News & market updates

Evolution Auto opened Sri Lanka’s first multi-brand electric vehicle after-sales complex in Peliyagoda, providing inspections, general and collision repairs, wheel alignment, servicing and high-voltage battery repairs for brands including Avatar, IM, Xpeng, Riddara, King Long and KYC.

Volt Charge, a subsidiary of JAT Holdings PLC, won a 2025 Australian Good Design Award (Product Design) for its Volt Charge Level 2 EV Charger. The Sri Lanka-designed charger features cloud-based AI optimisation, advanced safety systems and customisable colours and was praised by the international jury.

DFCC Bank has partnered with Abans Solar to launch a solar loan offering up to LKR 5 million with fixed rates from 10.5% (five-year pricing) and repayment terms up to 10 years. The scheme targets households and businesses with concessionary rates and flexible repayment to boost solar adoption.

Hayleys PLC (Hayleys Plantations) signed an MoU with Solidaridad Network Asia and Nucleus Foundation to expand regenerative agriculture and carbon insetting across its estates, aiming to generate verified Carbon Removal Units. Kelani Valley, Talawakelle and Horana estates will scale regenagri protocols, digital tools and traceability to meet global sustainability rules.

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody attended Russian Energy Week 2025 in Moscow (15–17 Oct) and held talks with Russian ministers and industry to explore cooperation supporting Sri Lanka's Net Zero 2050, focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency, advanced power technologies and technical collaboration.

Sri Lanka launched the National Climate Finance Strategy 2025–2030 to mobilise climate investments and resilience, identifying 12 financial instruments including green bonds, disaster risk insurance, green revolving fund and carbon markets; first review set for 2027.

The Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2025 will be held Dec 2–3 at the Shangri‑La Colombo, featuring international speakers on reform, investment, green logistics and climate finance. Event sponsors/partners include Sunshine Holdings, Hayleys (Hayleys Advantis) and Dialog.

DFCC Bank (DFCC Aloka) partnered with Evolution Auto to launch the Mahindra Treo Pink Edition in Jaffna, linking inclusive finance and green mobility to support women entrepreneurs. At the two-day Green Wheels Carnival DFCC offered tailored finance, advisory services and retail products including leasing, personal loans and pawning.

Evolution Auto and tuktukrental.com signed an agreement to introduce Mahindra Treo and Treo Plus electric three-wheelers to tuktukrental.com's fleet and install 15 new charging stations across key Sri Lanka destinations. The Treo range offers 110–150 km per charge, free charging via Evolution Auto dealers, and aims to support greener tourism and local incomes.

Hayleys Plantations (Hayleys PLC) signed an MoU with Solidaridad and Nucleus Foundation to expand Regenagri® regenerative agriculture and carbon insetting across its estates, rolling the programme out at Kelani Valley, Talawakelle and Horana to boost sustainability, traceability and CRU generation.

CEAT Kelani Holdings won the National Silver Award and a Top Ten Award in the Extra-Large Manufacturing Sector at the 2025 CNCI Achiever Awards. The company said Fitch reaffirmed its 'AA+(lka)/Stable' rating, it pledged Rs.4.5 billion in new investments and projects an 18% sales volume increase for FY2025.

Alliance Finance Company PLC (ALLI.N0000) was awarded SSCI Version 2.0 Certification Level 3 at GSFC 2025, the first South Asian financial institution to reach this level. People's Leasing & Finance PLC (PLC.N0000) has already started SSCI onboarding, while other Sri Lankan banks/NBFIs have enrolled, underscoring a sector-wide push toward sustainable finance.

The Government launched the National Climate Finance Strategy 2025–2030 to mobilise finance to manage climate risks and support a net-zero transition, noting Rs.50 billion in annual climate-related losses. The strategy sets out 12 instruments — including disaster-risk insurance, green bonds, PPPs, a green revolving fund and carbon markets — with first review in 2027.

