News & market updates

Sri Lankan AI-powered cardiovascular screening device JENDO was piloted at King Hamad American Mission Hospital in Bahrain from 23–25 February to evaluate usability and clinical integration. The pilot was facilitated by the Sri Lankan Embassy and ICTA and follows national recognition including a 2025 Presidential Gold Award.

Dipped Products PLC marked its 50th anniversary by refurbishing the Physiotherapy Unit at Monaragala District General Hospital and donating a BTL CPMotion rehabilitation machine. It also provided financial aid to 22 farmers after Cyclone Ditwah, donated gloves to the municipal council, installed a school drinking-water system and ran education outreach.

Dipped Products PLC renovated the Physiotherapy Unit at Monaragala District General Hospital and donated a BTL CPMotion rehabilitation machine as part of its 50th-anniversary programme. The company also provided financial aid to 22 cyclone-affected farmers, donated gloves to the municipal council, installed a school water system and ran education outreach activities.

Sunshine Holdings (CSE: SUN) launched OneHR HCM, a Group-wide Oracle-based people management platform, with an initial rollout to over 1,700 employees in its Healthcare and Consumer units to strengthen workforce governance and support future growth.

Emirates will operate more than 100 flights on March 5–6 as regional airspace partially reopens, resuming passenger services and transporting cargo including perishables and pharmaceuticals; it will gradually rebuild its schedule subject to airspace availability and safety.

Government unveiled structural reforms at the AmCham CEO Forum aiming for 7% annual growth and a LKR 200 billion economy, including a 70% renewable-energy target by 2030, bank consolidation, port upgrades and support for IT, pharma and SME finance (LKR 300m ITIA allocation).

Sri Lanka's 60+ population is over 18% and could reach 25% by 2041, creating opportunity for a 'Silver Economy' if jobs, savings and care services expand. Low labour participation, limited pensions and a projected 149,076 care-worker shortfall by 2037 require policies on retirement, pensions, insurance and scaled elder-care.

The LMD-PEPPERCUBE Business Confidence Index fell 11 points to 171 in February (from 182), signalling a renewed decline in corporate optimism. The slide follows Cyclone Ditwah disruptions and comes amid improved CPI rankings, rising daily cancer cases and Nipah concerns, and a slight 0.2% drop in reserves to US$6.824bn.

HP outlined a five-pillar strategy to expand technology access, accelerate digitization for MSMEs and partner with government in Sri Lanka; it said it holds about 27% market share in Sri Lanka (Q4 2025, IDC).

Medihelp Hospitals is expanding its Matugama and Kalutara branches by securing adjacent properties to increase capacity and add consultation rooms, diagnostics and improved patient facilities. The move is part of a broader growth plan that included a 20th branch in Ambalangoda and planned sites in Kiribathgoda, Kaduwela and Kadawatha.

AmCham Sri Lanka CEO Forum 2026 convened 200+ leaders calling for reforms to restore economic confidence, targeting 7% annual growth and a 70% renewable-energy share by 2030. Panels highlighted SME support measures (Rs.300m, 'Level Up'), banking consolidation, infrastructure/port upgrades and FDI-attracting reforms.

High Commissioner M. Rizvi Hassen said Sri Lanka will work to restore and deepen engagement with the Maldives, citing Bank of Ceylon’s 44-year presence and a goal to return to pre-2019 levels of 20,000–30,000 Maldivian visitors/residents. He highlighted opportunities across tourism, financial services, construction, agriculture and healthcare.

The EU has allocated an additional €1 million (over Rs 370 million) to support humanitarian relief and basic services for communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, adding to prior €2.35m and other EU partner assistance.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka welcomes increased Indian investment and tourist arrivals and welcomed India's $454 million long-term relief package; she highlighted cooperation across trade, energy, connectivity, digital transformation and health.

