News & market updates

Aurum HealthTech's Dr. Paw platform provided real-time digital health monitoring and a centralized electronic health record for 'Aloka' during a peace walk from Anuradhapura to Colombo; a comprehensive digital health report was presented to DAPH, SLVA and University of Peradeniya officials.

Concentric AI, together with local partner Orin Corporation, has joined as Strategic Partner for the 2nd Data Privacy and Protection Summit on 23 July 2026. The summit will focus on AI-driven data security and preparing organisations for imminent PDPA enforcement.

Sri Lanka Print Expo 2026 opens 19 June at BMICH and runs to 21 June, showcasing printing, packaging and digital technologies and hosting the National Print Excellence Awards on 20 June; Gestetner of Ceylon is listed as a Gold Sponsor.

Officials reviewed delayed implementation of 2026 budget projects after Sri Lanka spent only 17.4% (about Rs.240 billion of Rs.1,380 billion) of allocated capital expenditure so far this year. They cited procurement delays, institutional bottlenecks and cyclone-related diversions and urged expedited action to boost year-end spending.

Sri Lanka Customs was instructed to modernise export facilitation, review the TIEP scheme and support SMEs to implement the National Export Development Plan 2026–2030 targeting USD 36 billion in export revenue by 2030. Plans include upgrading the Export Facilitation Centre, decentralising operations (Jaffna), easing e‑commerce exports and introducing digital systems.

Softlogic Life (AAIC.N0000) reported Rs.40bn Gross Written Premiums in 2025 and Rs.12.3bn GWP in Q1-2026 (37% YoY), with 19.3% market share and total assets of Rs.76bn as at March 31, 2026. It announced the Allianz Life acquisition, a USD15m DFI investment, digital investments and launched 'Health for Life', a lifetime health coverage product.

The U.S. and Iran signed an interim peace deal extending the ceasefire by 60 days, leaving Asian stocks largely steady while oil prices dipped (U.S. crude $75.83, Brent $78.41); investors also digested Fed officials' hawkish comments that lifted yields and shifted market sentiment.

Sri Lanka Customs will implement a new comprehensive fee and operational framework from 1 July 2026, revising customs service charges, cargo examination fees and ICT user fees (e.g., FCL export exam fee set at Rs.600 for the first container; BOI ICT fee Rs.16,000 per user).

Huawei launched the Alliance on Healthcare & Education AI Digitalization 2.0 (“AHEAD”) at its 2026 Global Education & Healthcare Partners Convention to drive AI-led collaboration and digital transformation in education and healthcare. The Partner Alliance 2.0 will focus on trend insight, empowerment, solution co-creation, marketing, opportunity sharing and expansion.

SLT‑MOBITEL, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and SLBFE, launched the Lankakonect mobile app to allow Sri Lankans abroad to register, submit and track consular and employment complaints in real time in Sinhala, Tamil and English.

A Peking University delegation led by Prof. Wang Weijia held high-level meetings in Colombo to explore deeper Sri Lanka–China cooperation, prioritizing trade and FDI in logistics, energy, tourism and Port City Colombo and potential areas like high‑tech manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.

Visa launched 'Click to Pay' in Sri Lanka, a tokenised one-click online checkout to speed up and secure e-commerce payments. Consumers can enroll cards via email or mobile for faster checkouts while issuers and merchants may see higher card usage and payment success rates.

Deloitte Sri Lanka held a client session 'From Compliance to Capital' emphasising climate disclosure (SLFRS S1/S2), decarbonisation pathways and sustainable finance as tools to strengthen business resilience and improve access to capital across telecoms, financial services, manufacturing and agriculture.

Vallibel Finance (VFIN.N0000) opened three new branches in Nelliady, Puthukkudiyiruppu and Kilinochchi on 8–9 June 2026. The branches will provide services including leasing, fixed deposits, gold loans and auto draft facilities backed by modern technology to improve financial access in the Northern Province.

Kapruka Holdings (KPHL.N0000) reported full-year Profit Before Tax of LKR 37.56m, a 132% turnaround, and quarterly PBT rose 160% to LKR 22.25m. Management attributes the improvement to AI-driven automation, marketplace growth, cross-border USD sales and plans to convert its delivery fleet to EVs.

