Columnist

Maize import restrictions put Sri Lanka’s poultry export ambitions at risk

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 05:25

Your tax return is more than a tax bill

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 05:21

Personal Income Taxation - A growing burden for Sri Lankans and economy

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 05:21

Adaptive policy frameworks: Building resilient governance for uncertain future

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 05:20

“Buddy-Racketeers”

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 05:06

War on rights: Protection from Organised Crimes Bill

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 04:59

Ajantha Dharmasiri’s Management Musings: Building bridge from reality to results

Monday, 19 October 2026 03:28

Countrywide power failure: A national security wake-up call

Monday, 19 October 2026 03:21

The balance of power

Monday, 19 October 2026 03:15

Prevention of Organised Crime Bill: Flooding the zone?

Monday, 19 October 2026 01:45

Stranded capital at Colombo Port

Monday, 19 October 2026 01:17

Rooftop solar with battery storage: Significant growth potential not recognised

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Mahaweli Doctrine 2.0: Sri Lanka in an age of fragmented interdependence

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

The German connection: Why Sri Lanka needs it – and vice versa

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Beyond grievance: Building avenues for coexistence

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Shadow economy, 5km blind spot, and unseen cost of inclusion

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Growth paradox – Numbers vs. benefits: Part I – Reforming public sector

Friday, 16 October 2026 00:26

Labour reform: Key link to Sri Lanka’s next wave of FDI

Friday, 16 October 2026 00:25

Lanka’s renewable energy future: Are we solving real problems or undermining our own success?

Friday, 16 October 2026 00:24

Government must heed cry for fairer taxes and quell storm

Friday, 16 October 2026 00:23

PUCSL pushes simple wheeling tariff to unlock private power investment

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) is advocating a simple, transparent, and cost-based wheeling tariff to facilitate private power t ..

PUCSL approves one-hour daily power cuts for three days amid Lakvijaya outage

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:19

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved one-hour daily power cuts across the country for three consecutive days from 19 to 2 ..

HSBC service centre to exit Sri Lanka

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:08

HSBC Electronic Data Processing Lanka Ltd., (HDPL), the bank’s global service centre, will exit Sri Lanka owing to rising costs and an inability to ..

SLPA to develop new logistics hub at Port of Colombo after earlier JV scrapped

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:05

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) yesterday said it has decided to pursue the development of a new logistics hub within Port of Colombo through a p ..

Customs seizes Rs. 67.5 m in drugs from foreign mail parcels

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:04

Sri Lanka Customs has seized narcotics worth an estimated Rs. 67.5 million from 11 foreign postal parcels at the Central Mail Exchange in Colombo. ..

China Merchants, SLPA, Access scrap $ 392 m logistics hub

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:19

China Merchants Port Holdings Company Ltd., the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), and Access Engineering PLC have agreed to abandon the South Asia Com ..

Sri Lanka must earn FTAs, says Deputy Minister

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:15

Sri Lanka must earn free trade agreements (FTAs) through deep domestic reforms rather than expect them to follow from negotiation alone, Industry and ..

Dialog cedes Doc990 control as Sunshine buys 22% for Rs. 375 m

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:14

Dialog Axiata PLC has given up control of Digital Health Ltd., operator of the Doc990 digital health platform. It sold a 20% stake to Sunshine Holding ..

Hayleys, JKH and LOLC take top honours in LMD 100

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:13

Media Services, the publisher of leading business magazine LMD, unveiled the top 20 line-up in its forthcoming LMD 100 annual edition with Hayleys ret ..

Vehicle registrations up 18% in Sept. on two-wheeler rebound

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Vehicle registrations rose 18% month-on-month to 54,214 units in September from 45,811 in August, driven mainly by a rebound in two-wheelers and three ..

Govt. eyes Azerbaijan oil and gas supply

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Sri Lanka has explored energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, particularly in the supply of oil and gas. The talks took place between Foreign Minister Vi ..

