News & market updates

SriLankan Airlines' swimming team won the Overall Championship at the Travel Trade 2026 Swimming Competition, securing both the men's and women's trophies. The team will next compete at the Mercantile 2026 Swimming Championship in October.

JAT Holdings PLC has signed an exclusive nationwide partnership to distribute WASHLEX Japanese smart toilets across Sri Lanka's hospitality, residential and commercial sectors. Over 350 units have been installed to date and the brand is already used by several luxury hotels and property developments.

Hayleys Plantations, partnering with UNDP BIOFIN, is advancing Payment for Ecosystem Services projects at Talawakelle Tea Estates (Great Western, Wattagoda), Horana Plantations' Bambarakelly Estate and Kelani Valley's Halgolla Estate to fund watershed protection, biodiversity restoration and tourism-linked conservation.

A high-level delegation from Russia's National Association of Builders (NOSTROY) visited Sri Lanka from 22–25 July 2026 to explore investment and collaboration in infrastructure, urban development and hotel/tourism projects and to discuss skilled labour mobility for construction professionals.

ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam alleges 17 hotels in Pasikudah failed to pay the statutory 1% local authority levy and has called on the Auditor General, Tourism Ministry and SLTDA to investigate and recover dues. He also raised concerns about a SLTDA official's transparency and urged legal action if violations are found.

India-led demand powered a July rebound as 138,730 tourists arrived in the first 22 days and cumulative 2026 arrivals topped 1.28 million. India was the largest source with 31,734 visitors (23%), and Indian tourists' average daily spend rose to about $154 versus the national average of $148.

Ceylinco Life (Ceylinco Holdings PLC) hosted 10 winning families — 40 participants — on an all-expenses-paid Malaysia tour under the 19th 'Family Savari' promotion. The itinerary included Kuala Lumpur highlights (Petronas Twin Towers, Aquaria KLCC) and Genting Highlands as part of its customer engagement rewards.

Beruwala Resorts PLC proposes a Rs. 398 million rights issue (318,429,225 shares at Rs. 1.25) to fund refurbishment of The Palms Beruwala and meet working capital needs. The issue is subject to CSE in-principle approval, listing approval and shareholder approval at an EGM; Colombo Fort Hotels holds a 66.25% stake.

Nutmeg at ITC Ratnadipa is offering a Friendship Day cake collection of four cakes (500g/1kg) priced LKR 3,000–8,000, available 24 July–1 August 2026; Club Culinaire Sri Lanka members receive a 15% discount.

Fly A World Consultants and Tourism (Pvt) Ltd received the Excellence in Travel Consultancy Services Award in the Small Scale Services Sector at the Honor of Business Talent 2026. The award recognises the firm's customer service, business performance and professional standards in Sri Lanka's travel and tourism industry.

DFCC Bank PLC has partnered with SriLankan Airlines to launch the SriLankan Airlines DFCC Visa Platinum Credit Card, offering 3,000 bonus FlySmiLes Miles on enrolment and travel benefits including priority check-in, lounge access and extra baggage allowance.

Crystal Property Group launched MIRA Weligama, an ultra-luxury branded residence of 44 units priced from US$400,000 and managed by The One Group, with completion scheduled for September 2028.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will host a business networking session with a 30-member Indian Chamber of Commerce delegation on 28 July at the Hilton Colombo Residences to connect Sri Lankan firms with Indian companies. Participating sectors include manufacturing, construction, healthcare, IT, renewable energy and tourism.

Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne urged boards and CEOs to set the tone on data privacy and embed protection into digital systems from the start, calling for stronger digital literacy and investment in secure infrastructure as Sri Lanka expands digital services.

Comedian Sashi Perera performs her Pear Tree show in Colombo today (24 July) with a matinee at 4:00pm and main show at 7:00pm at Elphinstone Theatre, and tomorrow (25 July) a Pear Tree Salon at 7:30pm at COCO Bar. Tickets via sashiperera.com or scarletcatonline.com; signed copies of her memoir available at the salon.

Ceylon Chamber will host a business networking session with a 30-member Indian Chamber of Commerce delegation on 28 July at the Hilton Colombo Residences, offering Sri Lankan firms opportunities to explore trade, investment and partnerships across sectors including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, IT, renewables and tourism.

Green finance is emerging in Sri Lanka to channel investment into renewable energy, green bonds, ESG-linked lending and sustainable infrastructure to boost climate resilience and economic recovery. Banks, capital markets, developers, tourism operators and tech firms are highlighted as key participants.

Sri Lanka's large EEZ and strategic maritime location offer opportunities to grow a Blue Economy across fisheries, ports/logistics, tourism, aquaculture, marine biotechnology and ocean renewables. Realising this will require ESG-aligned investment, tech adoption, sustainable management and coordinated policy.

Rights issue · 5:11 at Rs 1.25

Rights issue (5:11) at LKR 1.25/share

CBSL held the policy rate at 8.75% after its Monetary Board review, citing Middle East-driven commodity price shocks; headline inflation rose to 6.8% YoY in June 2026. The bank said inflation will remain above the 5% target in the near term, stands ready to act, and noted reserves of $6.45bn with some rupee stabilisation.

Sri Lanka's Industry Minister Sunil Handunneththi visited India (14–18 July 2026) to advance cooperation in textiles, manufacturing, agribusiness, technology, investment and tourism. He met Indian textile ministers at BharatTex, toured RIICO's industrial park and a Mega Food Park, held a FICCI roundtable and discussed direct air links and investment opportunities.

SriLankan Aviation College (SLAC), the training arm of SriLankan Airlines, has been recognised by IATA as an IATA Authorised Training Centre (ATC) Preferred Partner for 2026, its second consecutive year and among the world's top 10 IATA training centres. The status reflects strong programme delivery and student enrolments, reinforcing SLAC's role in regional aviation and travel training.

Ceylon Chamber will host a Business Networking Session with a 30-member Indian Chamber of Commerce delegation on 28 July 2026 at the Hilton Colombo Residences to explore trade, investment and partnerships across sectors including construction, healthcare, IT, renewable energy, tourism and food processing.

The Geoffrey Bawa Trust launched the Moonamal Award to recognise built-environment and public-policy projects in Sri Lanka that promote ecological design and human–nature coexistence; applications open August 2026 and the inaugural winner will be announced mid-2027.

Ceylinco Life (Ceylinco Holdings, CINS.N0000) hosted 10 winning families (40 participants) on an all-expenses-paid Malaysia tour as part of the 19th 'Family Savari' promotion, featuring visits to Kuala Lumpur landmarks and Genting Highlands.

Sri Lanka Corporate Director Summit urged companies to raise board governance standards to help rebuild the country's investment appeal. Speakers including Minor International's CEO and LYNEAR Wealth's MD stressed board quality, independence, faster decision-making, AI readiness and sustainability as investor priorities.

Cabinet approved replacing the planned purchase of 600 standard SLTB buses with air-conditioned deluxe buses, increasing the project cost to Rs.21.6bn (additional Rs.7.2bn; Rs.1.8bn in 2026, Rs.5.4bn in 2027–28). The buses will operate on intercity and long-distance routes under the Road Safety Plan.

Central Bank kept the Overnight Policy Rate unchanged at 8.75%. Headline inflation rose to 6.8% in June, with higher fuel prices and Middle East tensions posing upside risks; gross official reserves were USD 6.45bn and the rupee has stabilised.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka kept the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged at 8.75%. Headline inflation accelerated to 6.8% y/y in June 2026 driven by higher energy and food prices; gross official reserves were USD 6.45bn and the rupee has stabilised.