Columnist

Lineage of elite power

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:22

Can Mannar’s Gas Basin change Sri Lanka’s story?

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:21

Sri Lanka, beyond 22

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:20

The terms of control: Territorial gatekeeping and stagnation of Sri Lankan creative capital

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:20

Why Sri Lanka should not rush to change inflation target

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 04:16

Climate has changed: Has our agriculture?

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 04:05

The 22nd Amendment to Constitution: Pandora’s box or a horn of plenty

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:59

An economy for more than 1,000 people

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 00:17

Central Bank’s dilemma: 5% or 2%?

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:26

When the mountain moved

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:25

Maha 2026/2027: Why delaying cultivation until December may be safer choice

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:24

Sri Lanka’s next farm crisis could begin with drought - and end with too much rain

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:24

Restoring housing loan interest relief is essential

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:23

How RAMIS is stripping businesses of their legitimate VAT input credits

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:21

One country, two standards

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:20

Sri Lanka Customs revenue targets and actual collections: An interim review

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:20

The Arctic option: Why a melting sea route matters for Colombo Harbour

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:20

Why Sri Lanka keeps betting on US Soy

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:18

Amendments and judges: Random thoughts

Wednesday, 26 August 2026 00:28

Sri Lanka’s inflation target review: Case for caution

Wednesday, 26 August 2026 00:27

SC rejects request for full-bench hearing 22A petitions

The Supreme Court yesterday rejected a request for petitions challenging the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution to be heard before a full ben ..

Public debt tops Rs. 32.98 t in 2Q despite fall in dollar terms

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:30

Sri Lanka’s gross public debt increased by Rs. 744 billion during the second quarter of 2026 to Rs. 32.98 trillion, even as its dollar value decline ..

Cabinet approves Strategic Status for 68 businesses operating in Colombo Port City

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:26

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to submit to Parliament regulations designating 68 businesses operating within the Colombo Port City ..

Cabinet clears agreement to establish BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:24

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the signing of an agreement with the BIMSTEC Secretariat to establish the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility i ..

August tourist arrivals fall 3.3% despite boost from Esala Perahera

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:22

Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery continued to lose momentum in August, with international arrivals declining 3.29% year-on-year (YoY) to 191,704, leavin ..

Union Bank plans Rs. 708.4 m Rights Issue to bolster Tier 1 capital

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:20

Union Bank of Colombo PLC has proposed a Rs. 708.4 million Rights Issue to strengthen its Tier 1 capital adequacy and support expansion of its loan bo ..

Another year’s wait for Sri Lanka’s global tourism campaign

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:09

Sri Lanka’s long-awaited global destination marketing campaign is set to face a further delay of nearly one year, Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwa ..

Standard Chartered Sri Lanka CEO moots IMF stand-by deal after EFF

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:07

Standard Chartered Sri Lanka CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri has made the case for Sri Lanka to consider an International Monetary Fund (IMF) Stand-By Ar ..

CSE corporate earnings rise 10% to Rs. 168.3 b in 2Q

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:03

Corporate earnings of companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) rose 10% year-on-year (YoY) to Rs. 168.3 billion in the second quarter of 2 ..

Official poverty line rises to Rs. 17,679 in July

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:01

Sri Lanka’s national official poverty line rose to Rs. 17,679 per person per month in July 2026, up 0.5% from the previous month, according to the l ..

JKH deepens collaboration with Salesforce to power customer growth

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 00:45

Salesforce yesterday announced the expansion of its collaboration with John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) to accelerate customer experience transformation ..

Colombo Port surges into Global Top 20

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:26

Colombo Port has strengthened its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing major container hubs, handling 4.44 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent ..

Salesforce strengthens commitment to Sri Lanka with first-ever Innovation Day in Colombo today

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:24

Salesforce will host its first-ever Salesforce Innovation Day Colombo today (31), underscoring the company’s growing investment in Sri Lanka and its ..

Vehicle registrations continue to slide in July

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:22

Sri Lanka’s total vehicle registrations declined by 8.5% month-on-month (MoM) to 53,221 units in July from 58,151 units in June, continuing the mode ..

New Chinese Ambassador assumes office

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:20

New Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Wei Huaxiang last week assumed office, replacing outgoing Ambassador Qi Zhenhong. Wei presented his credentials ..

Jetstar opens low-fare Colombo-Melbourne link with 100,000 seats a year

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:06

Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar last week launched its first direct service between Sri Lanka and Australia, opening a new year-round air link th ..

Sri Lanka outlines ambitious plans for Promise.lk as deals near Rs.42 b

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:28

Sri Lanka’s largest procurer, the Government, is preparing a major expansion of electronic public procurement in 2027, as the cumulative value of e- ..

