Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Sri Lankan equities are an Asian frontier market money gusher!
Matein Khalid Sri Lanka is one of the most fascinating and drop-dead gorgeous countries I have ever visited, the island once known as Serendip by ancient Umayyad Arab sailors/ruby merchants and Ceylon by the colonial Dutch and British who once...

Share Market News: Trump Tariffs, Stocks In Focus, Crude Oil Prices And Other Key Factors Likely To Affect Trade Today
On July 9, Trump sent out another set of letters to seven US trading partners. Trump’s tariff related letters were sent out to the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Algeria, Libya, Iraq and Moldova and proposed the imposition of trade tariffs...

Sri Lanka rupee opens stronger, bond yields steady
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Gem & Jewellery Authority hopes for higher revenue from tourists buying precious stones and metals from the island nation after the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) resumed Value Added Tax (VAT) refunding last week. The...
Sri Lanka to impose 18% VAT on foreign digital services from
The Government will enforce an 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) on digital services offered by non-resident companies to local consumers, starting 1 October, 2025. This follows the enactment of the VAT (Amendment) Act No. 4 of 2025 and Gazette...

The awards programme showcased industry leaders reshaping the future of insurance in Asia Pacific.
The awards programme showcased industry leaders reshaping the future of insurance in Asia Pacific. Marking a decade of industry excellence, the 10th Insurance Asia Awards took centre stage as it celebrated the region’s finest insurers, recognising...

Sri Lankan man arrested on fraud charges in visa-buying network
A 44-year-old Sri Lankan man was arrested on July 7 on suspicion of helping fellow Sri Lankans illegally obtain residency by submitting false corporate documents to immigration authorities. According to police, Mohamed Irfan used a fake car...

CLFMA of India–Sri Lanka Livestock Meet Marks a New Chapter in Bilateral Cooperation
India–Sri Lanka Livestock Meet featured interactive sessions and networking that laid the groundwork for joint R&D, capacity building, and long-term trade cooperation. (Photo Credit: CLFMA) In a significant step toward strengthening regional...
Ad hoc policy shifts and renewable energy development
Two weeks ago, the Federation of Renewable Energy Developers (FRED) at a press conference expressed its strong disapproval of the Government’s decision to reduce feed-in tariffs for renewable energy projects, pointing out that ad hoc policy...
FTSE 100 Live: London stocks hit record high as miners rebound,...
FTSE 100 rises 81 points to 8,948 New all-time high for index Miners rebound, wider optimism for markets 9.07am: Record high for FTSE The FTSE 100 has continued its charge higher, and has notched a new all-time intraday high, up 1% to a record...

Why investors are reluctant to come to Sri Lanka despite incredible potential
To become a true investment hub, Sri Lanka must act quickly to restore institutional credibility, revive key sectors like construction, and signal long-term investment stability In recent months, a striking pattern has emerged at regional investor...

India-Sri Lanka livestock meet eyes joint R&D, trade co-operation
Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India addressing the India-Sri Lanka Livestock meet in Colombo recently In a move aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in the livestock and poultry sectors, the CLFMA of India in association with the...

Tamil Nadu CM inaugurates 700 new housing units for Sri Lankan Tamils
Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday inaugurated 729 newly built houses, constructed at a cost of Rs 38.76 crore, in Sri Lankan Tamils’ rehabilitation camps across five districts of the state, via video conference from the Secretariat. Minister for...

Campus Activewear partners with Signature menswear to enter the Sri Lankan market
Image Courtesy: Campus Activewear Footwear brand, Campus Activewear has expanded its base by foraying into the Sri Lankan market. The brand made inroads with a Signature menswear partnership – the menswear brand that operates under Sri Lanka’s...

Local industries demand for overhaul of e-commerce rules
Courier Express Parcel Association of Sri Lanka Vice President Sanjay Samarasinghe / Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association Immediate Past President Yasotharan Paramanantham -Pix by Ruwan Walpola CEPAC Vice President Sanjay Samarasinghe praises Sri...

ReviewWhat's new at the refreshed Relais & Chateaux Cape Weligama, Sri Lanka
On Sri Lanka's southern coastline, Cape Weligama, a Relais & Chateaux resort, has been welcoming guests for more than a decade and recently completed a refresh to mark its 10th anniversary. Additions include a secluded bay, more interconnecting...

Sri Lanka and Indo-Pacific maritime strategies
Address delivered by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka Dr. G. Weerasinghe at the commemoration of the party’s 82 anniversary of the party. We take this opportunity to pay tribute to the founding leaders of our party, Dr. S.A....

Sri Lanka’s new VAT framework for Non-Resident Digital Services: What you need to know
The IRD reserves the right to enforce stringent collection measures for outstanding VAT liabilities, with continuous non-compliance potentially leading to service restrictions or blacklisting within Sri Lanka. This underscores the profound...

Sri Lankan banking leaders join AIA Bancassurance Summit 2025 in Beijing
From left: AIA Sri Lanka Director and Chief Partnership Distribution Officer Senaka Rajapakse, NDB Bank Director and CEO Kelum Edirisinghe, AIA Group Chief Executive and President Lee Yuan Siong, Commercial Bank of Ceylon Managing Director and CEO...

Germany, Sri Lanka discuss healthcare reforms and investment opportuni
Martin Klose, Chief Delegate of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka), held high-level talks with Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa to explore solutions for strengthening Sri Lanka’s healthcare system. Klose...

Lufthansa Cargo strengthens regional logistics with Beirut service
Lufthansa Cargo has expanded its Middle East footprint with the launch of a new A321 freighter service to Beirut. The aircraft touched down at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport for the first time on July 4 and will now operate a weekly...