CSE down 0.65% during week, ends on the up

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

The Colombo stock market extended the rebound into a second straight session to end the week on the up. During the week, the ASPI fell 0.65% and the S ..

US invests $ 17 m to digitalise Colombo Port

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

The US will provide $ 17 million to digitise operations at the Port of Colombo, in partnership with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), aiming to cu ..

Sri Lanka advances World Bank-backed global tourism marketing roadmap

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Sri Lanka has advanced discussions on implementing its World Bank-backed Global Destination Marketing and Communication Campaign, with a focus on deve ..

ComBank partners Payable to introduce ‘Soundbox’ for small business digital payments

Friday, 16 October 2026 00:26

Driven by its commitment to introduce the latest global technologies and continuously elevate the customer experience, Commercial Bank of Ceylon has a ..

LOLC Microfinance Bank Pakistan named ‘Best Turnaround Bank 2026’

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:10

LOLC Microfinance Bank Pakistan, following its remarkable performance over the past two years, has been named ‘Best Turnaround Bank in Pakistan’ i ..

Microfinance lenders to accept public deposits mooted

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:06

Proposals to allow existing microfinance institutions to accept limited public deposits under regulatory supervision, simplify their licensing process ..

State company seeks exclusive mining rights

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:05

A Parliamentary committee has decided to issue the necessary recommendations on matters relating to the granting of mining rights for 68 grids to Stat ..

NIRDC facilitates $ 26.3 m investment in collaboration with BOI

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:04

HDDES Extracts Ltd., an exporter of value-added, export-oriented spices, oleoresins, essential oils, and related products, and the Board of Investment ..

We are not inflation nutters; SL not ready for sub-5% inflation target: CBSL

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:17

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has ruled out a lower inflation target for now. It concluded that a goal below 5% would force a prolonged period ..

Tourism earnings rise for second month, but YTD revenue falls 9.2%

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:14

Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings recorded a second consecutive month of year-on-year (YoY) growth in September, rising 1.5% to $ 185.6 million despite a ..

Vidullanka wins $ 1.35 m Fiji mini hydro contract

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:13

Vidullanka PLC has won a $ 1.35 million contract to build a mini hydro power facility in Fiji, its first foray into the Pacific island region’s rene ..

Generator failure triggers islandwide blackout; probe launched into grid collapse: NSO

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:12

The National System Operator (NSO) yesterday said a generator failure triggered an islandwide blackout on Saturday (17), collapsing the country’s na ..

Rs. 400 b renewable energy pipeline at risk without bankable deals, faster approvals: Expert

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Sri Lanka’s plan to attract around Rs. 400 billion in renewable energy and battery storage investment over the next three years could fall short, un ..

Sri Lanka, China discuss expanding economic cooperation

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Sri Lanka and China have discussed ways to deepen bilateral relations and expand economic cooperation to support the island’s economic development. ..

High Grown tea output sinks to 34-year low in September

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Sri Lanka’s tea production fell by nearly 9% year-on-year in September to 20.2 MnKg, from 22.1 MnKg a year earlier, as excessive rainfall and poor g ..

Tourist arrivals up 3% in 1H of October

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Sri Lanka welcomed 77,868 tourists in the first 15 days of October 2026, a 3% year-on-year (YoY) increase, but cumulative arrivals for the year remain ..

Half of earlier Port City approvals fall away, CoPF finds

Friday, 16 October 2026 00:30

Half of the investors approved in an earlier round at Colombo Port City have withdrawn or are no longer proceeding, Parliament’s Committee on Public ..

CSE green lights Sampath Bank’s Rs. 10 b debenture issue

Friday, 16 October 2026 00:25

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday said it has approved in principle Sampath Bank PLC’s Rs. 10 billion debenture issue and subscriptions wil ..

PUCSL approves one-hour daily power cuts for three days amid Lakvijaya outage

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:19

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved one-hour daily power cuts across the country for three consecutive days from 19 to 2 ..

