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Daily FT - September 26, 2025

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In this issue

September 26, 2025

Dinemore launches DinemoreGo, expands with 14 new prime locations across Sri Lanka

DINEMORE Ltd., has announced the launch of its newest venture: DinemoreGo. Built on speed, accessibility, and affordability, DinemoreGo is designed to bring Dinemore's trusted legacy closer to everyday lifestyles across the island.

1 mins

Inaugural National AI Expo and Conference kicks off next week

ON 29 and 30 September the nation's digital future will be on full display at the first-ever National AI Expo and Conference 2025 at Monarch Imperial, Colombo.

2 mins

Fitch assigns Hayleys Fentons first-time national rating of 'A+(Ika)'; outlook stable

FITCH Ratings has assigned Hayleys Fentons Ltd., (HFL) a National Long-Term Rating of A+(Ika)'. The outlook is stable.

3 mins

Sri Lanka Pavilion shines at Foodex Saudi 2025

THE Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Saudi Arabia, organised the Sri Lanka Pavilion at Foodex Saudi 2025, held from 21-24 September at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

1 mins

Sri Lankan business leaders join global CEOs and govt. representatives at UN Private Sector Forum

Mobilise capital for sustainable growth

3 mins

NTB shares soar, CEO says HSBC deal underlines global shifts, local ascent

NATIONS Trust Bank PLC (NTB) shares closed up 22.72% yesterday, up Rs. 72.25 to Rs. 390.25, following Wednesday's announcement of the bank's proposed Rs. 18 billion acquisition of Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation's (HSBC) Sri Lanka retail banking business, which marks one of the largest portfolio transfers in recent years and reflects the broader retreat of global banks from consumer segments in Asia.

4 mins

Exporters fear $ 80 m monthly cash crunch if SVAT removed and no refund system

WITH just five days to go before the Government abolishes the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) regime, leading export associations yesterday voiced deep concerns and warned of a looming cash flow crisis that could choke the country's $ 19 billion export target for 2025.

6 mins

Sri Lanka urges action against poverty, corruption, and war at UNGA

PRESIDENT Anura Kumara Disanayake in his inaugural speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly yesterday delivered a passionate call to the international community, urging for decisive action to confront the world's most pressing challenges.

1 mins

CSE revises debt securities transaction fees

THE Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has announced a revision to the transaction fees applicable to corporate debt securities traded on its Automated Trading System (ATS) following approval from the Department of Fiscal Policy of the Ministry of Finance.

1 mins

SEC unveils 12-pillar plan to transform capital market

THE Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) has launched its \"12 Key Capital Market Development Projects - One Vision for a Resilient Market\", a reform agenda aimed at modernising the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), broadening products, and deepening investor participation.

2 mins

Sri Lanka makes its biggest push to woo Japanese interests

SRI Lanka via a private-public initiative will make its biggest push to woo Japanese interests with key engagements in Osaka and Tokyo starting tomorrow and spanning five days.

4 mins

EY says new Port City incentive significant with sharper focus on scale, timing

EY Sri Lanka has said the new Colombo Port City tax regulations shift incentives firmly toward investment scale and execution certainty, offering up to 15-year income tax holidays for large projects while requiring investors to align closely with licencing and designation stages to secure benefits.

2 mins

SLBA presents Budget proposals to drive economic recovery

THE Sri Lanka Banks' Association (SLBA), the apex body representing the collective voice of the licenced commercial banks, has submitted a far-reaching set of proposals for inclusion in the upcoming 2026 Budget.

3 mins

Sampath Bank leads Rs. 33.5 b syndicated loan facility for CEB

SAMPATH Bank has successfully led a landmark syndicated loan of Rs. 33.5 billion for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), together with Nations Trust Bank (NTB) and Pan Asia Bank.

1 mins

Sri Lanka urges...

He also reflected on Sri Lanka's painful history of war and conflict, drawing from his nation's experience to advocate for peace, human rights, and democracy.

1 mins

Sri Lanka makes ...