The UK said Sri Lanka's National Climate Finance Strategy 2025–2030 will help the country access international climate funding and attract investors, notably for renewable energy including offshore and onshore wind. UK-backed projects also cover groundwater salinity, climate forecasting and disaster preparedness.

Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma said Sri Lanka will mobilise private and international capital to implement its National Climate Finance Strategy 2025–2030, creating market instruments and climate finance products to attract investors. The plan prioritises partnerships and governance to support sectors exposed to climate risk such as tourism and agriculture.

Sri Lanka unveiled the National Climate Finance Strategy 2025–2030 to mobilize over $10bn for adaptation, aiming to tap official donors and private finance via ODA, public-private partnerships, debt-for-nature swaps and ESG bonds.

Kusal Jayawardana has been appointed Chairman of Lanka Ventures PLC and LVL Energy Fund PLC. He brings over 27 years of investment banking and sustainable finance experience, including work on green and social bonds, which the companies say should strengthen leadership and support growth in their energy portfolios.

Aitken Spence's Western Power incinerated two seized cigarette consignments (1,680 kg and 7,260 kg), destroying an estimated LKR 1.126 billion of illicit goods and generating over 3,584 kWh of electricity which was supplied to the national grid.

hSenid Business Solutions CEO led a Sri Lanka business mission to Indonesia (Oct 14–18), securing promising links in renewable energy, digital services and startup collaboration.

Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe urged urgent global reforms at the 16th UNCTAD in Geneva to address widening inequalities, calling for stronger UNCTAD capacity, technology exchange and support for green recovery for small vulnerable states like Sri Lanka. The conference runs until tomorrow with leaders from 195 member states.

Panasian Power PLC connected a 5MW ground-mounted solar plant at Deegawapiya, Ampara, to the national grid on 17 October 2025, adding 5MWac/6.76MWp and commencing revenue generation. The project, operated via a Panasian Power subsidiary using Longi Bi-facial N-type 615 W modules, is the fifth 5MW plant connected under PPAs from Q3 2024.

Harvard Club of Sri Lanka will host BIG BOLD BRAVE 2025 from 12–14 Nov 2025 at Cinnamon Life, Colombo. The Mastercard-powered APAC conference will bring 150+ delegates and 40+ speakers to discuss Digital Economy, Sustainable Energy, Future of Work, agriculture and climate resilience.

Curtin University Colombo hosted a high-level Australia–Sri Lanka research roundtable to develop joint projects in health, energy, agriculture, technology and policy. HNB's Chief Innovation Officer participated, with fintech and digital infrastructure among proposed collaboration areas.

Panasian Power (PAP) connected its 5MW ground-mounted Deegawapiya solar plant to the national grid and said revenue generation starts immediately; the commissioning adds 5MWac/6.76MWp and is the fifth of seven 5MW plants under PPAs with the Ceylon Electricity Board.

DIMO and Siemens completed Sri Lanka’s largest grid substation at Habarana, a Rs. 5 billion project. DIMO served as principal subcontractor for civil and electrical works and will provide warranty, spares and ongoing service and operator training.

Kusal Jayawardana has been appointed Chairman of Lanka Ventures PLC and LVL Energy Fund PLC. He brings over 27 years of experience in investment banking and sustainable finance, including senior roles at Alliance Finance and NDB Capital, and is expected to strengthen governance and support growth in venture investments and renewable energy.

DIMO, together with Siemens, completed Sri Lanka’s largest grid substation at Habarana, a Rs.5+ billion 220/132/33 kV greenfield facility. The 15-acre project increases transmission capacity and interconnection, reducing congestion and enabling future renewable integration and stability upgrades.

Casons Rent a Car has launched Sri Lanka's first fleet of eco-friendly vehicles — including EVs, hybrids and clean-diesel models — and added Jaicoo electric cars available at its Rajagiriya head office and Bandaranaike International Airport counter.

BOI reports FDI inflows of $827m Jan–Sep 2025, up 138% YoY, led by a $229m investment in the Colombo West International Terminal; BOI expects total FDI for 2025 (including foreign commercial loans) to exceed $1bn.