Glittering Sri Lankan jewellery in Australia
Vogue Jewellers, a veteran in Sri Lanka’s jewellery industry since 1962, has opened its first international store in Melbourne, Australia, holding a media conference in Colombo to launch the new store. Seen here is Emali Hemachandra – Vogue Director, addressing the media in the presence of Anura Hemachandra – Managing Director. Pic by M.A. Pushpa [...]
Labour reforms to change rules of the game
Hot on the heels of the US tariffs, the Government is spearheading moves towards the implementation of labour law reforms that trade unions fear could result in easy hiring and firing amid other key changes. Cabinet this week approved the implementation of the labour law reforms for which the Labour Ministry will now convene a [...]
Sri Lanka risks Booking.com exit amid new tax
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, which has been recovering in 2025, is struck by another crisis as tensions between the government and foreign online travel agents like Booking.com escalate. Market players warn that the country is facing a potential blackout of Sri Lankan listings on major booking sites due to regulatory hurdles and the government’s aspiration [...]
Retailers fuel CSE growth
Widespread investor participation and strong retail activity are pushing the Colombo stock market Indices up, analysts say. This year, with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) launching its central counterparty system, as well as the strong governance aspects in the market, foreign investors are very positive about the Sri Lankan share market, analysts noted. While there [...]
Sahasdhanavi power deal under fire
A power purchase agreement between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Sahasdhanavi Ltd for a 350MW dual-fuel power plant is facing serious allegations of using outdated economic data to mislead the Cabinet of Ministers into approving the agreement. Sahasdhanavi Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of LTL Holdings Ltd, signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) [...]
Govt. plans to overhaul company law amid eROC System issues
Sri Lanka’s digital company registration platform, the eROC system, has slowed down following a major technical collapse since mid-July 2025, crippling key services of the Department of the Registrar of Companies (ROC). ROC authorities said a technical team is actively working to restore full functionality within two weeks, citing system overload and technical failures as [...]
SL carbon trading policy on the way
Sri Lanka is now preparing a carbon trading policy and guiding principles, aimed at promoting projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, top officials said. “It is now under review by an expert panel. We don’t have a lot with regards to carbon training, and we are awaiting cabinet approval of this draft after public consultation [...]
Committees and committees
What another task force? “I say…..what is going on,” asked Ruwanputha, a young economist. “Why is the government appointing another committee for tourism when there is one already,” he asked again. He was alluding to an announcement on Tuesday where the Cabinet has approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force to implement the Sri [...]
“There is no planet B”
Sri Lanka is blessed with more than 100 rivers flowing through all around the tropical island. These rivers begin their journey in the central highlands, where steep slopes and abundant rainfall make the region a natural watershed. Then, they descend through valleys and traverse fertile plains, distributing water across the country. Taken for granted All [...]
Sri Lanka nears end of debt restructuring
Sri Lanka is on the verge of completing its debt restructuring process, with agreements already secured for the majority of its US$28 billion in outstanding external debt. Following recent breakthroughs—including a deal with China Exim Bank and the successful Eurobond exchange—the government has narrowed the unresolved portion to just $0.8 billion, officials confirmed. The Finance [...]
EDB addresses US tariff challenge with industry leaders
Rather than viewing the 20 per cent US tariffs in isolation and as an obstacle, a meeting between the government and Sri Lankan industry leaders on Wednesday, focused attention on strategies for market diversification, product innovation, improving operational efficiency, and adding value to maintain competitiveness. The meeting was organised by the Export Development Board (EDB) [...]
Justice and Legal Aid awareness in Badulla
The ‘Know Your Neethi’ Legal Aid andAwareness Camp held last week at the Badulla Cricket Stadium, successfully brought together over a thousand community members for two days of legal education, support, and empowerment. The programme was carried out by the Support to Justice Sector Project (JURE), funded by the European Union, jointly implemented by the [...]
Decline of the Tie in the West
The decline of the tie in Western professional attire marks a significant cultural shift in workplace standards and societal perceptions of formality. The business casual movement, which took root in Europe during the late 20th century, has gradually permeated various sectors, including finance and law. This trend accelerated after the 2000s, particularly within technology and [...]
Challenges ahead for Sri Lankan exports to US
Sri Lanka’s opportunities in the US market are on the edge as it remains challenged due to the stiff competition from competing neighbouring countries as tariff measures may have to be partially absorbed. A group of key persons from the industry participated at a recent discussion on the US tariffs and its impact on Sri [...]
Banking industry to broaden capital market access
Unit Trusts are a powerful instrument for democratising capital markets and bringing them within the reach of many, top industry officials said. “Unit Trusts are meant for small savers and are meant to broad base and get access to a large majority of people for capital markets.” Ruvini Fernando, Head – Financial Advisory, Deloitte Sri [...]
