News & market updates

New Anthoney's is promoting its antibiotic-free Harithahari chicken to tackle antimicrobial resistance and position for export as Sri Lanka consumes about 258,000 metric tonnes of chicken annually. The company has an MoU with the University of Peradeniya and uses strict biosecurity protocols to support its antibiotic-free certification.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka net purchased USD 70.8 million from the domestic FX market in June 2026 (purchased USD 96.3m, sold USD 25.8m), after a net sale of USD 211.3m in May 2026.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan agreed to boost bilateral trade, investment and entrepreneurship through initiatives including technology exchanges, export facilitation and a planned business forum in Pakistan. Measures include gem & jewellery tech programs, steps to reverse tea export declines, opening pineapple/avocado exports and exploring Pakistani investment in Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturing.

CEAT Kelani launched two new SUV tyres — SecuraDrive (215/65 R16) and CrossDrive AT (245/70 R16) — expanding its Sri Lanka radial portfolio to 82 variants; both are R&D-backed, come with a four-year warranty and are available via 550+ dealers.

Finch Foods opened a premium travel-retail outlet in the Departure/Transit Duty Free area at Bandaranaike International Airport to showcase and sell premium Sri Lankan food products and gifting collections to international travellers.

Sri Lanka's Export Development Board and Germany's Import Promotion Desk renewed an MoU to boost market access for export-oriented SMEs through trade promotion, technical expertise, capacity building and market access facilitation. The deal emphasizes support for natural-ingredients exporters and women-led enterprises.

New Anthoney's Feeds won four Gold Awards and one Silver Award at the NCQP 2026, announced 17 June. The result improves on its two-Gold performance in 2025 and reinforces the group's quality credentials and export recognition.

The Export Development Board held a farewell for Renuka Weerakoon, who retired as Director General of the Board of Investment.

Maharaja Foods PLC appointed Imran Furkan as chairman and added Gimhan Sawinda Rajapaksha Dissanayake as an independent non-executive director. Former chairman Guganathan Vijayananth becomes an executive non-independent director focusing on retail expansion while Vithyanath Guganathan remains managing director.

Sri Lanka and China EXIM Bank aim to sign an amended financing agreement for the Central Expressway Project (Section I, Kadawatha–Mirigama) by end‑August 2026, subject to internal approvals. The talks also covered broader development cooperation and priority sectors including tourism, logistics, energy and IT.

The Export Development Board hosted a regional Exporters' Networking Forum in Chillaw to link North Western and North Central provincial exporters with government institutions and address customs, legal and market-access challenges. Attendees held direct talks with Sri Lanka Customs and the Inland Revenue Department to seek practical solutions and strengthen supply chains.

INFRACON 2026 opened at BMICH in Colombo and runs through Sunday; the exhibition brings regional exhibitors in HVAC-R, power & energy (including green energy), safe water management and building materials to promote trade, investment and technology in Sri Lanka's infrastructure and construction sectors.

China EXIM Bank Vice President Yang Dongning met Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Finance on 2 July 2026 to review and expedite the amended financing agreement for the Central Expressway Project (CEP-1) Section I, targeting signature before end‑August 2026. They also discussed cooperation to support tourism, value-added manufacturing, logistics, energy, IT and higher-education links.

The BOI showcases the Eravur Fabric Park as the national benchmark for environmental compliance for BOI-approved industrial zones, citing Jay Jay Mills' advanced ETPs, a centralized wastewater plant, a COD discharge cap of 250 mg/L and modeled safe discharge up to 15,000 m3/day.

Asian stocks rose (MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan up ~1.3%) after a softer-than-expected US jobs report reduced near-term Fed rate-hike odds and regional PMIs showed economic expansion in June.

Oil prices rose slightly ahead of the U.S. long weekend as U.S.-Iran peace efforts held; Brent was $72.10/bbl and WTI $68.83. Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, higher Kuwaiti output (1.65m bpd in June) and Saudi supertanker movements boosted supply flows.