Final road links to Homagama Tech City get Cabinet nod

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:25

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved the completion of two unfinished road links aimed at providing direct access to the Homagam ..

TISL challenges Anti-Corruption Act Amendment Bill 2026

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:23

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the proposed “Anti-Corruption (Amendment)” Bill ..

Former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne jailed for 7 years over corruption case

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:21

Former Civil Aviation Minister Piyankara Jayaratne was yesterday sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of a corru ..

Summer Salt: New address for trends, vibes and unforgettable nights

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:51

Beyond its refreshed spaces and stunning beachfront setting, Citrus Hikkaduwa is embracing a new identity as one of the South Coast’s most exciting ..

Over 250-strong Japanese delegation arrives in Sri Lanka

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:08

Sri Lanka yesterday welcomed its largest-ever privately organised Japanese visitor delegation, as over 250 travellers arrived in Colombo through the L ..

Exports cross $ 10 b record as services offset merchandise weakness

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:04

Total exports reached a record $ 10.48 billion in the first seven months of 2026, up 5.48% year-on-year (YoY), putting the country just past the halfw ..

CCPI inflation hits three-year high of 8% in August

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:02

Sri Lanka’s Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI)-based headline inflation accelerated to a three-year high of 8% year-on-year (YoY) in August from 7. ..

External current account in deficit for fourth month

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:00

The external current account remained in deficit for a fourth consecutive month in July, taking the cumulative shortfall to $ 387 million in the first ..

Sri Lanka to launch tourism promotion roadmap, 2026-2030 strategy today

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:28

The Tourism Ministry will today (31) launch consultancies for the development of a Global Promotional Campaign Roadmap and the National Tourism Strate ..

NSB Group delivers Rs. 22.5 b operating profit in 1H 2026 as lending and core income strengthen

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:25

National Savings Bank Group (NSB) recorded resilient core banking performance during the first six months of 2026, supported by stronger net interest ..

Sri Lanka-Japan JWG on Export-Oriented Industrial Corridor Development meets

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:23

The first meeting of the Sri Lanka-Japan Joint Working Group (JWG) on Export-Oriented Industrial Corridor Development was convened in Colombo last wee ..

JB Securities flags vehicle tax distortions limiting hybrid choice

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:21

Sri Lanka’s vehicle tax structure is restricting consumer access to several globally popular hybrid models and creating market distortions by favour ..

Asia Capital wins Rs. 1.5 b debt rebate as restructuring crosses challenging chapter

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:10

Asia Capital PLC has taken a major step in strengthening its financial position after successfully securing a Rs. 1.5 billion rebate on a Rs. 1.8 bill ..

Shashi Kandambi joins Commercial Bank Board

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:03

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC has appointed Shashi Kandambi to its Board as an Independent, Non-Executive Director. Shashi Kandambi is an accomplishe ..

Public debt tops Rs. 32.98 t in 2Q despite fall in dollar terms

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:30

Sri Lanka’s gross public debt increased by Rs. 744 billion during the second quarter of 2026 to Rs. 32.98 trillion, even as its dollar value decline ..

Sri Lanka outlines ambitious plans for Promise.lk as deals near Rs.42 b

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:28

Sri Lanka’s largest procurer, the Government, is preparing a major expansion of electronic public procurement in 2027, as the cumulative value of e- ..

Cabinet approves Strategic Status for 68 businesses operating in Colombo Port City

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:26

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to submit to Parliament regulations designating 68 businesses operating within the Colombo Port City ..

Final road links to Homagama Tech City get Cabinet nod

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:25

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved the completion of two unfinished road links aimed at providing direct access to the Homagam ..

Cabinet clears agreement to establish BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:24

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the signing of an agreement with the BIMSTEC Secretariat to establish the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility i ..

TISL challenges Anti-Corruption Act Amendment Bill 2026

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:23

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the proposed “Anti-Corruption (Amendment)” Bill ..

August tourist arrivals fall 3.3% despite boost from Esala Perahera

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:22

Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery continued to lose momentum in August, with international arrivals declining 3.29% year-on-year (YoY) to 191,704, leavin ..

Former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne jailed for 7 years over corruption case

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:21

Former Civil Aviation Minister Piyankara Jayaratne was yesterday sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of a corru ..

Union Bank plans Rs. 708.4 m Rights Issue to bolster Tier 1 capital

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:20

Union Bank of Colombo PLC has proposed a Rs. 708.4 million Rights Issue to strengthen its Tier 1 capital adequacy and support expansion of its loan bo ..

Summer Salt: New address for trends, vibes and unforgettable nights

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:51

Beyond its refreshed spaces and stunning beachfront setting, Citrus Hikkaduwa is embracing a new identity as one of the South Coast’s most exciting ..

