News & market updates

EDB and Janathakshan have partnered under the UNDP GEF-07 project to promote biodiversity-friendly, climate-resilient agriculture across six districts, targeting organic/artisanal tea, kithul, pepper, arecanut, cardamom and jackfruit and pursuing GI certification and export linkages to Japan, the EU and the US.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) signed an MoU with Janathakshan under the GEF-07 project to boost biodiversity-linked exports and rural livelihoods, targeting products like organic/artisanal tea, kithul, pepper, arecanut, cardamom and jackfruit and pursuing GI certification.

Sri Lanka Expo 2026 has been rescheduled to 14–17 January 2027 at BMICH in Colombo. The EDB expects about 750 local exporters and 1,500 international participants and has extended exhibitor registration to 31 July 2026, citing geopolitical uncertainties.

EDB and Janathakshan GTE signed an MoU to strengthen biodiversity-friendly agri-export value chains across six target sectors—including organic/artisanal tea, Kithul, pepper, arecanut, cardamom and jackfruit—supporting market linkages, GI certification and export readiness.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board has rescheduled Sri Lanka Expo to 14–17 January 2027 at BMICH citing geopolitical uncertainty. The event is expected to host about 750 local exporters and 1,500 international participants across apparel, tea, ICT, pharma, renewable energy and other sectors.

IPS research economist Dilani Hirimuthugodage argues Geographical Indications (GI) can boost Sri Lanka's export earnings by securing premium prices and niche-market access for origin-based products like tea and spices. She notes tea accounted for 51% of agricultural exports (10.9% of total exports) and calls for targeted GI reforms, better traceability and enforcement.

Durga Infra raised its stake in Hatton Plantations to 12.5% by buying 10,245,384 shares at Rs.25.60 each (≈Rs.262.3m) on May 6, increasing its holding to 29.58m shares of 236.67m issued.

RTS Holdings' Hidellana and Avissawella tea factories received Zero Carbon Manufacturing Certification after independently audited measures and offsetting 1,020 tonnes CO₂e to reach net-zero GHG emissions. Carbon credits were sourced from a CDM-certified hydropower project and the audit followed WBCSD/WRI GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1 standards.

Dynawash hosted Pepsi Lipton CEO Bjorn Bernemann and a senior delegation to view “Tea Dye”, a sustainable apparel dye made from Lipton Ice Tea byproducts, at its Biyagama facility. The collaboration highlights waste reduction and scalable circular manufacturing for global apparel supply chains.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 0.29% (66.12 points) at 23,063 after a volatile session that briefly breached 23,000. Hayleys and Dialog were top positive contributors, and Hatton Plantations said Durga Infra bought 10,245,384 shares and now holds 12.5%.

Colombo bourse rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.69% (155.47 pts) to 22,739.77 after Middle East developments pushed oil below $100, with turnover over Rs. 4.1bn and net foreign inflow of Rs. 62.4m. JKH, MELS and RIL were among top positive contributors while LIOC fell and REEF gained.

The US dollar selling rate in Sri Lanka climbed above Rs.324 to Rs.324.03 (buying Rs.316.40, spot Rs.319.78), and the rupee has depreciated 2.9% against the dollar year-to-date to April 30, 2026.

Maxtherm Lanka won the Silver Award for Best Energy Efficiency Service Provider at the National Energy Efficiency Awards 2025. Its biomass boiler conversions can cut fuel costs by up to 75% and the company estimates its interventions delivered about $66m in national cost savings and a ~40m kg CO₂ reduction over three years.

The Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai held the Sri Lanka Food Festival 2026 from 24–26 April, drawing over 700 attendees to showcase Sri Lankan cuisine and promote tourism and trade. The event featured chefs from Cinnamon Grand and participants including Tarlton Tea, and generated strong digital reach.