THE private sector delegation is led by Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and John Keells Holdings Chairperson Krishan Balendra, and comprises Sri Lanka-Japan Business Council (SLJBC) President and Hirohama Ceylon Ltd., and Surmount Ventures Director Athulla R.F. Edirisinghe; SLJBC Vice President and Spear International Ltd. Chairman and Managing Director Shamil Mendis; SLJBC Treasurer and MendisOne Chairman Rohitha Mendis; SLJBC Immediate Past President and Andrew the Travel Company Managing Director Mahen Kariyawasan; BOVCapital Managing Partner Prajeeth Balasubramaniam; Celestia International CEO Chandana Silva; Connaissance De Ceylan CEO Chamin Wickramasinghe; Dentsu Grant Chairperson and Managing Director Neela Marikkar; E.W Information Systems Chairman Sanjeewa Wickramanayake; Hayleys PLC Director Sarath Ganegoda; hSenid Group Chairman Dinesh Saparamadu; Lanka Harness Executive President Rohan Pallewatta; MAC Holdings Chairman and President Otani San; MAC Holdings Managing Director Andre Fernando; MendisOne Managing Director Rishantha Mendis; Microsoft Sri Lanka and Maldives Country Manager Harsha Randeny; Tomo Wold Ceylon Chairman Nishantha Perera; Adamajee Lukmanjee and Sons Business Partner Exports Hashini Kalansuriya; Jayalanka Suppliers Managing Director Ganidhu Ishara; Transfood Lanka Director Sajahan Pasie; NCINGA Chairman Imal Kalutotage; Group Managing Director Vajira Wijesinghe; and Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Assistant Secretary General Dinithi Dias. Separately, senior officials of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, the Board of Investment and Foreign Affairs Ministry are in Japan as well.

9 mins

CoPF considers regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act

THE Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has considered regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2449/60 of 15 August 2025.

1 mins

SJB to move no-confidence motion against Speaker

THE Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has announced plans to table a no-confidence motion against Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, citing his recent conduct in presid- ing over Parliamentary proceedings.

1 mins

Hayleys Fibre commissions Rs. 600 m coir processing facility to boost exports and rural jobs

HAYLEYS Fibre, a member of the Hayleys Group, announced the commissioning of a Rs. 600 million coir processing facility in Kadigawa, Nikaweratiya, one of the largest recent investments in Sri Lanka's coconut sector.

1 mins

First Capital and Hatch partner to launch 'First Capital Startup Nation'

FIRST Capital Holdings PLC, a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group) has stepped forward as the title sponsor of First Capital Startup Nation by Hatch, a transformative program that connects investors with Sri Lanka's most promising startups.

2 mins

Asia-Pacific advances agenda for living wages

THE Asia-Pacific region can demonstrate that living wages are achievable through a systematic approach grounded in social dialogue and evidencebased wage systems, participants at a regional dialogue organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) heard.

2 mins

Colombo Stock Exchange sustains upward trend

THE Colombo stock market sustained its upward trend yesterday with the banking sector boosting turnover to over Rs. 9 billion.

2 mins

Secondary Bond market activity moderates; yields remain stable

THE secondary Bond market yesterday saw activity moderate, remaining at a virtual standstill for much of the day.

1 mins

JICA, DoA launch first Asia regional training to promote market-oriented agriculture

JAPAN International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in collaboration with Sri Lanka's Department of Agriculture (DOA), recently concluded the 5-day international training program on the Market Oriented Agriculture Promotion Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach.

1 mins

Dialog AI Powers Govi Mithuru-Sri Lanka's First AI-Powered Agriculture Advisory Platform

Now with an AI Chat and Voice Bot, and an AI Voice Assistant

2 mins

DIMO Care Camp and Mahindra tractor Service Camps empower tractor owners for Maha season 2025

SUPPORTING Sri Lanka's farming communities in preparing for the Maha season, DIMO Agribusinesses concluded its tractor service initiatives, the DIMO Care Camp and the Mahindra Tractor Service Camp series, drawing strong participation from tractor owners across the island.

1 mins

Sarvodaya Development Finance delegation completes Agri-Innovate immersion at Kasetsart University, Thailand

A cross-functional leadership team from Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC (SDF) has completed the international program on AgriInnovate: A Value Creation Journey - From Soil to Shelf at the Faculty of Business Administration, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, delivered in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM).

1 mins

SAARC Agriculture Centre and IFPRI sign MoU to strengthen food and agriculture cooperation in South Asia

THE South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Agriculture Centre (SAC), Dhaka, and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, DC, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aiming to deepen collaboration in food and agriculture research, policy analysis, and capacity building across South Asia.

2 mins

First Capital Holdings' Rs. 3 b debenture issue oversubscribed on opening day

FIRST Capital Holdings PLC's debenture issue of Rs. 3 billion, which was opened for subscription on 23 September, was oversubscribed on the very same day.

1 mins

Standard Chartered appoints Praveen Karunaratne to Country Management Team

STANDARD Chartered Sri Lanka has appointed Praveen Karunaratne, Head of Financial Institutions (FI), to the Country Management Team, effective 15 September 2025.

1 mins

NTB's HSBC deal demonstrates balance sheet strength, sustainable expansion

NATIONS Trust Bank PLC (NTB) yesterday said its acquisition of HSBC's retail banking business in Sri Lanka demonstrates the bank's financial strength and disciplined approach to growth.

1 mins

Insurance industry regulator participates in Matale 'FinLit Expo'

THE Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL), the regulator of the insurance sector, actively participated at \"FinLit Expo\" the Financial Literacy Exhibition organised by the Matale regional Branch of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

1 mins

IASL hosts 16th NAFLIA Conference, driving growth in new world of insurance

THE Insurance Association of Sri Lanka (IASL), through its Marketing and Sales Forum, hosted the 16th consecutive NAFLIA Conference at the Monarch Imperial.

