News & market updates

Union Bank (UBC.N0000) launched a competitive pension loan of Rs 8 million at the lowest interest rates while hosting a Pensioners' Day offering health screenings and benefits, including Rs 30,000 in annual PickMe rides for government pensioners; Nawaloka Hospitals participated as a partner.

Azad Mansoor was installed as the 98th President of the Rotary Club of Colombo on 3 July 2026 at Cinnamon Life, and outlined a 2026–27 program focused on sustainable community development, education, healthcare initiatives and environmental stewardship.

Union Assurance launched 'Union Assurance Platinum Circle', automatically enabling eligible policyholders to access exclusive lifestyle experiences, milestone recognition, digital health services and partner benefits via its Clicklife app.

Dambulla Sixers led a breast cancer awareness campaign at the LPL Pink Match, promoting the 'Touch. Look. Check.' message with support from the Ministry of Health, National Cancer Control Programme and other national bodies; proceeds from pink fan T-shirts support cancer patient programs.

AIA Insurance Lanka has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to become the exclusive Insurance Partner of SLASSCOM, aiming to support wellbeing initiatives for Sri Lanka's technology and knowledge community through events and corporate wellness programs.

Janashakthi Limited's Janashakthi Life donated essential medicines, installed a hospital name board and provided directional signboards to police in Anuradhapura during the Poson pilgrimage to support healthcare, public safety and pilgrim welfare.

Asiri Surgical Hospital (AMSL.N0000) performed Sri Lanka's first robot-assisted surgery on 13 July 2026. The hospital says the robotic platform enables greater precision, smaller incisions and quicker recovery, bringing advanced surgical capability to patients locally.

Dambulla Sixers will launch a nationwide cancer awareness campaign as LPL 2026 opens, beginning with a visit to children at Suwa Arana on 17 July and culminating in a Pink Match on 19 July to promote breast cancer early detection and raise funds for the Indira Cancer Trust.

The Wireless Intelligence and Innovation (WIIN) Institute of Technology was launched at TRACE Expert City to conduct research and industry training across telecommunications, energy, construction, FinTech and healthcare, including AI/ML programmes, in collaboration with University of Oulu and IIT Madras.

Shantha Bandara (CEO of Sunshine Healthcare Lanka) was reappointed president of the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) for the 2026/27 term. His mandate focuses on turning governance and ethics reforms into regulatory and pricing changes to protect medicine availability and affordability amid exchange-rate volatility and rising freight, fuel and electricity costs.

NovaNest Properties launched Rainbow Apartments in Ratmalana, a new residential development with multiple amenities and a full-time medical centre backed by Nawaloka Hospitals PLC, including a 24-hour ambulance service.

Outgoing Swedish Ambassador Jan Thesleff said Sri Lanka's improving policy stability is restoring international investor confidence and named renewable energy, ICT, apparel, healthcare and food processing as key growth sectors; a Swedish business delegation will visit in January 2027.

Outgoing Swedish Ambassador Jan Thesleff said he is optimistic about Sri Lanka's recovery and rising investor confidence, noting about 80 Swedish companies operate in Sri Lanka. He highlighted opportunities in ICT, apparel exports, renewable energy, healthcare and tourism, and cited Port City progress and the need for direct flights.

A 31-member Indian SME delegation from the Federation of Indian Export Organisations held B2B networking sessions with Sri Lankan businesses at the Ceylon Chamber (8–10 July 2026) to explore trade, sourcing and partnership opportunities across pharmaceuticals, engineering, apparel, food/agriculture and infrastructure.

Hemas Holdings' consumer brands Baby Cheramy and Clogard were named among Sri Lanka's Favourite Product Brands in the PepperCube T25 survey (based on 12,000 annual unprompted responses for May 2025–Apr 2026).

Prof. Samitha Hettige urges a science-led approach and notes plans to hire about 30–40 scientifically trained staff for the government analyst's department to expand and expedite operations. She also advocates stronger S&T focus for development and cites Chinese science-policy guidance on AI, life sciences and innovation.