Another year’s wait for Sri Lanka’s global tourism campaign

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:09

Sri Lanka’s long-awaited global destination marketing campaign is set to face a further delay of nearly one year, Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwa ..

Over 250-strong Japanese delegation arrives in Sri Lanka

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:08

Sri Lanka yesterday welcomed its largest-ever privately organised Japanese visitor delegation, as over 250 travellers arrived in Colombo through the L ..

Standard Chartered Sri Lanka CEO moots IMF stand-by deal after EFF

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:07

Standard Chartered Sri Lanka CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri has made the case for Sri Lanka to consider an International Monetary Fund (IMF) Stand-By Ar ..

Exports cross $ 10 b record as services offset merchandise weakness

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 03:04

Total exports reached a record $ 10.48 billion in the first seven months of 2026, up 5.48% year-on-year (YoY), putting the country just past the halfw ..

FT FUNTOON

Cartoon 02.09.2026

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:00

Cartoon 22.08.2026

Saturday, 22 August 2026 00:43

Cartoon 20.08.2026

Thursday, 20 August 2026 00:00

Cartoon 08.08.2026

Saturday, 8 August 2026 01:00

Cartoon 03.08.2026

Monday, 3 August 2026 00:00

FT TV

Colombo Fort to be developed as major tourist destination

Sunday, 30 August 2026 07:26

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reviewed plans to develop Colombo’s historic Fort area into an internationally recognised tourist destination ..

Port of Colombo Rises to 20th Among World’s Top Container Ports

Sunday, 30 August 2026 06:26

Sarasavi Dhiriya Abhiman scholarship programme held in Jaffna

Sunday, 30 August 2026 05:31

Eppawala Lanka Phosphate invests Rs. 110m in new machinery

Sunday, 30 August 2026 04:41

Sri Lanka takes tourism to the skies with passenger drones

Saturday, 29 August 2026 08:25

President witnesses final Randoli Perahera in Kandy

Friday, 28 August 2026 06:09

FT Click

Celebration of 80th Independence Day of India in Sri Lanka

Wednesday, 19 August 2026 03:20

ITC Ratnadipa honours the spirit of India on its 80th Independence Day

Wednesday, 19 August 2026 03:16

FT Click Digital

Celebrity and entertainment spotlight at FT-Interbrand IWD gala

Tuesday, 11 April 2023 16:59

Daily FT-Interbrand International Women’s Day gala

Monday, 10 April 2023 15:57

IT / Telecom / Tech

AI Academy and Tomorrow University partner to launch SL’s future-ready AI education hub

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:08

Xapi launches Sri Lanka’s first practical PDPA Compliance Playbook

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:04

Huawei and HP sign global patent cross-licensing deal

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:02

FT Lite

KARANDA launches with first original production, UBU

Saturday, 22 August 2026 04:30

KARANDA, a new Sri Lankan creative company, will present its first production, UBU, in Colombo from 5 to 8 November 2026. ..

Soundarie David and Band MAYA to present ‘Andrum Indrum - Then and Now’ on 13 Sept.

Saturday, 22 August 2026 04:24

Eric Goh headlines ‘Jewels Beneath the Waves’

Saturday, 22 August 2026 04:16

Opinion and Issues

Lineage of elite power

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:22

Although the new Courts Complex in Galle was not quite complete, the then President Ranil Wickremesinghe was anxious to make a profound discourse on h ..

Can Mannar’s Gas Basin change Sri Lanka’s story?

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:21

The terms of control: Territorial gatekeeping and stagnation of Sri Lankan creative capital

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:20

FT View - Editorial

Competitiveness when SMEs are lenders

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 00:00

Large companies generally have broader and cheaper financing options than small suppliers. Yet when a smaller business must borrow because a stronger ..

Not forgetting the victims of enforced disappearances

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 00:05

Learning before disaster strikes

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:00

Policy inconsistency or national psyche

Wednesday, 26 August 2026 00:00

Building a competitive agriculture sector

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 06:07

Turning goodwill into a durable Indo-Lanka partnership

Monday, 24 August 2026 03:50

Special Report

Investing in Sri Lanka’s upper watersheds: Unlocking natural capital for resilient future

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:00

By Safna Malik The Asian Development Bank (ADB) hosted a knowledge-sharing session titled “Investing in Sri Lanka’s Upper Watersheds: Unlocking ..

