News & market updates

Fitch warned the Iran conflict could raise credit risks for emerging markets such as Sri Lanka by raising energy prices and disrupting remittances, exchange rates, fiscal subsidies and access to international finance.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce handed over its historical records (1839–1973) to the National Archives. The archive includes correspondence, minutes, reports and ledgers documenting the Chamber’s role in developing Sri Lanka’s trade, ports, rail links and export economy.

Sri Lanka is strengthening global trade partnerships to promote Sri Lanka Expo 2026 (18–21 June 2026 at BMICH, Colombo), aiming to attract international buyers and investors across apparel, tea, spices, rubber, ICT services, food & beverages and industrial manufacturing. A high-level EDB and ministry delegation met UK, Indonesian and Korean envoys to boost participation.

ACP Asset Management launched the first Sri Lanka-focused UCITS fund, seeded with $10m and expecting a further $25m within 30 days, targeting $100m AUM in 6–12 months. The fund will invest in Sri Lankan equities, sovereign eurobonds and liquid treasury instruments and aims to draw foreign capital into sectors including banking, construction, F&B and tourism.

Nestlé Lanka will invest Rs. 9 billion over the next four years to expand its Pannala manufacturing facility, focusing on scaling coconut milk powder production for export. The company said it will not reduce staff, supports thousands of farmers and aims to be 100% plastic neutral by 2026.

DCSL Breweries Lanka has launched Aliya Beer into international export markets, offering Strong and Lager variants. The company says the launch aims to raise Aliya's profile in key international markets and build global brand awareness.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board has opened applications for Sri Lanka Expo 2026 (18–21 June at BMICH), offering 650 booths and opportunities to meet over 1,500 global buyers; applications close 31 March 2026. Sectors covered include industrial and agro-industrial products and services such as ICT, tourism, renewable energy and healthcare.

The Cabinet approved a 'Committee on Economic Surveillance' chaired by Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando to monitor and assess potential economic impacts on Sri Lanka from the Middle East conflict. The committee will review sector risks and submit policy recommendations to the Cabinet.

Sri Lanka's Cabinet approved a relief package to support re-cultivation of export crops, offering up to Rs750,000/ha for coconut, Rs500,000/ha for tea and Rs400,000/ha for rubber. Payments will be provided based on the extent of damaged land and follow earlier relief for paddy, vegetables, fruits and minor export crops.

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka launched a Country-Level Environmental and Supply Chain Sustainability Working Group strategy and held January 2026 kick-off sessions to mobilise 70+ companies across five thematic working groups. The initiative focuses on climate mitigation/adaptation, water and ocean stewardship, and supplier capacity building to advance sustainability and regulatory-aligned disclosure.

Elvoir, Sri Lanka’s first certified perfumer-led fragrance brand, is manufacturing IFRA/ISO/GMP-certified luxury perfumes locally and targeting exports. It has sold out limited editions, partners with hospitality brands, and is expanding into candles, smart diffusers and personal-care lines.

Sierra Cables PLC won two major 2025 NCE Export Awards — Gold in the Large Category (Electronic & Electrical Products) and Best Sri Lankan Brand Exporter. The company highlights its unique UL 44 certification (only Sri Lankan cable maker certified) and expanded international footprint enabling access to regulated markets including the US.

COYLE partnered with Sampath Bank and Mastercard to introduce the COYLE World Mastercard for members. The card is intended to support members' business activities and international engagement, complementing COYLE's wider learning and global partnership initiatives.

DCSL Breweries Lanka is launching Aliya Beer into international export markets, offering Strong and Lager variants to build global brand awareness.

Sri Lanka Export Development Board has opened applications for Sri Lanka Expo 2026, a four-day international trade exhibition from 18–21 June 2026 at BMICH offering 650 booths and access to over 1,500 global buyers; application deadline is 31 March 2026.

Thailand Week 2026 concluded after a three-day fair that highlighted bilateral trade reaching $649m last year, a 48% increase from $438m in 2024. The event showcased 30 Thai firms across food, cosmetics and household goods, and officials urged full implementation of the Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA to attract investment.

COYLE launched the COYLE World Mastercard in partnership with Sampath Bank and Mastercard. The chamber also ran a year of learning programs (AI, cybersecurity), signed MoUs with JETRO, AHK Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka–New Zealand Business Chamber, and stepped up diplomatic and international business engagements.

Government will maintain cost-reflective pricing for fuel and electricity despite rising global oil prices, avoiding subsidies that would burden state finances. Officials warned this could cause a short-term inflation spike to around 5–6% and dent export competitiveness (tea exports are exposed to the Middle East).

The Government and leading private-sector CEOs held the 'National Export Roadmap: The CEO Forum' to set strategic priorities for Sri Lanka's export sector, with the Industries Minister saying the Government will act as the main investor in industrial infrastructure. The EDB organized the forum and its outcomes will feed into a broader national export roadmap.

Fitch warns the Iran conflict could raise credit risks for emerging-market sovereigns by raising global energy prices and straining remittances, fiscal subsidies, exchange rates and access to finance; hydrocarbon exporters could benefit while importers (e.g. Pakistan, Egypt, Philippines, Ukraine) are more vulnerable.

The Export Development Board convened a CEO Forum to unveil the National Export Roadmap targeting US$36 billion in export revenue by 2030. Officials and industry leaders emphasized a whole-of-government approach and stronger institutional partnerships to drive export-led growth.

Ceylon Agro Industries (Prima Group Sri Lanka) won the Bronze Award in the Confectionery Products – Large Sector category at the National Export Awards 2025. The award highlights its Prima KottuMee brand, which exports to over 25 countries.

Sri Lanka Chamber of Small and Medium Industries will hold a special SME Forum later this month to connect entrepreneurs with authorities on finance, regulation, market access and operational challenges; interested SMEs are asked to register by 20 March 2026.

CFA Society Sri Lanka and Frontier Research will run a half-day "Economics in Practice" executive program on 12 March (08:30–12:30) in Colombo to teach professionals to interpret key economic indicators, fiscal and external trends and their business/investment implications; registration closes 10 March.

Sri Lanka will merge the Industrial Development Board, NEDA and the Small Business Development Division into a new Sri Lanka Industrial Transformation and Innovation Authority (SITIA) and is planning 33 industrial zones with 35-year land leases to attract investors.

President says the Central Bank submitted a scenario analysis on the Middle East conflict's economic impact to the government and that the worst-case outcome is unlikely. Authorities are preparing contingency plans affecting tourism, tea exports and port logistics and are seeking Indian support for the tea sector.

Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council warned the Middle East conflict is disrupting global shipping routes, with carriers adjusting schedules, suspending routes, applying surcharges and rerouting cargo, raising freight costs and causing delays for Sri Lankan exporters and importers.

Fitch says the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is likely temporary and, coupled with global oil market oversupply and ample inventories, should limit oil-price rises; it does not expect significant upside to its Dec-2025 assumption of average Brent at USD63/bbl for 2026.

Sri Lankan AI-powered cardiovascular screening device JENDO was piloted at King Hamad American Mission Hospital in Bahrain from 23–25 February to evaluate usability and clinical integration. The pilot was facilitated by the Sri Lankan Embassy and ICTA and follows national recognition including a 2025 Presidential Gold Award.

EDB officials, led by CEO Mangala Wijesinghe, met German business leaders and IHK Bremen on 27 Feb 2026 in Bremen to promote Sri Lanka Expo 2026 (18–21 June 2026) and invited an IHK Bremen delegation; German firms showed interest in logistics and tourism and follow-up talks were agreed.