Thursday February 26, 2026 4:37 pm
Thursday February 26, 2026 4:37 pm
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on Thursday, with capital goods and diversified financials leading turnover.
The ASPI was up 0.33 percent, or 78.13 points at 23,781.23.
The S&P SL20 was up 0.37 percent, or 24.90 points at 6710.17.
“We’re seeing a bullish market today amidst the volatility of the market over the past few days. Most activity is seen from retailers,” Ranjan Ranatunga, Assistant Vice President – Research at First Capital said.
John Keells Holdings (Rs.22.80), Hayleys (Rs.244.75), Melstacorp (Rs.183.50) were the top positive contributors to ASPI.
Hatton National Bank (Rs.450.75) was the top negative contributor.
“Interest was seen in the Softlogic Group, as well as in the construction and consumer sectors,” Ranatunga said.
The market turnover was 4.02 billion rupees. Capital goods (1.32 billion rupees) led turnover.
“Turnover basically down due to not much high involvement from high net worth investors,” Ranatunga added.
HNB disclosed a 31 percent drop in profit for the December 2025 quarter, reporting 14.12 billion rupees in profit in its quarterly financial statements.
The bank also announced a dividend of Rs. 20.00 per share which will consist of Rs. 15.00 per share in cash and Rs. 5.00 per share in the form of a scrip dividend, on both voting and non-voting shares.
The stock closed at Rs.450.75, down 1.04 percent.
Bank of Ceylon reported earnings of 20.69 billion rupees, a 19 percent drop, for the December 2025 quarter. (Colombo/February26/2026)
Thursday February 26, 2026 6:00 pm
Thursday February 26, 2026 6:00 pm
ECONOMYNEXT – Revenue collected by Sri Lanka Customs in the first 23 days of February has exceeded this month’s target, the official data showed.
The Custom’s February revenue target has been set 165.9 billion rupees. But the revenue collecting body has already collected 176.9 billion rupees, exceeding the target by 6.6 percent in the first 23 days of this month, the official data showed.
Customs has been accelerating container clearance since last month after Ditwah devastation hit the usual activities for at least four days in November amid higher imports in December.
Last year, the Customs collected a record 2,551 billion rupees in revenues, higher than a revised up target of 2,241 billion rupees for the year and achieved 64.2 percent higher revenue than the previous year’s revenue of 1,553 million rupees.
The Customs has set a revenue target of 2,207 billion rupees for this year, 13.5 percent less than last year as it expects a significant decline in car imports. It has achieved 18.6 percent of this year’s target in the first 53 days, the data showed.
Sri Lanka Customs revenue jump is largely due to stronger enforcement, improved valuation practices, and a rebound in import volumes after years of contraction.
Following the economic crisis of 2022, imports had fallen sharply as the country imposed restrictions to conserve foreign exchange.
However, with the stabilization of reserves, the relaxation of certain import controls, and a steady recovery in consumer demand, customs collections from import duties, excise, and other levies have risen.
Officials note that tighter monitoring of under-invoicing and misdeclaration of goods has also contributed to boosting state revenue.
The combined effect of increased import activity, currency movements, and stricter enforcement has positioned Customs as one of the top revenue sources for the Treasury in 2025, providing a vital cushion as the state works to meet fiscal targets under the IMF-supported program. (Colombo/February 26/2026)
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Thursday February 26, 2026 5:57 pm
Thursday February 26, 2026 5:57 pm
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 309.29/32 to the US dollar in the spot market Thursday, after opening at 309.33/37, dealers said, while bond yields closed down.
A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 closed at 8.10/20 percent.
A bond maturing on 15.02.2028 closed at 8.95/9.00 percent.
A bond maturing on 15.09.2029 closed at 9.37/40 percent, down from 9.40/50 percent.
A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed at 9.40/44 percent, down from 9.45/55 percent.
A bond maturing on 01.03.2030 closed at 9.47/49 percent, down from 9.52/58 percent.
A bond maturing on 01.10.2032 closed at 10.10/13 percent, down from 10.20/28 percent.
A bond maturing on 01.06.2033 closed at 10.34/36 percent, down from 10.45/55 percent.
A bond maturing on 15.06.2034 closed at 10.60/64 percent, down from 10.70/75 percent.