Breaking barriers: Sri Lanka–India integration needs political will, institutional muscle

Tuesday, 18 August 2026 11:32

Boards must move beyond compliance to strategic foresight to drive Sri Lanka’s next growth chapter

Thursday, 6 August 2026 04:47

Business News

Hayleys Fentons delivers new manufacturing facility for Shield Restraint Systems on schedule

Hunas Holdings and Japan’s CCH enter strategic collaborative partnership

Arctek Innovations achieves International Standards Certification, strengthening commitment to quality and food safety

Sri Lanka–Hong Kong trade and investment opportunities strengthened through strategic collaboration

Touli launches in Sri Lanka, turning social impact into authentic local experiences

LAUGFS Supermarkets opens 45th outlet in Ekala

Economist Anushka Wijesinha joins Hayleys Fibre Board

Sri Lanka – Japan Business Council holds AGM

Sri Lanka sets sights on global FinTech map

BOI, Austrade hold knowledge-sharing workshop on FDI promotion

Priyanthini McNair joins Digital Mobility Solutions Board

GovPay transactions cross Rs. 5 b mark

Phantom imports case: Court asks FCID to probe whether imports arrived against overseas advance payments

CSE snaps three-month losing streak in August, down 5.7% YTD

CPC slashes petrol prices by up to Rs. 20 per litre

Construction PMI climbs in July

Deep Tec and CCECC join hands to advance sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure in Sri Lanka

Joseph Page new Chairman of CT Land Development; Indira Malwatte joins Board

De Soysa and Company strengthens partnership with Lion Brewery through delivery of nine TCM forklifts

ADB’s $ 12.5 m loan to fund 300,000 smart meters to modernise power grid

Cabinet approves Rs. 104.9 b Central Expressway connecting road project

President pushes faster company registration, export market access

Columnist

Lineage of elite power

Can Mannar’s Gas Basin change Sri Lanka’s story?

Sri Lanka, beyond 22

The terms of control: Territorial gatekeeping and stagnation of Sri Lankan creative capital

Why Sri Lanka should not rush to change inflation target

Climate has changed: Has our agriculture?

The 22nd Amendment to Constitution: Pandora’s box or a horn of plenty

An economy for more than 1,000 people

Central Bank’s dilemma: 5% or 2%?

When the mountain moved

Maha 2026/2027: Why delaying cultivation until December may be safer choice

Sri Lanka’s next farm crisis could begin with drought - and end with too much rain

Restoring housing loan interest relief is essential

How RAMIS is stripping businesses of their legitimate VAT input credits

One country, two standards

Sri Lanka Customs revenue targets and actual collections: An interim review

The Arctic option: Why a melting sea route matters for Colombo Harbour

Why Sri Lanka keeps betting on US Soy

Amendments and judges: Random thoughts

Sri Lanka’s inflation target review: Case for caution

Trending

Central Bank’s dilemma: 5% or 2%?

Shashi Kandambi joins Commercial Bank Board

Standard Chartered Sri Lanka CEO moots IMF stand-by deal after EFF

De Soysa and Company strengthens partnership with Lion Brewery through delivery of nine TCM forklifts

Priyanthini McNair joins Digital Mobility Solutions Board

ADB’s $ 12.5 m loan to fund 300,000 smart meters to modernise power grid

Sri Lanka tourism strategy shifts focus from arrivals to value, local spending

SL inches towards 1.5 m tourists amidst downturn

Over 250-strong Japanese delegation arrives in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka to launch tourism promotion roadmap, 2026-2030 strategy today

Business News

Hayleys Fentons delivers new manufacturing facility for Shield Restraint Systems on schedule

Hunas Holdings and Japan’s CCH enter strategic collaborative partnership

Arctek Innovations achieves International Standards Certification, strengthening commitment to quality and food safety

Sri Lanka–Hong Kong trade and investment opportunities strengthened through strategic collaboration

Touli launches in Sri Lanka, turning social impact into authentic local experiences

LAUGFS Supermarkets opens 45th outlet in Ekala

Economist Anushka Wijesinha joins Hayleys Fibre Board

Sri Lanka – Japan Business Council holds AGM

Sri Lanka sets sights on global FinTech map

BOI, Austrade hold knowledge-sharing workshop on FDI promotion

Priyanthini McNair joins Digital Mobility Solutions Board

GovPay transactions cross Rs. 5 b mark

Phantom imports case: Court asks FCID to probe whether imports arrived against overseas advance payments

CSE snaps three-month losing streak in August, down 5.7% YTD

CPC slashes petrol prices by up to Rs. 20 per litre

Construction PMI climbs in July

Deep Tec and CCECC join hands to advance sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure in Sri Lanka

Joseph Page new Chairman of CT Land Development; Indira Malwatte joins Board

De Soysa and Company strengthens partnership with Lion Brewery through delivery of nine TCM forklifts

ADB’s $ 12.5 m loan to fund 300,000 smart meters to modernise power grid

Cabinet approves Rs. 104.9 b Central Expressway connecting road project

President pushes faster company registration, export market access

FT NEWS

Tepid progress in Sri Lanka on justice for past abuses alleges Human Rights Watch