News & market updates

Hayleys Plantations launched 'Regenerate', a unified ESG roadmap joining Talawakelle (TPL), Kelani Valley (KVAL) and Horana (HOPL) across 55 estates and ~14,000 ha with 2030 targets including a 42% reduction in Scope 1–3 emissions and 95% renewable-energy reliance. The plan also targets 90% regenerative agriculture, zero deforestation, 100% supplier ESG screening and digital/AI monitoring.

Ceylon Chamber will host a Business Networking Session with a 30-member Indian Chamber of Commerce delegation on 28 July 2026 at the Hilton Colombo Residences to explore trade, investment and partnerships across sectors including construction, healthcare, IT, renewable energy, tourism and food processing.

Ceylon Energy launched Apollo Energy (Delaware, USA) at its 'Energize 2026' forum, an investment platform to connect investors with curated high-yield energy and infrastructure projects across Sri Lanka and the region. The event also featured global partners discussing transmission, smart grids and digital infrastructure.

CA Sri Lanka published a white paper urging urgent tax and investment reforms to boost FDI, proposing measures like a Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax, refundable tax credits, targeted spend-based incentives and APA improvements. The paper prioritises tech/digital, renewable energy, export manufacturing and regional HQs and calls for institutional capacity to implement OECD-GMT–aligned reforms.

Seylan Bank (SEYB.N0000) has partnered with John Keells CG Auto to offer dedicated NEV leasing for BYD and DENZA, with up to seven-year repayment terms, 24-hour lease approvals and a 50% concession on document processing fees.

HDFC Bank (HDFC.N0000) said it diversified in 2024–25 into leasing (Super Draft Leasing), gold purchase loans, personal loans and green financing aligned with the Central Bank's Green Taxonomy. The bank also introduced green deposit products and named Hemal C. Lokugeegana as CEO to drive sustainable growth from 2026.

SLT-MOBITEL won the Winner award in the Sustainable Telecommunication Service Provider category at the Sri Lankan Sustainability Awards 2026. The recognition highlights the firm's ESG focus and investments in renewable energy, energy-efficient infrastructure and digital inclusion.

Sri Lanka Expo 2027 is being promoted to Kenya's renewable energy sector, with KEREA invited to Expo briefing sessions in Nairobi on 25 September and Mombasa on 2 October to explore B2B partnerships and investment opportunities.

Ceylon Chamber forum identified solar expansion, predictable tariffs/procurement, streamlined approvals, improved financing, net metering, and energy storage as priorities to accelerate Sri Lanka's renewable energy transition. Participants flagged barriers including policy inconsistency, land and grid constraints, and payment delays.

The Ceylon Chamber urged policy certainty, faster approvals and stronger procurement and financing frameworks to accelerate Sri Lanka's renewable energy expansion, especially solar. It also recommended net metering, feed-in arrangements, storage standards and grid upgrades to meet rising demand from digitalisation, AI, EVs and data centres.

John Keells' auto arm (JKCG Auto) has expanded the BYD aftersales network in Sri Lanka, completing over 20,000 vehicle services and opening multiple new service centres and a large bodyshop. The push includes bigger parts inventory, technician training, digital diagnostics and 21+ fast chargers.

IFC and HSBC will invest up to $40m in South Asia Gateway Terminals to fund twin-lift ship-to-shore cranes — a $20m sustainability-linked loan from IFC and a $20m green loan from HSBC — to raise quay-side productivity (~11%), improve reliability and reduce energy use.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Sri Lanka's private sector urged a faster shift to renewables—particularly solar and energy storage—to meet rising electricity demand and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, calling for stable policy, streamlined approvals, financing, procurement and net metering.

Sampath Bank's Basel III-compliant Tier 2 Green Bond issue was oversubscribed with applications exceeding Rs.10 billion, prompting the offer to close early on 17 July; the issue had targeted Rs.7 billion with an option to expand to Rs.10 billion.

Teejay has committed USD 2.57m to a 7.2 MW rooftop solar array and USD 2.65m to replace coal with certified biomass. Together the projects are expected to cut facility emissions (solar ~13%, biomass ~49%), boost renewables and could meet a 42% Scope 1/2 cut by 2030, possibly by Sept 2026.

