Business
Business
City of Dreams and SLITHM Host Women’s Leadership Forum
March 12, 2026
In celebration of International Women’s Day, City of Dreams Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM), hosted a forum themed “Give to Gain” to inspire the next generation of women leaders in hospitality. The event brought together students, industry leaders, and educators to share insights, experiences, and practical guidance on empowerment, leadership, and career growth. The forum opened with a welcome address by SLITHM Director General Was
Business
MDFD Shapes Sri Lanka’s Fashion Future Beyond the Runway
March 12, 2026
The Chokolaate Mother Daughter Fashion Designer Contest (MDFD) has evolved beyond a runway event to become a platform for confidence, collaboration, and craft revival in Sri Lanka’s fashion industry. By challenging designers to create for both mother and daughter, MDFD encourages storytelling, generational harmony, and functional design, nurturing creatives who are intentional and skilled. For Samali Senevirathne, 2025 winner, MDFD provided national recognition for heritage handloom and beeralu
Business
Visa Becomes Official Payment Partner of MasterChef Sri Lanka
March 12, 2026
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has been named the Official Payment Partner for the inaugural season of MasterChef Sri Lanka, bringing the world-renowned culinary television format to the country for the first time. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the most successful cookery show globally, MasterChef has over 70 international adaptations and broadcasts in more than 200 territories. Its debut in Sri Lanka highlights the nation’s rich culinary heritage and emerging talent on a
Business
Elvoir Sets New Standard in Sri Lanka’s Luxury Fragrance Industry
March 12, 2026
Elvoir, founded by certified perfumer Qaaim Deen, marks a milestone as Sri Lanka’s first locally led certified fragrance brand, elevating the nation onto the global perfumery stage. The brand blends French fragrance oils with premium local ingredients, manufactured under strict IFRA, ISO, and GMP standards, ensuring quality, safety, and consistency. Elvoir caters to discerning Sri Lankan consumers and corporate clients, offering limited edition collections, bespoke fragrances, smart diffusers,
Business
Sri Lanka Launches Inaugural Automobile Awards to Celebrate Excellence
March 12, 2026
PR Wire (Pvt) Ltd, in partnership with the Automobile Industry Council, has launched the first-ever Automobile Awards to elevate Sri Lanka’s automotive industry. The initiative aims to transform public perception, highlighting the sector’s innovation, professionalism, and career opportunities across 20 subsectors. The awards present the industry as a hub for talent, growth, and rewarding careers in engineering, design, marketing, finance, and management. The platform also emphasizes leadership
Business
Nestlé Lanka Marks 120 Years With Rs. 9 Billion Investment Plan
March 11, 2026
Nestlé Lanka will invest Rs. 9 billion over the next four years to expand its manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka, highlighting confidence in both the domestic market and export potential despite economic challenges. Chairman and Managing Director Bernie Stefan said the investment will focus on strengthening the Pannala manufacturing base, particularly scaling up export-oriented lines such as coconut milk powder. He emphasized that Nestlé’s deep connection with local consumers underpins its l
Business
Fairway Latitude Partners with Pan Asia Bank for Luxury Apartment Financing
February 19, 2026
Fairway Properties has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC to provide home financing solutions for buyers at Fairway Latitude, the company’s seventh luxury apartment project in Sri Lanka. The partnership strengthens Fairway’s commitment to delivering premium urban living experiences. The MOU enables prospective homeowners to access Pan Asia Bank’s housing loan facilities through tripartite agreements between Fairway Latitude, the buyer, and the bank,
Business
Singer Sri Lanka Wins Gold at TAGS Awards 2025
February 19, 2026
Singer Sri Lanka PLC has won the Gold Award in the Trading Companies category at the TAGS Awards 2025, organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka. The award recognises excellence in corporate reporting, with Singer emerging as the top performer among trading sector competitors. The Gold Award affirms Singer’s robust corporate governance framework and its commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices. The TAGS Awards, representing Transparency,
Business
Virtusa and Wiley Form a Multi-Year Partnership to Accelerate Wiley’s Technology Transformation
February 11, 2026
Virtusa Corporation, a global leader in digital business strategy and AI-led engineering, and Wiley (NYSE: WLY), a global authority in scientific content and research intelligence, today announced a multi-year managed services partnership under which Virtusa will provide infrastructure and application services to support Wiley’s strategic technology initiatives. The partnership marks a key step in accelerating Wiley’s technology transformation, enhancing innovation, productivity, and cost effic
Business
ComBank And Visa Mark 100,000 Google Pay Transactions Milestone
February 07, 2026
Commercial Bank of Ceylon, together with Visa, celebrated a major milestone in Sri Lanka’s digital payments journey by surpassing 100,000 Google Pay transactions within just six weeks of the service’s launch for Visa cardholders. The achievement was commemorated at an event held recently at Cinnamon Life. The milestone highlights the rapid adoption of secure, contactless mobile payments in Sri Lanka and reflects growing consumer confidence in cashless payment solutions. Commercial Bank noted th
Business
Hayleys Highlights Agri-Tech Innovation at Jaffna International Trade Fair 2026
February 01, 2026
