A market brief each morning, plus company filings and news from across Sri Lanka's stock market. Filter by company, sector and theme, and use sentiment badges to quickly identify Positive or Negative news.
DFCC Bank signed a Master Trade Loan Agreement with the Export-Import Bank of India on 22 Sep 2026 to secure credit enhancement under its Trade Assistance Programme, expanding DFCC's ability to provide trade finance and short-term funding for Sri Lanka-India cross-border transactions.
AICPA and CIMA presented their National Budget 2027 proposals to the Treasury, urging policies to unlock productive investment, broaden the tax base, increase capital flow, strengthen value-added exports and align skills and digital capability.
Prof. Samitha Hettige argues that APEC, BRICS and China's Belt and Road Initiative offer opportunities for Sri Lanka, noting China's 2026 APEC presidency, transport links and historical Sino‑Sri ties, and urging cooperation with China and India on debt repayment and development from 2028.
The EDB and SLAMERP held a full-day workshop, led by NCPC experts, on energy management and efficiency for Sri Lanka's rubber products manufacturers to improve profitability and competitiveness. Sessions covered EnMS, thermal/process optimisation, energy audits and renewable energy technologies.
China and the United States agreed reciprocal tariff cuts on $60 billion of goods ($30bn each) and extended a trade truce to Jan. 10. The lists cover US agricultural products and Chinese household appliances; China also pledged to import 10m tonnes of US coal in 2027-28 and set up an agriculture working group.
ADB forecasts growth in developing Asia and the Pacific will moderate to 5.0% in 2026 from 5.5% in 2025 and edge up to 5.1% in 2027, trims 2026 inflation to 4.2%, and warns that a strong El Niño and geopolitical risks could push up food and energy prices.
An IPS study finds Sri Lanka's agrifood sector contributes 24.5% of GDP and 42.0% of employment and urges development of high-value, export-oriented agribusiness to boost growth and jobs. It identifies six export clusters (cinnamon, spices, coconut products, fruit & vegetable processing, seafood and tea) and notes strong recent export gains.
The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) warned exporters face certification delays and cost pressures, with tea export earnings down 17.22% YoY to $116.73m in July 2026. It said imported rubber is cheaper than local supplies, hurting value-add, and will boost FTA awareness and run an AI-driven digital marketing programme with NIBM.
Advocata CEO Dhananath Fernando warned Sri Lanka must shift from stabilisation to growth or risk renewed instability, noting 5.1% Q1 and 4.2% Q2 growth. He called for land and labour reforms and urged pursuing RCEP membership alongside a separate India trade deal.
Sri Lanka's services exports rose 13.97% to $331.87m in August 2026 year-on-year; transport and logistics jumped 51.41% to $187.50m while financial services fell 62.16% to $1.65m, ICT/BPM declined 10.49% to $135.10m and construction exports dropped 36.91% to $7.62m.
Sri Lanka's merchandise exports fell 1% to $1,269.49m in August 2026 year-on-year, led by declines in apparel (down 8.4% to $464.27m), tea (down 7.76% to $130.92m) and coconut-based products (down 17.28% to $104.27m). Total Jan-Aug exports rose 4.26% to $12.01bn.
An IPS study (for the World Bank) says strengthening high-value, export-oriented agribusiness and food processing can unlock export growth; the report finds the agrifood sector contributes 24.5% of GDP and 42.0% of employment while primary agriculture is 8.3% of GDP.
CBSL Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe urged the plantation sector at the Planters' Association AGM to boost productivity, mechanise, replant and move up the value chain, and warned against unregistered 'Plantations' investment scams. He noted agricultural exports rose to $3.1bn in 2025 and tea production costs climbed to Rs.1,043/kg in 2025.
Malwatte Valley Plantations CEO Shanaka Samaradiwakara was appointed Chairman of the Planters' Association and outlined a five-point plan to revive plantations focusing on value addition, R&D, land-use, irrigation and tenure security. Kahawatte Plantations CEO Binesh Pananwala was named Deputy Chairman.
An IPS study finds Sri Lanka's agrifood sector contributes 24.5% of GDP and 42.0% of employment and identifies six high-potential export clusters (cinnamon, spices, coconut, fruit & vegetable processing, seafood, tea). It reports food & beverage manufacturing generates USD 1.85 of output per USD 1 of final demand (vs USD 1.20 for primary agriculture) and recommends boosting high-value, export-oriented agribusiness while addressing tariff, policy and R&D constraints.
