News & market updates

New Anthoney’s Farms attended the Healthy Living Expo 2026 for the third consecutive year and marked its 40th anniversary. The farm promoted its antibiotic-free poultry, highlighted an MoU with the University of Peradeniya on sustainable poultry research, and noted its Official Poultry Partner role with MasterChef Sri Lanka.

World Oral Health Day (March 20) urges attention to gum health, recommending brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste (e.g., Clogard Natural Salt), regular flossing and six-month dental checkups to prevent gum disease. The piece notes gum disease links to diabetes and cardiovascular risks and that early-stage disease is reversible.

APIIT Sri Lanka, in partnership with the University of Staffordshire, is offering a BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science that can be completed entirely in Sri Lanka and claims an approximate LKR 12 million saving versus studying overseas; applications open for March 2026 intake. The programme readies graduates for clinical labs, research, pharma and public health roles and allows transfer to Staffordshire with a 1.5-year UK post-study work visa option.

AIA Group reported record 2025 results: VONB rose 15% to $5,516m, EV Equity per share was up 14% to $79.7bn and OPAT was $7,136m (up 12% per share). The board proposed a 10% higher total dividend to 193.08 HK cents and approved a $1.7bn share buy-back.

Fitness First's Jaela branch plans to expand its outlet and is offering a 50% discount on ladies' memberships with a complimentary weight-loss program to accommodate growing membership and improve facilities.

President Dissanayake said about 30 private firms have been given temporary licences to import fuel in US dollars to directly supply exporters and the tourism sector; he added LP gas, fertiliser and grain stocks are sufficient and delayed crude shipments (two of 90,000t) are expected soon, averting a crisis.

Sri Lanka's economy expanded 5.0% in 2025, with Q4 growth slowing to 4.8% (from 5.4% in Q3). Industry led the expansion (7.8%) driven by construction, mining and manufacturing, while services grew 3.3% and agriculture 1.4%.

Melstacorp's fully owned subsidiary Melsta Hospitals has partnered with the National Insurance Trust Fund to extend Agrahara scheme benefits, waiving in-patient admission fees and offering discounts (20% on radiology, cardiology and physiotherapy; 10% on lab tests and screenings).

Vida Medical Clinic opened a new expanded 4,000+ sq ft facility in Colombo 05 with three consultation rooms, a physiotherapy room, a procedure room and an on-site laboratory, and has added services including PRP treatments and multivitamin IV therapy. The clinic also expands 24-hour emergency, island-wide ambulance and home-care services.

The Ceylon Chamber urged the government to temporarily limit non-essential foreign currency outflows and allow licensed bunkering firms to procure fuel independently, potentially in foreign currency, to protect exports and tourism amid the Middle East crisis. It also recommended prioritising IMF tranche continuity, dynamic fuel pricing, faster fuel and fertiliser procurement, and measures to support tourism and trade efficiency.

Government declared Wednesdays a weekly holiday for public sector employees effective tomorrow (18) to reduce fuel consumption; essential services (healthcare, ports, water, customs) are exempt and four committees will oversee energy and key sectors. Private sector asked to follow where feasible and state events suspended.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the government will implement energy-management measures, including a QR system for daily fuel allocations, to ensure uninterrupted economic activity and essential services amid disruptions from the Middle East conflict; a committee was tasked to report required fuel allocations by end of today.

Vision Care will be the Official Eyewear Partner for Colombo Fashion Week Summer Edition 2026 for the 13th consecutive year, spotlighting Persol and Michael Kors and offering its luxury eyewear range at the event from 1–4 April at City of Dreams.

Ceylon Chamber urged the Government to adopt measures to safeguard economic stability, prioritising continuation of the IMF programme and timely tranches. It recommended fuel measures (dynamic pricing, QR system, faster procurement), securing fertilizer and aviation fuel, prioritising FX for critical imports, and bolstering tourism, exporters and port clearance.

Bank of Ceylon was named the only Sri Lankan bank in Brand Finance's World's Top 500 Banking Brands 2026. BOC reported a 2025 Profit Before Tax of Rs. 120.8 billion, issued a Rs. 20 billion Basel III-compliant Tier II Sustainability Bond and serves over 16 million accounts.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with ministry secretaries to plan maintenance of essential services amid the Middle East conflict, instructing exploration of regional fuel reserves for critical sectors, a feasibility study on remote working, and prompt fixes/streamlining of the digital QR code system.

Lina Manufacturing, the pharmaceutical arm of Sunshine Holdings (SUN.N0000), was Diamond Sponsor of RESPIRE 2026 held 15–17 Feb 2026, a respiratory medicine congress attended by over 300 participants to support clinical collaboration and knowledge exchange.

PIM concluded PIMARC 2026 on Feb 19 as a joint event with ICBM, focusing on 'Inclusive and Responsible Management' and a 'Circular Economy and Digital Future'; the conference launched PIM Teaching Case Studies 2026 (11 cases) and featured government and industry speakers including the Finance Secretary and leaders from Brandix, CBL and Dialog.

Power World Gyms has partnered with Kings Hospital Colombo as its Official Wellness Partner to introduce a dedicated wellness programme for hospital staff, supporting their physical and mental well-being.

ADB President Masato Kanda commended Sri Lanka’s efforts to stabilise the economy and met Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya to reaffirm development cooperation. They reviewed progress of ADB-funded projects and discussed strengthening collaboration in health, education and social development.

The Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes held its 1st Healthcare Leadership Summit on 9 March 2026 to develop a trackable set of implementable priorities for Sri Lanka's private healthcare sector. Attendees included hospital leaders, regulators, insurers and international experts.

HerProgress.OurProsperity, a national women-led movement, was launched on March 8, 2026, with seven priority pillars addressing safety, legal recourse, women’s health (including period poverty), digital protection and economic empowerment to drive grassroots change across Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board has opened applications for Sri Lanka Expo 2026 (18–21 June at BMICH), offering 650 booths and opportunities to meet over 1,500 global buyers; applications close 31 March 2026. Sectors covered include industrial and agro-industrial products and services such as ICT, tourism, renewable energy and healthcare.

Exterminators PLC launched the portable Insect-O-Cutor Nomad UV LED mosquito killer with up to 18 hours runtime, IPX4 water resistance and ~30 m² coverage; company trials show it captures significantly more mosquitoes than leading competitors.

Sri Lanka Export Development Board has opened applications for Sri Lanka Expo 2026, a four-day international trade exhibition from 18–21 June 2026 at BMICH offering 650 booths and access to over 1,500 global buyers; application deadline is 31 March 2026.

Dialog Axiata PLC launched a 24/7 trilingual (Sinhala, Tamil, English) AI Chat & Voice Bot on Yeheli.lk to provide free, anonymous mental-health and wellbeing support, linking users to partners and qualified professionals.

Sri Lankan AI-powered cardiovascular screening device JENDO was piloted at King Hamad American Mission Hospital in Bahrain from 23–25 February to evaluate usability and clinical integration. The pilot was facilitated by the Sri Lankan Embassy and ICTA and follows national recognition including a 2025 Presidential Gold Award.