News & market updates

Sri Lanka will launch the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030 targeting $36 billion in export revenue by 2030, developed by the Export Development Board with ADB technical assistance. The plan sets horizontal enablers (trade facilitation, trade finance, supply chain, ESG) and eight priority verticals including electronics, digital services, processed foods, auto components, rubber, minerals, marine and spices.

ADB is deploying $4 billion to help countries including Sri Lanka manage impacts from the West Asia conflict, with about $3 billion requested by governments and $1 billion for trade finance for energy and food imports. Support includes policy-based loans, countercyclical financing, rapid repurposing of portfolios and emergency assistance.

World Bank says Middle East conflict will slow global growth to 2.5% in 2026 (the lowest since COVID-19) and is ready to provide up to $100 billion to affected countries over 15 months. It warns higher energy prices (Brent ~ $94/bbl in 2026), rising inflation and borrowing costs, and downside risks that could cut growth to 1.3% if disruptions worsen.

Sri Lanka will launch the National Export Development Plan 2026–2030 on 16 June, aiming to lift export revenues to $36 billion by 2030. The EDB, with ADB support, outlines two pillars and eight priority sectors including Auto Components, Minerals, Rubber, Marine, Spices, Digital Products, Electrical & Electronic Components, and Processed Food.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake directed agencies to prepare contingency plans for an anticipated El Niño that could mirror 2016-17, citing risks to food security, water resources and electricity generation. Officials highlighted reservoir management and an earlier start to the 2026 Yala season as key measures.

Ceylinco Life warns Sri Lanka is ageing rapidly, creating district-level retirement gaps; Colombo's essential needs cost about Rs. 18,044/month (Jan 2026) while the national poverty line reached Rs. 16,730 by April 2026. Life insurers can offer structured retirement solutions as healthcare access, inflation and migration widen pressures.

Food Studio has opened a five-brand line-up (Primo, Hotel Manoli, Bamboo Boy, Wide Eyes, Kimono) at Colombo City Centre’s Dining Gallery to expand its dining portfolio and support CCC as a retail and visitor destination. The launch aims to diversify offerings and build scalable F&B concepts.

HighVoltagePR, marking its 10th anniversary, has entered a strategic partnership with Ncatalysts to integrate traditional PR and reputation management with digital performance marketing and digital product capabilities. The collaboration aims to offer combined PR, digital marketing and customer-experience services to Sri Lankan brands.

Adamjee Lukmanjee Group hosted the "Legacy of Trust - Customer Forum 2026" on 23 May at Cinnamon Life, Colombo to recognise longstanding and top-performing customers. The 160-year group highlighted its supply of animal feed ingredients, Saviya cement and N-Joy coconut oil to agriculture, livestock and construction sectors.

Sri Lanka will launch the National Export Development Plan 2026–2030 in Colombo on 16 June 2026, targeting USD 36 billion in export revenues by 2030. The plan sets two pillars (Horizontals and Verticals) and names eight priority sectors including Digital Products, Electrical & Electronic Components, Auto Components, Rubber, Minerals, Marine, Spices, and Processed Food & Beverages.

An analysis by Verité/PublicFinance.lk estimates the Government is foregoing about Rs. 17.3 billion a year by not keeping cigarette taxes at WHO-recommended levels. The report says the effective tax share fell to 66.8% in 2026 from 74% in 2018, below the 75% benchmark.

Varun Beverages Lanka Pvt Ltd marked World Environment Day 2026 at Seelawimala Dhamma School in Athurugiriya with education on sustainable plastic use, PET collection drives, new segregation bins and tree planting, aligning with Sri Lanka’s upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules.

LAUGFS Supermarkets opened a Bing Chun outlet (No.79) at its Pepiliyana supermarket through a franchise partnership — the first collaboration between Bing Chun and a supermarket chain in Sri Lanka, adding in-store beverage and dessert offerings to enhance the shopping experience.

ASPI fell 0.4% (85.70 pts) to 21,461.47 as selling pressure reversed early gains; turnover was below Rs.1.7bn and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs.55.9m. Major negative contributors were C T Holdings, Melstacorp, Ambeon, Access Engineering and Central Finance, while John Keells, Chevron Lubricants and Commercial Bank were top turnover names.

