Columnist

Extra exposure to external shock; Existential war in the Middle-East

Thursday, 19 March 2026 04:00

Wars, rumours of wars, and a game of oil and fire

Thursday, 19 March 2026 03:55

Naval hostilities off Sri Lanka and the need to preserve Indian Ocean as a zone of peace

Thursday, 19 March 2026 03:51

UN failure to broker a de-escalation is a tragedy for the world

Thursday, 19 March 2026 03:13

Does new IR Bill violate Constitution over IFRS 17?

Thursday, 19 March 2026 03:04

Importance of a benchmarking database for effective implementation of transfer pricing regulations

Thursday, 19 March 2026 02:58

National Fuel Pass and fiction of Sri Lanka’s digitalisation

Thursday, 19 March 2026 02:53

Lessons from the past, what lesson may I ask? Sri Lanka’s greatest disaster

Thursday, 19 March 2026 02:45

Summa simmers Thora in sour soup

Thursday, 19 March 2026 02:21

Thurstanites expose Super-Lion’s Kryptonite

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:40

The Reckoning: Blackmail, broken alliances and end of Petro-Dollar era

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:30

US-UK-France: Move out of Indian Ocean; time to close military bases, decolonise and stop war

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:28

Opening the lid on the genie: Telltale evidence and terrorism laws

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:26

Crowd, memory and the 280 dead

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:25

Converting Middle East crisis into Sri Lanka’s opportunity

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:22

Sri Lanka apparel must grow differently to reach $ 8 b exports

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:21

Securing Sri Lanka’s kitchens: The missing contingency in LPG tenders

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:20

Privilege, compliance and fiscal trust: Rethinking taxpayer engagement

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 03:00

From revenue to repression: Tax administration and justice

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 02:53

Are we failing our youth? The reality behind Sri Lankan’s job crisis

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 02:40

No severe sovereign rating downside risk for SL: Fitch

Fitch Ratings yesterday said it does not expect Sri Lanka’s sovereign rating to face severe downside pressure from the ongoing global energy shock l ..

Mideast crisis slows tourism’s March momentum, YTD figure nears 650,000 mark

Thursday, 19 March 2026 05:21

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has begun to feel the strain of the escalating Middle East conflict, with visitor arrivals during the first 15 days of Ma ..

Lankadeepa wins SLIM Kantar People’s Newspaper of the Year Award for 20th time

Thursday, 19 March 2026 05:17

Globally celebrated stand-up comedian Russell Peters live in Colombo on 31 March

Thursday, 19 March 2026 05:04

Globally celebrated and one of the most successful stand-up comedians in the world Russell Peters will perform live on 31 March 2026 at 6.00 p.m. at t ..

President calls for collective action to keep country functioning

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:40

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday underscored that ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of the country remains the Government’s primary ..

Cabinet approves emergency coal tender, flexible energy procurement

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:27

By Charumini de Silva In a decisive move to safeguard national energy security, the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved an emergency coal procur ..

CBSL urges Govt. to stay on fiscal consolidation path

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:25

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) yesterday urged the Government to continue its fiscal consolidation agenda, warning that rising global risks coul ..

QR Fuel Pass glitches largely resolved, over 5 m users on system: Deputy Minister

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:24

Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne yesterday told Parliament that most glitches in the QR code-based National Fuel Pass system hav ..

Banks branches open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:22

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the banking sector will stay open on Wednesdays with bank branches open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ..

CWIT reaches 1m TEUs in first year

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:20

Colombo West International Terminal Ltd. (CWIT) yesterday said that it had successfully handled one million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) within ..

Ceylon Chamber urges non-essential forex curbs, urgent action as ME war bites into economy

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 06:16

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce yesterday said that it has made several recommendations to the Government to urgently address the economic risks from t ..

Top Trump adviser says Iran war price tag at $ 12 b so far

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 06:13

The United States has spent $ 12 billion on its war against Iran since launching joint strikes on the country with Israel on 28 February, Trump’s t ..

Glitches persist in QR Fuel Pass System as motorists report registration problems

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 03:10

Motorists have reported continued difficulties with the National Fuel Pass system after the Government reintroduced fuel distribution through QR code ..

CoPF approves Gazette amending Port City development regulations

Monday, 16 March 2026 05:35

The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has approved a notification published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2469/02 under the Colombo Port City Economic ..

JK Properties unveils Vauxhall DSTRCT; over 100 apartments sold by launch

Monday, 16 March 2026 05:32

John Keells Properties (JKP) last week unveiled its latest residential development Vauxhall DSTRCT, introducing a striking 60-storey residential tower ..