Sri Lanka's total exports surpassed $12.0bn in Jan-Aug 2026, up 4.26% YoY. Merchandise exports rose 3.63% to $9.41bn and services grew 6.59% to $2.6bn; August exports were $1.601bn (+1.77%), with services up 13.97%.
Parliament approved a Rs. 17.2 billion supplementary estimate for the Ministry of Energy to provide electricity-bill relief. The funds were reallocated from line ministries unlikely to use them and will not change the overall expenditure ceiling or government borrowing limit; Parliament also passed the Promotion of Export Agriculture (Amendment) Bill updating the definition of notified export crops.
Ajai Vir Singh, founder and MD of Colombo Fashion Week, will participate in the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow (Sept 28-30), and Colombo Fashion Week has arranged for Sri Lankan designer Kamil Hewawitharna to showcase at Moscow Fashion Week. The summit is positioned to help Sri Lankan fashion diversify export channels and build industry connections.
BOI hosted a 25-member diplomatic delegation to showcase the 255-acre Punnaikuda Eravurpattu Textile Manufacturing Zone and Jay Jay Mills, which aims for a 100 t/day fabric capacity. The zone seeks to localize apparel supply chains, attract foreign fabric mills under BOI incentives and create jobs with eco-friendly controls.
Sri Lanka's total exports reached US$12.01bn in Jan-Aug 2026, up 4.26% year‑on‑year, surpassing the US$12bn milestone. Merchandise exports rose 3.63% to US$9.41bn and services grew 6.59% to US$2.60bn; August exports were US$1.601bn (+1.77% YoY) with services up 13.97%.
Sri Lanka's tea exports fell about 5% year‑on‑year in the first eight months of 2026 to 166.3 Mnkg, with August shipments at 22.8 Mnkg. Rupee earnings held nearly steady at Rs.305.6bn, but US$ earnings slipped to about $948m amid higher freight and insurance costs and a lower average FOB.
The Institute of Policy Studies issues policy recommendations to boost durable growth, prioritising trade competitiveness: simplify tariffs, remove para‑tariffs, phase out Export‑Import CESS and introduce a trade‑adjustment assistance package to support exporters. It also urges fiscal reforms, greater direct taxation, higher public investment in skills and shock‑responsive social protection.
A high-level meeting led by the Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry with the EDB on 15 Sep 2026 discussed implementing the National Export Development Plan 2026-2030 to boost exports to $36 billion by 2030 by strengthening ports and logistics. Discussions focused on enhancing port and logistics infrastructure and services, trade facilitation, connectivity, and inter-agency coordination for timely implementation.
Colombo Dockyard PLC showcased its international shipbuilding, repair and maritime engineering capabilities on World Maritime Day 2026, citing recent cable-laying vessel contracts and a 10-vessel eco-friendly bulk carrier programme. The company operates four graving dry docks up to 125,000 DWT and is majority-owned by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders.
EDB unveiled a SriLankan Airlines A321neo branded with the "Sri Lanka Expo 2027" identity to promote the international exhibition scheduled for 14-17 Jan 2027 at BMICH, Colombo. The expo aims to host 750+ exhibitors and 1,500+ international buyers, and SriLankan will offer up to 20% economy and 10% business fare discounts for attendees.
The Export Development Board organised Sri Lanka's first national pavilion at Fine Food Australia 2026 (31 Aug-3 Sep), a 90 sqm exhibit that brought 12 Sri Lankan food and beverage exporters to showcase tea, spices, coconut products, seafood and processed foods to Australian buyers to boost exports and market access.
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce met the IMF's 7th Review Mission urging stronger support for SMEs, accelerated digitalisation and policies to attract investment, and recommended fast-tracking renewable energy to the grid, easing logistics and measures to boost exports.
The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation and the Export Development Board held a high-level meeting on 15 Sep 2026 to discuss implementing the NEDP 2026-2030, focusing on strengthening ports and logistics to raise exports to US$36 billion by 2030 and improve trade facilitation and connectivity.
SAPPTA chairman Ryan Rambukwella urged Sri Lanka's spices industry to target $1 billion in exports, saying that will require shifting from commodity trading to value addition, branding, improved traceability, financing and mechanisation. He also proposed examining controlled imports of raw materials for re‑export.
Sri Lanka's Ambassador to South Korea, M.K. Pathmanaathan, met officials of the Busan Chamber to strengthen commercial ties and promote Sri Lanka Expo 2027 (14-17 Jan 2027 at BMICH), seeking strong Korean participation and highlighting the MoU between the two chambers.