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Daily FT

Daily FT

SLC cancels LPL 2025 to prepare venues for T20 World Cup

SRI Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday said that the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2025 will not be held this year as originally planned.

1 min  |

October 23, 2025

Daily FT

Survivors seek $ 15 m in reparations for 1989 Valvettithurai massacre

SURVIVORS and families of victims of the 1989 Valvettithurai massacre have submitted a detailed reparations claim to the Office for Reparations, seeking $ 15 million (about Rs. 4.5 billion) in compensation for mass killings and destruction carried out by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) 36 years ago.

1 min  |

October 23, 2025

Daily FT

Rs. 630 m allocated to locally manufacture assistive devices for differently-abled

CABINET Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a Rs. 630.2 million project to locally manufacture assistive devices for differently-abled persons.

1 min  |

October 23, 2025

Daily FT

Rs. 761 m approved for textbook printing by State Printing Corporation

CABINET Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the printing of 6.04 million textbooks and modules by the State Printing Corporation at a cost of Rs. 761.29 million, excluding VAT.

1 min  |

October 23, 2025
Daily FT

Daily FT

Benchmarking National Budget 2026 and making theatrics of cheerleaders superfluous

SRI Lanka’s National Budget will be unveiled on 7 November 2025, and I hope it will be significantly different from the predictable rhetoric and theatrics we have heard and witnessed in the past.

8 min  |

October 23, 2025

Daily FT

Kusal Jayawardana appointed Chairman of Lanka Ventures and LVL Energy Fund

BRINGING over 27 years of experience in investment banking, capital markets, corporate advisory, and financial services, Kusal Jayawardana has been appointed as the Chairman of Lanka Ventures PLC and LVL Energy Fund PLC.

1 min  |

October 23, 2025

Daily FT

Tea export earnings continue to rise

SRI Lanka Customs data analysed by Siyaka Research confirms that the country earned $ 1.16 billion from tea exports for the period January to September 2025. Almost 10% more than last year’s figure of $ 1.06 billion for the comparable period.

1 min  |

October 22, 2025
Daily FT

Daily FT

"Around the World in Magnets – Sri Lanka": Journey that captures island’s soul, one magnet at a time

TRAVEL meets art in a celebration of stories, culture, and craftsmanship with the launch of “Around the World in Magnets - Sri Lanka,” a groundbreaking travelogue by Dr. Anthony Vipin Das and Vidushi Duggal, published by Sarasavi Publishers.

2 min  |

October 22, 2025

Daily FT

JF Packaging eyes debt-free growth, stronger investor returns post-listing

JF Packaging Ltd. is preparing to enter a new growth phase following its Rs. 600 million Initial Public Offering, with the company aiming to reduce debt, boost profitability, and accelerate investment in innovation and exports.

2 min  |

October 22, 2025
Daily FT

Daily FT

HIP strengthens role as regional hub with 151% volume growth

CARGO volumes at Hambantota International Port (HIP) have surged by 151% year-on-year, with throughput reaching 6,028,493 metric tons by September 2025 compared to 2,397,971 metric tons in the same period last year. This was achieved despite operational challenges triggered by lifting the ban on local vehicle imports.

1 min  |

October 22, 2025

Daily FT

Sri Lankan Kabaddi and Beach Volleyball teams eye medals in Bahrain

SRI Lanka contingent competing at the Asian Youth Games 2025 in Bahrain had plenty to cheer about as both the Men’s Kabaddi and Beach Volleyball teams recorded impressive victories to move closer to medal contention These results have given the Sri Lankan camp renewed confidence as the Games enter their decisive stages.

1 min  |

October 22, 2025

Daily FT

Credit card balances up 3.9% YTD Aug. to Rs. 164 b

LATEST data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) shows that total outstanding balance on credit cards rose to Rs. 164.2 billion in August, up 3.9% from end-2024 and a 1.8% gain from the previous month.

1 min  |

October 22, 2025
Daily FT

Daily FT

Fixing the tax code: Fairness in, distortions out

KAUTILYA, the chief advisor to Chandragupta Maurya in the 3rd century BC, wrote in his treatise The Arthashastra that taxes should be collected \"just as a bee collects honey from a flower without disturbing its petals.\"

10 min  |

October 22, 2025

Daily FT

CBSL, Gem Authority direct dealers to appoint compliance officers

THE Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) have called on gem dealers to appoint compliance officers to help curb money laundering in the sector.

1 min  |

October 22, 2025

Daily FT

Casino levy raised to 18%, local entry fee doubled to $ 100

PRIME Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday tabled in Parliament the gazette giving effect to an increase in the levy on casino operators from 10% to 18%, effective from 1 October 2025.

1 min  |

October 22, 2025

Daily FT

Sri Lanka calls for urgent global reforms at UN trade summit

TRADE Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe called for urgent reforms to address widening inequalities in the global economy, speaking at the opening of the 16th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva on Monday.