Russel’s Wellness showcased Ayurveda-inspired wellness teas and medicinal formulations at Gulfood 2026, drawing strong interest from global buyers and a visit from Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, highlighting export potential for Sri Lanka’s heritage wellness sector.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka welcomes investors and tourists as it moves towards sustainable growth, noting India’s USD 454 million long-term relief package and cooperation across energy, connectivity, trade, digital transformation, health and tourism.

Bank of Ceylon reported Profit Before Tax of Rs. 120.8 billion and Profit After Tax of Rs. 76.0 billion for the year ended 31 Dec 2025. Total assets were Rs. 5.5 trillion, deposits Rs. 4.4 trillion, gross loans Rs. 2.6 trillion, and it issued a Rs. 20 billion Basel III Tier II Sustainability Bond while expanding digital and green initiatives.

Bank of Ceylon reported PAT of Rs.76.0 billion and PBT of Rs.120.8 billion for the year ended 31 Dec 2025. The bank issued a Rs.20 billion Basel III–compliant Tier II Sustainability Bond and closed the year with assets of Rs.5.5 trillion and deposits of Rs.4.4 trillion.

Global Biz Connect 2026 will be held in Colombo at Cinnamon Life on 3 March 2026, bringing diplomats, trade bodies, multinationals and investors together to connect Sri Lankan enterprises with international markets. Panels will cover industries including value-added tea, confectionery, hospitality and medical tourism.

The U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the use of IEEPA for broad tariffs, cutting the effective tariff rate sharply, and the administration moved to a temporary replacement (announced at 10% then 15% under Section 122). The ruling creates trade and fiscal uncertainty, including an estimated USD240bn revenue impact and potential USD175bn in refund risk.

Central Bank of Sri Lanka has determined that I.C.A.N Advertising (Pvt) Ltd and 24 other companies/apps are prohibited pyramid schemes under Section 83C of the Banking Act and has issued a public notice to the public.

The US Supreme Court struck down IEEPA-based tariffs on 20 Feb, cutting the US effective tariff rate from about 13% to ~5–6%; the administration quickly imposed a temporary 10% (then 15%) global tariff under Section 122, leaving trade and fiscal uncertainty including possible $240bn in lost IEEPA revenues and questions over refunds.

Russel’s Wellness showcased Ayurveda-inspired wellness teas and medicinal formulations at Gulfood 2026, attracting strong interest from global importers and a visit by the Hon. Minister, signalling growing international recognition for Sri Lanka’s heritage wellness sector.

Chinese medical teams and technologies from Yunnan — including a locally produced surgical robot (first to operate on a foreign patient, 60-minute nephrectomy with <20 ml blood loss) and the C909 flying hospital — are conducting cross‑border medical missions across the Mekong region and beyond.

Sri Lanka showcased plans at the India International Seaweed Expo 2026 to scale seaweed farming from small-scale cultivation to value-added processing and export-oriented supply chains. Officials and experts flagged needs for investment, species diversification, infrastructure and measures to manage climate and operational risks.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Feb 20 ruled the president cannot use IEEPA to impose broad tariffs, cutting the U.S. effective tariff rate from ~13% to about 5–6% and removing roughly USD240bn of IEEPA-based annual tariff revenue. The administration has imposed a temporary 15% global tariff under Section 122, creating ongoing trade, fiscal and refund uncertainty.

George Steuart Solutions deployed off-grid solar-plus-battery systems to restore electricity to hospitals, schools and community halls in remote areas hit by Cyclone Ditwah from Dec 4, using Sri Lanka Air Force airlifts for locations cut off by landslides.

The Tree House International is launching Merak 2026, a national autism-awareness campaign led by Dr Anton James that will build an 80-metre sensory wall, with an official launch scheduled for April 2026. The project, backed by sponsors including Nyne Hotels, Coca-Cola and Brandix, aims to combine art, sustainability and education to boost autism awareness and inclusion.

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.

Technomedics International marks over 30 years of service to Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector. The company highlights its role supplying medical devices, investing in training and after-sales service, and expanding via acquisitions and export-oriented ventures to strengthen clinical standards.