3 mins

Wealth of politicians

THE revelation of financial and non-financial possessions of various elected representatives has become a huge talking point over the last couple of weeks.

2 mins

From Panama to Pandora – but never to Hulftsdorp

Despite new laws and action plans, Sri Lanka's response to the Pandora Papers has yielded press releases but no prosecutions - leaving Hulftsdorp absent from the accountability trail

4 mins

Genocide, incitement to genocide and impunity

On 16 September 2025, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on the Occupied Palestinian Territory (including East Jerusalem) and Israel, mandated by the Human Rights Council and supported by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), concluded in a landmark report that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and that senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have engaged in incitement to genocide.

4 mins

“Skills around innovation and enterprise are critical to shape future-ready learners” – Rod Smith

Q Is it also understood that Cambridge envisions to establish a legal entity in Sri Lanka. Can you throw light on this and explain how this could forge a stronger presence in the country and strengthen collaborations?

2 mins

Sri Lanka Tourism Expo 2025 brings together youth, SMEs and international experts

SRI Lanka Tourism Expo will officially inaugurate tomorrow, (27) at One Galle Face with the Colombo Travel Mart, organised for the third consecutive time in partnership with SLAITO.

6 mins

9th South Asian Travel Awards 2025 honours excellence in regional tourism

THE South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), the region's platform celebrating excellence in travel, tourism, and hospitality, marked its 9th edition with a spectacular grand gala hosted at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

2 mins

Rainy start to Women's Cricket World Cup

Both warm-up matches end in no-result

1 mins

FlyHi Sports Junior Rugby to kick off tomorrow

FLYHI Sports Junior International Rugby Tournament 2025 will take place on 27 September at Havelock Sports Club Ground. First kick off will be at 7:00 a.m.

1 mins

Sri Lanka clinch Zia Ul Haq Trophy

SRI Lankan golfers, Chanaka Perera and Sachin de Silva combined superbly to clinch the prestigious Zia Ul Haq Trophy at 134th Sri Lanka Amateur Golf Championship at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC).

1 mins

Sri Lanka hosts 12th edition of Indoor Cricket World Cup

Opening ceremony at Cinnamon Grand Hotel today

2 mins

Sri Lanka take on defending champions India today

We have nothing to lose says Kandamby

2 mins

Planting Hope: Browns Roots Project Achieves ISO Recognition for Climate Action

ONCE a land where lush green forests covered more than half of Sri Lanka, today, only less than a third remains.

3 mins

Every Stay Shapes a Story - Make Yours Matter

Every stay tells a story. At Browns Hotels & Resorts, we make sure it's a story worth telling.

2 mins

Sailing Sri Lanka in Style: Inside Sail Lanka's New Wave of Ocean Adventures

There's something timeless about stepping aboard a yacht and feeling the breeze lift off the Indian Ocean.

3 mins

Aitken Spence Hotels Champions Sustainable Transformation on World Tourism Day

As the world celebrates World Tourism Day under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” Aitken Spence Hotels and its flagship Heritance brand reaffirm their commitment to shaping a future where travel uplifts communities, safeguards the environment, and creates experiences that endure long after a guest’s journey has ended.

2 mins

Fairway Colombo: Blending Smart Luxury with Innovation to Celebrate World Tourism Day 2025

Sri Lanka's first robotic hotel and its mission to revive Colombo Fort as a hub of tourism and culture

4 mins

Things to do while in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has so much to offer it’s travelers despite being an island.

4 mins

Why Sri Lanka remains a No. 1 choice among travelers

Known for its pristine beaches, lush green-eries, breathtaking waterfalls, wildlife and many other attractions Sri Lanka continues to remain a bucket list destination for many travelers from around the world.

3 mins

Empowering Global Connections to Shape a Sustainable & Inclusive Future

Celebrating World Tourism Day & The Impact of Responsible Travel

2 mins

Sri Lanka Garners Global Recognition for its Tourism & Hospitality Excellence

Sri Lanka is steadily reclaiming its place on the world tourism map, not just for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, but for its excellence in hospitality, innovation, and sustainable transformation.

2 mins

Cinnamon Life: Setting the Stage for a New Era of Business Events in Colombo

As Sri Lanka marks World Tourism Day 2025, all eyes are on Colombo's fast-evolving role as a premier destination for global business events.

1 mins

Small Wings, Big Impact: Jetwing's Story of Sustainable Transformation

FROM the onset of Jetwing Hotels in 1973, long before sustainability was a buzzword, our Founder, the late Mr: Herbert Cooray, was committed to ensuring that tourism would benefit local communities and the environment.

3 mins

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