News & market updates

Connect to Care Consulting registered as a Voluntary Social Services/NGO and completed a governance and institutional-strengthening programme, including new board appointments. The organisation also implemented Microsoft Dynamics and Asana to upgrade financial management and programme delivery.

Developing Asia received $644 billion in FDI in 2025 (about 40% of global FDI and over 70% of flows to developing economies), according to UNCTAD. Investment shifted toward South‑East Asia and India (India +44%), with growing flows into semiconductors, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and energy‑transition technologies.

Sunshine Holdings (SUN.N0000) held its SUN Awards 2026 and reported consolidated FY26 revenue of Rs. 65.9 billion, up 11.2% YoY. The event presented 169 awards and 119 long-service recognitions across the Group's healthcare, consumer goods and agribusiness businesses.

Exhibitor registration for Sri Lanka Expo 2027 is open until 31 July 2026. The expo runs 14–17 Jan 2027 at BMICH with 650 booths across 25 sectors and offers opportunities to meet over 1,500 global buyers.

Colombo Stock Exchange midday: ASPI down 0.17% (37.22 pts) to 22,043.43 and S&P SL20 down 0.15% to 6,157.85. Capital goods led turnover (LKR 46.2m of LKR 216.8m); notable gainers HNB, RCL, SPEN, SDB, NHL and decliners GREG, MELS, JKH, CARS, LOLC.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board has kept online exhibitor registration for Sri Lanka Expo 2027 open until 31 July 2026. The expo will run 14–17 January 2027 at BMICH with 650 booths and opportunities to meet over 1,500 global buyers across 25 sectors.

HNB Life PLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government Medical Officers' Association to offer GMOA members tailored life insurance solutions and exclusive benefits. The partnership aims to provide protection and long-term financial planning support for medical professionals.

Connect to Care Consulting has registered as a Voluntary Social Services/NGO and completed governance and institutional strengthening, appointing new board members and rolling out Microsoft Dynamics and Asana to boost transparency, financial stewardship and programme delivery.

CIPM convened a roundtable of 30 stakeholders to address Sri Lanka's widening skills gap, noting shortages across IT, tourism, construction, manufacturing and healthcare and recommending industry-academia partnerships, vocational reforms and upskilling initiatives.

New Anthoney's is promoting its antibiotic-free Harithahari chicken to tackle antimicrobial resistance and position for export as Sri Lanka consumes about 258,000 metric tonnes of chicken annually. The company has an MoU with the University of Peradeniya and uses strict biosecurity protocols to support its antibiotic-free certification.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan agreed to boost bilateral trade, investment and entrepreneurship through initiatives including technology exchanges, export facilitation and a planned business forum in Pakistan. Measures include gem & jewellery tech programs, steps to reverse tea export declines, opening pineapple/avocado exports and exploring Pakistani investment in Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Hemas Hospitals & Laboratory Chain (Hemas Holdings) won 30 awards at the NCQP 2026 — the highest number by any single hospital — including 22 Gold, 7 Silver and 1 Bronze. All 30 submitted quality-improvement projects across clinical and operational areas received national recognition.

Health Ministry tightened front-of-pack sugar labelling for beverages: red logo now required for >8g sugar/100ml (down from 11g), amber covers 2.5–8g/100ml and green <2.5g/100ml; alternative symbol display options introduced.

GITA, together with the Indo‑Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has launched an India Trade Desk in Colombo to provide end-to-end, one-to-one advisory and market-entry support for Sri Lankan firms seeking to expand into India. The service targets SMEs and larger firms across textiles, food processing, ICT/BPM, tourism, pharma, logistics, manufacturing and renewable energy.

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka welcomed BookRetreats.com naming Sri Lanka the world's top trending wellness destination for 2026 and called for greater focus and promotion of Ayurveda-based wellness to boost tourist flows and foreign exchange earnings.

