News & market updates

Sri Lanka Customs collected Rs.159.5 billion by 19 Feb, reaching 96% of its Rs.165.9 billion February target. The Department set a 2026 revenue target of Rs.2,207 billion (13.5% below 2025), citing stronger import momentum, tighter enforcement and faster container clearance since Dec 2025; sustainability depends on vehicle inflows and compliance.

INSEE Cement has recommenced limestone rail shipments from its Aruwakkalu quarry to the Puttalam plant from 18 February 2026 after repairing a 3 km stretch and bridge damaged by the Ditwah Cyclone, following an approximately LKR 1.5 billion restoration investment.

The SEC and SLAASMB signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize cooperation on oversight of financial reporting and auditing for SEC‑licensed entities, including listed companies, establishing information‑sharing, referrals and joint awareness initiatives.

EDB ran a training program for potential exporters and SMEs on Incoterms, risk management and competitiveness; Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe said a five-year National Export Development Plan is being drafted and noted SME direct export contribution is under 5%. The workshop covered order negotiation, packaging, pricing, buyer trust and international payment methods.

Smart Quest Consultancy, Sri Lanka's exclusive Coach Masters Academy Global representative, opens registration for its ICF-aligned Transformative Edge™ coaching certification programme starting 2 March 2026. The 16-week, 70-hour online programme offers three pathways (Exploratory, Certification leading to ICF ACC, Academic Upgrade) and follows a decade-long partnership that has trained 300+ coaches in Sri Lanka.

India's DTDC Express Ltd. has partnered with Sri Lanka's Prompt Xpress International to launch a new customer contact point in Sri Lanka to expand its logistics footprint and reinforce the India–Sri Lanka trade lane. Prompt Xpress operates 98 branches and highlights ICT-driven services.

President Trump imposed a new 10% tariff on most U.S. imports for 150 days after the Supreme Court ruled he lacked unilateral authority to set broad tariffs. The Court also struck down earlier tariffs, putting about $175bn collected into question and raising global trade uncertainty.

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport approved two Extraordinary Gazette notifications and a sub-committee recommended extending EPF and ETF contributions to private bus drivers, three-wheeler drivers and app-based platform drivers (e.g. Uber, PickMe).

Sri Lanka Police have launched a special operation in the Southern Province targeting foreign nationals driving without valid licences and warned legal action against vehicle owners and rental operators who breach the Motor Traffic Act. Police cited five foreign driver deaths, seven serious accidents, 78 minor accidents and six vehicle damage incidents this year.

US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Trump unlawfully imposed sweeping tariffs, finding they exceeded federal law; the court did not decide what should happen to more than $130 billion in tariffs already collected.

Rajendra Theagarajah’s Cinnamon Global has deployed around $5m into growth-stage enterprises in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, with typical tickets of $25k–$50k and a largest investment of $700k. The patient-capital fund targets agriculture value-add, aquaculture, ICT and logistics and has a $500k program for heritage rice using data-driven agronomy.

Abans Environmental Services became Sri Lanka’s first facility services provider to achieve SEDEX membership and SMETA verification, independently audited by Control Union. The certification covers labour, health & safety, environmental and ethics standards, strengthening governance and supply-chain transparency.

A parliamentary Ministerial Consultative Committee recommended extending EPF and ETF contributions to private bus drivers and conductors, three‑wheeler drivers and app‑based transport workers. The committee also approved revisions to driving licence fees and validity and will examine and implement sub‑committee reports, with MPs noting transport and road development shortcomings.

Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said tourism earnings have not fallen and that a revised SLTDA methodology lowered the estimated average per-day tourist spend from $171 to $148. Sri Lanka posted a record 2.36m arrivals in 2025 while tourism income rose 1.6% YoY to $3.2bn, with an SLTDA study estimating $1.13bn in annual leakages.

Dongfeng Trucks launched in Sri Lanka on Feb 17 through a partnership with Euro Motors (a subsidiary of Euro Holdings), introducing a range of commercial vehicles for logistics, construction, garments and other sectors. Euro Motors will provide island‑wide service and spare parts support to customers.

BeWAXed, a Sri Lankan women-led waxing salon chain, marks its 13th anniversary and has expanded to Colombo, Kandy, City of Dreams, the Maldives and five franchise outlets in Tamil Nadu, India. The brand has introduced a digital booking platform, curated skin-care products and training/employment for women.

IFAC President Jean Bouquot praised CA Sri Lanka for its leadership in adopting SLFRS S1 and S2 (Sri Lanka's adaptation of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards) and urged adoption of ISSA 5000 for consistent assurance. He also highlighted AI-driven digitalisation and urged members to upskill through CPD.

Colombo bourse dipped as the ASPI fell 0.21% to 23,870.07 despite net foreign inflows of Rs.37 million after 22 days of outflows. Capital goods led turnover; John Keells and Hayleys rose while Sampath, Colombo Dockyard, Dialog, DFCC and Commercial Bank were among the negative contributors.

The Ceylon Motor Traders Association has urged authorities to end the automatic 15% CIF value reduction for 'used' vehicle imports and to adopt a uniform valuation regime to stop revenue loss and market distortion. It also flagged VAT-free trade-ins and under-declaration as major sources of tax leakage.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. said Sri Lanka's airports handled a record 1,045,097 passengers in January 2026, surpassing the previous record of 1,034,687 in January 2018. AASL said this reflects the sustained recovery and expansion of the country's aviation and tourism sectors.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority held a virtual workshop on 10 February 2026 to guide more than 80 Sri Lankan food and beverage exporters on Saudi regulatory procedures and export requirements. The session covered fisheries, poultry, processed foods, fruits and vegetables, beverages and herbal products.

Toyota Lanka Group has combined its Toyota SURE and Toyotsu Auto RUSH offerings into unified certified mobility showrooms in Ratmalana and Kandy, expanding its certified JDM and multi-brand vehicle sales and after-sales reach. Each facility provides pre-delivery inspections, warranty/recall support and comprehensive after-sales services to improve customer convenience.

JETRO Executive VP Okumura said JETRO aims to position Sri Lanka as an export hub linking India, the Middle East and Africa and will send a Japanese business delegation to Sri Lanka next month. She cited political stability, improving macro conditions and port infrastructure as drivers, noting interest across manufacturing, logistics, agri/food processing, electronics and mineral supply links.

The Export Development Board will host the Southern Province Regional Exporters’ Networking Forum in Matara on 24 Feb 2026 to identify exporters' challenges and explore growth opportunities. Exporters and officials from Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Monaragala will attend; Minister Sunil Hadunnetti will preside and EDB is collecting region-specific proposals.

David Pieris Motor Company relaunched KTM motorcycles in Sri Lanka after a five-year hiatus, unveiling the Duke 160, Duke 250 and Adventure 390 X and announcing plans to expand showroom and service networks across the island, including the Northern and Eastern provinces.

A Japanese delegation met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to advance the Sri Lanka–Japan export-industrial corridor aimed at attracting Japanese manufacturing investment for export markets (particularly India); a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed during the President's visit to Japan.

Dr Parakrama Dissanayake assumed office as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority on 17 Feb 2026 and will focus on improving port operations and logistics efficiency. He previously held senior leadership roles at Aitken Spence PLC.