A bond maturing on 15.06.2035 closed at 10.67/72 percent, down from 10.75/85 percent. (Colombo/Feb26/2026)
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Thursday February 26, 2026 3:33 pm
Thursday February 26, 2026 3:33 pm
ECONOMYNEXT – SriLankan Airlines will launch direct flights to Ahmedabad as its tenth destination in the Indian market as the state-owned carrier expects to boost tourists from the neighbout this year, SriLankan said in a statement.
SriLankan currently flies to Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Trivandrum, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli.
“Soon joining this network as SriLankan’s tenth Indian destination will be Ahmedabad,” the carrier said in a statement.
The Airlines, which has been making a loss since the termination of the decade-long partnership with Dubai-based Emirates in 2008, has been expanding its destinations with an aim to secure more revenue.
It said the airline has consistently focused on serving both major metropolitan centres and emerging markets across India, extending its reach to underserved cities.
“The addition of Ahmedabad is more than just a new route; it is a calculated effort to serve six of India’s eight major metropolitan hubs. By expanding beyond traditional centers like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, the airline is tapping into the high-growth potential of Gujarat’s commercial capital.”
“This expansion is projected to boost Indian passenger traffic across the network by up to 12 percent in the coming year, catering to a diverse demographic of travelers, from business magnates and destination wedding parties to families visiting relatives.”
India is SriLankan’s largest market, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the airline’s total passenger traffic and 23 percent of overall visitor arrivals to the island with the island nation’s main Bandaranaike International Airport is used as a seamless gateway to the Middle East, the Maldives, the Far East, Europe, and Australia.
The Ahmedabad route is expected to strengthen these connections, providing Gujarati travelers with efficient access to the world through SriLankan’s extensive codeshare network.
To entice the Indian travellers, SriLankan Airlines is also leaning heavily into cultural heritage.
The airline recently highlighted its award-winning Ramayana Trail campaign, an emotive journey that invites travellers to explore the legendary sites of the epic in Sri Lanka.
The Airline flies close to 90 weekly flights between the two countries and expected to grow this year with higher demand from Indian tourists.
Around 40 if the ticket bookings is made directly through SriLankan Airlines’ channels. (Colombo/February 22/2026)
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Thursday February 26, 2026 2:44 pm
Thursday February 26, 2026 2:44 pm
ECONOMYNEXT – LankaPay, Sri Lanka’s National Payment Network, said its 8th edition of the LankaPay Technnovation Awards will focus on ‘Inclusive FinTech’.
“We wanted to recognise the people who have contributed, so they get motivated to drive more,” Channa de Silva, CEO of LankaPay, told reporters at an event held at Hilton Colombo Residencies to announce the launch.
The awards will include financial institutions, fintechs and government institutions that utilise and dispatch digital payment services.
The awards ceremony will take place on March 24 at Cinnamon Life City of Dreams in Colombo.
Central bank governor Nandalal Weerasinghe will be chief guest, while deputy minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weerarathne and chief advisor to the president Hans Wijayasuriya guests of honour. (Colombo/Feb26/2026)
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Thursday February 26, 2026 1:42 pm
Thursday February 26, 2026 1:42 pm
ECONOMYNEXT – Prime Lands Residencies said it has entered into a 99-year lease agreement with Sri Lanka’s Urban Development Authority (UDA) for a mixed development project on a land at Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7, where the Otters Aquatic Club is presently operating.
“The proposed lease arrangement has been structured to accommodate the relocation of the existing Otters Aquatic Club facilities within the planned mixed-use development,” Prime Lands said in a stock exchange filing.
The mixed development project is to be on the 158.15 perch UDA land located at 380/1, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.
“The lease has been granted for a period of 99 years for a consideration of Rs. 3.2 billion, including VAT, SSCL and other charges.”
The decision has received cabinet approval, the company said.
The proposed mixed development project will consist of 229 residential units, comprising 24 floors, with a total construction area of approximately 584,331 square feet, and an estimated total investment value of Rs. 22.4 billion. (Colombo/Feb26/2026)
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Thursday February 26, 2026 12:19 pm
Thursday February 26, 2026 12:19 pm
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Lankapay, the island’s payment network operator, said they have signed up around 260 government institutions for their services, and are planning on doubling the number this year.
“We are planning to double the number of departments [joining LankaPay] this year,” Channa de Silva, CEO of Lankapay told reporters at a press conference held to announce the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2026.
Only 8 government institutions had been fully connected with Lankapay initially de Silva added.
Almost 30 new government institutions from Kurunegala have been integrated into Lankapay from last week.
Further expansions into Kandy and other areas are planned. (Colombo/February26/2026)
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