News & market updates

NH Collection Colombo is offering a range of Valentine’s dining experiences across its venues, including a Vistas Rooftop dinner priced at LKR 25,000 nett per couple. Offerings also include family-friendly dining at AYU, Valentine’s High Tea at Vistas and Mansion, and a Valentine’s Sweet Collection at Collections Café.

Over 24,000 passengers have used the new electronic gates at Bandaranaike International Airport since the soft launch on 23 December 2025; the system was fully implemented on 28 January 2026. Average uptake is around 4% of arriving passengers, with authorities expecting usage to rise while noting possible technical glitches during the initial rollout.

The Devnimori Holy Relics from India will be exhibited at Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo from 4–10 February 2026 (return 11 February), with a high-level Indian delegation led by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat accompanying the relics.

At its 7th AGM on 27 January, the Event Management Association of Sri Lanka announced the Event Management sector has been formally recognised as an industry after securing Cabinet approval, opening the sector to structured growth and regulation.

A Sri Lanka delegation led by Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeyasinghe met Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in Riyadh on 25 Jan 2026 to pitch investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and its capital market. PIF outlined its 2026–2030 strategic plan and both sides agreed to open follow-up channels and pursue a bilateral investment protection agreement.

Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe led a Sri Lankan delegation to meet Saudi Public Investment Fund officials in Riyadh to present investment opportunities, capital-market reforms and discuss a Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement; both sides agreed to continue talks.

Sri Lanka recorded a record 277,327 tourist arrivals in January 2026, a 10% year-on-year increase and the highest January on record. The government is targeting at least 3 million arrivals in 2026 and plans a free-visa scheme and nation-branding to further boost inbound tourism.

Belgian RTBF's Le Jardin Extraordinaire crew filmed a 14-day wildlife documentary in Sri Lanka from 29 Jan 2026 to showcase the island's biodiversity to Belgian and French-speaking audiences. Jetwing Eco Holidays served as official accommodation partner; the programme (≈320,000 weekly Belgian viewers, 27% slot share) is expected to boost tourism from Belgium and other French-speaking markets.

John Keells Holdings (JKH) is sponsoring the 33rd Kala Pola open-air art fair in Colombo on 8 February 2026. Nations Trust Bank (NTB) is named as the event's official banking partner.

HNB PLC presented two winners of its credit-card campaign with fully paid trips to the 68th Grammy Awards (Los Angeles) and the Australian Open semi-finals (Melbourne); the campaign also offered cardholders discounts up to 70% across 300+ partner merchants and awarded prizes based on predefined spend thresholds in collaboration with Mastercard.

Sri Lanka will host the Boat & Marine Show & Conference 2026 at Port City Colombo from 30 Jan–1 Feb 2026 to promote boating, yachting and nautical tourism and attract international exhibitors and investors. Organised by Sri Lanka Tourism with industry partners and government support, the event aims to position Sri Lanka as a regional marine tourism hub and boost export and investment opportunities.

Volt Charge has partnered with Jetwing Hotels to deploy nine EV charging stations across Jetwing properties (four already operational), expanding destination-based EV charging in Sri Lanka's hospitality sector and supporting cleaner transport; Volt Charge already has deployments with organisations including Aitken Spence and a registered user base over 10,000.

The SLUKCC and Sri Lanka High Commission in London held a panel to strengthen Sri Lanka–UK trade ties, urging firms (especially SMEs) to use the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme, noting relaxed apparel Rules of Origin. The event promoted Sri Lanka Expo 2026, investment opportunities and Colombo real estate projects.

Sri Lanka's current account reached a $1.7 billion surplus in 2025, up 43.8% YoY, driven by record workers' remittances and stronger services inflows despite a wider trade deficit. Vehicle imports totaled $2.05 billion in 2025, tourist earnings fell and gross official reserves stood at about $6.8 billion while the rupee depreciated 5.6% YTD.

A Gazette amendment permits women over 18 to be employed as janitorial and food service attendants between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., expanding night‑work categories; the Labour Ministry requires employers to provide accommodation, transport, health and safety and welfare measures where needed.

