Category: Economy and Markets
ADB appoints Shannon Cowlin as new country director for Sri Lanka
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Shannon Cowlin as its new Country Director for Sri Lanka. She has assumed office in Colombo today. “I am honored to be appointed Country Director of ADB’s Sri Lanka Resident Mission,” Ms. Cowlin said. “For many years, ADB has been a trusted partner of Sri Lanka, supporting the […]
Advocata calls on govt to commit to permanently ending vehicle permit schemes
Advocata warns revival of vehicle permits threatens governance credibility, public trust and economic reform and strongly cautions against government consideration to allow vehicle imports for high-ranking government officials who received permits upon retirement. According to statements in Parliament, 1,900 permits have already been issued under this concessional scheme for senior officials, with 563 permits issued in 2025 alone. […]
LANKATILES expands Southern footprint with second showroom in Galle
Sri Lanka’s leading tile manufacturer, LANKATILES, proudly announces the grand opening of its 58th showroom and second in the Galle located at No. 145, Matara Road, Pettigala Watta, Galle. This latest addition marks a significant milestone in LANKATILES’ continued journey of design excellence, innovation, and trusted service built over more than five decades. Inspired by […]
New leadership at SLCGE pledges policy advocacy to strengthen SME apparel exports
TheSri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters (SLCGE)held its28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Colombo, marking a significant leadership transition and signalling a renewed policy-driven focus on enhancing the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s small and medium-scale apparel exporters. A key highlight of the AGM was the conclusion of Mr. Bandula Fernando’s distinguished 13-year tenure as President […]
CFA Society Sri Lanka to Host Learning Programme on Credit Research Fundamentals
CFA Society Sri Lanka announced that it will conduct a half-day learning programme on “Understanding the Fundamentals of Credit Research”, in collaboration with Acuity Analytics, on Monday, 16 February 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, Colombo City Centre. Commenting on the objective of the programme, Aruna Alwis, CEO, CFA […]
OPINION – Northern Investment Summit, Jaffna January 2026
By Jekhan Aruliah When the topic of the Northern economy comes up, Jaffna is often criticized for living on remittances. Small transfers, perhaps a hundred US dollars a month, sent by hard working people overseas to their families in Jaffna and the Northern Province. These gifts are said to be ruining Jaffna youth and the […]
IMF Staff Concludes Sri Lanka Visit; Policy Talks for Next EFF Review Set to Resume ASAP
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Evan Papageorgiou, concluded a visit to Colombo conducted from January 22 to 28 to assess the economic impact of Cyclone Ditwah. During the mission, the team engaged with authorities and stakeholders to understand the social and economic damage caused by the storm, specifically regarding infrastructure and livelihoods. […]
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank keeps the overnight policy rate (OPR) unchanged
At its meeting held yesterday, the Monetary Policy Board decided to keep the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged at 7.75%, citing an assessment of recent domestic economic developments, the outlook ahead, and continuing global uncertainty. The Board is of the view that the current monetary policy stance will support steering inflation towards the target of […]
Sri Lanka’s apparel exports grow 5.4-pct in Dec 2025; full-year exports top USD5Bn
Sri Lanka’s exports of apparel and made-up textile articles (HS Chapters 61, 62 and 63) rose to US$447.21 million in December 2025, up 5.43% from US$424.18 million in December 2024, according to industry export statistics. Growth was recorded across the three main destination markets. Exports to the USA increased 6.49% year-on-year to US$178.29 million (from […]
Rising climate risks and poverty in focus at CEPA policy panel today, Open University
The Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development of the Open University of Sri Lanka, will host a high-level policy panel titled “Facing the Future: Environmental Disastersand Poverty in Sri Lanka”on 26 January 2026, from 3.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m., at the Auditorium of the Faculty […]
IFC Invests USD 166 Mn to Support Sri Lankan Businesses & Drive Economic Growth
Reinforcing its longstanding commitment to Sri Lanka’s private sector, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, today announced a high-impact investment program of $166 million to support Sri Lankan businesses and accelerate the country’s transition from economic stabilization to sustainable growth. This comprehensive country-level financing package aims to expand financial […]
CBL Group acquires Indonesian coconut processor in USD 25m expansion push
CBL Group, one of Sri Lanka’s largest diversified food manufacturing conglomerates, announced the strategic acquisition of PT Tri Jaya Tangguh Indonesia (TJT), a large coconut processing facility, with an investment of over USD 25 million. TJT has a workforce of over 800 employees. The investment was supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member […]