LOLC Microfinance Bank Pakistan named ‘Best Turnaround Bank 2026’

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:10

LOLC Microfinance Bank Pakistan, following its remarkable performance over the past two years, has been named ‘Best Turnaround Bank in Pakistan’ i ..

HSBC service centre to exit Sri Lanka

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:08

HSBC Electronic Data Processing Lanka Ltd., (HDPL), the bank’s global service centre, will exit Sri Lanka owing to rising costs and an inability to ..

Microfinance lenders to accept public deposits mooted

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:06

Proposals to allow existing microfinance institutions to accept limited public deposits under regulatory supervision, simplify their licensing process ..

SLPA to develop new logistics hub at Port of Colombo after earlier JV scrapped

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:05

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) yesterday said it has decided to pursue the development of a new logistics hub within Port of Colombo through a p ..

State company seeks exclusive mining rights

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:05

A Parliamentary committee has decided to issue the necessary recommendations on matters relating to the granting of mining rights for 68 grids to Stat ..

Customs seizes Rs. 67.5 m in drugs from foreign mail parcels

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:04

Sri Lanka Customs has seized narcotics worth an estimated Rs. 67.5 million from 11 foreign postal parcels at the Central Mail Exchange in Colombo. ..

NIRDC facilitates $ 26.3 m investment in collaboration with BOI

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 02:04

HDDES Extracts Ltd., an exporter of value-added, export-oriented spices, oleoresins, essential oils, and related products, and the Board of Investment ..

China Merchants, SLPA, Access scrap $ 392 m logistics hub

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:19

China Merchants Port Holdings Company Ltd., the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), and Access Engineering PLC have agreed to abandon the South Asia Com ..

We are not inflation nutters; SL not ready for sub-5% inflation target: CBSL

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:17

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has ruled out a lower inflation target for now. It concluded that a goal below 5% would force a prolonged period ..

Sri Lanka must earn FTAs, says Deputy Minister

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:15

Sri Lanka must earn free trade agreements (FTAs) through deep domestic reforms rather than expect them to follow from negotiation alone, Industry and ..

Tourism earnings rise for second month, but YTD revenue falls 9.2%

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:14

Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings recorded a second consecutive month of year-on-year (YoY) growth in September, rising 1.5% to $ 185.6 million despite a ..

Dialog cedes Doc990 control as Sunshine buys 22% for Rs. 375 m

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:14

Dialog Axiata PLC has given up control of Digital Health Ltd., operator of the Doc990 digital health platform. It sold a 20% stake to Sunshine Holding ..

Vidullanka wins $ 1.35 m Fiji mini hydro contract

Monday, 19 October 2026 05:13

Vidullanka PLC has won a $ 1.35 million contract to build a mini hydro power facility in Fiji, its first foray into the Pacific island region’s rene ..

FT FUNTOON

Cartoon 19.10.2026

Monday, 19 October 2026 03:29

Cartoon 16.10.2026

Friday, 16 October 2026 00:00

Cartoon 15.10.2026

Thursday, 15 October 2026 04:12

Cartoon 12.10.2026

Monday, 12 October 2026 04:04

Cartoon 09.10.2026

Friday, 9 October 2026 00:00

FT TV

Sri Lanka to expand local pharmaceutical production

Monday, 19 October 2026 08:22

Sri Lanka aims to reduce its dependence on imported medicines, expand domestic pharmaceutical production and increase export earnings over the next de ..