Ceylinco Life concluded the grand draw of its 19th Family Savari promotion, selecting five policyholder families (20 people) for Beijing, 10 families (40 people) for Malaysia and 283 families (1,000 people) for a Pearl Bay day; winners from the Run for Savari web game were also drawn.

Sri Lanka and UK officials and business leaders met in London to push stronger trade and investment ties, urging Sri Lankan firms to use the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme (including relaxed apparel Rules of Origin) and promoting Expo 2026. The BOI said Sri Lanka aims for nearly 7% growth by attracting higher-quality investment.

The Sri Lanka Economic Association will hold its Annual International Conference on 6–7 February in Colombo to map a services-led economic revival, with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and CBSL Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe attending. Panels will focus on digitalisation (AI/ICT), tourism value-per-visitor, banking resilience and policy briefs for the 2026–2030 PIP.

The FICAC South Asia Regional Conference opens in Colombo (2–4 Feb) at Cinnamon Life to convene consuls, diplomats and business leaders to promote investment, tourism and regional partnerships. Organisers expect sector roundtables and working groups to generate follow-ups in tourism, hospitality and logistics.

Pakistan will not take the field for its T20 World Cup match against India in Sri Lanka and will forfeit two points, the Government of Pakistan said. Pakistan's participation had been uncertain after the ICC removed Bangladesh from the tournament over a logistical/security impasse.

DIMO.N0000 completed the design, supply, installation and commissioning of a 630-fixture LED floodlighting system across six high-mast towers at the Singhalese Sports Club, enabling SSC to host international day–night matches ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The system meets ICC illumination standards, supports HD/4K/8K broadcasts and uses DMX centralised controls.

Government approved several measures to accelerate tourism, including a digital entry pass, expedited tourist visa processing, streamlined domestic air services and airport-to-destination bus links. The meeting was led by Minister Vijitha Herath and attended by stakeholders including John Keells Holdings chair Krishan Balendra.

Daily FT and ICCSL host a webinar today at 4:00pm on 'Post Ditwah Recovery – How to Support SMEs', featuring HNB CEO Damith Pallewatte and Commercial Bank Head of SME Banking Mohan Fernando among speakers; the event will be broadcast live via Facebook.

The Sri Lanka–UK Chamber of Commerce and Sri Lanka High Commission hosted a London panel on 27 Jan 2026 to boost bilateral trade and investment, urging firms to utilise the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and noting relaxed apparel Rules of Origin. Organisers promoted Sri Lanka Expo 2026 (18–21 June) and highlighted opportunities in tourism, IT/BPO, real estate and global value‑chain integration.

Correction: Ceylon Chamber chief says Cyclone Ditwah caused an initial 40% rise in fruit and vegetable prices and about Rs. 500 million in tourism infrastructure damage (previously misreported as ~1% and Rs. 500 billion).

Fracspace is entering Sri Lanka with Altaira, investing LKR 5 billion to develop a 26-acre, low-density destination in Bulathkohupitiya featuring a luxury hill resort, ridge suites and 40 serviced villas. The project is pitched as a sustainability- and experience-led tourism and property development.

Hansana Balasuriya, Miss Intercontinental Sri Lanka, won the Strength and Harmony special title at the 53rd Miss Intercontinental pageant in Egypt on 29 January. It is Sri Lanka’s third special title on the Miss Intercontinental platform and she was highlighted for one of the best national costumes.

Sri Lanka Tourism exhibited at CMT 2026 in Stuttgart, engaging German consumers and Sri Lankan DMCs to promote travel packages and stimulate interest in the destination. Face-to-face interactions and cultural performances gathered market insights and reinforced B2C and B2B promotion efforts.

Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings' Heritance Hotels and Resorts was named Superbrands Sri Lanka’s Choice 2025. The award recognizes the brand's excellence, sustainability and experience-led hospitality across Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Brand Finance's Global Soft Power Index 2026 ranks Sri Lanka 100th with a score of 33.8/100; the country improved to 79th for 'ease of doing business' and rose in visit appeal, friendliness and food rankings while overall governance and media influence declined.