News & market updates

Diesel & Motor Engineering (DIMO) won the Diamond Award for the most outstanding integrated report at the 11th CMA Sri Lanka Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards 2025. Talawakelle Tea Estates shared the Gold award, Commercial Bank shared Silver, and Hayleys Fabric and L B Finance shared the Bronze awards.

A Vietnamese embassy delegation led by Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam visited Sri Lanka’s Northern Province (17–19 Nov 2025) to explore cooperation and invite Vietnamese investment in agriculture, aquaculture, agro-processing, tourism, infrastructure and renewable energy. The visit referenced the $1bn bilateral trade target and sought technical cooperation and capacity building.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board hosted a 17–22 Nov EU inward trade delegation of 12 Fair Trade importers (including Colruyt) to promote spices, tea, coconut and other Fair Trade products, targeting an increase of about $4–6m in EU orders for 2025–26.

Dipped Products (DIPD.N0000) launched the 40-hectare EcoPulse Cloud Forest Restoration Project on Dell Mountain in partnership with Horana Plantations, focusing on montane forest restoration and biodiversity protection; Dipped said 94% of its energy use is now from renewables.

Ceylon Tea Brokers PLC agreed to sell 100% of Logicare Ltd. to D.P. Logistics for an enterprise value of Rs. 1.3 billion, with Rs. 635.3 million paid as purchase consideration and the buyer assuming remaining borrowings.

The EDB hosted an EU inward delegation (17–22 Nov) to promote Sri Lankan Fair Trade products and is targeting an increase in EU orders of about US$4–6 million for 2025–26. EU buyers showed interest in spices, rice, coconut products, tropical fruits and tea, with plans to link exporters to supermarket chains.

Agro Harvest Cultivation launched Sri Lanka’s first export-quality vermicompost fertilizer, has produced over 150 metric tons and secured a 500-ton order from the State of Dubai. The Matale facility uses imported machinery, has export approvals and has begun domestic distribution while pursuing further export talks with Europe and China.

Sri Lanka hosted a "Country Seminar on Sri Lanka" in Luxembourg on 30 Oct 2025 to promote two-way trade and investment, highlighting opportunities in finance, ICT, logistics, manufacturing, infrastructure and agriculture; BOI officials and embassy speakers outlined the investment climate and export potential.

Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia launched the first Sri Lanka–Saudi Arabia Business Council via an MoU on 11 November to create a permanent B2B forum. The council aims to boost private-sector cooperation and investment across tourism, technology, mining, manufacturing and agriculture.

Sri Lanka's Embassy in Belgium hosted a Country Seminar in Luxembourg on 30 October to promote two-way trade and investment, highlighting opportunities in manufacturing, services, infrastructure, agriculture, finance, ICT and logistics for increased FDI and bilateral cooperation.

President Trump removed reciprocal tariffs on a range of agricultural products—including tea, spices and coconuts—adding them to Annex II and exempting them from reciprocal tariffs effective Nov 13, 2025, which broadens US market access for exporters.

Ceylon Tea Brokers has agreed to sell 100% of its logistics subsidiary Logicare to D P Logistics for an enterprise value of Rs.1.3 billion, receiving Rs.635.3Mn in cash while the buyer assumes the remaining borrowings; the SPA was executed on Oct 30, 2025 and completion is subject to conditions.

People’s Bank has become the first state bank to receive a Corporate Finance Adviser Licence from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka. Its investment banking unit (PBIBU) has managed 32 debenture listings and one equity IPO mobilising over Rs.200 billion and is structuring four new debt issuances for late 2025/early 2026.

Lanka Coffee Association elected Tharanga Muramudali as its new Chairperson at its 4th AGM; the event and the Sri Lanka Coffee Festival attracted over 1,000 visitors and showcased more than 30 companies.

FAO, the Fisheries Ministry and NAQDA launched the Shrimp Industry Information System (SIIS), Sri Lanka’s first integrated digital platform for shrimp aquaculture providing real-time data, IoT, AI, disease alerts and traceability. Funded by Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, SIIS aims to boost biosecurity, productivity and export readiness.

