News & market updates

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.

Excello Developers launched Aathavan, a 44-unit, eight-storey residential project in Dehiwala starting at LKR 38 million, featuring full solar power, water recycling, low maintenance fees and flexible bank-backed payment plans.

Sri Lanka will host the UN Global Compact's Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026 in Colombo on 11–12 August 2026, convening 200+ business leaders and an SDG Investment Forum to advance sustainable business leadership, sustainable finance and practical SDG implementation across the Asia‑Pacific region.

Colombo Stock Exchange daily turnover fell to Rs. 722 million on Friday (17), the lowest level in the past 15 months. Both benchmark indices closed lower: ASPI down 42.16 points to 21,405.41 and S&P SL20 down 5.31 points to 5,999.68.

Sri Lanka stocks closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.20% to 21,405.41 and market turnover hit a 52-week low of Rs 722.6m. Banks led turnover at Rs 184.3m; Commercial Bank, RIL Property, Melstacorp and People's Leasing were among gainers while John Keells and Digital Mobility were among laggards, and oil prices rose on Gulf tensions.

FACETS Sri Lanka 2027, organised by the Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association, will be held 4–6 Jan 2027 at Cinnamon Life and will bring together over 100 exhibitors and international buyers to Colombo.

TikTok will launch an in-app AI literacy hub in Sri Lanka and expand measures to label and detect AI-generated content, including enhanced spam detection and joining the C2PA Steering Committee. The company has committed over US$4 million to the program and has labeled 3+ billion videos to date.

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.

Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) became the Port of Colombo's first container terminal to achieve three ISO certifications covering quality, environmental management and occupational health & safety. The USD 800m, fully automated terminal — developed with partners including John Keells Holdings — hit one million TEUs in its first year and is expanding Phase 2 infrastructure.

The Exporters' Association of Sri Lanka elected Nalaka Ratnayake as Chair at its 29th AGM; the World Bank country manager urged reforms to boost export competitiveness, including lowering business costs, expanding market access and fast-tracking the National Single Window digital trade platform.

The Association of Container Transporters (ACT) held its 41st AGM on 26 June 2026 at Lotus Tower, Colombo, reaffirming its commitment to strengthen Sri Lanka's container transport and logistics sector through closer industry-government collaboration. Attendees included the Minister of Ports, Aviation and Energy and the Deputy Minister.

The Cauldron marks its ninth anniversary and will scale beyond its cafés by expanding Ground Theory Coffee Roasters and developing an artisan baking division for retail and wholesale customers.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon's Basel III Tier-2 debenture issue was oversubscribed with applications for over 200 million debentures worth Rs 20 billion against an initial Rs 10 billion offer. CSE indices traded lower (ASPI down 0.11% at 21,424.48) with banks leading turnover at Rs 54.4 million.

The George Keyt Foundation and the British High Commission will present "19th Century Views of Ceylon" at Westminster House from July 30 to Aug 1, 2026; British Airways is the primary partner and Nations Trust Bank is a supporting sponsor.

Miwayz launched on July 12 with over 25,000 pre-registered drivers and passengers and announced strategic partnerships with Dialog Axiata (Dialog Touch payment integration and fuel vouchers) and TVS, plus a 0% commission driver model and passenger discounts.

NASSCOM launched its Disha Mentorship Program in Sri Lanka — its first international expansion — to mentor 48 Sri Lankan technology SMEs through structured guidance from industry leaders. The program aims to deepen India–Sri Lanka tech cooperation and support exports, jobs and digital transformation.

Vera Wickramasinghe, Managing Director and Founder of Worldlink Shipping Colombo, was elected President of the Freight Forwarder Network (FFN), becoming its first female and first President from outside Europe/US. The FFN also selected Colombo (ITC Ratnadipa) to host its 15th AGM in 2025.

Businessman Nahil Wijesuriya donated Rs.100 million toward the Nalanda Sports Arena as part of the school's Centenary Project.

Colombo bourse snapped a three-day decline as the ASPI rose 0.14% to 21,447.57 with turnover near Rs.1.5bn and foreign net selling of Rs.26.9m; gains were led by DIAL, HAYC, CFIN, JKH and CTHR.

The Sri Lanka Corporate Director Summit 2026 will be held on 22 July 2026 at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo under the theme 'Future-Ready Sri Lankan Directors: From Compliance to Sustainable Growth.' Key speakers include Kalpana Morparia and local governance leaders such as Dr. Harsha Cabral (Chairman, Tokyo Cement) and Harsha Amarasekera (Chairman, CIC Holdings and Sampath Bank).

Ambeon Securities hosted an investor forum on Sri Lanka's economic and market outlook, featuring Citi Research Director Baqar Zaidi as keynote speaker. A panel of local business leaders discussed the macro outlook, the future of the Colombo Stock Exchange, sectoral opportunities and policy reforms.

DMS Software Engineering implemented its DMS-IMAGO cheque image clearing platform at HSBC Sri Lanka, digitising cheque processing and improving controls, compliance and turnaround times.

IRCSL, with FALIA (Japan) and IASL, launched the National Essay Competition on Life Insurance for School Children – Sri Lanka 2026; registration is 15–31 July 2026, the supervised exam is 22 Aug 2026, and national prizes are Rs.75,000/50,000/25,000 (plus district prizes of Rs.5,000).

The EDB launched two sector-specific export handbooks in Sinhala and Tamil to help women-led SMEs in textiles, apparel, accessories, footwear, handicrafts and processed agrifood/spices access the UK market under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which offers duty-free access on ~92% of product lines. Developed with the ITC and the British High Commission, the guides aim to improve export readiness and inclusion ahead of the National Export Development Plan 2026–2029.

DailyFT corrected an earlier headline, saying the correct company name is Sanasa General Insurance Company Limited (not 'Sanasa General Insurance Company PLC') and apologised for the error.

Sri Lanka sold Rs15,000 million of Treasury bonds on tap at auction-set yields, bringing weekly bond sales to Rs165 billion; yields were 11.57% (2030), 12.04% (2034) and 12.58% (2037).

Sri Lanka rupee closed at 336.25/35 to the US dollar in the spot market. Bond yields were broadly steady with small moves across maturities (e.g., 15.09.2027 at 10.30/40% down from 10.40/50%).

Sri Lanka's services PMI rose to 58.5 in June 2026 (from 56.9 in May), with growth driven by financial and professional services and gains in insurance. Employment and new business increased and firms expect stronger activity into the next quarter aided by tourism, though global uncertainties remain a risk.

Sri Lanka's manufacturing PMI fell to 53.0 in June from 56.6 in May, indicating continued but slower expansion. New Orders were at the neutral 50.0, production was driven by food & beverages, employment remained near neutral, inventories rose and suppliers' delivery times lengthened amid global uncertainties and labour shortages.

Port City Colombo, a $15 billion SEZ, is placing India at the centre of its growth plan and aims to double annual Indian tourist arrivals to about 1.2 million by 2030. The development will add new attractions, convention facilities, duty-free retail and target Indian IT/GCCs as business tenants.