The Ceylon Chamber hosted a B2B session (8–10 July 2026) for a 31-member FIEO Indian export delegation to connect Indian SMEs (pharmaceuticals, engineering, apparel, food, infrastructure) with Sri Lankan companies to explore sourcing, market expansion and commercial partnerships.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce met Belarusian Ambassador Mikhail Kasko to explore closer private‑sector ties to boost trade in machinery, agriculture and pharmaceuticals and increase exports (apparel, tea, coconut, spices, fresh produce) and tourism via direct air links.

Medihelp Hospitals won three Gold and three Silver Awards at the National Convention on Quality and Productivity (NCQP) 2026. The awards recognise staff-led quality improvement projects across patient safety, operational efficiency and clinical processes that were implemented across the group.

A 31-member FIEO-led Indian business delegation visited Sri Lanka (8–10 July 2026) to explore trade and B2B partnerships across pharmaceuticals, engineering, apparel, food/agriculture and infrastructure. Bilateral merchandise trade reached about $7.2bn in 2025–26 and Sri Lanka's exports to India rose nearly 160% over five years.

The Ceylon Chamber's Commercial Documents Registration Division has introduced a Free Sale Letter for pharmaceuticals to help Sri Lankan pharma manufacturers and exporters meet export certification and compliance requirements. Its 24/7 e-service platform also certifies Certificates of Origin and other export documents for exporters, freight forwarders and logistics providers.

A 31-member delegation led by India's FIEO visited Sri Lanka (July 8–10) to explore new bilateral trade and investment opportunities and formally exchanged an MoU with the National Chamber of Exporters to boost institutional cooperation. Delegates covered pharmaceuticals, engineering, apparel, food/agriculture and infrastructure.

Colombo Port City Economic Commission will invite RFPs for an international university, hospital and school as it shifts from real estate to building institutional foundations; the Commission permits transactions in 14 foreign currencies under a dollarised regime and flags IT talent shortages constraining investment.

The Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance approved a Customs Ordinance resolution and two EDB orders to implement a National Tariff Policy that will reset import duty bands to 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% from 1 April 2026. The reforms include cutting effective ceramic-tile import taxes to 20% by 2029, phasing out para-tariffs by 2029, and updating trade data to support export growth.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the 2027 Budget will prioritise strengthening public healthcare and reducing private treatment costs. Measures include recommencing 26 suspended hospital projects (48 projects now under way), new primary-care 'Arogya Suwa Seva Centres', technology upgrades for state hospitals, ambulance improvements, digital health systems and pharma procurement reforms.

Vivon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd was named "Best Emerging Prescription Based Cosmeceutical Company of the Year" (Small – Platinum) at the BWIO Awards 2026. The award highlights its growing presence in prescription cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical and wellness markets and international partnerships.

Parliament approved a new four-tier National Tariff Policy (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%) and two export orders covering 8,225 HS codes, replacing the prior 0/15/20% bands. The government also set a phased CESS removal through 2029 to lower intermediate and consumer import costs and support exports.

The Committee on Public Finance approved submitting to Parliament a Customs Ordinance resolution and two Export Development Act orders to implement a National Tariff Policy that restructures import duties into four bands (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%) from 1 April 2026 and reduces ceramic-tile taxes to 20% by 2029. The reforms aim to simplify tariffs, phase out para-tariffs by 2029 and support the EDB’s target to double exports from US$18bn to US$36bn over five years.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce's Commercial Documents Registration Division has launched a Free Sale Letter service to help Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturers and exporters meet international compliance requirements. The service expands CDRD's trade documentation offerings, including Certificates of Origin and support via the e-DAS system.

The Ceylon Chamber's Commercial Documents Registration Division introduced a Free Sale Letter for pharmaceuticals to expand export documentation support for Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturers and exporters. The division also issues Certificates of Origin and other certified export documents via a 24/7 e-service and e-DAS attestation.