Power generation in SL tilts towards oil as global energy volatility rises

Monday, 16 March 2026 05:28

Sri Lanka’s electricity generation mix showed a modest shift towards oil-based power in the week ending 12 March compared with the final week of Feb ..

SLTPB targets Indian MICE, weddings market

Thursday, 19 March 2026 05:21

Sri Lanka Tourism has launched an aggressive push into India’s high-value travel segments, rolling out immediate roadshows in Chennai, Kolkata and A ..

EDB fast-tracks fuel allocation to safeguard export sector

Thursday, 19 March 2026 05:13

Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe yesterday underscored a priority program aimed at ensuring exporters receive essential fuel ..

Odd-even fuel rationing kicks in as panic buying persists

Thursday, 19 March 2026 05:03

Authorities tightened vehicle fuel distribution with an odd-even rationing system as panic buying persists, even as Litro Gas Lanka sought to ease con ..

Economy maintains momentum with 5% GDP growth in 2025

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:28

The economy achieved a 5% annual growth rate for the second consecutive year in 2025 since contracting by 2.3% in 2023, according to the Department of ..

Cabinet clears plans to secure $ 620 m ADB financing

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:26

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved plans to secure $ 620 million in financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under five key sub-progra ..

Cabinet awards Rs. 2.27 b contract to Hayleys Fentons, India’s JSL for 220kV transmission line

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:25

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the award of over Rs. 2.2 billion (Rs. 2,269.18 million) contract (excluding VAT), for the construction of ..

US National Counterterrorism Centre director resigns over war on Iran

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:23

The head of the United States’ National Counterterrorism Centre, Joe Kent, has resigned ‌over the US-Israel war on Iran. “I cannot in good cons ..

Sajith says NPP Govt. has no ‘Scenario Planning’ ’to manage crisis

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:21

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday told Parliament that the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake-led NPP Government has no “scenario plannin ..

Global Biz Connect 2026 highlights private sector confidence

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 07:14

Global Biz Connect 2026, cross-industry networking platform, recently brought together business executives, entrepreneurs, and diaspora representative ..

Govt. declares Wednesdays holiday for public sector

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 06:15

In an extraordinary move aimed at easing pressure on limited fuel supplies, the Government yesterday announced that Wednesdays will be declared a week ..

Ex-CPC Chairman urges fuel tax reduction to stabilise prices

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 06:11

Former Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Chairman Mohamed Uvais has urged the Government to consider reducing fuel taxes to help stabilise prices as global ..

Asia-Pacific markets mixed as oil surges

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 03:09

Asia-Pacific equity markets yesterday traded mixed as investors weighed rising oil prices and escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. ..

BOC makes history as only Sri Lankan bank in World’s Top 500 Banking Brands 2026

Monday, 16 March 2026 05:33

In a historic achievement that places Sri Lanka on the global banking map, Bank of Ceylon (BOC) has been recognised as the only Sri Lankan bank ranked ..

Fuel QR system back amid supply strain

Monday, 16 March 2026 05:30

In a better-later-than-never move, the Government yesterday reintroduced the fuel QR code system to manage limited fuel stocks and prevent panic buyin ..

Record tourist arrivals fail to lift revenue in February

Monday, 16 March 2026 05:26

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector recorded its highest-ever February arrivals this year, but foreign exchange earnings from the industry declined, undersco ..

Mideast crisis slows tourism’s March momentum, YTD figure nears 650,000 mark

Thursday, 19 March 2026 05:21

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has begun to feel the strain of the escalating Middle East conflict, with visitor arrivals during the first 15 days of Ma ..

SLTPB targets Indian MICE, weddings market

Thursday, 19 March 2026 05:21

Sri Lanka Tourism has launched an aggressive push into India’s high-value travel segments, rolling out immediate roadshows in Chennai, Kolkata and A ..

Lankadeepa wins SLIM Kantar People’s Newspaper of the Year Award for 20th time

Thursday, 19 March 2026 05:17

EDB fast-tracks fuel allocation to safeguard export sector

Thursday, 19 March 2026 05:13

Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe yesterday underscored a priority program aimed at ensuring exporters receive essential fuel ..

Globally celebrated stand-up comedian Russell Peters live in Colombo on 31 March

Thursday, 19 March 2026 05:04

Globally celebrated and one of the most successful stand-up comedians in the world Russell Peters will perform live on 31 March 2026 at 6.00 p.m. at t ..

