News & market updates

UK High Commissioner urged Sri Lankan businesses to use the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which offers zero-tariff access to the UK and whose January 2026 reforms expand preferential access for the apparel sector, boosting export opportunities for Sri Lankan firms.

Marlon Ferreira, founder of Exterminators PLC, has been named a finalist in the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards' Global Entrepreneur of the Year category. Ferreira, who also founded Sentario UK, has developed AI-powered pest-management platforms including MACCP X and PACCP X.

The government will phase out para-tariffs starting in 2028 — removing 50% of the cess for most products in 2028, a further 25% in 2029 and fully by 2030, while 107 HS codes follow a slower 25%/25%/50% timetable. Customs reforms also include a simplified four-band tariff (0/10/20/30%), greater digitalisation and new non-intrusive scanners to speed clearance.

Port of Colombo handled 3,702,265 TEUs in the first five months of 2026, a 13.5% YoY increase; vessel arrivals rose 4.7% to 1,726 and transshipment throughput increased 14.0%, supported by infrastructure, digitalisation and capacity investments.

Colombo Dockyard PLC (DOCK.N0000) held its 43rd AGM on 25 June 2026 — the first after Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (India) acquired a majority stake; shareholders approved all resolutions as the company outlines growth plans focused on Indian market expansion and technical collaboration.

Sri Lanka cut fuel prices effective June 30: Auto Diesel down Rs25 to Rs382/litre and Octane 92 down Rs20 to Rs414. Prices had risen sharply since Feb, driving up transport and grocery costs and pressuring retailers and logistics.

University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Port City Colombo co-authored and published an international case study, 'Port City Colombo: Catalysing Sri Lanka's Emergence as a Global Investment Hub,' via Nova Publishers. The study examines the project's urban planning, economic, regulatory and sustainability dimensions and is intended as a multidisciplinary teaching and policy resource.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.45% midday to 22,309.09 with turnover of 951.8 million rupees, utilities contributing 448.6 million. Convenience Foods Lanka authorized an 8.00 rupee first-and-final dividend and Tokyo Cement proposed a 2.50 rupee first-and-final dividend.

EDB hosted a North Western & North Central Exporters' Networking Forum in Chillaw to boost regional export capabilities and link exporters with government agencies, discussing customs, legal and market-access challenges and enabling direct engagement with Sri Lanka Customs and the Inland Revenue Department.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka forum highlighted the newly enacted SLTFTA and reported bilateral trade rose 48% to $649m in 2025. Officials said the FTA and related measures should expand market access and investment across logistics, manufacturing, tourism, food processing, IT and healthcare.

EY Sri Lanka and the Maldives said Duminda Hulangamuwa will retire on 30 June 2026 and Gayathri Manatunga will become Country Managing Partner effective 1 July 2026.

The Sri Lankan rupee depreciated 8.0% against the US dollar in 2026 up to June 26, the Central Bank reported; the CBSL showed the dollar buying rate at Rs.332.22 and selling at Rs.341.88 on June 26. The move will materially affect exporters and tourism-related sectors via revenue and cost translation.

An IMF delegation met with Sri Lanka Customs to review progress on reform milestones, focusing on operational efficiency improvements and measures to strengthen revenue administration and compliance frameworks.

Sampath Bank launched a real-time USD payment solution with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to enable instant dollar payments and real-time settlement for shipping lines, freight forwarders and other port users, streamlining foreign-currency transactions and trade facilitation.

The Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association held its 9th AGM on 23 June 2026 and elected Infiyaz M. Ali (Director, Healthguard Pharmacy Ltd) as President, with Mahesh Wijewardena (Group CEO, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC) as Senior Vice President and Kumar De Silva (CEO, SPAR SL) as Vice President. The AGM adopted the 2025/26 annual report and previewed the Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2026.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 44.99 points (0.20%) to 22,452.03 as gains in Sampath Bank, Central Finance, Colombo Dockyard and others lifted the market; turnover was Rs.349 million. Lee Hedges completed sale of land and premises to Amana Bank for Rs.2.7 billion on June 25, and both stocks traded higher.

AEO-certified traders record a median cargo release time of ~30 hours versus ~53 hours for non-AEO traders — a facilitation gain of about 22 hours, according to a fully digital 2025 Time Release Study using ASYCUDA. Sri Lanka Customs has introduced CargoFlow to better manage container movements and speed clearance.

Exterminators PLC launched MACCP X, an AI-powered mosquito intelligence platform providing nationwide disease surveillance, environmental monitoring, risk mapping and predictive mosquito management across Sri Lanka. Developed with Sentario UK, the platform is the first phase of an AI-enabled mosquito early warning ecosystem for public health and pest management professionals.

Sri Lanka Customs exceeded its June revenue target for a sixth consecutive month, collecting 194.1 billion rupees in the first 23 days versus a 184.9 billion target. Stronger enforcement, improved valuation and a rebound in imports have boosted collections and helped fiscal revenues under the IMF program.

EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe said Sri Lanka aims to more than double export earnings to $36 billion and is evaluating petroleum-linked and logistics proposals to help reach that target. He said implementing NEDP reforms on trade facilitation and the export ecosystem is essential to meet the five-year export goals.

Sri Lanka, led by Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, participated in the 10th China–South Asia Exposition and 30th Kunming Import Fair (11–16 June 2026), showcasing 100 booths and securing export partnerships including an MoU to promote Sri Lankan beverages in China. Discussions also covered access to Kunming bonded-zone free warehouses to boost supply-chain connectivity.

Vietjet has opened bookings for its first direct Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City service, launching 18 August 2026 with three weekly round-trips and launch Eco fares from USD90 one-way. Deluxe and SkyBoss tickets get a 20% base-fare discount and flights operate Tue/Thu/Sat.

Praveena Perera, Associate Vice President and Client Services Director at MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka, became the first Sri Lankan woman named to Campaign Asia-Pacific’s 40 Under 40. She leads MullenLowe Sri Lanka’s Unilever portfolio (27 brands) and contributed to the agency’s recent industry awards.

Enfection has established operations in Melbourne, Australia as part of its Asia-Pacific expansion into AI-powered marketing. It is running AI workshops, has collaborations with the Australian Institute of Architects and Melbourne Polytechnic, and aims to export marketing technology from Sri Lanka.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka Business Forum centred on implementing the Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA to boost trade and investment after bilateral trade reached USD 649m in 2025 (+48% vs 2024). Delegates highlighted opportunities in logistics, manufacturing, food and agriculture, IT, healthcare and tourism and urged streamlined customs and predictable FTA implementation.

Exterminators PLC launched MACCP X™, an AI-powered mosquito intelligence platform delivering nationwide disease surveillance, environmental monitoring, risk mapping and predictive mosquito management across Sri Lanka.

Milinda Moragoda hosted a luncheon on 23 June 2026 for U.S. Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur to discuss maritime security, regional connectivity, trade and cooperation with business leaders and diplomats.

Sri Lanka's total exports for Jan–May 2026 reached US$7,393.39 million (+7.56% YoY), with May exports of US$1,570.64 million (+18.34% YoY). Growth was broad-based across merchandise and services, led by apparel, coconut products, rubber gloves, electrical/electronic components and ICT/BPM, while tea slipped marginally.

Sri Lanka's goods and services exports rose 18.3% year-on-year in May to US$1,570.6 million, with merchandise at US$1,223.5m and services US$347.2m. The EDB reported estimated export earnings of US$7,393.4m (+7.6% YTD) and launched the NEDP 2026–2030.