Presidential Secretariat reviews 1818 drug hotline

Sunday, 18 October 2026 18:08

673,000 driving licence cards backlogged

Sunday, 18 October 2026 13:33

IMF reviews Sri Lanka’s revenue reform progress

Saturday, 17 October 2026 11:06

436 health service assistants receive appointments

Friday, 16 October 2026 12:32

President Invites Investors to Sri Lanka

Friday, 16 October 2026 11:53

FT Click

The Unlabelled Runway 2026 brings fashion, inclusion and purpose together

Monday, 12 October 2026 02:54

HNB Legacy Open 2026

Friday, 2 October 2026 00:00

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

5 m digitally skilled Sri Lankans by 2030: PM Harini endorses CSSL’s ‘National Workforce Agenda’

Monday, 19 October 2026 04:26

CBA Forum 2026: AI to ROI, unlocking value beyond intelligence

Monday, 19 October 2026 04:24

IFS brings Industrial AI Harness to world’s most critical and complex industries

Thursday, 15 October 2026 05:15

FT Lite

Mike Audio appointed official distributor for Onkyo, Klipsch and Integra in Sri Lanka

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Mike Audio Ltd., a sister company of Yamaha Music Centre Sri Lanka, has been appointed the official distributor for Onkyo, Klipsch and Integra in Sri ..

Moonamal Knowledge Series to explore design, ecology and abundance with Sierra Bainbridge

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Lunuganga Community Day 2026

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Opinion and Issues

Maize import restrictions put Sri Lanka’s poultry export ambitions at risk

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 05:25

Sri Lanka’s poultry industry faces a policy contradiction. The Government restricts maize imports to protect domestic growers while seeking to incre ..

Personal Income Taxation - A growing burden for Sri Lankans and economy

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 05:21

“Buddy-Racketeers”

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 05:06

FT View - Editorial

Good bye, King

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 05:05

We lost more than a magnificent tusker last week. With the death of Kawantissa, we have lost one of our most recognisable wild elephants, a living sym ..

When the Sangha seeks immunity from the law

Monday, 19 October 2026 03:45

PSTA and POC Bills threaten fundamental rights of citizens

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00

Tuition dilemma

Friday, 16 October 2026 00:00

Reprieve for Anojan, relief for country

Thursday, 15 October 2026 04:07

Is now the time for growth?

Wednesday, 14 October 2026 00:00

Special Report

Digital economy goals stand despite AI threat to IT services: Dr. Wijayasuriya

Tuesday, 13 October 2026 01:37

The Government will hold to its target of a $ 15 billion digital economy by 2030 despite artificial intelligence (AI) eroding Sri Lanka’s IT service ..

BOI eyes larger Hambantota zone, new incentive scheme for investors

Tuesday, 13 October 2026 01:35

Govt. backs export drive with new plan, pledge of policy consistency: EDB

Tuesday, 13 October 2026 01:33

Business News

Indian business delegations visit Sri Lanka to explore trade, investment opportunities

1,000 highnetworth Rotarians to gather in Sri Lanka in December for Rotary Institute 2026

Former diplomat Dhammika Kumari Semasinghe joins Alumex Board

Verité Research drives global debt agenda at IMF–WB Annual Meetings

BRISL to host seminar for undergraduates on Belt and Road Initiative in Colombo today

Entrepreneurs share lessons in resilience and leadership at AAT Sri Lanka Conference 2026

Chrysalis marks decade of catalysing inclusive change across Sri Lanka

Seylan Bank partners Colombo Motor Show 2026 as official banking and leasing partner for 10th consecutive year

ISMM to host National Supply Chain Day 2026 and National Supply Chain Excellence Awards

BRISL to host undergraduate seminar on Belt and Road Initiative in Colombo

Port City Colombo and University of Moratuwa sign framework agreement linking urban development with talent development

Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Council to unlock $ 1 b trade ambition

EDB, CBSL hold seminar on Central Bank rules for electronics manufacturers

Stredge Consulting Middle East and SLAEA host an international webinar and panel discussion on Traceability in Practice

FCCISL and New Zealand High Commissioner discuss trade investment and regional business partnerships

Zydus-Sunshine JV to invest over $ 20 m in Horana pharma plant

RDA to take over provincial, local roads as national highways

JXG enters LMD’s Most Respected Entities in Sri Lanka 2026 for first time

CII delegation explores expanded industrial and investment cooperation between Sri Lanka and India

