News & market updates

Commercial Bank of Ceylon launched its Avurudu card promotion offering up to 70% discounts across 579+ merchant partners and over 4,000 outlets through April 30, 2026. Offers cover clothing, footwear, jewellery, supermarkets, dining, hotels and online retailers.

Atlas provided school supplies to 4,000 students at the SipSavi Ridee Viharaya donation in Kurunegala. The event is the programme's 23rd consecutive year, bringing the total number of students supported to over 53,000.

Coca-Cola Sri Lanka was named Youth Choice Beverage Brand of the Year at the SLIM-Kantar People’s Awards 2026, marking its fifth consecutive win in the category.

Antler Group's Britol and GP Certified will replace up to 40% of imported virgin plastic with GP Certified recycled plastics in some Britol FMCG packaging, supporting EPR compliance, local recycling and job creation.

Cabinet approved amendments allowing arriving passengers to shop twice at the duty-free complex in Colombo Port City within four days while keeping the annual duty-free entitlement at $2,000; the regulations were gazetted (No. 2475/28, 13 Feb 2026) and will be presented to Parliament.

Ambewela Farms hosted large groups of European dairy experts and farmers who praised its advanced operations and said its cheese and yoghurt match European standards. Visitors also said they would encourage tourists from their countries to visit the farm.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 1.09% (222.54 pts) to 20,640.63 on turnover of Rs.5.27bn, while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.191.2m. Banking led turnover (34%) driven by HNB crossings of Rs.607.7m; top movers included DOCK, RIL, AEL, MELS and ACL.

President Dissanayake said about 30 private firms have been given temporary licences to import fuel in US dollars to directly supply exporters and the tourism sector; he added LP gas, fertiliser and grain stocks are sufficient and delayed crude shipments (two of 90,000t) are expected soon, averting a crisis.

Sri Lanka's economy expanded 5.0% in 2025, with Q4 growth slowing to 4.8% (from 5.4% in Q3). Industry led the expansion (7.8%) driven by construction, mining and manufacturing, while services grew 3.3% and agriculture 1.4%.

Serendib Flour Mills organised an International Women’s Day wellbeing programme for 57 women employees and third-party female support staff, featuring a dietary-management session, basic health screenings (BMI, blood pressure, blood sugar), personalised diet consultations, gifts and a networking High Tea.

Chokolaate and The Shoppes at City of Dreams hosted "Celebrate the Hustle" on 8 March 2026, an International Women’s Day event featuring an Aspiring Entrepreneurs session with Chamathka and Parfumarie and brand activations including Basilur Tea and Zam Gems.

Maharaja Foods PLC listed 12,500,000 new ordinary voting shares on the CSE after a 10-for-1 rights issue at Rs.9, raising Rs.112.5 million. As of end-December 2025 the company reported stated capital of Rs.170.5m, retained earnings of Rs.107.5m, total assets of Rs.689m, net assets per share of Rs.2.30 and borrowings of about Rs.310m.

CBSL PMIs show expansion: Manufacturing PMI rose to 56.8 in February (from 56.1 in January) and Services PMI was 54.4 (down from 64.5), with a positive three‑month outlook ahead of festive demand but supply‑chain risks cited due to Middle East conflicts.

Prosoft Research's Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 86 in February 2026 from 89 in January. The firm cites remaining recovery gaps and disruptions from gas shortages and coal shipment issues, and warns sentiment could be further affected by the Middle East conflict.

Celeste announced an equity partnership with Sri Lankan music duo Bathiya and Santhush (BNS) as the quick-commerce and online supermarket celebrates six years and over 135,000 customers. The brand offers 24/7, 30-minute deliveries via UberEats and PickMe Market.

NOLIMIT opened its 29th store in Kiribathgoda — a four-storey, 21,000 sq ft outlet at Udeshi City Shopping Complex on Makola Road — expanding its islandwide retail presence and product range to serve suburban customers.

NPCI International has expanded UPI merchant acceptance in Sri Lanka, enabling Indian tourists to pay via LankaQR at major outlets including Cinnamon Hotels and Keells Supermarket to simplify cross-border digital payments and boost tourism-related spending.

Maharaja Foods (MFPE.N0000) listed 12,500,000 new ordinary voting shares after a rights issue that raised Rs112,500,000. The stock was trading down 80 cents at Rs12.50.

Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC launched the 'Singer Pace Hunt with Lasith Malinga' national fast-bowling talent search, receiving over 3,000 applications and shortlisting 350 for initial trials. The programme will mentor selected players under Malinga and the top 20 may be recommended to the Sri Lanka Cricket Fast Bowling Academy.

AMW handed over a fleet of Nissan Magnite SUVs to Diamond Best Foods to support the company's operational mobility needs and modernize its corporate fleet.

The Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) concluded PIMARC 2026 on 19 February under the theme 'Inclusive and Responsible Management', launching PIM Teaching Case Studies 2026 (11 cases). The joint ICBM 2026 and Biz Forum included industry-academia panels and a policy address on Sri Lanka’s move toward a circular economy.

Profood Propack & Agbiz Knowledge Hub 2026 will be held 21–23 Aug 2026 at BMICH, Colombo, with SLFPA and LECS planning an expanded exhibition focused on food processing, packaging, agriculture and SME support; Cargills Ceylon PLC is listed as a platinum sponsor and Hayleys’ agri unit featured among awardees.

The upcoming National Export Development Plan targets over 10% annual export growth and will expand focus from traditional pillars (apparel, tea, rubber, coconut) into new sectors — automotive components, electrical/electronic products, mineral-based industries, processed food & beverages, spices and gems & jewellery — while diversifying markets toward Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

The EDB convened a high-level meeting with exporters, industry associations and logistics stakeholders to address shipping and supply-chain disruptions to Middle East markets from the regional conflict and to identify coordinated support measures for exporters.

Melstacorp sold 2 million shares of Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka on 11 March at Rs.59 each (≈Rs.118m), trimming its holding from 92.40% to 92.35% while retaining control.

PIM concluded PIMARC 2026 on Feb 19 as a joint event with ICBM, focusing on 'Inclusive and Responsible Management' and a 'Circular Economy and Digital Future'; the conference launched PIM Teaching Case Studies 2026 (11 cases) and featured government and industry speakers including the Finance Secretary and leaders from Brandix, CBL and Dialog.

Nestlé’s NESCAFÉ will partner with Colombo Fashion Week 2026, operating the NESCAFÉ Fashion Café at City of Dreams Sri Lanka from April 1–4. The café will serve as a creative hub for designers, artists, influencers and fashion enthusiasts.

TikTok is reshaping how Ramadan is experienced in Sri Lanka by enabling visible coordination of Zakat, public sharing of fasting practices, and by highlighting businesses' adjustments to hours and workplace policies. This increases reach for small food entrepreneurs and makes accommodation practices more publicly observable.

The Export Development Board held a high-level meeting with major export sector associations to identify support for exporters facing disruptions to shipments to Middle East markets due to the regional conflict. Participants included tea, spices, fruits & vegetables, food processors, coconut-product associations and shipping/freight forwarders, and issues will be taken to the Export Development Council of Ministers.

All Ceylon Bakery Owners Association warned bakeries nationwide are facing shortages of diesel, petrol, kerosene and gas and urged the government to ensure uninterrupted supplies and allow fuel in cans for operations. About 25% use gas and 25–30% use diesel/kerosene; owners do not expect to raise prices despite shortages and some power outages.