Hayleys Agriculture Holdings Ltd. reinforced its commitment to transforming Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector at the Jaffna International Trade Fair 2026, held from 23 to 25 January at the Muttraweli Grounds in Jaffna. The company showcased modern agricultural technology and value-added products, with a strong focus on supporting farming communities in the Northern Province and strengthening its leadership in agri-technology and practical innovation. Attracting farmers, agribusiness stakeholders,
Business
CSE Posts 5.25% January Gain Despite Second Straight Daily Decline
January 31, 2026
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded losses for the second consecutive trading session on January 30, even as the market maintained a strong overall performance for the month. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) declined by 88.58 points to close at 23,812.31, while the S&P SL20 Index dropped 14.51 points to settle at 6,641.15, reflecting broad-based weakness during the day’s trading. Despite the negative session, the market’s monthly performance remained positive. The ASPI recorded a 5.25% g
Business
Kishan Vairavanathan Appointed Independent Director at Ceylon Land and Equity
January 30, 2026
Ceylon Land and Equity PLC has appointed Kishan Vairavanathan as an Independent Non-Executive Director to its Board. Vairavanathan currently serves as a Non-Executive Independent Director at Galle Face Capital Partners PLC and Premier Wealth Management Ltd., while also consulting for Nestor Stockbrokers Ltd. His previous directorships include Dynamic Global Ventures Ltd., Inventive Automobiles Ltd., and Dyno Innovations Ltd. until November 2022. He held executive leadership roles as CEO of Asi
Business
UDA Chairman Hemachandra Appointed to Colombo Land Board
January 28, 2026
Colombo Land and Development Company PLC has appointed Urban Development Authority (UDA) Chairman M. G. Hemachandra as a Non-Executive Director on its Board. Hemachandra brings extensive expertise in development policy, economic program design, project management, procurement, and corporate governance. He holds an MBA in Infrastructure and a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)from the University of Moratuwa. As UDA Chairman, he provides strategic leadership to modernize Sri Lanka’s urban developmen
Business
IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo Partners Port City and Shangri-La
January 26, 2026
Sri Lanka is set to strengthen its position on the global sports tourism map with the return of IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo on 22 February 2026, marking six years since the last edition of the event. The international endurance race is organised by Serendib Multisport Ltd. in partnership with Port City Colombo and Shangri-La Colombo. The collaboration aims to position Colombo as an active lifestyle hub and reinforce Sri Lanka’s credentials as a destination capable of hosting high-value international s
Business
World Bank Approves $50M for Sri Lanka’s Digital Push
December 22, 2025
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a USD 50 million project to support Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, focusing on modernising government services and strengthening the country’s digital economy. The Sri Lanka Digital Transformation Project will develop people-centric digital public infrastructure, including an integrated online portal for government services, secure data-sharing systems across state agencies, a digital locker for official documents, and a scalable g
Business
ADB Funds $3mn Pipe Distribution Networks to Boost Agriculture in SL
December 22, 2025
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 3 million grant to address water shortages in Sri Lanka’s North Western and Uva Provinces by constructing modern pipe distribution network (PDN) systems. The project will provide irrigation to 877 hectares of farmland, supporting 943 farming households and improving agricultural productivity. The Transforming Irrigation Systems for Improved Food Security Project is financed through the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacif
Business
Sri Lanka Forecasts Over 5% Growth in 2026 After Cyclone Reconstruction
December 18, 2025
Sri Lanka expects its economy to expand by more than 5 percent in 2026, supported by reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah, a senior government minister said on Wednesday. The cyclone, which struck in late November, killed nearly 650 people and affected around 10 percent of the country’s 22 million population. It caused extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and tea estates, with rebuilding costs estimated at up to $7 billion, as the country continues to recover from its 20
Business
Sri Lanka’s GDP Expands 5.4% in Third Quarter of 2025
December 16, 2025
Sri Lanka’s economy grew by 5.4 percent in the third quarter of 2025, supported by broad-based expansion across agriculture, manufacturing and services, according to the Department of Census and Statistics. Agricultural output increased by 3.6 percent during the period, while manufacturing recorded robust growth of 8.1 percent. The services sector expanded by 3.5 percent, reflecting improved activity across several sub-sectors. The Central Bank’s policies have helped maintain economic stabilit
Business
EDB Chief Says Export Future Is Not Just Bright, but Boundless
December 15, 2025
Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe said Sri Lanka’s export sector is entering a phase of unprecedented expansion, driven by innovation, value addition and renewed policy momentum, declaring that its future is “not just bright—it is boundless.” Wijesinghe made these remarks at the 27th Presidential Export Awards Ceremony held at the BMICH, attended by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Ministers Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and Sunil Handunneththi, along with exporters,