LNBTI's InfernoX Inter-School Hackathon Grand Finale features 22 teams from 15 schools competing for a Rs. 1 million prize pool. Finalists will present projects across AI, disaster management, education, agriculture, healthcare, food safety and robotics.

Cabinet approved agreements to secure a $450m Indian disaster recovery package (a $350m line of credit — $250m long-term, $100m short-term — plus a $100m grant) to fund Sri Lanka's post-Cyclone Ditwah reconstruction across infrastructure, housing, health, education and water. The government estimates reconstruction needs at $3.5bn.

Hemas Holdings PLC appointed Sabrina Esufally as an Executive Director, effective 1 July 2026. She is Managing Director of Hemas Consumer Brands and brings commercial and consumer leadership to the Group Board.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka named 25 companies and platforms, including Infinity Rover Ltd., as operating illegal pyramid schemes under Section 83(C) of the Banking Act, warning the public against these specific firms and apps.

The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS) graduated over 650 healthcare professionals on 24 June 2026, including 227 receiving the first Professional Bachelor's qualifications, as it marks 25 years of training. IIHS says it has trained over 5,000 nurses and more than 2,500 graduates now working overseas.

BookRetreats.com ranked Sri Lanka the world's top trending wellness destination for 2026, recording a 100% year-on-year traffic increase. The ranking spotlights demand for Hela-Ayurveda and luxury wellness resorts, potentially supporting inbound tourism and foreign-exchange earnings.

Adhitya Ayurveda ran a wellness knowledge-sharing program in South Korea with Shriveda Ayurveda Korea led by Dr. Kasun Gunawardhana, covering detoxification, Panchakarma, pulse diagnosis and lifestyle practices. The organiser operates Sri Lankan Ayurvedic retreats including Mangata and Adhitya Ayurveda Colombo as it expands internationally.

Ruhunu Hospital and Karma Fight League signed a multi-event partnership, with Ruhunu as title sponsor for KFL 008 on 18 July at SLECC. The agreement is the first structured long-term private hospital partnership with a combat sports organisation in Sri Lanka and will formalise medical support for events.

Union Bank (UBC) launched the Union Bank Pension Loan offering government and other pensioners up to Rs. 8 million with repayment up to 15 years, low interest and no personal guarantor; benefits include Rs.30,000 of annual PickMe rides, a Rs.7,000 yearly Nawaloka Hospitals health package and a pre-approved credit card.

Hemas Holdings appointed Sabrina Esufally as an Executive Director effective 1 July 2026. She is Managing Director of Hemas Consumer Brands, has led the group's consumer and pharmaceutical initiatives since 2019, and will add commercial and consumer leadership to the board.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urged a whole-of-government, science-based National Climate Resilience strategy, warning of a limited window before a likely strong 2026–27 El Niño and proposing anticipatory governance, reservoir/water management, climate-smart agriculture, early warning systems and a disaster intelligence centre.

Union Bank of Colombo (UBC.N0000) launched the Union Bank Pension Loan allowing government pensioners to borrow up to Rs. 8 million with up to 15-year repayment, low interest, no guarantor and benefits including LKR30,000 annual PickMe rides and a LKR7,000 yearly health package at Nawaloka Hospitals.

IIHS has opened a Biological Foundation Programme for O/L-qualified students offering four pathways (Healthcare, Sports, Health Management, IT in Health) to fast-track progression toward bachelor's degrees and international healthcare and health-technology careers.

Union Assurance PLC ran free diabetes screenings and health education at the Poson pilgrimage in Anuradhapura on 28–30 June as part of its Suwamaga programme, which has directly impacted over 23,500 people and reached 1.2 million since 2024. The programme, delivered with the Diabetes Association and Ministry of Health, reported 71% of beneficiaries showing positive behavioural changes.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka forum highlighted the newly enacted SLTFTA and reported bilateral trade rose 48% to $649m in 2025. Officials said the FTA and related measures should expand market access and investment across logistics, manufacturing, tourism, food processing, IT and healthcare.