Kapruka Holdings PLC (KPHL.N0000) returned to profitability for the year to 31 Mar 2026 with PBT of Rs.37.56m on revenue of Rs.1.92bn, and quarterly PBT of Rs.22.25m (up 160% YoY) as revenue grew 19% QoQ. Management credits AI-driven platform, marketplace expansion and cross-border USD sales, plus EV fleet conversion, for improved margins.

Free Lawyers Association alleges $2.5m stolen in a Treasury cyber heist was transferred to a Mish Global LLC account at TD Bank USA and has asked President Dissanayake to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee to probe the matter. The group also flagged discrepancies in loss figures and alleged other irregularities, including an alleged Rs.13.2bn fraud involving National Development Bank.

UK Trade Envoy Lord Hannett will visit Colombo 17–19 June 2026 to hold talks with government ministers and business leaders to deepen UK–Sri Lanka trade and investment ties and promote use of the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme zero-tariff access for Sri Lankan exports. He will engage with exporters including the apparel sector, UK firms operating locally, and stakeholders in clean energy, retail, manufacturing and technology.

Manufacturing PMI rose to 56.6 and Services PMI to 56.9 in May, indicating expansion in both sectors. Manufacturing was driven by food & beverages and textiles, while services growth was led by financial, professional services and IT; outlook buoyed by expected tourist arrivals but risks from the Middle East conflict persist.

Brent crude fell below $80, down more than one-third from recent peaks after reports the U.S. will waive sanctions on Iranian oil, easing inflation fears and pushing global bond yields lower ahead of Kevin Warsh's debut as U.S. Fed chair. Markets awaited Warsh's guidance on future rate moves.

Sri Lanka launched the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030 targeting USD 36 billion in export revenue by 2030. The Cabinet-approved plan, prepared by the Ministry and the Export Development Board with ADB support, targets eight priority sectors and upgrades in logistics, customs digitization and SME export readiness.

Yellow House Productions launched HELIXRA™ — Sri Lanka's first free-to-play cultural preservation game platform — on 11 June 2026. The scalable franchise digitises traditional Sri Lankan games into XR-enabled interactive experiences, positioning the studio as a culture-tech IP and preservation initiative.

The Computer Society of Sri Lanka hosted the CSSL National CIO Forum 2026 and unveiled the CIO List 2025 at Shangri‑La Colombo, convening 150+ senior leaders from banks, telecoms, conglomerates and healthcare to emphasise CIOs' role in digital transformation and AI governance.

NeenOpal, in partnership with Amazon Web Services, hosted the AI Catalyst Symposium Sri Lanka 2026 to present practical frameworks for moving AI from pilots to measurable ROI, focusing on use-case identification, governance, scaling, and workforce readiness.

Visa launched 'Click to Pay' in Sri Lanka, introducing tokenized one-click online card payments to speed up checkouts and improve security for consumers, merchants and issuer banks.

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka hosted the OECD-ADBI Roundtable on Insurance and Retirement Savings in Asia on 2–3 June 2026 in Colombo, with about 75 delegates from 26 countries. Participants discussed regulatory developments, pensions, climate risk, capital markets and digitalisation in insurance and retirement savings.

A Sweden–Sri Lanka Business Council dialogue study found members prioritise simplified visa procedures, predictable tax rules, smoother compliant capital flows, clearer profit repatriation, reliable banking relations and measures to curb brain drain. The 20-respondent study will guide the Board's priorities and engagement with embassies.

Delmege Consumer has partnered with Daraz to sell its full range of FMCG products online via a Delmege store on daraz.lk, expanding its digital distribution and enabling islandwide delivery and online offers.

Gestetner of Ceylon PLC was appointed the Authorized Distribution Partner for MAXHUB in Sri Lanka, gaining rights to distribute the full MAXHUB product portfolio and launching MAXHUB Connect 2026 to showcase the collaboration solutions.

The government presented the National Export Development Plan 2026–2030 to the President, targeting USD 36 billion in export revenue by 2030. The plan names eight priority export sectors (including digital products, electronics, automotive components, processed foods, rubber, minerals and maritime) and sets horizontal enablers such as logistics, trade finance, trade facilitation and ESG capacity building, with ADB technical support.