A market brief each morning, plus company filings and news from across Sri Lanka's stock market. Filter by company, sector and theme, and use sentiment badges to quickly identify Positive or Negative news.
Brent crude rose above $100 a barrel, touching $100.19 after a ~2% gain, while U.S. WTI was near $94.52, as the Middle East conflict intensified. The move reflects supply-risk concerns after attacks on Saudi energy facilities and threats to Red Sea shipments, lifting Brent about 25% since early last month.
GRI and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board signed a multi-year cooperation agreement on 7 Sep 2026 to strengthen sustainability and impact reporting across Sri Lanka's export ecosystem, with particular emphasis on SMEs and alignment with GRI, NGRS and IFRS sustainability disclosure standards.
Japan's ambassador urged Sri Lanka to pivot toward Southeast Asia and Japan and adopt an export-oriented industrial model, calling for forward-looking trade and investment policy, stronger domestic industrial policy and expanded renewable energy investment; he cited the National Export Development Plan 2026 and a proposed Sri Lanka-Japan Economic Corridor.
Cabinet approved establishing a National Trade Negotiation Committee to review existing free trade agreements and guide future bilateral and regional deals, appointing the Trade Secretary as its chair and chief negotiator. It will create 12 subject-specific sub-committees and a Trade Policy Advisory Committee of experts and stakeholders.
The BOI hosted the fifth Sri Lanka-Japan Business Environment Committee where Japanese investors raised operational concerns across manufacturing, logistics, energy, infrastructure and environmental services and government agencies provided responses. The meeting also convened the first Sri Lanka-Japan Joint Working Group on an export‑oriented industrial corridor to advance bilateral industrial and export development.
Japan's Ambassador Akio Isomata, speaking at the 47th SLJBC AGM, outlined three priorities to deepen Sri Lanka-Japan economic ties: forward-looking trade and investment policy, promotion of domestic industrial policy, and expanded investment in renewable energy. He welcomed the National Export Development Plan 2026 and urged an export-oriented industrial model linked to regional manufacturing.
The BOI hosted the 5th Sri Lanka-Japan Business Environment Committee meeting to address operational issues faced by Japanese investors across manufacturing, consumer & health products, logistics and energy. The meeting also held the first session of a Joint Working Group on an export‑oriented industrial corridor.
JAAF Secretary General Yohan Lawrence said Sri Lanka's apparel industry has fallen behind on automation after successive crises and now faces rising competition from African manufacturing hubs such as Egypt under AGOA. JAAF is exploring government incentive schemes to boost automation and renewable-energy adoption as global demand softens amid higher inflation and oil prices.
At least 402 ready-made garment factories in Bangladesh closed between July 2023 and June 2026, the commerce minister told parliament. The government has introduced cash assistance (1.5% plus 0.5% for Eurozone exports), additional SME benefits and a 2% incentive for new products/markets, and is pursuing FTAs to offset lost preferences.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board and Global Electronics Association (IPC India) ran the first workshop on hand soldering and wire-harness techniques for VTA students on 14 Aug 2026 at K-TEC Orugodawatta, attended by about 140 participants (≈100 VTA students). The event aimed to boost skills for the electronic and electrical manufacturing sector and to update VTA curricula to IPC standards.
FCCISL and Industry Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe agreed a roadmap to identify and incubate 1,000-5,000 scalable SMEs and drive 25% export growth. The three-year plan targets agriculture, ICT, logistics and value-added product sectors and includes an "SMEs Go Global" initiative to access international markets.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake urged better coordination to develop Sri Lanka's mineral industry under the National Mineral Policy 2026, focusing on attracting investment, easing licensing and boosting value addition to raise exports. Mineral exports were $20m in the first seven months of 2026, up nearly 60% y/y; ITC estimates $778m potential.
Sri Lanka Customs collected Rs.219.3bn in August, 15.3% above the Rs.190.3bn target, and YTD collections reached Rs.1,852.5bn (up ~25% YoY), achieving 83.9% of the Rs.2,207bn 2026 target; gains linked to stronger enforcement, valuation practices and a rebound in imports as reserves stabilise.
Labour Ministry said the reported 120th global ranking on Sri Lanka's minimum wage used 2024 data and was not an ILO report, noting the national minimum wage rose from Rs.12,500 at the start of 2024 to Rs.30,000 from January 2026, so the ranking is outdated.
