Category: Other
Supreme Court held its first-ever paperless hearing; leads digital transformation with e-Filing initiative
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has marked a significant milestone in its digital transformation with the implementation of its e-Filing Portal under the e-Courts Project. This initiative reflects the Court’s ongoing commitment to modernizing Judicial processes and enhancing the delivery of Justice through the use of technology. The e-Filing Portal was officially opened to […]
Rs. 952 Million Recovered from Decades-Old Court Productions in Landmark Cleanup
For decades, Magistrates’ Courts and High Courts across Sri Lanka were overwhelmed with vast quantities of case productions, items seized by the police and other government authorities in connection with legal proceedings. Once taken into custody, these items were invariably handed over to the courts, which were then responsible for their safekeeping. The range of […]
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 […]
World Growth to Continue at Steady Pace if Oil Price Shock Short-Lived
Global economic growth should be steady this year provided the current oil price shock is not prolonged, Fitch Ratings says in its latest March 2026 Global Economic Outlook (GEO). The world economy has held up well despite a succession of geopolitical and US policy shocks. World growth was 2.7% last year, close to its long-run […]
Sri Lanka Among First Countries Globally to Advance Large-scale Biodiversity Action with Kunming Biodiversity Fund Project
Sri Lanka has been endorsed for a project under the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF), positioning the country among the first globally to move into large-scale implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The milestone marks a significant step in translating global biodiversity commitments into coordinated national action. The KBF project proposal was formally signed by […]
Advocata Institute Highlights Regulatory Barrier Limiting Women’s Overtime Earnings
Advocata Institute says that, a regulatory barrier prevents Sri Lankan women achieving pay parity with their male counterparts despite recent legislative amendments have opened doors for women to work night shifts. Despite the 2024 and 2026 liberalizations of the Shop and Office Employees Act (SOEA), which allowed women over 18 to work night shifts in […]
Iran Conflict Raises New Credit Risks for Emerging Market Sovereigns: Fitch Ratings
The Iran conflict could raise additional challenges for some emerging market sovereigns, through such channels as energy imports, remittances, fiscal subsidies, exchange rates and access to international finance, Fitch Ratings says. Hydrocarbon exporters could see positive effects. Under our baseline, in which the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz lasts less than a month […]
Risks of Middle East Aviation Disruption Rise the Longer It Lasts
The duration of the aviation disruption following the attacks launched by Israel and the US on Iran on 28 February and Iran’s subsequent attacks on countries in the region, will be fundamental to determining the implications for affected sectors, including airlines, airports, lodging, insurance and lessors, Fitch Ratings says. Our baseline expectation that the conflict […]
US ETR Falls to 9.4% as Blanket 10% Tariff Replaces IEEPA Levies: Fitch Ratings
The 10% blanket reciprocal tariff imposed by the U.S. on most trading partners lowers the U.S. effective tariff rate (ETR) to 9.4% from 12.7%, Fitch Ratings says. If the Trump administration imposes a 15% levy, the U.S. ETR would rise to 11.3%. President Trump acted swiftly to reinstate tariffs following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling […]
Sri Lanka Launches Landmark Digital Foundations for a Data-Driven Agriculture Sector
Sri Lanka today took a major step towards transforming its agriculture sector with the official launch of the Agriculture Enterprise Architecture Framework, Agriculture Interoperability Framework, Data Sharing Policies, and CROPIX, a national digital platform for crop data and decision-making. The high-level launch event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation and the […]
Technology leader Shanil Fernando appointed to the board of NDB
January 20, 2025 (LBO) – One of Sri Lanka’s most significant technology leaders, Shanil Fernando, has been appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Sri Lanka’s National Development Bank (NDB). “Shanil Fernando brings over 25 years of experience in the global IT industry, having played pivotal roles in founding and scaling technology ventures. He was […]
Sarvesh Suri Named IFC’s new Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific
Sarvesh Suri is named IFC’s Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific, bringing 25 years of global investment and development expertise as well as a proven track record of fostering public-private collaborations. In making the announcement, IFC confirmed that Suri will strategically lead all investment and advisory operations in the region by mobilizing the […]