Advocata CEO Dhananath Fernando urged the government to use its current political mandate to implement structural reforms now — including accelerated SOE restructuring, privately developed industrial zones, customs and trade liberalisation, and land-title and labour reforms — to avoid returning to another IMF program.

Ameena Ziauddin (Norfolk Foods) was elected President of the Council for Business with Britain; John Keells (JKH.N0000), Hayleys (HAYL.N0000) and Aitken Spence (SPEN.N0000) were elected to the 2026–27 committee and Commercial Bank (COMB.N0000) was invited to join. The meeting highlighted rising UK tourist arrivals and UK DCTS reforms expanding zero‑tariff access for Sri Lankan exporters.

Beliatta Exim Holdings (Pvt) Ltd won the "Best Emerging Exporter" award at the Global Synergy Awards 2026. The company, which produces a range of Sri Lankan food products and operates an international branch in Japan, has expanded into retail with a mini supermarket in Ratmalana.

ISSO – Prawn Crazy opened a 90-seat flagship in Canary Wharf, London, importing Lion Beer and Lion Stout from Sri Lanka for its launch. The concept pairs automated kitchen tech with a vertically integrated cold chain sourcing export-grade prawns from 150+ artisanal fishermen.

The Sri Lanka–Germany Business Council held Members' Day where Germany reaffirmed cooperation and highlighted opportunities in logistics, manufacturing, renewable energy, green technologies, digital transformation and tourism. SLGBC also announced a CSR project to support a local school's infrastructure.

GITA, together with the Indo‑Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has launched an India Trade Desk in Colombo to provide end-to-end, one-to-one advisory and market-entry support for Sri Lankan firms seeking to expand into India. The service targets SMEs and larger firms across textiles, food processing, ICT/BPM, tourism, pharma, logistics, manufacturing and renewable energy.

People's Bank commemorated its 65th anniversary on 1 July with ceremonial chanting and multi-religious observances and launched the latest edition of its 'Economic Review' themed 'Sri Lanka's Export Renaissance: Diversification, Innovation and Global Competitiveness'. The bank noted assets exceeding Rs. 3.7 t and a customer base of over 15.2 m.

The Sri Lanka–Germany Business Council held its Members' Day, with Germany reaffirming bilateral partnership and participants highlighting trade and investment opportunities in logistics, manufacturing, renewable energy/green tech, digital transformation and tourism; SLGBC also announced a CSR project and networking initiatives.

The Foundation For A Good Life (TFGL) and Good Life X (GLX) launched an eight-month 'Hyacinthesis' accelerator to develop market-ready handicrafts, fashion and home décor from water hyacinth and onboarded six SMEs. The project is engaging government stakeholders to reform the Water Hyacinth Ordinance of 1909 and explore export opportunities.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board and Germany's Import Promotion Desk signed an MoU renewing their partnership to strengthen export development and European market access for Sri Lankan export‑oriented SMEs, expanding cooperation on trade promotion, business matchmaking and support for women entrepreneurs.

German Ambassador Felix Neumann urged continued trade facilitation to boost Sri Lanka–Germany ties, highlighting opportunities in logistics, manufacturing, renewable energy, digital transformation and tourism. He delivered the keynote at the Sri Lanka–Germany Business Council Members' Day to promote investment and collaboration.

Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe chaired a meeting on Wednesday (01) to review progress of the Cabinet‑appointed FTA Review Committee's report and set the way forward, including identifying new markets and establishing Technical Negotiating Teams.

Finance Ministry Tax Policy Adviser Thanuja Perera said VAT on overseas digital services took effect on 1 July and non-resident suppliers must register with the IRD by 30 September. She defended tougher Inland Revenue enforcement amid low compliance, confirmed the VAT threshold remains Rs.60m (SSCL Rs.36m) and said most VAT refunds are now processed within statutory deadlines.

The World Bank approved $150m in financing (REGROW DPO) to support Sri Lanka's reform agenda to boost investment, competitiveness, high-value exports and jobs. The first of three operations focuses on reducing trade barriers, improving the investment climate, strengthening the financial sector and power competitiveness.