News & market updates

Diesel & Motor Engineering (DIMO.N0000) hosted the Mercedes‑Benz Flying Doctor Service Clinic from 6–10 April 2026 focused exclusively on EQ electric models, providing factory-level diagnostics and one-on-one technical consultations to strengthen EV aftersales support in Sri Lanka.

DFCC Bank PLC won the Environmental Finance Sustainable Debt Awards 2026 for its DFCC Blue Bond 2025, Sri Lanka’s first listed blue bond that raised Rs. 3 billion in November 2025. The bond, listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange and international exchanges, directs proceeds to marine pollution prevention, ecosystem conservation, clean water, and marine renewable energy.

Hayleys Fentons Limited was named among the Top 40 Outstanding Companies at the Best Management Practices Company Awards 2026, winning multiple awards including Winner in Power & Energy – Renewable and in Construction and Project Engineering; the business is part of the Hayleys group.

DFCC Bank PLC won the Environmental Finance Sustainable Debt Awards 2026 (Innovation – Use of Proceeds) for its DFCC Blue Bond 2025, Sri Lanka’s first listed blue bond that raised LKR 3 billion. The bond, listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange and international venues, finances marine, coastal and clean-water projects.

Cargills (Ceylon) PLC's Cargills Food City was named the People's Supermarket Brand of the Year 2026 at the SLIM Kantar Awards for the fifth consecutive year. The chain operates 562 stores nationwide and is expanding retail footprint, cold-chain logistics and solar energy investments.

People's Bank donated Rs. 300 million to the Government's Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund to support a multi-storey housing project in Nuwara Eliya to resettle families affected by Cyclone Ditwah; the development will comprise three blocks of 40 units (120 units) with infrastructure and community facilities, including solar-powered lighting.

National Development Bank PLC's NDB Wealth hosted the Family Office Forum 2026 — Colombo Edition at Cinnamon Life, convening ultra-high-net-worth individuals and global practitioners to discuss deep tech, infrastructure, energy transition, governance and capital allocation.

Hayleys Solar (Hayleys PLC) installed an 80 kW AC solar power system at Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya in Anuradhapura. The project, done with Manusath Derana and donors led by Ms. Kumuduni Abeysiriwardena, is intended to meet the temple's energy needs and cut long-term costs.

The Government of Japan will provide USD 2.6 million through UNDP for two Sri Lanka projects: USD 1.5M for a climate-smart dairy programme and USD 1.16M to strengthen women deminers. The dairy project targets 750 smallholders (and ~5,000 indirect beneficiaries) in Kilinochchi and Nuwara Eliya; the deminer project focuses on Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu to improve land clearance and resettlement.

Anura Karunathilaka was appointed Energy Minister and will continue to hold the Ports and Civil Aviation portfolio after Kumara Jayakody resigned amid allegations linked to a coal procurement scam.

Gavinro International launched GV Auto, an EV distribution arm representing Skywell, Skyworth and Keyton, and has secured supply agreements with corporate clients including Aramex Sri Lanka and Navesta Pharmaceuticals to provide electric vehicle transport solutions.

Colombo Stock Exchange slipped 0.39% midday to an ASPI of 22,684.52 as investors were unsettled by evolving Middle East tensions. John Keells Holdings and Central Finance were top negative contributors; Windforce announced intra-group transfer of three subsidiaries to Renewgen and its stock was down 0.84% at Rs.47.00.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC was the Official Financial Partner of the Motor EV Technology Show 2026 (27–29 March at BMICH), providing tailored finance solutions for electric and hybrid vehicles. The event drew strong attendance and aligned with CDB's Net Zero initiative to expand access to sustainable mobility.

Jazz deployed solar systems at 1,000 telecom sites with Huawei, totaling 13 MW capacity and expected to generate about 11 GWh annually, cutting carbon emissions by roughly 15,000 tonnes while improving network reliability.

The EU, via the AICRSL project implemented by UNIDO, handed over advanced Solar PV training and demonstration equipment to five Sri Lankan Technical Colleges (Gampaha, Matara, Badulla, Warakapola and Jaffna) to enable accredited solar PV training. The Rs.2.8 billion EU-funded project aims to cut industrial GHG emissions by 13% by 2035.

Fitch published a National Long-Term Rating of 'A(lka)' on WindForce PLC's proposed senior unsecured redeemable debentures of up to LKR4 billion. Fitch cited WindForce's growing scale and PPAs but flagged high capex (~LKR40bn), leverage peaking at 9.0x in FY27 and concentration of cash flows from state-owned offtaker NSO.

Sirin Park Luxury Eco Lodge in Ginemellagaha is offering scientifically backed animal-therapy experiences to guests and has invested around Rs.250 million to develop the property. The lodge has two suites (c.6 guests), farm-sourced meals, basic amenities, solar for staff areas and offers coconut and village tours.

The G-24 warned that rising global risks — including geopolitical tensions, higher energy prices, elevated inflation and tighter financing — threaten fragile recoveries in economies like Sri Lanka. The group urged more concessional finance, faster debt restructuring and stronger multilateral support.

IMF warned the war on Iran raises global recession risk, cutting global growth to 3.1% in 2026 and lifting 2026 inflation to 4.4%, and presented adverse/severe scenarios with growth as low as 2% and inflation above 6% if energy disruptions persist.

Radisson Hotels Sri Lanka has deployed a purpose-built electric van fleet from Evolution Auto (King Long and KYC models) across properties in Colombo, Galle and Kandy for staff transport, property mobility and internal logistics to support sustainability and operational efficiency.

Hayleys Solar (Hayleys PLC) completed an 800 kW rooftop solar installation for London Stock Exchange Group in Malabe, expected to generate ~1,250 MWh/year, supply ~80% of LSEG's daytime electricity and cut ~850 tonnes CO2 annually. The six-building, 1,412-panel system was delivered in two months with a zero-accident record.

Sri Lanka's recovery from Cyclone Ditwah has slowed, with more than 149,000 people still displaced and $23.4m pledged of the $35.3m required for the humanitarian plan. OCHA warns rising fuel and energy costs, supply-chain disruptions, heat-reduced hydro output and funding gaps risk food security, livelihoods, tourism and resettlement.

Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena was appointed Acting Chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI). He brings over 23 years of public service experience with significant work in power and renewable energy, including rural electrification and energy policy.

Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena was appointed acting Chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka. He brings 23+ years of public administration experience with a focus on power/renewable energy and will push FDI attraction, digitalization and Industry 4.0–friendly reforms at the BOI.

Sulakshana Jayawardena was appointed acting chairman of Sri Lanka's state-owned Board of Investment (BOI). He is a veteran civil servant with 23+ years' experience and a long track record in renewable energy and strategic energy policy, and the BOI says he will work to attract higher-quality FDI.

DIMO's Power & Energy arm launched 'EVO by DIMO', introducing Siemens commercial EV chargers (11–360 kW), Sri Lanka's first dual-gun AC 22 kW IP65 chargers, a network app with tokenised payments, and plans for mobile 30 kW DC roadside charging and nationwide deployment.

ADB launched the Regional Connectivity Fund for Energy (RCF) with initial funding of about $25 million to prepare cross-border ASEAN Power Grid projects. ADB has also pledged up to $10 billion over the next 10 years to support the ASEAN Power Grid and related investments.

Cabinet approved a competitive procurement for an additional 50 MW of BESS and 25 standalone 10 MW/40 MWh BOO projects, and PUCSL-backed plans to advance 300 MW of battery storage to 2028–29 to better balance rising solar generation with evening demand.