Odd-even fuel rationing kicks in as panic buying persists

Thursday, 19 March 2026 05:03

Authorities tightened vehicle fuel distribution with an odd-even rationing system as panic buying persists, even as Litro Gas Lanka sought to ease con ..

President calls for collective action to keep country functioning

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:40

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday underscored that ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of the country remains the Government’s primary ..

Economy maintains momentum with 5% GDP growth in 2025

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:28

The economy achieved a 5% annual growth rate for the second consecutive year in 2025 since contracting by 2.3% in 2023, according to the Department of ..

Cabinet approves emergency coal tender, flexible energy procurement

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:27

By Charumini de Silva In a decisive move to safeguard national energy security, the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved an emergency coal procur ..

Cabinet clears plans to secure $ 620 m ADB financing

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:26

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved plans to secure $ 620 million in financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under five key sub-progra ..

CBSL urges Govt. to stay on fiscal consolidation path

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:25

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) yesterday urged the Government to continue its fiscal consolidation agenda, warning that rising global risks coul ..

Cabinet awards Rs. 2.27 b contract to Hayleys Fentons, India’s JSL for 220kV transmission line

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:25

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the award of over Rs. 2.2 billion (Rs. 2,269.18 million) contract (excluding VAT), for the construction of ..

QR Fuel Pass glitches largely resolved, over 5 m users on system: Deputy Minister

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:24

Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne yesterday told Parliament that most glitches in the QR code-based National Fuel Pass system hav ..

US National Counterterrorism Centre director resigns over war on Iran

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:23

The head of the United States’ National Counterterrorism Centre, Joe Kent, has resigned ‌over the US-Israel war on Iran. “I cannot in good cons ..

FT FUNTOON

Cartoon 18.03.2026

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:00

Cartoon 16.03.2026

Monday, 16 March 2026 02:54

Cartoon 13.03.2026

Saturday, 14 March 2026 00:00

Cartoon 12.03.2026

Thursday, 12 March 2026 05:03

Cartoon 07.03.2026

Saturday, 7 March 2026 00:16

FT TV

Govt. reviews essential services amid middle east war concerns

Monday, 16 March 2026 12:24

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, ministry secretaries and several heads of institutions was held yesterday (15) at the Preside ..

Priority bus service for persons with disabilities to launch next month

Monday, 16 March 2026 00:45

Police to assist QR-based distribution at fuel stations

Monday, 16 March 2026 00:02

IDB launches Industry Revival Facilitation Programme (IRFP)

Friday, 13 March 2026 12:04

Cabinet approves Rs.131 million tourism development plan for Jaffna

Wednesday, 11 March 2026 12:55

Fuel use should be limited amid Middle East crisis : CPC Chairman

Wednesday, 11 March 2026 11:43

FT Click

‘Salam Ramadan 2026’ lights up Green Path with culture, cuisine and community spirit

Saturday, 28 February 2026 00:24

Celebrating Sri Lanka’s creative voice

Saturday, 14 February 2026 00:00

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

Canada’s Predictiv AI sets up Asia Regional Office to support expansion across Asia, Africa, and Middle East

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:08

Hutch Pinnacle Awards spotlights on the people powering company’s rapid growth

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:04

Dialog Awards 2025 celebrates excellence and innovation in partnership with MTI

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:02

FT Lite

Geoffrey Bawa Trust to support restoration of Colombo’s iconic temple

Saturday, 14 March 2026 00:10

The Geoffrey Bawa Trust is to support the restoration of the Seema Malaka of the Gangarama Temple. Built between 1976 -1978, the current Seema Malaka ..

The Shoppes at City of Dreams launches first-ever seasonal market with Eid Festive Souq

Saturday, 14 March 2026 00:08

‘Kolamba Kamatha Festival’ returns

Saturday, 14 March 2026 00:06

Opinion and Issues

Extra exposure to external shock; Existential war in the Middle-East

Thursday, 19 March 2026 04:00

While the external shock of the US-Israel war on Iran (and Iran’s asymmetric regional retaliation), surely cannot be blamed on the AKD administratio ..

Wars, rumours of wars, and a game of oil and fire

Thursday, 19 March 2026 03:55

Naval hostilities off Sri Lanka and the need to preserve Indian Ocean as a zone of peace

Thursday, 19 March 2026 03:51

FT View - Editorial

Tough days ahead for Govt. and the public

Thursday, 19 March 2026 03:11

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday assured the public that the Government has taken several steps to prevent an energy crisis and that the ..

