News & market updates

Rosen Tours, the Mandara Group's destination management arm, launched a new website and refreshed brand identity with a Rs. 5 million investment. The rebrand emphasizes a tech-driven, globally-focused service and plans for expansion into Dubai and Australia.

A Colombo session on 12 Sept led by Markus Löning will review German Supply Chain Act amendments and their intersection with EU GSP+ and the forthcoming EU Supply Chain Law, noting reporting obligations have been abolished and sanctions narrowed while core due-diligence duties remain—implications for Sri Lankan exporters (apparel, tea, rubber, fisheries, ICT).

A Colombo event on 12 Sep 2025 will review reforms to Germany's Supply Chain Act and the forthcoming EU CSDDD; the German draft abolishes the reporting obligation and narrows sanctions to firms that neglect preventive/remedial measures while core due-diligence duties remain, with implications for Sri Lankan exporters and GSP+ eligibility.

LOLC sold part of its stake in Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka (PickMe) while foreign fund Tundra increased buying; PickMe dominated turnover with Rs.1 billion on 23.4 million shares and closed at Rs.132.75 (up Rs.0.50). Several other listed names saw notable turnover and mixed price moves.

Lotus Group of Companies marked its 10th anniversary on 7 July with religious and community events and a tree-planting programme at its Bingiriya premises, highlighting a decade of expansion into agriculture-related subsidiaries (seeds, fertilizers, crop care, machinery, packaging).

Talawakelle Tea Estates (TPL.N0000), Kelani Valley Plantations (KVAL.N0000) and Horana Plantations (HOPL.N0000) were among Sri Lankan winners at the Commonwealth Business Excellence Awards 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. The ceremony highlighted tea plantation, sustainability and export excellence for the awarded firms.

Senior Economic Adviser Duminda Hulangamuwa said a State-Owned Enterprises Bill will be tabled this month and a new PPP Act is being readied to boost private participation, and that Port City Colombo has attracted about $1.5 billion in four investments.

A Parliamentary oversight committee criticised the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry for up to four-year delays in allocating industrial land and that only 0.01% of land is designated for industry versus a 3% benchmark; the Ministry plans to allocate 50,000 acres. The review also covered the EDB’s export target (about US$15bn in 2023 to US$28bn by 2028), National Salt’s Rs.1bn revenue target, and B.C.C. Lanka’s push for quality certifications.

National tea sale average for August 2025 was Rs. 1,182.27/kg, up Rs. 54.67 MoM but down Rs. 6.22 YoY. The Jan–Aug 2025 cumulative average fell to Rs. 1,156.37/kg (down Rs. 93.62 YoY) and all regions posted negative variances amid weak global demand.

Areva Investments marked its 10th anniversary on 18 September, saying it has facilitated over Rs.81 billion in short-term funding and structured private debt deals for clients including L B Finance, Vallibel Finance, Browns Investments and Bogawantalawa Tea Estates.

Lake Gregory is Sri Lanka’s most Instagrammed lake with 47,600 Instagram hashtags and 2,463 TikTok posts, according to Travelbag’s global study. The ranking highlights photo opportunities around Nuwara Eliya during the July–September elephant gathering amid nearby tea plantations and colonial scenery.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake told tea, coconut and rubber exporters the government will support them provided they pay fair taxes and prioritised boosting export earnings to strengthen dollar reserves. Exports rose 7.8% to nearly $10bn in the first seven months of 2025, with July at a record $1.64bn.

AgStar PLC appointed Sanjaya Nissanka and Shamal Abeysinghe as non-executive directors; both are senior agribusiness executives linked to Brown & Company and Browns Agri Solutions.

Balangoda Plantations' Telbedde Estate (part of Melstacorp) was named a 2025 Outstanding Tea Producer and has posted record auction prices, including a Rs. 2,500/kg BOP1 sale. The 1,121-hectare estate (512 ha under tea) uses sustainable practices and supports about 5,000 residents.

Lanka Credit and Business Finance PLC opened its 22nd branch at No 7 Wehera Junction, Colombo Road, Kurunegala. The branch will provide deposit and lending services targeting cooperatives, SMEs, agricultural borrowers, self-employment projects and women entrepreneurs.

CMA Sri Lanka presented the 2025 Integrated Reporting Awards brochure and the 2024 Judges Report to the SEC Chairman to promote integrated reporting and corporate transparency. The CSE will support the initiative as Strategic Partner and 2025 evaluations will emphasize the <IR> Framework and Sustainability Standards S1 and S2.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 38 points (+0.2%) and S&P SL20 gained 6 points (+0.1%), with turnover up to Rs.5.1 billion led by Teejay Lanka, Sierra Cables and Sampath Bank. Construction and banking stocks led gains; DFCC, SAMP and DIAL were top index movers and foreigners net bought Rs.56.1m.

The OUSL CEMBA/CEMPA Alumni Association will host a CEO Forum on 2 Sep 2025 to discuss the economic impact of new US tariffs on Sri Lanka's export sectors, notably apparel, rubber and tea, and the potential effects on supply chains, FX earnings and employment.

Sri Lanka's merchandise exports rose 15.37% year-on-year to $1,304.00m in July 2025, driven by gains in tea, coconut, apparel, rubber and food & beverages. Exports for January–June rose 7.22% to $7,799.82m, with tea earnings up 13.09% to $141.02m.

Sri Lanka's total exports reached US$ 9,992.53 million in Jan–Jul 2025, up 7.79% year‑on‑year, with July exports at US$ 1,641.11 million (+12.68% y/y). Merchandise exports rose 7.22% to US$ 7,799.82m and services exports grew 9.86% to US$ 2,192.71m.

Sri Lanka's average coconut price rose 0.3% to 134,068.09 rupees per 1,000 nuts at the weekly auction on August 21, while nuts offered fell to 551,525 and nuts sold fell to 519,803 week-on-week. Local wholesale large nuts were 170-180 rupees each; copra and coconut oil quoted 120,000-137,000 rupees/250kg and 900,000-920,000 rupees/mt respectively.

Rights issue · 1:4 at Rs 9.00 · XD Sep 17, 2025

Sri Lanka's tea exports hit a monthly high of 24 Mnkg in July (up 13% YoY) and Jan–July shipments reached 150 Mnkg (+7% YoY), generating a record Rs.263 billion (~$884m) with an average FOB of $5.87/kg; value-added tea exports rose to 58%.

Sri Lanka Embassy in Belgium and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau showcased Sri Lanka at the Amazing Asia Festival 2025 in Brussels (15-17 Aug), attracting more than 12,000 visitors. The pavilion highlighted the island's tourism offerings, promoted SME products and Ceylon tea, and engaged international and digital audiences.

Senior Economic Advisor to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa will keynote the Planters' Association of Ceylon's 171st AGM on 29 Aug. The meeting will gather regional plantation companies to review performance and discuss government policy direction, crop diversification, replanting, certifications and renewable energy investments.

Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Economic Adviser to the President, will deliver the keynote at the Planters' Association 171st AGM on 29 August. The meeting will review plantation-sector performance and discuss government policy direction, diversification into high-value crops, replanting, certifications and renewable energy investments.

July 2025 tea production fell to 21.36 million kg, down 1.83 million kg from July 2024. January–July 2025 cumulative output rose to 157.12 million kg, up 5.97 million kg year-on-year.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board hosted the Palestinian Ambassador to explore expanding market access for Sri Lankan exports—highlighting Ceylon tea, natural rubber, coconut products, spices, processed foods and Ayurveda/herbal personal care. The EDB proposed online awareness sessions and possible business delegations to connect Sri Lankan exporters with Palestinian buyers.