The Export Development Board and Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka held a one-day Marine and Offshore Engineering workshop on 24 August at the University of Moratuwa to boost skills, industry exposure and readiness of engineering undergraduates in support of Sri Lanka's marine/offshore export sector.
Minister Vijitha Herath inaugurated Gem City Ratnapura 2026 and urged greater value addition in the gem and jewellery industry, calling the NGJA target to raise exports to $3 billion by 2030 a national economic objective. Ministers also highlighted gem tourism, traceability, certification and simpler import-export procedures to boost value-added manufacturing and market access.
FCCISL President Dr. Rohitha Silva led a delegation to meet the Thai Ambassador to explore strengthening ties and expanding trade, investment and business cooperation, including advancing the Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement. FCCISL also sought the embassy's support to encourage Thai participation in an Asia Trade Fair planned for early 2027.
The Export Development Board launched Creative Sri Lanka 2030, a three-year national programme to turn traditional crafts into export-ready Umbrella Brands; it will cluster SMEs around 10 leading brands and aims to lift creative-industry export revenue by 10% by 2028-29.
India's GDP grew 7.8% in 1Q FY27 to INR 81.36 trillion, up from a revised 6.9% a year earlier. Growth was driven by 9.2% manufacturing expansion and an 11.9% rise in gross fixed capital formation (with construction and electricity rebounding); officials warned elevated oil prices (above $80/bbl) and West Asia disruptions could weigh on exports and demand.
Colombo bourse edged up as the ASPI rose 0.03% to 21,325.64 on turnover of over Rs.1.2bn; banks led activity while geopolitical tensions and higher global oil prices weighed on sentiment and foreigners were net sellers of Rs.7.2m.
SLEDB and the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka ran a one-day Marine & Offshore Engineering capacity-building workshop on Aug 24 at the University of Moratuwa to upskill engineering undergraduates under the NEDP priority for marine-based exports. Students from five universities attended; sessions covered welding, offshore hazard management, HAZOP and pollution management.
ProFood ProPack and AgBiz 2026 concluded at BMICH after three days (21-23 Aug), drawing nearly 30,000 visitors, about 450 stalls and international participation, and organisers say they will expand the venue for next year's edition.
Sri Lanka Customs collected 219.3 billion rupees in August, about 15.3% above the 190.3 billion target, and achieved 1,852.5 billion in the first eight months-28.5% above the cumulative target and roughly 25% higher year‑on‑year-driven by stronger enforcement, improved valuation and a rebound in imports.
The Sri Lanka-Japan Business Council held its 47th AGM; Athulla Edirisinghe was re-elected President and officers from Hayleys Advantis, Spear International and Prudential Shipping were elected to the committee. Japan's Ambassador urged an export-oriented industrial policy and expanded renewable energy investment, noting Japan's 'Power Asia' $10bn financing initiative.
The Export Development Board launched Creative Sri Lanka 2030 to commercialise traditional crafts through 10 "Umbrella Brands" and boost global market linkages, targeting a 10% increase in creative-industry export revenue by 2028-29. The three-year programme will cluster 40-50 SMEs, develop 50 second-tier manufacturers and support participation in international fairs such as Ambiente 2027.
A seminar and business networking dinner in Colombo, organised by Hong Kong trade bodies with Sri Lanka's EDB and NCCSL, aimed to strengthen trade and investment linkages and promote Sri Lankan exporters (apparel, handicrafts, ICT/software, gems, food, tea) into Hong Kong, China and wider markets.
Sri Lanka launched its first National Food Safety Policy, creating a risk-based national framework to strengthen food safety governance, surveillance, laboratory capacity, legislation and coordination across the food chain. The policy was developed by the Ministry of Health with technical support from FAO and the EU.
A 'Bridging Markets' seminar in Colombo on 19 Aug 2026 brought over 100 Sri Lankan exporters from apparel, handicrafts, ICT, boat building, gems, food and tea together with Hong Kong trade bodies (HKETO, InvestHK, HKTDC) and the EDB to explore trade, investment facilitation and international market expansion.
Hayleys' project arm completed construction of a LKR 1+ billion manufacturing facility for Shield Restraint Systems at the Wathupitiwala EPZ on schedule in roughly 14 months. The plant will produce premium safety restraint systems for the international automotive industry.
Sri Lanka's total exports reached a record $10.48 billion in Jan-Jul 2026, up 5.48% YoY, with services growth offsetting weakness in merchandise. At the current pace the country has achieved about 52% of its $20 billion 2026 export target.