Columnist

Leaky bucket: Why widening Sri Lanka’s tax base is only half the battle

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 07:04

Broader base, thinner yield: A compliance gap which requires a fix — what Sri Lanka’s VAT statistics reveal

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 06:39

AI may transform media planning, but media planner remains indispensable

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 06:34

Is modernisation without ETA adequate to avert Sri Lanka’s next forex calamity?

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 06:07

After 47 deficit years: Sri Lanka must move from managing FX to creating it

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 05:59

Fixing digital stethoscope’s blind spot

Monday, 24 August 2026 04:40

Sri Lanka must push back on Washington’s ‘Transhipment Scam Report’

Monday, 24 August 2026 04:33

Mangala: a man time has not taught us to forget

Monday, 24 August 2026 03:55

Justice 15 years after rape: A success story but can we celebrate?

Monday, 24 August 2026 03:47

Reforms: Do it now

Monday, 24 August 2026 03:24

Towards true maritime and energy hub, do we have a vision?

Monday, 24 August 2026 00:40

Sri Lanka’s journey towards Upper Middle Income Status

Saturday, 22 August 2026 02:59

A third way for Sri Lanka – lifting the rural economy

Saturday, 22 August 2026 02:34

Tribute to Sir Christopher Ondaatje – Diagonal journey across Sri Lanka

Saturday, 22 August 2026 02:14

Tradition, text, and lived realities: Anthropological engagement with Wimal Dissanayake’s cinema studies

Saturday, 22 August 2026 02:05

Are groundwater resources diminishing in Sri Lanka: Need for caution

Saturday, 22 August 2026 01:39

Uniformity without discrimination: Revisiting the health workers’ dress code

Friday, 21 August 2026 00:28

Sri Lanka’s reform Government is testing judicial independence

Friday, 21 August 2026 00:25

Stability was the first step; Sri Lanka now needs development

Friday, 21 August 2026 00:24

Institutional insights for Sri Lanka from Dubai International Financial Centre

Friday, 21 August 2026 00:22

EU-India FTA raises competitive stakes for Sri Lanka exports

Sri Lanka is facing a fresh export competitiveness challenge in the European Union (EU) as the recently concluded EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) ..

Roundtable with Women’s Parliamentary Caucus in Sri Lanka advances talks on financing care economy

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 07:20

In Sri Lanka, as in many countries, unpaid and under-supported care responsibilities continue to fall disproportionately on women, creating barriers t ..

Over 80% of Rs. 95 b MSME, agriculture credit package utilised

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 05:10

More than 80% of the nearly Rs. 95 billion allocated for concessionary credit to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and agriculture in 2026 h ..

Fintrex Finance more than doubles 1Q PAT to Rs. 210 m

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 05:07

Fintrex Finance PLC delivered a robust start to the 2026/27 financial year, more than doubling its profit after tax (PAT) to Rs. 209.93 million for th ..

Deals on CT Holdings, Cargills boost CSE turnover to over Rs.16. 8 b

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 05:05

The Colombo stock market yesterday opened the week in red, with deals in CT Holdings and Cargills boosting turnover to over Rs. 16.8 billion, a more ..

Easter Sunday attacks case verdict on 22 Sept.

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 04:57

The Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar will deliver its verdict on 22 September in the case against 25 accused over the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. ..

Govt. targets fresh $ 4.1 b investment into Port City over next five years

Monday, 24 August 2026 06:23

The Government is targeting a further $ 4.1 billion in investments into Port City Colombo over the next five years, on top of $ 2.1 billion in investm ..

Tourism Ministry dismisses Chabad tensions as ‘minor issues’

Monday, 24 August 2026 06:11

The Tourism Ministry has played down concerns surrounding Jewish Chabad Houses, noting the local Muslim community, in particular, has no objection to ..

Foreign holdings in rupee Treasuries highest since 2016

Monday, 24 August 2026 06:10

Foreign holdings in rupee-denominated Government securities crossed the Rs. 200 billion mark last week to reach their highest level in almost eight ye ..

Govt. confident of $ 9 b reserves by end-2026

Saturday, 22 August 2026 01:18

The Government is confident Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves will reach the targeted $ 9 billion by end-2026, supported by rising worker remittances and ..

