News & market updates

Daraz Sri Lanka held a February workshop with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority to raise regulatory awareness for online sales of medicines, medical devices, borderline products and cosmetics, aiming to improve seller guidance, compliance practices and consumer trust.

The SEC and SLAASMB signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize cooperation on oversight of financial reporting and auditing for SEC‑licensed entities, including listed companies, establishing information‑sharing, referrals and joint awareness initiatives.

DealBook.lk, a joint venture between Frontier Capital Partners and Asia Capital Global Solutions, has launched as a digital marketplace to connect global capital with Sri Lanka's private-market corporate deals. The platform targets arrangers, investors and founders across infrastructure, energy, agriculture, healthcare and technology.

EDB, the Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority held a webinar on Saudi export registration procedures for over 90 Sri Lankan exporters; Saudi was the 23rd export destination at $137.85m in 2025 (+13.3% vs 2024). The session covered registration, facility approval, inspection and clearance processes for poultry, fisheries, processed foods, frozen produce, beverages and herbal products and included a technical Q&A with SFDA officials.

University of Surrey has launched Asia’s first Master’s in Digital Health, to be delivered at the International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS) in Sri Lanka. The programme trains graduates and professionals in digital health systems, informatics, analytics and leadership to support healthcare digital transformation and regional employability.

Lanka Hospitals PLC won the Gold Award in the Health Sector at the TAGS Awards 2025 — its third consecutive Gold — recognising the company’s reporting quality, governance and transparency.

Access Engineering will invest $6.9 million to establish a cyclotron-based radiopharmaceutical production facility, with commissioning scheduled for today; it holds a 60% stake in Access Medical Tracers Ltd.

IRONMAN® 70.3 Colombo will take place 19–22 Feb 2026 at Port City Colombo, expected to host nearly 1,000 athletes from 49+ countries and boost tourism and local economic activity; Asiri Health is named the event medical partner.

Sunshine Holdings reported 9MFY26 consolidated revenue up 8.1% to Rs. 48.9bn and EBIT up 1.2% to Rs. 7.5bn, while PAT fell 8.8% to Rs. 4.3bn. Healthcare remained the largest revenue driver but faced margin pressure from new pharma pricing, while agribusiness (Watawala) posted strong palm oil-led gains.

Ajay Banga (World Bank) warns 1.2 billion young people will enter the workforce in the next 10–15 years while only about 400 million jobs are expected, creating a vast shortfall. The World Bank proposes a three-pillar jobs strategy (infrastructure and skills, business-friendly rules, and scaling businesses) focused on infrastructure, agribusiness, healthcare, tourism and manufacturing.

The Colombo market ended marginally higher — ASPI +0.02% to 23,655.68 — on turnover of Rs.3.35 billion with foreign net outflows of Rs.64 million. Top positive contributors included NHL, CFIN, CARG, JKH and LLUB, while Samson International, UB Finance and Sierra Cables led turnover.

Sunshine Holdings (SUN) reported consolidated 9MFY26 revenue of LKR 48.9bn (+8.1% YoY), Group EBIT of LKR 7.5bn (+1.2% YoY) and PAT of LKR 4.3bn (-8.8% YoY). Healthcare remained the largest contributor with margin pressure from a new pricing mechanism, while Agribusiness (Watawala) delivered strong revenue and margin gains.

India is hosting a five-day Knowledge Exchange Workshop on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) for a Sri Lanka Ministry of Health delegation in New Delhi to develop a strategic pathway for institutionalizing HTA in Sri Lanka. The workshop will cover HTA frameworks, governance, methodologies, pricing and procurement.

ADB has appointed Shannon Cowlin as its new Country Director for Sri Lanka, and she assumed office in Colombo today. Cowlin, with 26+ years' experience including work on energy, climate and public health, said ADB will support Sri Lanka's recovery and resilience, including cyclone damage.

Joseph Fraser Hospital performed a medically supported water birth with full NICU, Blood Bank and HDU coverage, overseen by Prof. Hemantha Senanayake, and highlighted its personalised BirthX pre-birthing programme and specialist-led maternity services under Ninewells management.

Medihelp Hospitals opened its 20th facility in Ambalangoda, its first in the Southern Province, on January 29, 2026. The branch offers emergency care, OPD, specialist consultations, pharmacy and a full diagnostic suite, with inpatient services planned soon.

World Bank Executive Director Parameswaran Iyer visited Sri Lanka to strengthen development cooperation and reviewed World Bank-supported initiatives with the Treasury secretary. He highlighted priority areas for jobs and growth: infrastructure, agribusiness, healthcare, tourism and value-added manufacturing.

A Sri Lanka delegation led by Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeyasinghe met Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in Riyadh on 25 Jan 2026 to pitch investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and its capital market. PIF outlined its 2026–2030 strategic plan and both sides agreed to open follow-up channels and pursue a bilateral investment protection agreement.

Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe led a Sri Lankan delegation to meet Saudi Public Investment Fund officials in Riyadh to present investment opportunities, capital-market reforms and discuss a Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement; both sides agreed to continue talks.

Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council donated essential medical equipment to the Divisional Hospital, Anavilundawa to strengthen local healthcare capacity as part of its CSR initiatives.

A Gazette amendment permits women over 18 to be employed as janitorial and food service attendants between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., expanding night‑work categories; the Labour Ministry requires employers to provide accommodation, transport, health and safety and welfare measures where needed.

The Social Scientists' Association survey found nearly 80% of respondents satisfied with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s response to Cyclone Ditwah and over 70% satisfied with government immediate rescue, relief and restoration of essential services. Lower ratings were given for early warning and evacuation (52%), with 30% reporting lack of medical care in evacuation centres and 47% noting absence of psycho-social support.

Nawaloka Hospitals PLC will serve as Platinum Sponsor of Medicare 2026 and will unveil its AI-driven technologies at the event. The hospital is developing AI-powered CT, MRI, OCD and cardiac scanners and moving toward AI-integrated workflows to speed diagnostics and improve operations.

IPS research finds about 70% of green-labelled and 50% of amber-labelled SSBs in Sri Lanka contain non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) and recommends updating SSB policies—including FOPL warnings and extending SSB taxes—to cover NSS and close reformulation loopholes.

Mastercard launched the 'Tap for Change' campaign in Sri Lanka, pledging $750,000 and directing every contactless Mastercard transaction from January 2026 to support construction of the 10‑storey, 160‑bed Trail Cancer Hospital in Karapitiya. The facility will include advanced diagnostics, a bone marrow transplant unit and operating theatres to expand oncology care.

Joseph Fraser Memorial Hospital Trust pledged funding and disbursed the first tranche to equip the University of Sri Jayewardenepura's Histopathology Unit with in-house immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing for hormone receptors. Phase 1 supplies lab space, reagents and staff training for testing ~500–600 breast cancer specimens annually, with further modernization phases planned.