News & market updates

Sri Lanka and Brazil agreed to elevate bilateral trade to $1 billion by 2030. They also committed to finalising MoUs and technical cooperation projects in areas including dairy/livestock, sugarcane, agriculture, ports and shipping, and traditional/Ayurvedic medicine.

The Cabinet approved imposing legal measures to prevent the export of scrap metal (including iron, copper and aluminium) to protect local manufacturers and address shortages of locally sourced metal raw materials.

An 8-member delegation of European tea growers (Netherlands, Portugal, France, Spain, Belgium) visited Sri Lanka from 23–30 March 2026 to strengthen collaboration with the country's artisanal tea sector. The program included visits to plantations, the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Colombo Tea Traders Association and the old Colombo auction site to foster future production, education and trade partnerships.

Sri Lanka's Cabinet approved legal measures to prohibit the export of scrap metals (iron, copper, aluminium, brass, zinc, etc.) to protect local manufacturers that rely on domestically sourced scrap. The move follows shortages blamed on exports of scrap and counterfeit metal products.

Sunshine Holdings completed the acquisition of a 75% stake in Joint Agri Products Ceylon Ltd for Rs. 2.6988752284 billion (≈Rs. 2.7 b). The target processes and exports spices, coconut products and tea, and the deal bolsters Sunshine's consumer/export portfolio and presence in export markets.

SLPA says it has secured sufficient fuel to maintain uninterrupted operations across major ports despite monthly diesel demand rising from 1.5m to 2.5m litres; Colombo container volumes are up 10–15% while export growth has stagnated amid maritime uncertainties.

The war in the Middle East is driving higher energy prices and major supply‑chain disruptions, which are boosting inflation and tightening global financial conditions. Energy importers, food and fertilizer‑dependent agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and banks face the greatest strain.

Hambantota International Port Group will invest USD 108 million in new quay cranes, RTGs and trailers to expand capacity to about 2 million TEUs and enable handling of the world’s largest container vessels. The upgrade aims to boost efficiency and move operations toward electrified, more sustainable handling.

DFCC Bank participated in the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Export Acceleration Programme, warning that sharper currency movements and rising payment risk are forcing exporters to seek integrated treasury, trade services and advisory support. Panelists said exporters are pursuing growth more cautiously and restructuring transactions to secure payments.

Colombo Fashion Week will host the BRICS Fashion Summit (South Asian Edition) on April 3 during CFW Summer 2026 at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, featuring over 30 designers and international participants. The summit aims to open markets and deepen ties for designers and apparel supply chains across BRICS and South Asia.

EDB's National Packaging Centre held an awareness workshop on "Packaging strategies for Spices" for over 65 exporters and potential exporters on 19 March 2026 to improve packaging practices and boost export competitiveness.

The Sri Lanka–Benelux Business Council met with the Dutch Ambassador to discuss strengthening private‑sector links and potential collaboration in logistics and port development, renewable energy and maritime services; the Council will share a concept note on priority sectors and engagement initiatives.

National Development Bank PLC (NDB) was named Sri Lanka’s Best Trade Finance Bank and secured the #1 domestic ranking at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026. The client-voted award highlights NDB’s trade finance, transaction banking, treasury services and digital platforms (NEOS, TradeLinc) supporting exporters.

National Development Bank PLC (NDB.N0000) was named Sri Lanka’s Best Trade Finance Bank and secured the #1 domestic ranking at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026. The client-voted accolade highlights NDB's trade finance, treasury and digital capabilities supporting exporters.

Dipped Products PLC (DIPD.N0000) was named Overall Winner – Most Outstanding Exporter 2025 at the National Chamber of Exporters Awards, winning five awards including Highest Net Foreign Exchange Earner and Gold in Rubber & Rubber Products. The company, part of Hayleys Group, was also recognised for emerging markets performance and inclusive employment.

Dividend · Rs 9.00 · XD Apr 10, 2026

First Interim dividend of LKR 9/share; XD 2026-04-10; record 2026-04-14; payable 2026-04-30; FY ended 31st March 2026

An exclusive graphene investment conclave at Kingsbury Colombo promoted graphene technology and export opportunities; the Deputy Minister announced three new investment acts and a five-year Investment Diversification Plan and said Sri Lanka’s economic outlook has improved toward 2025.

JAT Holdings Plc has entered Australian cabinetry manufacturing by securing a fully operational Perth facility and has generated over Rs. 100 million (AUD 503,000) in revenue since commencing. The Form Cabinetry operation complements its SEAFORM premium offering and targets residential cabinetry across multiple price points.

Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera announced three new investment acts and a five-year Investment Diversification Plan to boost FDI and investment while speaking at a graphene investment conclave organised by Ragedara Graphite Mines; the event highlighted Sri Lankan graphene's claimed superior quality and export potential.

Sri Lanka's apparel exports fell 11.46% y/y in February 2026 to US$361.2m. Exports were down 6.91% in Jan–Feb 2026, with a sharp EU contraction pointing to a regional demand slowdown and JAAF urging improvements in logistics, cost competitiveness and market access.

Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said Sri Lanka’s recent low inflation and an 11-month period of deflation were beneficial, noting the economy still grew 5% and private credit turned positive from June 2023 after surrender-rule easing and rupee appreciation.

Global Harvest (Pvt) Ltd has been appointed sole Sri Lankan importer and distributor for Canada's Tropical Link to supply Snow Farms dried berries (cranberries, blueberries, tart cherries), launching via Gusta and rolling out to supermarkets and HORECA in retail 120g and bulk packs.

CEAT Kelani shared the overall Gold for Best Management Practices at the 2026 CPM awards, winning five accolades including the Manufacturing (Tyre & Rubber) Sector Award and a Leadership Excellence award for MD Ravi Dadlani. The recognition cited its Quality-Based Management, digital integration and a faster customer claim process that supported volume growth and exports.

JICA, the Presidential Secretariat and the World Bank co-hosted a Colombo seminar on competition policy and law, urging stronger competition frameworks to support Sri Lanka's economic reforms and export growth. Panelists, including Japan Fair Trade Commission officials, highlighted consumer protection, digital transformation, and the need for legislation and enforcement capacity.

A delegation of 30 Ceylon Chamber of Commerce professionals completed a nine-day International Trade Facilitation programme at IIFT, New Delhi. Participants engaged with DGFT, FIEO, CII and covered trade negotiations, trade finance and digital topics including AI and cyber risk.

Bank of Ceylon launched the BOC Agri Banking Unit to provide specialised financing, concessionary loans and an 'Agri-Power' fixed deposit scheme to mobilise funds for crop, livestock, fisheries, horticulture and agri-tech projects, and to support export-oriented agribusiness.

EDB’s National Packaging Centre held an awareness workshop on "Packaging strategies for Spices" on 19th 2026 with over 65 exporters and potential exporters to boost packaging practices and export readiness. Sessions covered packaging functions, material selection, spice-specific techniques and packaging machinery.

99x transformed from a Colombo engineering firm into a Norwegian-headquartered tech group after a $20m Scandinavian private-equity investment, expanding via acquisitions to seven countries and over 600 employees while keeping its engineering core in Sri Lanka. Founder Mano Sekaram remains the largest individual shareholder and was appointed Norway’s Honorary Consul General to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's apparel exports fell 11.46% YoY to $361.2m in February 2026, led by a 19.48% drop to the EU and declines to the US and UK. The Joint Apparel Association Forum said the slowdown reflects broader weak global demand and urged improvements in logistics, cost competitiveness and market access.