News & market updates

EDB, IFC and the EU ran the 7th Provincial ExpoNavigator Program in Batticaloa on 9–10 June 2026 to boost export readiness of nearly 100 Eastern Province SMEs. The two-day event offered awareness sessions, technical consultations and a Business Clinic to identify high-potential enterprises for continued SLEEI support.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chaired a pre-Budget review of 2026 projects and discussed 2027 Budget proposals for the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, stressing completion of projects and development of industrial zones (Dambulla, Ingiriya, Valachchenai, Millaniya, Katunayake). He also urged consolidation of state enterprises, proposed an Entrepreneurship and Industry Transformation Authority and requested proposals for concessions to support exporters and industriali

The Export Development Board (EDB) will collaborate with Expertise France on an EU-funded project to promote sustainable, climate-resilient and circular trade with the EU, focusing on regulatory alignment, green transition measures and SME support.

The Ceylon Chamber hosted a B2B session (8–10 July 2026) for a 31-member FIEO Indian export delegation to connect Indian SMEs (pharmaceuticals, engineering, apparel, food, infrastructure) with Sri Lankan companies to explore sourcing, market expansion and commercial partnerships.

Alpha Fire Services (AFS.N0000) will acquire Icon Engineering for Rs260 million in a share-swap, issuing 9,122,807 new shares valued at Rs28.50 each. The deal gives new investors a 19.38% stake, expands MEP/HVAC operations into the Maldives and is expected to boost group profitability ~30% and bring USD inflows.

WindForce PLC secured up to US$18 million in IFC local-currency financing to develop Sri Lanka's first utility-scale 100MW solar project. IFC also committed US$10m to New Anthoney's Farms, bringing total IFC investments advised by TWC Capital to up to US$28m across renewables and agribusiness.

Australia's High Commissioner Matthew Duckworth reaffirmed support for Sri Lanka's bid to join RCEP and urged continued trade reforms and full digitalisation of border processes to strengthen competitiveness and integrate into regional supply chains.

Workers' remittances rose 9.3% YoY to $695m in June, lifting January–June inflows 23.2% YoY to over $4.6bn — the strongest first half on record, bolstering Sri Lanka's foreign-exchange position amid weak exports and tourism.

TWC Capital advised WindForce PLC on an IFC commitment of up to $18m for Sri Lanka's first utility-scale 100 MW solar project, and advised New Anthoney's Farms on a separate $10m IFC financing, totalling up to $28m in development finance.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce met Belarusian Ambassador Mikhail Kasko to explore closer private‑sector ties to boost trade in machinery, agriculture and pharmaceuticals and increase exports (apparel, tea, coconut, spices, fresh produce) and tourism via direct air links.

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will hold Scale Up 2.0, a National SME Forum on Aug 11 at the Taj Samudra in Colombo to connect SMEs with buyers, financial institutions, policymakers and support organisations to address market access, finance and value‑chain challenges; registrations are open.

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has launched Scale Up 2.0, its National SME Forum for 2026, to be held on 11 August 2026 in Colombo to connect SMEs with buyers, financial institutions, policymakers and support organisations. The forum will feature sessions on market access, standards and financing and include B2B networking.

EDB, IFC and the EU ran the 7th Provincial ExpoNavigator Programme in Batticaloa on 9–10 June 2026 to boost export readiness of nearly 100 Eastern Province SMEs. The two-day clinic provided advisory, quality/certification guidance and finance linkages to expand the regional exporter base under SLEEI/NEDP.

AmCham Sri Lanka led a delegation to the AmChams of Asia Pacific Washington Doorknock (21–24 June 2026) to lobby US policymakers on the US–Sri Lanka bilateral trade agreement, Section 301 issues affecting exporters (notably apparel), and to seek US investment and development finance support.

Sri Lanka's foreign reserves fell 6.2% to US$6,450m at end-June 2026. The central bank net-bought US$70.5m in June and US$556.4m in H1 2026, but the decline could pressure IMF reserve targets and future disbursements.

ADB lowers developing Asia and Pacific growth to 4.9% for 2026 (from 5.5% in 2025), a 0.2 percentage point downgrade from April due to prolonged energy-market disruptions. It raises regional inflation to 4.3% for this year and warns of risks from tighter financial conditions, supply-chain strains and higher fertilizer/commodity costs.

Government will implement a phased, FATF-aligned AML regulatory framework for virtual asset service providers and has proposed the SEC as prudential regulator, while cryptocurrencies remain unrecognised and banks/cards are barred from facilitating crypto transactions. Talks to enable PayPal inward receipts continue and some banks already offer Wise/Payoneer for cross-border receipts.

A 31-member FIEO-led Indian business delegation visited Sri Lanka (8–10 July 2026) to explore trade and B2B partnerships across pharmaceuticals, engineering, apparel, food/agriculture and infrastructure. Bilateral merchandise trade reached about $7.2bn in 2025–26 and Sri Lanka's exports to India rose nearly 160% over five years.

The Ceylon Chamber's Commercial Documents Registration Division has introduced a Free Sale Letter for pharmaceuticals to help Sri Lankan pharma manufacturers and exporters meet export certification and compliance requirements. Its 24/7 e-service platform also certifies Certificates of Origin and other export documents for exporters, freight forwarders and logistics providers.

Dialog Enterprise (Dialog Axiata PLC) renewed its strategic partnership with the National Chamber of Exporters to accelerate digital transformation for Sri Lankan exporters. The collaboration will deliver converged connectivity, cloud, cybersecurity, data analytics, AI and IoT solutions and provide workshops targeting SME exporters.

A 31-member delegation led by India's FIEO visited Sri Lanka (July 8–10) to explore new bilateral trade and investment opportunities and formally exchanged an MoU with the National Chamber of Exporters to boost institutional cooperation. Delegates covered pharmaceuticals, engineering, apparel, food/agriculture and infrastructure.

Colombo West International Terminal received two ship-to-shore electric cranes and seven cantilever rail-mounted gantry cranes as part of its Phase 2 expansion to boost capacity and automation. CWIT — a ~USD800m PPP including John Keells Holdings — handled 1 million TEUs in its first year.

Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) is in talks to acquire a significant stake in Hambantota International Port (CMPort 85%, SLPA 15%) and has begun switching transshipment calls to Hambantota. The port's box capacity is set to double to 2 million TEUs by year-end after recent investment.

Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) is in talks to acquire a significant stake in Hambantota International Port, currently 85% owned by China Merchants Port and 15% by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority; no financial terms, stake size or timeline were disclosed.

Colombo Port City Economic Commission will invite RFPs for an international university, hospital and school as it shifts from real estate to building institutional foundations; the Commission permits transactions in 14 foreign currencies under a dollarised regime and flags IT talent shortages constraining investment.

The Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance approved a Customs Ordinance resolution and two EDB orders to implement a National Tariff Policy that will reset import duty bands to 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% from 1 April 2026. The reforms include cutting effective ceramic-tile import taxes to 20% by 2029, phasing out para-tariffs by 2029, and updating trade data to support export growth.

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.

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.

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.