1 min  |

October 22, 2025

Daily FT

ICTA says online Govt. services now fully operational

THE Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) yesterday said the technical issues which caused the recent disruption to the Lanka Government Cloud (LGC) services have been fully resolved. All affected online Government services are now fully operational and accessible to the public.

1 min  |

October 22, 2025
Daily FT

Daily FT

SriLankan Airlines' earnings fall 134% YoY to Rs. 2.7 b loss

Annual report shows shareholder funds at a negative Rs. 379.5 b for FY 2024/25 Loss after Rs. 7.9 b profit previous year from unscheduled Rs. 2.2 b engine repair costs, Rs. 31.6 b net finance charges Passenger revenue down 15% YoY to Rs. 234.5 b Unpaid International Bonds with interest $ 211.57 m

3 min  |

October 22, 2025
Daily FT

Daily FT

Rayynor Silva enters Seylan Bank as Dhammika Perera exits selling 5% for Rs. 1.5 b

Diversifies banking sector portfolio which includes 10% of Sampath, DFCC and 1% of Commercial Bank

1 min  |

October 22, 2025
Daily FT

Daily FT

Dhammika Kalapuge launches new public program “Sinhalaen Customer Service”

SERVICE excellence trainer Dhammika Kalapuge presented his first-ever Sinhala public program on Customer Experience, titled 'Sinhalen Customer Service,' on 12 October 2025, at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel.

2 min  |

October 22, 2025
Daily FT

Daily FT

University of West London opens first UK branch campus in Colombo with ANC Education

ANC will upgrade and redevelop its existing building into a dedicated UWL branch campus by 2026 Campus will offer 15 undergraduate and 12 structured postgraduate programs by 2026 New degrees cover high-demand areas with industry aligned programs Founding goal partnership began in 2012 to deliver identical UK programs and produce job-ready graduates Students gain direct enrolment with University of West London for qualifications and global networks Degree costs will be significantly lower than pursuing the same programs in UK

3 min  |

October 22, 2025

Daily FT

Suwa Seriya name change —Nissanka Malla 2.0

THE Government has clandestinely changed the name of Sri Lanka’s highly acclaimed pre-hospital, emergency ambulance service from Suwa Seriya to Sri Lanka Emergency Medical Service.

2 min  |

October 22, 2025
Daily FT

Daily FT

Lanka Rating Agency assigns 'A+ (f)' stability rating to Astrue Money Market Fund

LANKA Rating Agency Ltd. (LRA) has assigned an initial fund stability rating of ‘A+ (f)’ with a Stable Outlook to the Astrue Money Market Fund, managed by Asset Trust Management Ltd.

2 min  |

October 22, 2025

Daily FT

Spa Ceylon and Shangri-La Colombo collaborate to launch SleepCation

RESPONDING to a timely and augmenting demand globally as well as locally and fulfilling a niche in terms of wellness tourism in Sri Lanka, Spa Ceylon Ayurveda Wellness in partnership with Shangri-La Colombo, has introduced the groundbreaking concept of SleepCation, a vacation that prioritises deep, restorative and luxurious sleep for the first time in Sri Lanka.

2 min  |

October 22, 2025
Daily FT

Daily FT

When brands take a stand: High-stakes game of activism marketing

AS marketers, we were all recently exposed to a communication campaign by a popular tea brand in Sri Lanka that sparked significant discussion on social media, with certain audiences and factions deeming it controversial.

3 min  |

October 22, 2025
Daily FT

Daily FT

President reassigns key institutions under ministries

PRESIDENT Anura Kumara Disanayake has issued a special gazette, dated 18 October 2025, redefining the functions and institutions coming under several ministries following the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

2 min  |

October 22, 2025

Daily FT

Imperial Institute of Leadership and Strategy to shape Sri Lanka's future-ready leaders

MARKING a bold new chapter in Sri Lanka’s educational and leadership landscape, the Imperial Group officially launched the Imperial Institute of Leadership and Strategy (IILS), a pioneering institution dedicated to advancing leadership excellence, strategic capability, and transformational impact in Sri Lanka.

2 min  |

October 22, 2025

Daily FT

Sudheera Epitakumbura joins Maskeliya Plantations Board

MASKELIYA Plantations PLC has appointed Sudheera Epitakumbura to its Board as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director.

1 min  |

October 22, 2025
Daily FT

Daily FT

Bond yields remain steady ahead of weekly-bills auction

THE secondary Bond market commenced the week on a steady note yesterday as yields remained steady. Limited trades were seen on the maturities of 15.01.27, 15.09.27 and 01.10.32 at levels of 8.39%, 8.83% and 10.55% respectively.

1 min  |

October 22, 2025

Daily FT

Harin appointed UNP Deputy Secretary General of Political Mobilisation

THE United National Party (UNP) has announced the creation of a new senior position within the party structure, appointing former Minister Harin Fernando as Deputy Secretary General of Political Mobilisation.

1 min  |

October 22, 2025