News & market updates

The Committee on Public Finance approved submitting to Parliament a Customs Ordinance resolution and two Export Development Act orders to implement a National Tariff Policy that restructures import duties into four bands (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%) from 1 April 2026 and reduces ceramic-tile taxes to 20% by 2029. The reforms aim to simplify tariffs, phase out para-tariffs by 2029 and support the EDB’s target to double exports from US$18bn to US$36bn over five years.

The ASPI fell 0.61% (133.80 pts) to 21,828.50, extending its slide to a seventh straight session. Market turnover was Rs.2.25bn on 210.1m shares with foreign net selling of Rs.22.5m and major negative contributors including Sampath, Hayleys, Dialog, LOLC and HNB.

Asian shares rose as semiconductor stocks rebounded while Brent crude jumped to about $78.65/bbl after renewed Gulf hostilities, pushing up global bond yields and increasing markets' bets on further Fed rate hikes.

Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) marked its Golden Jubilee on 7 July 2026 at BMICH, celebrating 50 years and reaffirming its commitment to advance Sri Lanka's digital future through skills development, AI, cybersecurity, digital governance and stronger government–industry collaboration.

Dialog Axiata PLC launched Dialog Pay, an integrated payments and financial-services platform within the MyDialog app enabling Lanka QR payments across 100,000+ merchants. Users can link eZ Cash or bank accounts, access wallets, savings, fixed deposits and loans via Dialog Finance and earn complimentary data rewards.

Developing Asia received $644 billion in FDI in 2025 (about 40% of global FDI and over 70% of flows to developing economies), according to UNCTAD. Investment shifted toward South‑East Asia and India (India +44%), with growing flows into semiconductors, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and energy‑transition technologies.

Brent crude rose about 2% to $75.60/bbl and 10-year U.S. Treasury yields climbed to ~4.565% as renewed Middle East fighting and U.S. moves on Iranian oil raised supply and inflation risks. Equities saw renewed volatility and the AI rally lost momentum after volatile semiconductor results.

IMF reviewed Sri Lanka's public revenue reforms with the RARMB, noting tax compliance has risen to 70–75% and agreeing to continue technical assistance for customs, excise and tax digitalisation. A draft Customs Ordinance Bill has been submitted and plans include paperless customs, tariff simplification and integrated data-sharing.

Parliament’s Committee on Public Finance warned online scam networks are an emerging financial‑crime risk and urged authorities to identify such threats early as Sri Lanka strengthens its anti‑money‑laundering framework. Officials said fraud (including scams) and trade‑based money laundering are rated medium‑high risks and the committee approved related AML legislation.

hSenid Business Solutions PLC proposed a new ESOP covering 3,618,580 ordinary shares (about 1.22% of enlarged issued share capital) to utilise unallocated shares from its 2022 plan; the scheme is subject to CSE and shareholder approval.

Colombo bourse fell with the ASPI down 0.61% to 21,828.50, led by capital goods turnover; Industrial Asphalts jumped 60% after agreeing to sell a 48.03% controlling stake. Hela Apparel’s subsidiary signed a management services agreement amid working capital challenges.

The 10th C Rugby Tag Rugby Tournament takes place on July 17-18 at CR&FC Grounds, featuring 16 teams and a new Corporate Segment that includes corporate challengers from Commercial Bank, Dialog, Cinnamon Colombo Hotels and CDB Finance.

The National Chamber of Exporters opened applications for the 34th NCE Export Awards, closing Sept 30, 2026, with the awards ceremony on Dec 11 at Shangri‑La Colombo. Ex-Pack Corrugated Cartons PLC is the main sponsor and Dialog Enterprise is the event's digital technology partner.

FanCode has secured digital streaming rights in India for the Lanka Premier League 2026, broadcasting all matches live from July 17 to August 8, 2026. The deal follows a reported 65% increase in audience consumption and aims to deepen the tournament's digital reach in the Indian subcontinent.

Exhibitor registration for Sri Lanka Expo 2027 is open until 31 July 2026. The expo runs 14–17 Jan 2027 at BMICH with 650 booths across 25 sectors and offers opportunities to meet over 1,500 global buyers.