Average coconut price dipped 0.12% while nuts sold at the weekly auction plunged 88% to 52,106, the lowest weekly volume since Feb 13; the average price per 1,000 nuts was Rs.122,336.35. Local wholesale, farmgate and retail price ranges, plus copra and coconut oil price bands, were also reported.

Parliament passed the second reading of the 2026 Appropriation Bill with 160 votes in favour, 42 against and eight abstentions (majority 118). TPA leader Mano Ganesan backed the Bill citing a government commitment to a Rs.1,750 daily wage for plantation workers; Committee Stage runs 15 Nov–5 Dec and the Third Reading is set for 5 Dec.

Colombo market recovered from early losses to finish the week essentially flat, with the ASPI down 0.01% at 23,459.75 and the S&P SL20 down 0.34% at 6,435.93. Market turnover was over Rs. 5.6 billion, foreigners were net sellers (~Rs. 5.9m), and heavy activity was led by banking, capital goods and food sectors.

Sri Lanka's parliament passed the 2026 budget 160-42, raising plantation workers' daily wage to 1,750 rupees. Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha said the budget will further ensure fiscal discipline.

Ceylon Grain Elevators posted revenue up 22% to Rs 7.3bn and net profit of Rs 936mn (EPS 15.60), driven by stronger broiler day-old chick and processed chicken sales from its Three Acre Farms unit.

Bairaha Farms PLC (BFL.N0000) marks its 50th anniversary, cites domestic growth and export progress with exports to the Maldives and conditional clearance for Singapore, and reports 2024 sector figures (chicken +10% to 258,540 mt; day-old chicks +13% to ~188m). The piece also flags challenges from reliance on imported feed (maize/soy) and high import levies that affect competitiveness.

CA Sri Lanka's Budget Seminar analysed the 2026 Budget, highlighting abolition of SVAT, introduction of e-invoicing and lowering the VAT/SSCL registration threshold from Rs.60m to Rs.36m — measures that may cause cash-flow pressure for exporters. The IRD said two special export refund units will expedite refunds within 45 days and low/medium-risk taxpayers will get refunds without pre-verification.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa promoted a 'Brand Sri Lanka' investment and tourism pitch, citing over 2 million tourist arrivals in 2024 with $3.1bn revenue and record exports of $16.7bn. He urged reforms and infrastructure, digital customs, tax stability and policies to attract investment across tourism, IT, renewables, logistics and manufacturing.

A Sri Lankan business delegation organised by the Ceylon Chamber will visit Cambodia from 14–18 November 2025 to explore investment opportunities in agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism and technology and to attend CAFE 2025 and the Agricultural Investment Forum. The mission includes targeted B2B meetings and discussions with Cambodian ministries, the CDC, the Cambodia Microfinance Association and trade chambers.

Sri Lanka participated in the 8th China International Import Expo in Shanghai, showcasing exporters including Ceylon Tea and debuting Ceylon Cold Stores’ Elephant House beverage brand at the event that concluded on 10 Nov 2025.

Sri Lankan Ambassador met Belarus trade and industry bodies to explore trade, investment and foreign employment opportunities, identifying agriculture, pharmaceuticals, light industry (garments) and tourism as priority areas. They also discussed direct air connectivity and upcoming Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit and Sri Lanka Expo 2026.

A Sri Lankan business delegation will visit Cambodia from Nov 14–18 to explore trade and investment opportunities in agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism and technology. The trip, organised by the Ceylon Chamber’s SLGMBC, includes participation in CAFE 2025, an Agricultural Investment Forum and meetings with Cambodian ministries and business bodies.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will lead a Sri Lankan business delegation to Cambodia from 14–18 November 2025 to explore investment opportunities in agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism and technology and to attend CAFE 2025 and the Agricultural Investment Forum. The delegation will hold targeted B2B meetings with Cambodian ministries, trade associations and investors to seek partnerships.