Opposition questions Govt. on VAT threshold plans

Saturday, 22 August 2026 01:08

The Government has made no decision to revive its shelved plan to lower the Value Added Tax (VAT) registration threshold from Rs. 60 million to Rs. 36 ..

Tea output dips 1% in July; seven-month crop down 2.6%

Saturday, 22 August 2026 01:01

Tea production declined by 1.05% year-on-year (YoY) in July, while cumulative output during the first seven months of 2026 fell by 2.62%, according to ..

Petitions against 22nd Amendment rise to nine

Saturday, 22 August 2026 00:49

The number of petitions challenging the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution has risen to nine, with two more petitions filed against the Bill, ..

CSE down 1% during week, ends on the up

Saturday, 22 August 2026 00:48

The Colombo stock market yesterday closed on the up ending a week-long bearish run. During the week, the ASPI declined by 206.6 points or 1% and the S ..

IRD explains VAT refund delays, says 95% processed on time

Friday, 21 August 2026 00:28

The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has raised concerns over delays faced by small and medium exporters in obtaining Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds, ..

Sierra Cables approves $ 3.23 m investment to double export capacity

Friday, 21 August 2026 00:24

Sierra Cables PLC yesterday said its Board of Directors has approved a $ 3.23 million capital investment in new machinery and infrastructure aimed at ..

Ministerial ‘Musical Chairs’ fell by nearly 75% under AKD Presidency compared to his two predecessors

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 07:17

Government departments (including statutory institutions and public corporations) saw nearly five times fewer ministerial changes during the first yea ..

Govt. sets up independent appeal mechanism for procurement sanctions

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 05:09

The Government has established an independent appeal committee allowing businesses to challenge sanctions, debarment, and blacklisting decisions impos ..

Govt. signals tougher scrutiny of infrastructure investments

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 05:05

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday signalled a more rigorous approach to Sri Lanka’s infrastructure investments, saying projects must b ..

PUCSL resets renewable tariffs, targets 450 MW solar-plus-storage by March 2027

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 05:04

Sri Lanka is placing battery storage at the centre of its next phase of renewable energy expansion, with the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka ..

FIU tightens customer due diligence as banks face new compliance regime

Monday, 24 August 2026 06:25

Banks and finance companies will face a tighter customer due diligence (CDD) framework requiring continuous transaction monitoring and fresh reviews w ..

People’s Bank sustains strong growth momentum with Rs. 32.6 b record pre-tax profit in 1H 2026

Monday, 24 August 2026 06:13

People’s Bank continued its strong growth momentum during the six months ended 30 June 2026, delivering robust profitability supported by sustained ..

Tourism earnings fall 11.5% in first seven months to $ 1.79 b

Monday, 24 August 2026 06:10

Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings fell 11.5% year-on-year (YoY) to $ 1.79 billion in the first seven months of 2026, leaving the industry facing an incre ..

Sleeping data, living risks: Protecting what your organisation stores in the dark

Monday, 24 August 2026 05:18

The 2nd Data Privacy and Protection Summit 2026, organised by CICRA and the Daily FT, concluded recently at the Oak Room, Cinnamon Grand Colombo, draw ..

Tourism must shift focus from arrivals to earnings: THASL

Saturday, 22 August 2026 01:10

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry needs to shift its focus from visitor volumes to value, with industry leaders reiterating for greater emphasis on high- ..

Sri Lanka ships first ever container of pineapples to Pakistan

Saturday, 22 August 2026 01:03

Marking a historic milestone in Sri Lanka’s fresh fruit exports, the first-ever 20-foot container of fresh Sri Lankan pineapples (Ananas comosus) wa ..

GAEA International strengthens Sri Lankan operations with SGS Certifications

Saturday, 22 August 2026 00:58

GAEA International Ltd., the company behind the Kaern dairy brand in Sri Lanka, has achieved ISO 22000, HACCP and GMP certification by SGS for its Sri ..

National inflation hits over three-year high 7.2% in July

Saturday, 22 August 2026 00:49

National inflation accelerated to an over three-year high of 7.2% year-on-year (YoY) in July 2026 from 6.5% in June, as non-food prices remained eleva ..

Rs. 7.5 b Supplementary Estimate approved for 2026 Yala season

Saturday, 22 August 2026 00:47

Parliament yesterday approved a Rs.7.5 billion supplementary estimate to finance the Government’s purchase of paddy during the 2026 Yala season. ..