Seylan Bank PLC was the Official Banking and Leasing Partner at the Colombo EV Motor Show 2026, engaging over 17,000 visitors and promoting Seylan Leasing's EV financing deals including competitive rates, processing fee discounts, fast-track approvals and the 'Speed Drive' interest-only start facility.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce convened stakeholders to map priorities to accelerate Sri Lanka's renewable energy transition, prioritising solar expansion, net‑metering, procurement frameworks, financing and energy storage. Participants called for stable policy, streamlined approvals, grid upgrades and better access to finance to boost investment and delivery.

David Pieris Group will launch a five-day Social Empowerment Drive in Batticaloa from 15–19 July 2026. Activities include a public five-day trade fair featuring group companies, skills and entrepreneurship programs, traffic awareness, vehicle emission testing and Green Climate Action initiatives.

The government advanced energy infrastructure ahead of Budget 2027, ordering Delft, Analaitivu and Nainativu to be developed as Green Energy Islands and reviewing 14 petroleum projects including eight new storage tanks at Kolonnawa and Muthurajawela. Major grid works reviewed include a second 220 kV underground cable to Colombo, multiple transmission projects, a STATCOM at Padukka, rooftop solar integration, and the planned resumption of JICA-backed projects with 2027 funding.

Excello Developers launched Aathavan, a 44-unit, eight-storey residential project in Dehiwala starting at LKR 38 million, featuring full solar power, water recycling, low maintenance fees and flexible bank-backed payment plans.

Sri Lanka will host the UN Global Compact's Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026 in Colombo on 11–12 August 2026, convening 200+ business leaders and an SDG Investment Forum to advance sustainable business leadership, sustainable finance and practical SDG implementation across the Asia‑Pacific region.

Ceylon Energy launched Apollo Energy, a Delaware-based investment platform to connect investors to high-yield energy and infrastructure projects, and hosted Energize 2026, a forum on industrial developments and technologies shaping the energy sector. Apollo Energy aims to widen investor access to renewable projects across Sri Lanka and the region.

Ather, via distributor Evolution Auto, showcased the Ather 450X at the Colombo EV Motor Show 2026, drawing strong customer interest. The company introduced two new features for Sri Lanka — Infinite Cruise and Magic Twist — highlighting connected tech and battery/chassis design to boost premium EV adoption.

Lion Brewery (LION.N0000) has deployed Sri Lanka's first long-haul electric prime mover in its outbound supply chain, supplied by Ceyconnect (a Ceyline Group subsidiary). Ceyconnect plans to expand the electric fleet over time as part of Lion's cleaner-energy and sustainability efforts.

David Pieris Group launched a five-day Social Empowerment Drive in Batticaloa from 15–19 July 2026, featuring a trade fair and community programmes on entrepreneurship, skills training, road safety, sports and scholarships. The event showcased group businesses and used a David Pieris Solar battery backup for power resilience.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) has joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), becoming part of a 700+ member network to measure and disclose GHG emissions from its lending and investment portfolio and align with SLFRS S2 reporting.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) will list Rs10 billion of Basel III-compliant tier-2 green bonds, offering 13.00% and 13.25% coupons for 5- and 7-year maturities; Fitch assigned the issue a final National Long-Term Rating of A(lka). Subscription opens July 17.

Outgoing Swedish Ambassador Jan Thesleff said Sri Lanka's improving policy stability is restoring international investor confidence and named renewable energy, ICT, apparel, healthcare and food processing as key growth sectors; a Swedish business delegation will visit in January 2027.

The National System Operator has launched an international tender for a 250 MW/1000 MWh standalone BESS, to be delivered as 25 x 10 MW/40 MWh blocks under 15-year BOO contracts; proposals are due 14 August 2026. The tender aims to improve renewable integration and support the government's 70% renewable-by-2030 and net-zero-by-2050 targets.

Cabinet approved a €924,063 German grant to fund a program promoting energy-efficient, climate-resilient buildings in Sri Lanka, to be implemented by GIZ with the Energy Ministry and the Sustainable Energy Authority.