News & market updates

Union Bank CEO Dilshan Rodrigo said SMEs are understating revenues and profits—banks often reconstruct financials and find turnover about 40% higher—hindering cash-flow lending. He urged stronger audit standards, independent SME credit ratings and deeper capital markets for long-term SME finance.

Global FDI rose 6% to $1.6 trillion in 2025, driven by a small number of megaprojects—notably AI-related data centres—while developed-economy inflows rose 11% and developing economies grew only 2% to $901bn. The recovery is narrow and concentrated, with risks from trade uncertainty, geopolitics and high financing costs for 2026.

Secondary government bond yields rose and the Finance Ministry announced a Rs.150 billion Treasury bond auction across three maturities (Rs.70bn 15 Oct 2030; Rs.50bn 15 Oct 2034; Rs.30bn 1 Jul 2037). Market liquidity increased to Rs.139.01bn and USD/LKR closed at 336.00/336.40.

Arpico Insurance PLC appointed Naresh Tillekeratne to its Board of Directors; he brings over 35 years' experience in international banking, risk management and senior leadership to support the company's governance and growth.

Minority shareholders of Associated Motor Finance (AMF.N0000) say the proposed amalgamation with L B Finance (LFIN.N0000) undervalues AMF and have asked the SEC and CSE to review the Rs.55 per-share cash consideration; CBSL said pricing is outside its remit.

The Employees' Trust Fund Board will require employers with 15 or more employees to submit ETF contributions and monthly returns electronically for contributions relating to July 2026, due on or before 31 August 2026. Payments must be made via designated banks' internet banking or by direct debit; cash, cheques and printed returns will no longer be accepted.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the 2027 Budget will prioritise strengthening public healthcare and reducing private treatment costs. Measures include recommencing 26 suspended hospital projects (48 projects now under way), new primary-care 'Arogya Suwa Seva Centres', technology upgrades for state hospitals, ambulance improvements, digital health systems and pharma procurement reforms.

Colombo market fell for an eighth session as ASPI dropped 0.60% (130.78 pts) to 21,697.72 amid renewed Middle East tensions, with turnover over Rs.1.4bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.91.7m. Declines were led by Commercial Bank, Melstacorp, Hayleys and John Keells, while capital goods, food & beverage and banking drove turnover.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB.N0000) appointed Ananda Jayawardana as an Independent Non-Executive Director. He brings over 25 years' experience in leveraged and structured finance across Asia, with senior roles at Standard Chartered and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

A seminar on Beneficial Ownership compliance will be held on 22 July 2026 at The Kingsbury, Colombo to provide guidance on BO filings under the Companies Act No. 12 of 2025 and CBSL Direction 2 of 2026, highlighting the statutory BO filing deadline of 30 September 2026 and non-compliance risks.

TikTok removed 441,089 videos in Sri Lanka in Q1 2026 (about 0.5% of uploads), with 99.1% removed proactively and 95% of those taken down within 24 hours. Globally the platform removed 184,012,576 videos and 86,288,705 fake accounts in the quarter.

Dialog Enterprise (part of Dialog Axiata PLC) renewed its strategic partnership with the National Chamber of Exporters to provide digital transformation tools — including cloud, cybersecurity, data analytics, AI and IoT — to strengthen Sri Lankan exporters, with a focus on SME exporters.

Prime Lands Residencies PLC pre-launched 'The Prime Colombo', a 39-floor residential development on Baseline Road with two- and three-bedroom units from LKR 45 million and construction targeted for completion in October 2030. The developer cites estimated rental yields above 6% and flexible payment plans.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) was ranked No.1 banking brand in the Service Brands category and No.2 among all service brands in LMD Magazine's 2026 Most Loved Brands survey for the third consecutive year. It was also voted People's Private Banking Services Brand of the Year for the fourth consecutive year at the SLIM Kantar People's Awards 2026.

DFCC Bank PLC has entered a strategic partnership with MyFees.lk to expand digital payment and settlement capabilities across Sri Lanka's education sector. MyFees.lk serves 180+ institutions and over 650,000 students; the tie-up aims to simplify fee collection and develop further education-focused digital financial solutions.

Dialog Axiata's Dialog Enterprise renewed its partnership with the National Chamber of Exporters to provide digital tools — including connectivity, cloud, cybersecurity, data analytics, AI and IoT — and training to help Sri Lankan exporters, especially SMEs, boost competitiveness.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on Friday as the ASPI rose 0.31% (67.84 pts) to 21,765.56, ending a week-long losing streak; turnover was 2 billion rupees. Top positive contributors were Ceylon Cold Stores, Haycarb and Dialog Axiata.

David Pieris Group will launch a five-day Social Empowerment Drive in Batticaloa from 15–19 July 2026, featuring a public trade fair and community programmes including entrepreneurship training, vocational and mechanical training, traffic awareness, scholarships, vehicle emission testing and a Green Climate Action initiative.

Hayleys Solar (part of the Hayleys group) was named Sri Lanka's Most Loved Solar Brand in LMD's Brands Annual 2026 for a second consecutive year, after surpassing 750 MW of installed solar capacity and delivering 30 MWh storage and 110+ MW wind projects.

Bank of Ceylon launched BOC Flex – Tap & Pay on 9 July 2026, Sri Lanka's first mobile banking wallet‑based contactless payment solution enabling virtual cards for NFC-enabled POS and secure online payments.

Colombo Stock Exchange picked up midday; ASPI rose 0.32% to 21,768.20 and S&P SL200 gained 0.36% to 6,088.29. Turnover was 905 million rupees and top positive contributors were John Keells Holdings, Haycarb and Dialog Axiata.

Lanka Aluminium Industries PLC hosted a full-day factory visit in Ekala with the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects as part of its 'Specification Writing for Architects' programme to raise awareness of aluminium extrusion products and solutions.

Vivon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd was named "Best Emerging Prescription Based Cosmeceutical Company of the Year" (Small – Platinum) at the BWIO Awards 2026. The award highlights its growing presence in prescription cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical and wellness markets and international partnerships.

Dr. K.A. Buddhima Indu Abeygunawardena was named BWIO Women Icon of the Year 2026 for her contributions to Sri Lanka's apparel industry at the BWIO Awards on 16 May. She has more than 25 years' experience in apparel and currently works as a consultant in process excellence and customer interface.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC participated in a seven-day Professional Development Program on Women Leadership in Banking (22–28 June 2026) run by BIMT Campus with AIT Extension in Thailand. The programme covered strategic leadership, AI, cybersecurity and digital transformation.

Hirdaramani Apparel and the University of Moratuwa launched a three-year research collaboration to convert textile waste into durable, lightweight sustainable ceiling panels aimed at commercial scalability and circular-economy goals.

Hayleys PLC's subsidiary Hayleys Aventura commissioned Sri Lanka's first outdoor automated rotary parking system. The system rotates platforms to retrieve vehicles within a maximum of 2.5 minutes and complements the firm's portfolio of automated parking solutions for urban developments.

Hambantota International Port (HIP) recorded record June throughput of 90,219 vehicles and 80,325 TEUs, driven by operational preparedness and customer engagement amid shipping-route uncertainty in the Middle East.

Government and stakeholders launched immediate and long-term plans to clean and beautify Colombo's Beira Lake, including an immediate seawater flushing sponsored by Nahil Wijesuriya and longer-term restoration funded in the Government Budget. The measures are intended to protect tourism, public health and the urban environment.

TiE Colombo has partnered with Stanford Seed to offer the five-month Stanford Seed Spark program to Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to sharpen strategy and scale globally; applications are open until 25 July 2026 (places limited, reviewed rolling).