Seven petitions challenge 22A as BASL postpones MPs briefing

Friday, 21 August 2026 00:25

Seven petitions have now been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, as ..

Singer Finance to raise Rs. 3 b via Rights to bolster capital

Friday, 21 August 2026 00:23

Singer Finance (Lanka) PLC is to raise up to Rs. 3 billion through a rights issue to strengthen its capital adequacy ratios and support lending. The ..

Roundtable with Women’s Parliamentary Caucus in Sri Lanka advances talks on financing care economy

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 07:20

In Sri Lanka, as in many countries, unpaid and under-supported care responsibilities continue to fall disproportionately on women, creating barriers t ..

Ministerial ‘Musical Chairs’ fell by nearly 75% under AKD Presidency compared to his two predecessors

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 07:17

Government departments (including statutory institutions and public corporations) saw nearly five times fewer ministerial changes during the first yea ..

Over 80% of Rs. 95 b MSME, agriculture credit package utilised

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 05:10

More than 80% of the nearly Rs. 95 billion allocated for concessionary credit to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and agriculture in 2026 h ..

Govt. sets up independent appeal mechanism for procurement sanctions

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 05:09

The Government has established an independent appeal committee allowing businesses to challenge sanctions, debarment, and blacklisting decisions impos ..

Fintrex Finance more than doubles 1Q PAT to Rs. 210 m

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 05:07

Fintrex Finance PLC delivered a robust start to the 2026/27 financial year, more than doubling its profit after tax (PAT) to Rs. 209.93 million for th ..

Govt. signals tougher scrutiny of infrastructure investments

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 05:05

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday signalled a more rigorous approach to Sri Lanka’s infrastructure investments, saying projects must b ..

Deals on CT Holdings, Cargills boost CSE turnover to over Rs.16. 8 b

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 05:05

The Colombo stock market yesterday opened the week in red, with deals in CT Holdings and Cargills boosting turnover to over Rs. 16.8 billion, a more ..

PUCSL resets renewable tariffs, targets 450 MW solar-plus-storage by March 2027

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 05:04

Sri Lanka is placing battery storage at the centre of its next phase of renewable energy expansion, with the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka ..

Easter Sunday attacks case verdict on 22 Sept.

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 04:57

The Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar will deliver its verdict on 22 September in the case against 25 accused over the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. ..

FIU tightens customer due diligence as banks face new compliance regime

Monday, 24 August 2026 06:25

Banks and finance companies will face a tighter customer due diligence (CDD) framework requiring continuous transaction monitoring and fresh reviews w ..

Govt. targets fresh $ 4.1 b investment into Port City over next five years

Monday, 24 August 2026 06:23

The Government is targeting a further $ 4.1 billion in investments into Port City Colombo over the next five years, on top of $ 2.1 billion in investm ..

People’s Bank sustains strong growth momentum with Rs. 32.6 b record pre-tax profit in 1H 2026

Monday, 24 August 2026 06:13

People’s Bank continued its strong growth momentum during the six months ended 30 June 2026, delivering robust profitability supported by sustained ..

Tourism Ministry dismisses Chabad tensions as ‘minor issues’

Monday, 24 August 2026 06:11

The Tourism Ministry has played down concerns surrounding Jewish Chabad Houses, noting the local Muslim community, in particular, has no objection to ..

Tourism earnings fall 11.5% in first seven months to $ 1.79 b

Monday, 24 August 2026 06:10

Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings fell 11.5% year-on-year (YoY) to $ 1.79 billion in the first seven months of 2026, leaving the industry facing an incre ..

FT FUNTOON

Cartoon 22.08.2026

Saturday, 22 August 2026 00:43

Cartoon 20.08.2026

Thursday, 20 August 2026 00:00

Cartoon 08.08.2026

Saturday, 8 August 2026 01:00

Cartoon 03.08.2026

Monday, 3 August 2026 00:00

Cartoon 31.07.2026

Friday, 31 July 2026 00:00

FT TV

Sri Lanka secures USD 200 million ADB loan

Sunday, 23 August 2026 16:04

The Government of Sri Lanka has secured a USD 200 million policy-based loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the Trade, Investment and ..

