News & market updates

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Port City Colombo is being positioned as a 269-hectare, services-led SEZ with US$1.4bn initial infrastructure, projected to deliver 143,000 direct jobs and US$15bn cumulative FDI. The article highlights institutional measures — the CPCEC and BSI regulations — aimed at providing predictable governance to attract long-term finance, IT and professional services investment.

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.

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.

The SEC and Colombo Stock Exchange held an 'Invest Sri Lanka' investor forum in Dubai on 22 Jan 2026 to promote Sri Lanka's capital market and attract FDI, including strategic meetings with Mubadala and UAE banks; CSE noted ASPI >23,800 (120% growth since Oct 2024) and $976m capital raised in 2024–25.

CBSL Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said IMF staff are assessing Cyclone Ditwah's economic impact and the postponed fifth review of the IMF Extended Fund Facility may be revised. He noted Sri Lanka received $206m under the IMF RFI, expects ratings upgrades to boost foreign investment, and sees only a short-term growth hit with recovery in 2026.

SLTDA's rapid assessment found Sri Lanka's tourism sector loses $1.13 billion annually in economic leakages despite earning $3.17bn in 2024 and about $3.2bn in 2025. The losses are driven mainly by procurement-related imports exceeding $800m and informality-related fiscal losses of $84.8m, and the findings will inform a three-year implementation roadmap to retain more tourism value.

MTI Consulting CEO Hilmy Cader said Sri Lanka's tourism sector has shown resilience but warned of longer-term risks, citing overtourism, environmental impacts, infrastructure strain and tourism-driven inflation in real estate, rents and consumables.

The Offices at Cinnamon Life in Colombo has reached full occupancy, John Keells Properties announced, with some floors sold to local and international corporates and backed by long-term tenants delivering attractive rental yields. The mixed-use development links to hotels, retail and transport hubs.

Verteil Technologies launched in Sri Lanka and appointed Mack Air (a John Keells Group company) as its General Sales Agent to drive NDC adoption and modern airline retailing. The launch (Jan 22, 2026) aims to give local travel sellers access to Verteil’s NDC aggregator and training/support for airlines and agents.