Newspaper
Daily FT
Will the tobacco ban backfire?
THE recent announcement that Sri Lanka’s National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) has submitted a concept paper proposing to ban tobacco sales to everyone born after 2010 will, understandably, be welcomed by many.
6 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Sri Lanka’s uneven growth: Why Colombo thrives while the rest of the country struggles
SRI Lanka’s graduation to middle-income status in 1997 led to the country being hailed as a South Asian success story.
4 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Manufacturing, services PMI improves in May
THE country’s manufacturing and services sectors in May have expanded, as per the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), its compiler the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said.
1 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Free Lawyers allege $ 2.5 m Treasury cyber fraud funds in US bank account
Association says stolen funds were transferred to account held at TD Bank USA; Criticises COPF and COPA for failing to issue reports on incident; Writes to President Dissanayake seeking Select Committee probe
2 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
The AI decision Sri Lankan schools are taking in silence
SRI Lanka's school system has carried more than its share of weight over the past five years. The pandemic. The economic crisis. The interrupted school years, the textbook delays, the brain drain of teachers.
3 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Sri Lanka won’t change until YOU change
LAST week in Frankfurt, my granddaughter asked: “Seeya, why are the streets so clean here without police?” I had no good answer for Sri Lanka.
5 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Bond Market yields dip on selected maturities
T-Bill auction in focus
2 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
UK Trade Envoy Lord Hannett in town for high-level trade, investment engagements
Visit signals commitment to stronger trade and investment ties with Sri Lanka I Lord Hannett will hold talks with Govt. on market access, business climate reforms, and bilateral export opportunities To engage UK and Sri Lankan businesses and young entrepreneurs across a range of sectors
2 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Tourism Task Force advance Sothern Mist and Maritime Tourism Corridors
SRI Lanka's tourism development strategy is moving towards a more structured, investment focused model, with the Presidential Task Force for the implementation of the Tourism Development Programme reviewing a series of largescale initiatives ranging from special tourism zones and maritime transport links to film tourism and ecotourism development.
2 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
The hands that support a nation: A call to recognise migrant workers and their families
International Family Remittance Day: Honouring the families behind the remittances
5 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Sri Lanka unveils plan to double exports to $ 36 b by 2030
Links export growth to consistent trade policies, structural reforms, digitalisation, human capital development and labour reforms; Highlights National Single Window and trade facilitation reforms as urgent priorities; ADB says exports are critical to rebuilding reserves and reducing debt dependence
4 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
From fragmented environmental law to One Planet Law
EVERY year, vast stretches of fertile land quietly slip into decline—not through sudden catastrophe, but through a slow tightening of ecological pressure.
5 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Prime and Melwa secure 3rd Marina District land parcel
Becomes the largest property investor in Port City Colombo
2 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
NTB Rs. 15 b debenture issue gets CSE nod, opens Friday
NATIONS Trust Bank PLC (NTB) will open subscriptions on 19 June for a Basel IIIcompliant Tier 2 debenture issue aimed at raising up to Rs. 15 billion to strengthen its capital base and support future growth.
1 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
DFCC to finalise Standard Chartered retail banking deal by end-July
DFCC Bank said that its proposed acquisition of the wealth and retail banking business of Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka is expected to be completed by 31 July 2026.
1 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Researchers warn alternative nicotine products gaining ground as cigarette consumption declines
CONCERNS have been raised over the growing market penetration of prohibited nicotine products in Sri Lanka, with researchers warning that declining demand for conventional cigarettes is driving increased interest in alternative nicotine products including vapes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and other non-combustible tobacco products.
2 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Way forward for SME borrowers
SRI Lanka’s economy is still facing certain challenges. However, credit growth in the banking sector has been enormous year-on-year, and the country needs to take measures to channel most of this expansion towards Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), as this sector generates over 50% of Sri Lanka’s GDP.
5 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Cabinet clears Rs. 600 m upgrade of Badulla-Hali Ela road using surplus foreign loan funds
THE Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved utilising surplus foreign loan funds to rehabilitate and improve a key section of the Badulla-Hali Ela road, including the reconstruction of a stretch severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.
1 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Cabinet approves study on bringing EPF, ETF under unified tripartite governance framework
THE Government has taken the first formal step toward examining the possibility of bringing Sri Lanka’s two largest worker savings funds, the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) under a single governance framework, with the Cabinet of Ministers approving the appointment of a Senior Officials Committee to study the proposal and provide recommendations.
1 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
HNB, Nucleus Software celebrate 5 years of partnership
Collaboration drives transformation and excellence in transaction banking
2 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Sri Lanka 'A' cricketer Halambage blocks Instagram
@ Target of online trolls after altercation on field with Suryavanshi
1 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Kapruka delivers full-year profit as AI-powered platform strategy accelerates
KAPRUKA Holdings PLC has posted a definitive return to profitability for the quarter and year ended 31 March 2026, marking an inflection point in its transformation into an AI-powered digital commerce ecosystem.
2 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Railways website bombarded with cyberattacks hours after launch: Minister
SRI Lanka Railways has made progress in restoring services following a cyberattack on its newly launched website, with Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake commending technical teams for their rapid response to the incident.
1 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
IRCSL successfully hosts OECD-ADBI Roundtable on insurance and retirement savings in Asia
Initiative marks significant milestone for the Sri Lankan Insurance Industry
4 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Sri Lanka stun defending champions New Zealand in nail-biter
ICC WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP 2026
1 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Govt. requests for $ 200 m ADB loan for post-Ditwah recovery and livelihood restoration
THE Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved obtaining $ 200 million in financing from the Asian Development Bank to support the reconstruction of infrastructure and restoration of livelihoods damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, which struck the country in November 2025.
1 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Pavithran Thurairatnam wins Honorary Mention at Global AYDA Awards 2025/2026
THE AYDA International Awards, a Nippon Paint global CSR program made a landmark return to Bangkok, Thailand, for its 18th edition from 11 to 12 June.
2 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
NEGETE and InfraBeat to advance SAP-led digital transformation
NEGETE said it has entered into a strategic partnership with InfraBeat Technologies—one of India’s foremost SAP-focused digital transformation firms—to elevate enterprise technology capabilities within Sri Lanka’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
1 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
Governor's Trophy two-day tourney heading for tight finish
THE Governor’s Trophy two-day tournament is heading for a tight finish after Lankan CC completed their two matches with a draw against Old Dharmapalians SC at Police Park yesterday.
1 min |
June 17, 2026
Daily FT
CID names individuals allegedly undermining Easter attacks probe
THE Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has submitted the names of several individuals to the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, alleging their involvement in an organised effort to obstruct justice and undermine ongoing investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.
1 min |