Kandy Hospital gets Rs. 620M medical equipment

Sunday, 16 August 2026 15:58

Major drug trafficker arrested in Dubai brought to Sri Lanka

Saturday, 15 August 2026 19:17

BIA Terminal - 2 construction to begin before November

Saturday, 15 August 2026 12:30

President calls for stronger price regulation

Saturday, 15 August 2026 11:30

FUTURE OF STANDARD CHARTERED BANK IN SRI LANKA

Friday, 7 August 2026 11:25

FT Click

Celebration of 80th Independence Day of India in Sri Lanka

Wednesday, 19 August 2026 03:20

ITC Ratnadipa honours the spirit of India on its 80th Independence Day

Wednesday, 19 August 2026 03:16

FT Click Digital

Celebrity and entertainment spotlight at FT-Interbrand IWD gala

Tuesday, 11 April 2023 16:59

Daily FT-Interbrand International Women’s Day gala

Monday, 10 April 2023 15:57

IT / Telecom / Tech

Sleeping data, living risks: Protecting what your organisation stores in the dark

Monday, 24 August 2026 05:18

Kaspersky GReAT expert details risks when blind trust in AI moves faster than verification

Monday, 24 August 2026 05:05

AI: The double-edged sword breaking and fixing data security

Friday, 21 August 2026 00:02

FT Lite

KARANDA launches with first original production, UBU

Saturday, 22 August 2026 04:30

KARANDA, a new Sri Lankan creative company, will present its first production, UBU, in Colombo from 5 to 8 November 2026. ..

Soundarie David and Band MAYA to present ‘Andrum Indrum - Then and Now’ on 13 Sept.

Saturday, 22 August 2026 04:24

Eric Goh headlines ‘Jewels Beneath the Waves’

Saturday, 22 August 2026 04:16

Opinion and Issues

Roundtable with Women’s Parliamentary Caucus in Sri Lanka advances talks on financing care economy

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 07:20

In Sri Lanka, as in many countries, unpaid and under-supported care responsibilities continue to fall disproportionately on women, creating barriers t ..

Ministerial ‘Musical Chairs’ fell by nearly 75% under AKD Presidency compared to his two predecessors

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 07:17

Leaky bucket: Why widening Sri Lanka’s tax base is only half the battle

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 07:04

FT View - Editorial

Building a competitive agriculture sector

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 06:07

Self-sufficiency in rice is the highly romanticised historical and cultural ethos that has driven Sri Lanka’s agricultural policy for the past ninet ..

Turning goodwill into a durable Indo-Lanka partnership

Monday, 24 August 2026 03:50

Overhauling education system: A long overdue necessity

Saturday, 22 August 2026 01:29

Labour reform: Tread with care

Friday, 21 August 2026 00:00

Intoxicating mix: Executive Presidency and 2/3rds majority

Thursday, 20 August 2026 00:00

The other deficits

Wednesday, 19 August 2026 03:53

Special Report

Breaking barriers: Sri Lanka–India integration needs political will, institutional muscle

Tuesday, 18 August 2026 11:32

Sri Lanka’s next phase of economic integration with India will require more than another trade agreement: it will demand political champions, strong ..

Boards must move beyond compliance to strategic foresight to drive Sri Lanka’s next growth chapter

Thursday, 6 August 2026 04:47

Rewiring organisational culture for a changing workforce

Thursday, 25 June 2026 05:10

Business News

Second THRIVE PSC meets in Kilinochchi, ensuring gender equality central to district development

Gamma Interpharm enters Cambodia, expands Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical export footprint

President orders faster rollout of Rs.102 b provincial Ditwah projects

NCE to lead exporters’ delegation to India to unlock new opportunities

Govt. launches data platforms for fisheries, plantation sectors via IDAT Program

PAQS 2026: Connecting Sri Lanka’s quantity surveying profession to the region

LANKAPAK 2026 in October set to drive growth and innovation in packaging industry

FJ&G de Saram launches U.L. Kadurugamuwa Legacy Series

Foreign diplomats briefed on Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026

Ceylon Chamber strengthens business links with Qatar and Lebanon

Abans appoints Buddhika Dharmawardene as new CEO

Celeste appoints Dayan Pandithasekera as COO to lead next growth phase

Neil Marine strengthens boat building capacity with new Dikovita yard

Sri Lanka Expo 2027 promotional event in Melbourne highlights investment and trade opportunities