Dilmah named to SIAL Innovation Selection and Top 5 SIAL for Change finalist

OQ Trading wins Litro’s 2027 LPG deal at Aramco CP plus $ 133.93/MT

Sri Lankan-invented PACCP-X secures UK intellectual property rights and goes global

Columnist

Maize import restrictions put Sri Lanka’s poultry export ambitions at risk

Your tax return is more than a tax bill

Personal Income Taxation - A growing burden for Sri Lankans and economy

Adaptive policy frameworks: Building resilient governance for uncertain future

“Buddy-Racketeers”

War on rights: Protection from Organised Crimes Bill

Ajantha Dharmasiri’s Management Musings: Building bridge from reality to results

Countrywide power failure: A national security wake-up call

The balance of power

Prevention of Organised Crime Bill: Flooding the zone?

Stranded capital at Colombo Port

Rooftop solar with battery storage: Significant growth potential not recognised

Mahaweli Doctrine 2.0: Sri Lanka in an age of fragmented interdependence

The German connection: Why Sri Lanka needs it – and vice versa

Beyond grievance: Building avenues for coexistence

Shadow economy, 5km blind spot, and unseen cost of inclusion

Growth paradox – Numbers vs. benefits: Part I – Reforming public sector

Labour reform: Key link to Sri Lanka’s next wave of FDI

Lanka’s renewable energy future: Are we solving real problems or undermining our own success?

Government must heed cry for fairer taxes and quell storm

Trending

President sets deadlines for key SOE, PPP and Customs laws

Freehold clause, rupee pre-sales and BSI ownership test Port City safeguards

Court upholds travel curbs on Hela Clothing Directors

Zydus-Sunshine JV to invest over $ 20 m in Horana pharma plant

Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Council to unlock $ 1 b trade ambition

Bank of China Colombo branch launches as Sri Lanka’s first RMB clearing bank

Former diplomat Dhammika Kumari Semasinghe joins Alumex Board

IMF tells Sri Lanka to focus on remainder of EFF program

We are not inflation nutters; SL not ready for sub-5% inflation target: CBSL

Ajantha Dharmasiri’s Management Musings: Building bridge from reality to results

Business News

Indian business delegations visit Sri Lanka to explore trade, investment opportunities

1,000 highnetworth Rotarians to gather in Sri Lanka in December for Rotary Institute 2026

Former diplomat Dhammika Kumari Semasinghe joins Alumex Board

Verité Research drives global debt agenda at IMF–WB Annual Meetings

BRISL to host seminar for undergraduates on Belt and Road Initiative in Colombo today

Entrepreneurs share lessons in resilience and leadership at AAT Sri Lanka Conference 2026

Chrysalis marks decade of catalysing inclusive change across Sri Lanka

Seylan Bank partners Colombo Motor Show 2026 as official banking and leasing partner for 10th consecutive year

ISMM to host National Supply Chain Day 2026 and National Supply Chain Excellence Awards

BRISL to host undergraduate seminar on Belt and Road Initiative in Colombo

Port City Colombo and University of Moratuwa sign framework agreement linking urban development with talent development

Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Council to unlock $ 1 b trade ambition

EDB, CBSL hold seminar on Central Bank rules for electronics manufacturers

Stredge Consulting Middle East and SLAEA host an international webinar and panel discussion on Traceability in Practice

FCCISL and New Zealand High Commissioner discuss trade investment and regional business partnerships

Zydus-Sunshine JV to invest over $ 20 m in Horana pharma plant

RDA to take over provincial, local roads as national highways

JXG enters LMD’s Most Respected Entities in Sri Lanka 2026 for first time

CII delegation explores expanded industrial and investment cooperation between Sri Lanka and India

Dilmah named to SIAL Innovation Selection and Top 5 SIAL for Change finalist

OQ Trading wins Litro’s 2027 LPG deal at Aramco CP plus $ 133.93/MT

Sri Lankan-invented PACCP-X secures UK intellectual property rights and goes global

FT NEWS

Supreme Court grants leave to former Deputy Minister in bribery conviction appeal