Business
Economy, markets, and business news
Public Urged to Avoid Open-Paper Vehicle Sales
The Department of Motor Traffic has urged the public to refrain from selling vehicles under “Open Papers” in the future. Commissioner General of Motor Traffic, retired Air Vice Marshal Thushara Induni…
USS Tulsa Arrives at Colombo Port
The US Navy’s USS Tulsa has arrived at the Port of Colombo today (08) for an official visit to Sri Lanka. This marks the second visit by the warship to Sri Lanka within two years. The US Embassy in Co…
No Fuel Shortage – Public Urged Not to Panic
The Lanka Petroleum Private Tanker Owners’ Association has urged the public not to panic-buy or stockpile fuel, stating that there is no fuel shortage or disruption to fuel distribution across the cou…
Fuel Import Costs Rise 61.6%
According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka spent USD 4,072.1 million on fuel imports from January to August 2026. This represents a 61.6% increase compared with the USD 2,520.6 million spen…
Sajith Calls for Focus on Renewable Energy
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says Sri Lanka needs an electricity generation policy focused on providing a continuous supply of high-quality electricity at the lowest possible unit cost. He said…
Islandwide Raids Over Underweight Bread
The Consumer Affairs Authority has launched a special islandwide inspection and investigation programme targeting the sale of underweight bread and the failure to properly display the weight and price…
Fuel Prices Increased
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has decided to increase fuel prices with effect from midnight on September 30. Accordingly, the price of a litre of Octane 92 petrol has been increased by Rs. 15, brin…
Foreign Exchange Regulations Approved
The Committee on Public Finance has approved Foreign Exchange Regulations No. 01 and 02 of 2026, as well as the order issued under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act. The approval was granted foll…
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…
