major opportunity for Sri Lankan athletes to compete under their national flag, gain international exposure, and inspire the next generation of Esports talent. • The President noted that Esports is no longer niche, but a global movement. • Locally, Esports is officially recognized as a sport, with the Sri Lanka Esports Association (SLESA) committed to building international competition pathways while fostering grassroots growth. • Dialog Axiata sponsors the National Esports teams, and Gamer.LK serves as the Strategic Partner for SLESA.
🇱🇰 SL Surgeons Congress 2025: Tech Integration & Surgical Excellence
• The Sri Lanka Surgeons Congress 2025 (SLSC 2025) successfully convened over 400 distinguished surgeons and medical professionals from across Sri Lanka and the region from 11-13 September. • The Congress served as a dynamic forum for in-depth knowledge exchange and high-level discussions on modern surgical practice, research, and innovations. • Strategic Partner, Premium International Ltd., significantly elevated the event by showcasing cutting-edge surgical technology, reinforcing the modernization of healthcare infrastructure. • Key technological demonstrations featured globally acclaimed brands: – Erbe (Electrosurgery/Energy platform). – Shinva (OR technology/precision surgical tools). – Fujifilm (High-definition 4k Video Endoscopy technology). • The event was widely lauded for strengthening professional ties and ushering in a new era of surgical technology integration, reaffirming Sri Lanka’s position as a rising hub of surgical excellence in South Asia.
⛽ Cabinet Greenlights Rs. 1.45 Bn Kolonnawa Fuel Upgrade
• The Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Power and Energy Minister to begin procurement for a Rs. 1.45 billion (Rs. 1.45 Bn) project. • This investment is aimed at modernising fuel filling facilities at Zone 7 of the key Kolonnawa Terminal, operated by Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd. (CPSTL). • The government's objective is to enhance fuel distribution efficiency, safety, and capacity at one of Sri Lanka's critical Petroleum Storage and Energy Distribution sites. • The project will be implemented in three stages under an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract. • Phase one focuses specifically on the construction of new filling facilities for petrol.
📈 Renewable Energy Boost: WindForce Secures Key Land Lease for 100 MW Solar Project
• WindForce PLC finalized a Rs. 50 million, 24-year land lease agreement with the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) for the 100-megawatt Rividhanavi Solar Power Project. • The leased land is situated in Kotiyagala, Siyambalanduwa, Monaragala District. • This agreement completes all major project-related contracts, including the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Implementation Agreement, and Transmission Development Contract. • The project's effective date has been set as 10 October, marking the readiness for the commencement of the large-scale solar power initiative.
SL Eyes Global Sapphire Hub Status 💎
• The government is working to position Sri Lanka as the world’s leading sapphire hub. • This strategic aim was announced by Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti. • The announcement was made at the third International Research Conference of the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute (GJRTI).
🇱🇰 Ogilvy SL's 'Cloud Coffee' Campaign Sets Global Ad Benchmark on TikTok 📈
Ogilvy Sri Lanka's 'Cloud Coffee' campaign for Nescafé achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first-ever case study from Sri Lanka to be featured on the TikTok for Business website. • This recognition validates the country's advertising and digital marketing potential, positioning it as a globally sanctioned presence and benchmark. • Developed by Geometry Global and Ogilvy Digital, the campaign focused on authentic, creator-led storytelling via local TikTokers to engage Gen Z and millennial audiences. • Performance exceeded all set metrics, demonstrating TikTok's efficiency as a brand-building platform: • Total video views reached an exceptional 3.4 million. • Campaign achieved 1.03 million in reach within 14 days. • Noted a sharp follower increase and 15,154 clicks on the Nescafé profile. • Crucially, the campaign delivered high efficiency, achieving a significant 69% decrease in Cost Per 1,000 People Reached (CPM) compared to the local benchmark. • The success was powered by a media strategy utilizing Spark Ads and Instant Page, executed in collaboration with Aleph Sri Lanka, the exclusive local representative for TikTok.
🚨 Temporary Halt to Key Online Govt Services Due to LGC Disruption
A disruption in the Lanka Government Cloud (LGC) has temporarily affected several vital government online services. Engineers from ICTA and the service provider are actively working to restore full service capacity. • Cause: Disruption in the Lanka Government Cloud (LGC) infrastructure. • Key Services Affected: • Birth, Marriage, and Death (BMD) Certificate System (Registrar General’s Dept). • e-Revenue License System (eRL 2.0) (Provincial Depts of Motor Traffic, except Western Province). • Police Clearance System. • Country of Origin Certificate Issuance Online System (Dept of Commerce). • Affected Websites: Includes those of the Department of Meteorology, Registrar of Companies, and SL Accounting and Auditing Standards Board. • Mitigation: The Registrar General’s Dept confirms BMD copies can be obtained manually from the original issuing Divisional Secretariat in the interim. • Outlook: Restoration is the highest priority. Future capacity and operational constraints are expected to be eased through the ongoing execution of the next phase of LGC expansion, which commenced in October 2025.