Are residential apartments the best asset class in town? Probably!
It was said many years ago that Sri Lankans would never take to apartments because indigenous values demanded dwellings to have gardens, be accommodating to continuous refurbishments and for properties to be transferable from one generation to the next. Over the past two decades, we have witnessed the complete debunking of the myth with the [...]
BConnected, Solutions Ground engages corporates on disability inclusion
BConnected, in collaboration with the international business consultancy, Solutions Ground, in a landmark initiative, successfully convened one of Sri Lanka’s largest employer engagement programmes focused on disability-inclusive hiring. Held in Colombo recently, at the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka, the event brought together 71 representatives from over 30 leading organisations to directly meet, assess, [...]
BYD vehicles released after court appeal
Sri Lanka Customs, in a statement to the Court of Appeal, on Thursday agreed to the immediate release of 1000 BYD vehicles, subject to the provision of security in the form of a Bank Guarantee, John Keells CG Auto (Pvt) Ltd (JKCG), authorised distributor of BYD vehicles in Sri Lanka, said. JKCG had filed a [...]
Ceylinco completes 6 ‘Waidya Hamuwa’ health camps
Sri Lanka’s life insurance market leader Ceylinco Life has successfully conducted six free health camps under its flagship ‘Waidya Hamuwa’ (Meet the Doctor) community health programme in the first half of 2025, continuing the company’s longstanding commitment to improving public health outcomes in underserved areas. Commencing from the Northern Province, the camps were held in [...]
South Asia’s first integrated resort to attract casino high rollers from India, China
South Asia’s first integrated resort located in Colombo, which opened last weekend, aims to attract high rollers from India, China and South-East Asia to its swanky casino plus to indulge in other experiences, officials said. “We are attracting not only Indians, with a large neighbouring booming economy, but also travellers from China and South-East Asia [...]
LOLC sets new benchmark with a multi-sector triumph
LOLC Holdings PLC cemented its position as Sri Lanka’s most diversified and future-focused conglomerate with an extraordinary sweep at the National Business Excellence Awards (NBEA) 2025, organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL). Held recently at Shangri-La Colombo, the group recorded a landmark achievement with nine prestigious accolades across five core [...]
Softlogic, ATUL Auto offer new 3-wheeler range
Softlogic Holdings PLC has entered into a strategic partnership with ATUL Auto Ltd, India’s fastest-growing three-wheeler manufacturer, to introduce a new range of commercial vehicles to the Sri Lankan market. ATUL Auto, a brand with over 60 years of experience and a presence in more than 24 countries, is renowned for manufacturing durable, fuel-efficient, and [...]
UNIGRA, EIGER HOLDINGS host culinary demonstration
EIGER HOLDINGS (PVT) LTD, in strategic partnership with UNIGRA, a global leader in high-performance ingredients for pastry, bakery, and foodservice professionals, recently hosted a technical demonstration aimed at advancing product knowledge, skill development, and culinary innovation within Sri Lanka’s Hotel, Restaurant, and Café/Catering (HORECA) industry. The event in Colombo was led by Chef Marco Caverni, [...]
Finlays – StrEdge collaboration
StrEdge Advisory, the business consultancy arm of StrEdge Group of Companies, recently concluded a 10- month Leadership Development Programme for Finlays Colombo Ltd. The participants comprised a hand-picked group of high performing professionals drawn from the middle management of Finlays. They represented a diverse cross-section of the business and were identified as future-ready leaders who [...]
Anverally and Sons receives tea-related international certification
Anverally and Sons (Pvt) Ltd, one of Sri Lanka’s foremost exporters of Ceylon Tea, has strengthened its reputation for uncompromising quality and global trust by securing ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for its state-of-the-art in-house laboratory. This internationally recognised certification, which is valid until March 2029, confirms that Anverally’s laboratory operates competently and produces valid, reliable test [...]
Include labour laws as a subject in new education reforms: CMU
A top trade union this week urged Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya to include labour laws and rights as a subject in the new school curriculum being prepared under new education reforms. The request has been made by the Ceylon Mercantile, Industrial and General Workers’ Union (CMU), in a recent letter to [...]
ICMA Australia on bridging generational divide in the workplace
The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) of Australia hosted a thought-provoking evening themed ‘The Gen Z Equation: What Every Leader Needs to Know,’ designed to address one of today’s most pressing workplace challenges of understanding and effectively managing generational differences. Current workplaces have become increasingly multifaceted across generations, harnessing the strengths of each generation [...]