Planters’ Association warned the West Asia/Strait of Hormuz crisis threatens about 45% of Sri Lanka’s tea exports (≈US$680m) and called for urgent measures to secure fertiliser stocks, provide working capital for smallholders and diversify export markets.

Planters’ Association urged urgent action to stabilise tea production and costs, noting 45% of exports (~$680m of $1.5bn) go to Middle Eastern markets and wages rose to Rs1,750/day from 1 Jan 2026. It warned fertiliser supply risks could jeopardise the 2026 300m kg target and called for fertiliser security, working capital for smallholders and market diversification.

Colombo posted its biggest monthly gain since July 2025, with the ASPI up 7% and the S&P SL20 up 5.1% in April, with average daily turnover of Rs.3.66bn. Yesterday the indices fell (ASPI -0.38% to 22,550) on losses in John Keells, Sampath and Commercial Bank amid net foreign outflows of Rs.75mn.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.37% to 22,552.24 midday, with plantations (Watawala, Sunshine, Namunukula among others) leading gains while John Keells, Sampath and Commercial Bank weighed on the index. Market turnover was Rs2bn; Abans Finance completed a debenture issue to raise Rs1.33bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower with the ASPI down 0.38% to 22,549.53 and market turnover at 3.44 billion rupees; capital goods led turnover (984.6 million). Lion Brewery and Watawala Plantations were top positive contributors while Dialog Axiata, John Keells and Commercial Bank were top negatives; Brent rose above $113.

Geographical Indications (GI) could unlock higher export earnings for Sri Lanka's tea, spices and other agricultural products by enabling premium pricing and niche market access. The article urges targeted GI reforms — a dedicated NIPO GI unit, national GI logo, better enforcement and traceability — to capture this value.

Sri Lanka showcased premium Ceylon Tea at the 20th Beijing International Tea and Tea Ceremony Exhibition (Apr 17–20, 2026), with four Sri Lankan tea companies participating to promote Ceylon Tea and engage international buyers in the Chinese market.

The Asian Development Bank estimates Sri Lanka has about $6 billion of unrealised export capacity — exports could rise 47% if gaps are addressed — and says weak export growth has widened the trade deficit and pressured the rupee ahead of rising external debt repayments. Usable reserves cover roughly three months of goods imports, limiting the Central Bank's ability to defend the currency.

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Agriculture K.D. Lal Kantha reaffirmed the country’s active engagement at the FAO Regional Conference (APRC38), prioritizing stronger domestic production, reduced import dependency, agricultural modernization through digital governance and water management, and export-oriented villages.

Pride Rock Partners hosted a session at the World Aroma Ingredients Congress & Expo 2026 in Mumbai, showcasing Sri Lanka's role and opportunities in the global fragrance and flavours value chain and highlighting essential oil production, technologies and export prospects.

Sri Lanka's cumulative exports for Jan–Mar 2026 reached US$ 4,308.11 million, up 1.59% year-on-year. March exports were US$ 1,467.31 million (down 5.2% YoY but up 9.0% month-on-month), with strength in coconut, processed food, electronics and services while apparel and tea declined.

Asia Siyaka Commodities said March tea exports fell 16% YoY to 19.7 Mnkg, leaving 1Q exports down 4.5% to 60.3 Mnkg. Rupee earnings held at Rs.109 billion due to currency depreciation, but dollar earnings fell 5% to $351m amid higher freight/insurance and Gulf shipping disruptions.

WFP warns the Middle East conflict is threatening Sri Lanka's recovery by driving fuel costs up 33–40%, raising food and fertiliser import bills (Sri Lanka imported $2.5bn of food in 2025) and risking remittances (around 80% originate in the Gulf). These shocks could push inflation higher, weaken the rupee, strain reserves and hit tourism and household food security.

Tea production fell to 20.8 Mn kgs in March, down 14.5% YoY from 24.4 Mn kgs, hit by prolonged dry and hot weather; first-quarter output also slipped to 59.6 Mn kgs from 61.7 Mn kgs a year earlier.