Author: LBO
Sri Lanka’s Total Export Earnings Hit $1.4 Billion in February, Up 4.22% YoY
Sri Lanka’s total exports, including both merchandise and services, reached US$ 1,401.78 million in February 2026, reflecting a notable year-on-year growth of 4.22% compared to February 2025. According to provisional data from Sri Lanka Customs, along with estimated figures for Gems & Jewellery and Petroleum Products, merchandise exports for February 2026 increased by 1.32% to […]
Middle East Conflict: The Impact on Migration and Remittances in Sri Lanka
Bilesha Weeraratne, Research Fellow, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East (ME), Sri Lanka finds itself at a particularly vulnerable juncture as it carefully navigates a fragile economic recovery. Labour migration offers jobs to counteract the lack of opportunities within the economy. Related micro-level remittances prevent households […]
Iran Pledges Oil Support to Sri Lanka as Colombo Seeks Alternative Supplies
The Ambassador of Iran to Sri Lanka today reaffirmed Tehran’s willingness to support Colombo with energy supplies, even as Sri Lanka turns to other markets amid ongoing global tensions and sanctions-related constraints. At a press briefing, the ambassador was asked whether Iran would step in to assist Sri Lanka in the event of an oil […]
Opinion: Oil, Inflation and the QR System
By M. Rizwan Muzzammil Recent unrest in the Middle East has raised concerns that Sri Lanka may face a shortage of oil supply. Because oil plays such a central role in the economy—powering transportation, construction, electricity generation, and many other activities—many observers expect that such a shortage will inevitably lead to inflation. This expectation is […]
SEC and CSE Strengthen Role of Auditors of Watchlist Companies
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) jointly organized an awareness session recently, for auditors of companies which are currently on the CSE Watchlist. The session focused on enhancing awareness of enforcement actions and timelines, reducing prolonged Watchlist durations, and fostering a more coordinated regulatory approach among […]
NDB’s GSS+ Bond Issuance Breaks New Ground with Record LKR. 16 Bn Raised
National Development Bank PLC (NDB) commemorated raising LKR. 16 bn with its first ever issuance of BASEL III compliant GSS+ (Green, Social, Sustainable & Sustainability Linked) bonds and the country’s largest issuance of GSS+ bonds to date by way of a market opening ceremony conducted on the trading floor of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) […]
Uber and PickMe urge Government to allocate higher fuel quotas
The country’s leading app-based platforms, Uber and PickMe, have urged the government for support to keep Sri Lanka moving in light of the latest fuel constraints. Highlighting the critical role played by ride-hailing and delivery platforms in helping people access transport, food and essential services, the platforms have jointly asked for higher fuel quotas for […]
Sri Lanka and Brazil Successfully agree to elevate Bilateral Trade to USD 1 Billion
The Second Round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Sri Lanka and Brazil were held on 20th March, 2026 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism in Colombo, marking an important step in further strengthening the longstanding and friendly relations between the two countries. The meeting was co-chaired by Secretary to the Ministry, Aruni […]
Oil Equilibrium: Why Global Energy Prices Could Redefine Sri Lanka’s Economic Future
By Dr. Gayan Gunewardana (MBA, CIMA/CGMA, FRM/ GAP, AIB) & Y.K Sajani Harishchandra (MBA, ACA) 1. Introduction: When Oil Moves, Economies Shift In the modern global economy, oil is more than a commodity; it is a macroeconomic force that shapes inflation, trade balances, fiscal stability, and the pace of global growth. For Sri Lanka, the […]
To reach US$8 billion, Sri Lanka apparel must grow differently
By Felix Fernando, Chairman, Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) Sri Lanka’s apparel industry has earned its place in the global market through consistency, trust,and a strong reputation for ethical manufacturing. Over many years, we have shown that Sri Lanka can deliver quality, compliance, and reliability at a level that global brands value. That foundation remains […]
Import Price Shocks of the Hormuz Crisis 2026: How Will This Affect Sri Lanka?
Dr Asanka Wijesinghe, Research Fellow, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has unsettled global energy markets. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 20 Mn barrels of crude oil products were transported through the Strait in 2025, which accounted for a quarter of the world’s daily energy […]
VIDEO: Petrodollar Under Threat? Iran’s Petro-Yuan Oil Plan Via Hormuz | Explained
Iran may be considering a dramatic economic counterstrike in the escalating US-Iran conflict — targeting the very foundation of Washington’s global financial power: the petrodollar system. Reports suggest Tehran could allow oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz only if transactions are settled in Chinese yuan, a move that could challenge decades of […]