Government’s Tariff Reform Amid US Trade Pressure
Sri Lanka has begun consultations on a proposed Four-Band Tariff Policy under the 2026 Budget, aiming to streamline duties and support domestic industries as the United States raises tariffs on selected Sri Lankan exports....
Sri Lankas New Bond Rollout Faces Reform Tests
Sri Lanka’s issuance of new performance-linked sovereign bonds under its debt restructuring programme enters a challenging implementation phase as authorities work to meet strict IMF targets....
Weekly Political Review
Weekly Economic Review
Accountability Yes, Personal Attacks No: Defending Democratic Discourse – Making a Textbook Error Into a Political Battleground – Lionel Bopage
A single mistake that was in a Grade 6 English textbook has ignited a huge firestorm in Sri Lanka. What should have been a straightforward quality control issue has instead become a full-blown political crisis. This has raised urgent questions about accountability, democratic discourse, and the future of education reform in the country....
IMF-Driven Company Law Reform Shakes Sri Lankan Corporates
Sri Lanka’s corporate sector is facing a sweeping transformation following the enactment of the Companies (Amendment) Act No. 12 of 2025, a key IMF-backed reform aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability....
SIM Re-Registration Plan Raises Privacy Concerns
The Government has approved amendments to SIM card registration regulations requiring re-registration of mobile numbers issued before 2 August 2019....
Colombo Hosts IRONMAN 70.3 to Boost Tourism Drive
Sri Lanka will host the IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo triathlon on February 22 at Port City Colombo, attracting nearly 1,000 athletes from over 49 countries. Organized by Serendib Multisport, the event is expected to generate high-value tourism and international media exposure....
Sri Lankan Banks Fund $40million Maldives Airport Expansion
NDB Investment Bank Limited (NDBIB) announced it has syndicated a five-year, US$40 million loan to Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL) to finance the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport....
SLCSMI Proposes Rs. 300bn ‘Bad Bank’ to Rescue SMEs
The Sri Lanka Chamber of Small and Medium Industries (SLCSMI) has unveiled a Rs. 300 billion “Bad Bank” proposal to address the SME sector’s debt crisis, which includes an estimated Rs. 460 billion in non-performing loans....
Sri Lanka Courts Global Capital for Inclusive Growth
Sri Lanka this week hosted its first Lanka Impact Investment Summit 2026 in Colombo, drawing more than 200 local and international delegates to explore new financing avenues for economic recovery....
Chinese Envoy Reaffirms Commitment to Stronger Sri Lanka Ties
Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties as he addressed a Spring Festival celebration in Colombo on Sunday....
TRAVEL AND TOURISM
Government Pledges Strong Push to Keep Colombo Port Regionally Competitive
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Port of Colombo through expansion, technology adoption, and international partnershi...
CASA Calls For Integrated Maritime Digital Systems
The Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) has urged Sri Lanka to accelerate digital transformation across the maritime and logistics sector to ...
Sri Lanka CERT warns of growing cyber threats as complaints exceed 12,600 in 2025
The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (Sri Lanka CERT) has received more than 12,650 complaints related to social media misuse and cybersecu...
STAY CONNECTED
POWER AND ENERGY
Cabinet Clears Renewable Energy Plan Targeting 70% Clean Power
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the Renewable Energy Resources Development Plan 2025–2030, a key policy framework aimed at meeting 70 percent [...]
CONSTRUCTION
BIA Terminal II Construction Likely Delayed Until June 2026
Sri Lanka’s long-delayed Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Terminal II expansion is now expected to face further setbacks, [...]
FASHION & EVENTS
Honey offering at Randoli Perahera
A group of indigenous people made a traditional honey offering during the first Randoli Perahera in Kandy today. This special ritual is done as a sign [...]