ASPI fell 118.35 points to 21,962.30, slipping below 22,000, while the S&P SL20 dropped 31.55 points to 6,135.50, led by declines in heavyweights such as Dialog Axiata and Melstacorp; banking stocks (NDB, HNB, Sampath) also recorded losses. Market turnover was LKR 1.53 billion, with JKH crossings contributing LKR 264 million.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell, with the ASPI down 0.39% to 21,995.04 and the S&P SL20 down 0.27% to 6,150.33. Top negatives included Melstacorp, John Keells and Carson Cumberbatch while Digital Mobility Solutions, Royal Ceramics and Haycarb were positive; turnover was LKR 1.13 billion.

SLT-MOBITEL powered the 'Sadaham Sabendiyava' Poson Poya event in Anuradhapura using its 5G network to deliver immersive experiences such as an illuminated Water Pandol and a 3D interactive tunnel. The initiative also included digital greetings and Data and Ice Cream Dansalas as community outreach.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board has kept online exhibitor registration for Sri Lanka Expo 2027 open until 31 July 2026. The expo will run 14–17 January 2027 at BMICH with 650 booths and opportunities to meet over 1,500 global buyers across 25 sectors.

CIPM convened a roundtable of 30 stakeholders to address Sri Lanka's widening skills gap, noting shortages across IT, tourism, construction, manufacturing and healthcare and recommending industry-academia partnerships, vocational reforms and upskilling initiatives.

Samsung flagged a 19-fold jump in Q2 operating profit to 89.4 trillion won and revenue up about 129% to 171 trillion won. Shares fell as investors worried the AI-driven memory chip boom and related data-centre spending may not be durable despite rising memory prices.

Asian shares eased as investors awaited a key AI earnings season and oil slipped after OPEC+ raised output targets; softer U.S. payrolls and lower energy costs cut the chance of an imminent Fed hike. Futures imply about a 78% probability of no rate change at the July 29 meeting.

Kaspersky warns of growing 'Shadow AI' risks to SMBs, with its solutions detecting over 33,300 attacks disguised as AI services between Jan–Apr 2026 — almost five times the 2025 level. Top malware lures were ChatGPT (42%), Claude (24%) and DeepSeek (20%); the piece outlines mitigation steps for SMBs.

Expo Leisure Cluster won six awards at the 8th SLASSCOM National Ingenuity Awards 2026 on 16 June, including national wins for EVS Study Fly (Edu-Tech), EVS EZ Visa App (E‑Commerce) and Classic Travel's Competitor IQ (Hospitality). The wins underscore the cluster's investment in digital platforms across travel, tourism, visa and education to improve customer experience and efficiency.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.38% to 22,093.51 on Monday with turnover of 1.35 billion rupees. Negative contributors included HNB (down to 396.75) and Dialog Axiata (45.50), while Lion Brewery (1,834) and Haycarb (160.50) led gains.

SLT-MOBITEL held an internal AI-Assisted Coding Challenge 2026 to advance AI-driven solutions; team NEXGEN CREATORS won the overall prize, with LEXI and ThunderDC placing as runners-up.

Sophos was named a Champion in the Omdia Cybersecurity MSP Ecosystems Leadership Matrix 2026, recognized for its MSP-focused MDR service and partner programs; Sophos MDR protects 40,000 direct customers and 235,000 customers through MSPs.

Dialog Axiata PLC was named Sri Lanka's Most Loved Brand in the Service and Telecommunications sectors for the third consecutive year in the LMD Brands Annual survey. It also won 'Service Brand of the Year' (fifth time) and 'Telecommunication Brand of the Year' (15th consecutive year) at the SLIM-KANTAR People's Awards 2026 and highlighted investments in 5G, AI-driven services and renewable energy initiatives.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.10% to 22,157.16 in intraday trade, with turnover at Rs 667 million. Aitken Spence said P Englisch stepped down and M R Mihular was reappointed independent director; the stock was down 25 cents at Rs 150.

SLIMFA Media Fest returns on 11 July at Taj Samudra Colombo with a full-day programme on 'Staying Relevant in a Changing World', featuring Indian and Sri Lankan media leaders discussing digital transformation, misinformation, AI, sustainability and audience engagement.