Hayleys PLC secured a District Court of Kaduwela enjoining order preventing former MP Wimal Weerawansa from making or publishing defamatory statements about the company. Hayleys has sought Rs. 6 billion in cumulative damages; the matter is listed for hearing on 23 June 2026.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.67% to 21,547.17 with net foreign inflows of Rs. 22.6 million. Gains were led by selected blue-chip counters and heavy turnover in capital goods and food & beverage names, with notable moves in DIAL, BREW, CCS, ABAN and JKH.

Lassana.com opened a new flower and gifting boutique at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, offering in-hotel collection and multichannel ordering. The outlet will showcase floral and wedding services and provide free Colombo 1–4 delivery using electric vehicles.

Delmege Consumer has partnered with Daraz to offer its full range of FMCG products for online purchase and islandwide delivery, expanding its digital distribution. The move aims to boost brand visibility and customer convenience through Daraz’s e-commerce platform.

Peterson Solutions Sri Lanka opened a new corporate office at Orion City, Colombo on 5 June 2026. The move reflects local growth—the consultancy, part of Peterson and Control Union Group, says it now serves 170+ Sri Lankan clients and is expanding services in sustainability, crop consultancy and digital solutions.

Celeste has appointed veteran corporate leader Roshanie J Moraes and is transitioning to a strengthened corporate governance structure to scale its lifestyle and quick-commerce business and expand digital offerings.

The SAPLING policy dialogue to advance South Asia's food processing industry opened in Ahmedabad with ~200 participants and 16 Sri Lankan delegates, including representatives of John Keells Holdings; the event spotlights innovations such as smart cold chains, digital traceability and sustainable packaging.

Round Table Sri Lanka reached over 64,800 people with relief, deploying LKR 21 million in hygiene supplies and 18,000 household packs after Cyclone Ditwah caused an estimated US$4.1 billion in damage and displaced millions. The fellowship used corporate-style logistics, airlifts and distribution hubs and is moving into Phase 3 recovery to rebuild rural schools.

Serendib Flour Mills held a Vesak Tea Bun and Plain Tea Dansala near the Orugodawatta Bridge on 29 May 2026, distributing 12,500 buns and 12,500 cups of tea. The event was organized by the company's team to serve the community and reinforce its "Nourishing the Nation" purpose.

Ceylon Biscuits Ltd Group Chairman Ramya Sanath Amaraweera Wickramasingha has died; he led CBL’s product innovation, R&D, quality control and manufacturing and was a long-serving figure in the Sri Lankan food industry.

A 16-member Sri Lankan delegation of export-oriented food and beverage firms attended THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 in Thailand (24–31 May) to showcase products and pursue trade and investment opportunities. The program included a Sri Lanka pavilion, factory visits and meetings with Thai industry bodies for technical exposure and capacity building.

IMF urged stronger social safety nets after Sri Lanka's national poverty threshold rose to a record Rs. 17,117 per person per month in April (up Rs. 427 MoM and Rs. 775 YoY). The government has expanded and topped up Aswesuma benefits, added a Rs. 8.5bn allocation and plans to extend and recertify beneficiaries through the social registry.

The Colombo ASPI fell 2.54% for the week (S&P SL20 down 2.2%), wiping about Rs. 206 billion off market capitalisation. Major negative contributors were COMB, HAYL, JKH, WIND and SPEN, with turnover near Rs. 2.98 billion.

LAUGFS Gas PLC said domestic LPG prices will remain unchanged for June, keeping the Colombo District 12.5 kg cylinder at Rs. 6,245 as it absorbs higher global procurement, freight and rupee-depreciation costs. Litro Gas Lanka also held May prices for June, keeping its 12.5 kg cylinder at Rs. 4,765.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat with the ASPI down 0.07% at 21,744; market turnover was Rs.2.98bn, led by capital goods at Rs.1.26bn. HNB Finance issued a notification on rights issue application procedures for shareholders (record date June 3) and its shares closed down 1.11% at Rs.8.90.

Pink Eagle Holdings is consolidating as a diversified Sri Lankan conglomerate, expanding globally across tea exports, logistics, food manufacturing, hospitality and digital retail. Milestones include Continental Tea/ADRA Ceylon's 10th anniversary, the Avanti freight app launch, and new food-manufacturing and retail initiatives.