Chathuranga visits Custom Denning facilities in Sydney

Abans joins Dialog Pay merchant ecosystem

Port City Colombo welcomes high-level Omani delegation, deepening investment ties between Oman and Sri Lanka

EO Sri Lanka begins new chapter under President Abeetha Perera

EDB and Global Electronics Association India jointly hold first-ever workshop in capacity building

Tony Ganlath elected President of Sri Lanka-Malaysia Business Council

WSO2 names new CEO to lead next growth phase

Call for stronger fire resilience in built environment

Columnist

Leaky bucket: Why widening Sri Lanka’s tax base is only half the battle

Broader base, thinner yield: A compliance gap which requires a fix — what Sri Lanka’s VAT statistics reveal

AI may transform media planning, but media planner remains indispensable

Is modernisation without ETA adequate to avert Sri Lanka’s next forex calamity?

After 47 deficit years: Sri Lanka must move from managing FX to creating it

Fixing digital stethoscope’s blind spot

Sri Lanka must push back on Washington’s ‘Transhipment Scam Report’

Mangala: a man time has not taught us to forget

Justice 15 years after rape: A success story but can we celebrate?

Reforms: Do it now

Towards true maritime and energy hub, do we have a vision?

Sri Lanka’s journey towards Upper Middle Income Status

A third way for Sri Lanka – lifting the rural economy

Tribute to Sir Christopher Ondaatje – Diagonal journey across Sri Lanka

Tradition, text, and lived realities: Anthropological engagement with Wimal Dissanayake’s cinema studies

Are groundwater resources diminishing in Sri Lanka: Need for caution

Uniformity without discrimination: Revisiting the health workers’ dress code

Sri Lanka’s reform Government is testing judicial independence

Stability was the first step; Sri Lanka now needs development

Institutional insights for Sri Lanka from Dubai International Financial Centre

Trending

Mangala: a man time has not taught us to forget

Fixing digital stethoscope’s blind spot

New AML law widens liability risks for bank staff: Justice Nawaz

FIU tightens customer due diligence as banks face new compliance regime

Gamma Interpharm enters Cambodia, expands Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical export footprint

Sri Lanka must push back on Washington’s ‘Transhipment Scam Report’

Sierra Cables approves $ 3.23 m investment to double export capacity

Port City Colombo welcomes high-level Omani delegation, deepening investment ties between Oman and Sri Lanka

Tourism Ministry dismisses Chabad tensions as ‘minor issues’

IRD facing roadblocks in digital POS rollout

Business News

Second THRIVE PSC meets in Kilinochchi, ensuring gender equality central to district development

Gamma Interpharm enters Cambodia, expands Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical export footprint

President orders faster rollout of Rs.102 b provincial Ditwah projects

NCE to lead exporters’ delegation to India to unlock new opportunities

Govt. launches data platforms for fisheries, plantation sectors via IDAT Program

PAQS 2026: Connecting Sri Lanka’s quantity surveying profession to the region

LANKAPAK 2026 in October set to drive growth and innovation in packaging industry

FJ&G de Saram launches U.L. Kadurugamuwa Legacy Series

Foreign diplomats briefed on Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026

Ceylon Chamber strengthens business links with Qatar and Lebanon

Abans appoints Buddhika Dharmawardene as new CEO

Celeste appoints Dayan Pandithasekera as COO to lead next growth phase

Neil Marine strengthens boat building capacity with new Dikovita yard

Sri Lanka Expo 2027 promotional event in Melbourne highlights investment and trade opportunities

Chathuranga visits Custom Denning facilities in Sydney

Abans joins Dialog Pay merchant ecosystem

Port City Colombo welcomes high-level Omani delegation, deepening investment ties between Oman and Sri Lanka

EO Sri Lanka begins new chapter under President Abeetha Perera

EDB and Global Electronics Association India jointly hold first-ever workshop in capacity building

Tony Ganlath elected President of Sri Lanka-Malaysia Business Council

WSO2 names new CEO to lead next growth phase

Call for stronger fire resilience in built environment

FT NEWS

Roundtable with Women’s Parliamentary Caucus in Sri Lanka advances talks on financing care economy