Business
Economy, markets, and business news
New Aswesuma List Soon
The selection process for beneficiaries under a new phase of the Aswesuma Welfare Benefits Scheme has been completed, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Upali Pan…
Mudalige raises concerns over body-camera tender
People’s Struggle Movement activist Wasantha Mudalige has alleged that information obtained through ChatGPT was used without adequate review in preparing tender documents for the procurement of 500 bo…
First Capital Forecasts No Change in Interest Rates
The Central Bank is scheduled to announce its next monetary policy decision on the 30th, with financial research firm First Capital forecasting that interest rates will remain unchanged. According to…
Suspect Arrested Over Rs. 24.8 Billion Foreign Exchange Transfer
The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) says a suspect has been arrested in Kotikawatta in connection with the transfer of foreign exchange worth Rs. 24.8 billion to overseas bank accounts…
Sri Lanka Moves to Ban Sale of Unpacked Coconut Oil
The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) says steps are being taken to ban the sale of unpacked coconut oil in the local market. Acting Director General of the Consumer Affairs Authority Samantha Karunase…
10 MW Battery Storage System Added to National Grid
A 10 MW/40 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) constructed in Anuradhapura was connected to Sri Lanka’s national electricity grid this morning (18) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara D…
Rs. 180 Million Assets of Cannabis Suspect Frozen
A court order has been obtained to freeze for 14 days assets worth Rs. 180 million allegedly acquired through illegal means by Jayasinghe Arachchige Hemantha, also known as ‘Bathala Heen Mahaththaya’,…
September Aswesuma Payment to Be Credited Tomorrow
The Welfare Benefits Board has announced that the Aswesuma allowance for September will be credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts tomorrow (16). Accordingly, a total of Rs. 9.18169625 billion is sch…
Fuel Pricing Formula to Be Recalculated at Month-End
Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka told the media that Sri Lanka’s fuel pricing formula will be recalculated at the end of the month based on global market prices, as crude oil prices have risen sharp…
Aswesuma Beneficiaries Halved in 2026
Parliament today (11) drew attention to the significant decline in the number of beneficiaries receiving the government’s Aswesuma welfare allowance for low-income families compared with 2025. The fig…
No Request to Increase Electricity Tariffs Next Quarter
Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka says the government does not intend to request an increase in electricity tariffs for the upcoming quarter. Speaking in Parliament today (11), the Minister said tha…
IMF Team to Arrive in Sri Lanka Today
A special team of officials led by Evan Papageorgiou, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, is scheduled to arrive in the country today (10). The delegation is expected…
Vehicle Number Plate Shortage to End Within Six Months
The shortage of vehicle number plates is expected to be fully resolved within the next six months, Commissioner General of Motor Traffic Tushara Fernando has said. He said approximately 62,000 number…
Only Two Suspicious Transaction Reports from Lawyers
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka says that only two suspicious transaction reports have been submitted by lawyers in Sri Lanka between 2020 and 2026. Speaking at a conference organized by the Bar Associa…
Schedule Proposed for 2026/27 Maha Paddy Cultivation
A schedule has been proposed for commencing paddy cultivation during the 2026/27 Maha season. The proposed dates have been set according to different agricultural zones with the aim of efficiently man…
New Prices for Local Canned Fish
New Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) have been set for locally produced canned fish, with a Gazette notification issued in this regard. Accordingly, maximum retail prices have been fixed for canned fish v…
Sapugaskanda Refinery Capacity to Double
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has planned to significantly expand the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery by constructing a new refinery within the existing premises under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT…
Green Number Plates for Electric Vehicles
The Department of Motor Traffic says steps have been taken to issue special number plates with a green background for all electric vehicles used across Sri Lanka. Commissioner General of Motor Traffic…
Thailand Ends Visa-Free Entry for Sri Lankans
Sri Lankan passport holders will no longer be eligible for visa-free entry to Thailand with effect from September 15, according to reports. The move has been introduced under Thailand’s revised entry…
Sri Lanka Railways Faces Corruption and Irregularities Allegations
Public confidence in Sri Lanka Railways has been undermined by institutional failures, alleged systematic corruption and widespread irregularities, according to audit reports and investigations. Findi…
