News & market updates

SEC, CSE and CA Sri Lanka signed an MoU to implement XBRL-based reporting for companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, targeting rollout in the latter part of 2026. The CSE has procured and customised the XBRL platform and is completing UAT while a joint committee finalises the taxonomy and implementation framework.

Beruwala Resorts PLC proposes a Rs. 398 million rights issue (318,429,225 shares at Rs. 1.25) to fund refurbishment of The Palms Beruwala and meet working capital needs. The issue is subject to CSE in-principle approval, listing approval and shareholder approval at an EGM; Colombo Fort Hotels holds a 66.25% stake.

Fly A World Consultants and Tourism (Pvt) Ltd received the Excellence in Travel Consultancy Services Award in the Small Scale Services Sector at the Honor of Business Talent 2026. The award recognises the firm's customer service, business performance and professional standards in Sri Lanka's travel and tourism industry.

Crystal Property Group launched MIRA Weligama, an ultra-luxury branded residence of 44 units priced from US$400,000 and managed by The One Group, with completion scheduled for September 2028.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will host a business networking session with a 30-member Indian Chamber of Commerce delegation on 28 July at the Hilton Colombo Residences to connect Sri Lankan firms with Indian companies. Participating sectors include manufacturing, construction, healthcare, IT, renewable energy and tourism.

Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne urged boards and CEOs to set the tone on data privacy and embed protection into digital systems from the start, calling for stronger digital literacy and investment in secure infrastructure as Sri Lanka expands digital services.

Ceylon Chamber will host a business networking session with a 30-member Indian Chamber of Commerce delegation on 28 July at the Hilton Colombo Residences, offering Sri Lankan firms opportunities to explore trade, investment and partnerships across sectors including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, IT, renewables and tourism.

Green finance is emerging in Sri Lanka to channel investment into renewable energy, green bonds, ESG-linked lending and sustainable infrastructure to boost climate resilience and economic recovery. Banks, capital markets, developers, tourism operators and tech firms are highlighted as key participants.

Sri Lanka's large EEZ and strategic maritime location offer opportunities to grow a Blue Economy across fisheries, ports/logistics, tourism, aquaculture, marine biotechnology and ocean renewables. Realising this will require ESG-aligned investment, tech adoption, sustainable management and coordinated policy.

Rights issue · 5:11 at Rs 1.25

Rights issue (5:11) at LKR 1.25/share

CBSL held the policy rate at 8.75% after its Monetary Board review, citing Middle East-driven commodity price shocks; headline inflation rose to 6.8% YoY in June 2026. The bank said inflation will remain above the 5% target in the near term, stands ready to act, and noted reserves of $6.45bn with some rupee stabilisation.

Sri Lanka's Industry Minister Sunil Handunneththi visited India (14–18 July 2026) to advance cooperation in textiles, manufacturing, agribusiness, technology, investment and tourism. He met Indian textile ministers at BharatTex, toured RIICO's industrial park and a Mega Food Park, held a FICCI roundtable and discussed direct air links and investment opportunities.

Adopting circular economy practices can turn Sri Lanka's municipal, agricultural and industrial waste into economic value through recycling, reuse, and waste-to-energy, improving resource efficiency and creating jobs. Opportunities span manufacturing, construction, agriculture, packaging/retail, and digital technologies for material tracking and financing.

SriLankan Aviation College (SLAC), the training arm of SriLankan Airlines, has been recognised by IATA as an IATA Authorised Training Centre (ATC) Preferred Partner for 2026, its second consecutive year and among the world's top 10 IATA training centres. The status reflects strong programme delivery and student enrolments, reinforcing SLAC's role in regional aviation and travel training.

The Geoffrey Bawa Trust launched the Moonamal Award to recognise built-environment and public-policy projects in Sri Lanka that promote ecological design and human–nature coexistence; applications open August 2026 and the inaugural winner will be announced mid-2027.

Central Bank kept the Overnight Policy Rate unchanged at 8.75%. Headline inflation rose to 6.8% in June, with higher fuel prices and Middle East tensions posing upside risks; gross official reserves were USD 6.45bn and the rupee has stabilised.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka kept the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged at 8.75%. Headline inflation accelerated to 6.8% y/y in June 2026 driven by higher energy and food prices; gross official reserves were USD 6.45bn and the rupee has stabilised.

Rockland Group will hold the grand finale of the 6th Annual Bar Champs on 27 July at Shangri‑La Colombo, with nine semi‑finalists advancing after regional workshops and a Rockland-hosted bootcamp. The programme trained over 240 participants, including a record 67 female competitors, with masterclasses from Smoke and Bitters.

Charcoal Tandoor Fire & Grill has opened in Colombo, drawing attention for its open kitchen and tandoor-focused North Indian menu. The restaurant's bespoke interiors — high ceilings, Jali screens, copper vessels and spice displays — tie the dining experience to regional culinary heritage.

Sri Lanka's High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur and the Federation of Malaysian Sri Lankan Organisations agreed to boost tourism and investment ties, exploring improved air connectivity and projects such as hotels, theme parks and golf/leisure developments to promote travel and cultural links.

Emirates is rolling out the U-Dream multi-way adjustable headrest in Economy Class across its A350s and most A380s and 777s, with all A350s to be fitted by year-end and 270 ordered Boeing 777Xs to come pre-installed.

Mandara Rosen Yala – Kataragama is inviting travellers to experience the Kataragama Esala Festival and markets itself as the region's only SLTDA-classified four-star hotel with 60 rooms. The property offers easy access to festival grounds and regional attractions plus conference and leisure facilities.

Uga Resorts opened a five-kilometre community electric fence at Uga Ulagalla on 15 July 2026 to protect 65 farming families and about 132 acres; the project cost ~LKR 4.5m, with Uga contributing ~LKR 3.175m.

AI is reshaping Sri Lanka's hospitality and tourism sectors, said speakers at 'EME Level Up: AI Hospitality Connect Sri Lanka 2026', highlighting an AI Visibility Report that identified 1,207 Sri Lankan hotel brands. TrustYou benchmarking showed Colombo's RPS at 87.45% and a score-to-revenue value of $222,000.

Vietjet will launch its first scheduled Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City service on 18 Aug 2026 (three times weekly) and is offering a limited-time promotion with Eco fares from USD90 one-way (taxes included) plus complimentary 20kg checked baggage for bookings 20–23 Jul 2026.

Share split · 1:2

Share sub-division (1:2)

Sri Lankan exporters must prepare for new EU sustainability rules—EmpCo (from 27 Sep 2026), PPWR (from 12 Aug 2026) and EUDR (due diligence from 30 Dec 2026)—which expand scrutiny of claims and supply chains and carry penalties up to €2m or 4% of turnover.

Sri Lanka received 118,935 tourists in the first 19 days of July, a 0.6% YoY decline, with YTD arrivals at just over 1.26m (down 1.72% YoY), as disruptions to Middle Eastern air corridors continue to constrain long-haul European traffic.

Mayur Lodge by NYNE offers two exclusive villas (each accommodating up to six guests) about 20 minutes from Yala National Park, positioned to serve wildlife tourists during the dry season (May–Sept). The boutique lodge highlights bespoke dining, an in‑house naturalist and sustainable, low‑impact operations.

Sri Lankan exporters are being urged to prepare for new EU sustainability rules — EmpCo, PPWR and EUDR — with compliance timelines from Aug–Dec 2026 and penalties up to €2m or 4% of turnover. The measures target sectors including tea, food/agriculture, apparel, rubber, plastics, fisheries and tourism; Peterson Solutions is offering guidance and a free ESG webinar on 29 July 2026.