Coal fiasco undermines Government’s credibility

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:00

Accountability for Airbus deal

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 02:59

Importance of a credible Leader of the Opposition

Monday, 16 March 2026 02:47

Govt. must be upfront with public

Saturday, 14 March 2026 00:00

Sanath the coach and Sri Lanka Cricket

Friday, 13 March 2026 00:00

Special Report

Global Biz Connect 2026 highlights private sector confidence

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 07:14

Global Biz Connect 2026, cross-industry networking platform, recently brought together business executives, entrepreneurs, and diaspora representative ..

LIIN hosts Sri Lanka’s first-ever Impact Investing Summit 2026 with multilateral partners

Wednesday, 18 February 2026 00:00

IMF Chief backs Sri Lanka recovery; says open to flexible program post-Ditwah

Monday, 16 February 2026 02:44

Business News

South Asian icons from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan feature in 21st century’s global merit poll

Cabinet clears move to amend duty-free rules at Colombo Port City

Hayleys debenture issue oversubscribed

PUCSL to decide on electricity tariff hike within March after consultations conclude

Forbes Marshall Lanka wins Gold Flame at Sri Lanka National Energy Efficiency Awards 2025

“Sustainability Reporting for Corporates” seminar on 26 March

EDB, Verité Research empower women-led exporters in Kandy with trade data training

SLAMERP celebrates 40 years of strengthening rubber products export industry

Manufacturing, services PMI picks up in Feb.

Consumer sentiment starts showing fluctuations

Dialog introduces Oscal Tiger 8 5G

Entrepreneurs’ Organisation leaders convene in Colombo for 2026 Presidents’ Meeting

PIMARC 2026 concludes on high note: Bridges research, leadership and real-world impact

BASL’s National Labour Law Symposium to convene legal, regulatory and industry leaders

CA Sri Lanka forum explores country’s resilience to economic shockwaves from Middle East crisis

Roar Global transitions its creative division to Obsidian

Melstacorp parent ups stake to 42.97% with Rs. 165 m worth share purchase

SLFPA unveils 23rd edition of Profood Propack & Agbiz Knowledge Hub

Janashakthi Finance wins Bronze Effie Award for ‘uplifting Sri Lankan three-wheel community’ campaign

Alumex PLC powers innovation as official material sponsor of ‘Unleashed 2026’

Ceylon Chamber secures Gold at both TAGS and CMA Annual Report Awards

SLT-MOBITEL unveils redesigned fibre broadband packages powering homes and businesses

Columnist

Extra exposure to external shock; Existential war in the Middle-East

Wars, rumours of wars, and a game of oil and fire

Naval hostilities off Sri Lanka and the need to preserve Indian Ocean as a zone of peace

UN failure to broker a de-escalation is a tragedy for the world

Does new IR Bill violate Constitution over IFRS 17?

Importance of a benchmarking database for effective implementation of transfer pricing regulations

National Fuel Pass and fiction of Sri Lanka’s digitalisation

Lessons from the past, what lesson may I ask? Sri Lanka’s greatest disaster

Summa simmers Thora in sour soup

Thurstanites expose Super-Lion’s Kryptonite

The Reckoning: Blackmail, broken alliances and end of Petro-Dollar era

US-UK-France: Move out of Indian Ocean; time to close military bases, decolonise and stop war

Opening the lid on the genie: Telltale evidence and terrorism laws

Crowd, memory and the 280 dead

Converting Middle East crisis into Sri Lanka’s opportunity

Sri Lanka apparel must grow differently to reach $ 8 b exports

Securing Sri Lanka’s kitchens: The missing contingency in LPG tenders

Privilege, compliance and fiscal trust: Rethinking taxpayer engagement

From revenue to repression: Tax administration and justice

Are we failing our youth? The reality behind Sri Lankan’s job crisis

Trending

Sri Lanka’s FDI woes: A one-stop shop is the most urgent priority

JK Properties unveils Vauxhall DSTRCT; over 100 apartments sold by launch

Rethinking the proposed amendment to Thin Capitalisation rule and the fate of SMEs

CoPF approves Gazette amending Port City development regulations

Mideast war hits tourism with ‘noticeable’ cancellations: SLAITO

BASL’s National Labour Law Symposium to convene legal, regulatory and industry leaders

Roar Global transitions its creative division to Obsidian

Oil and dollars in hand, but no ships: Energy Minister

Privilege, compliance and fiscal trust: Rethinking taxpayer engagement

Power generation in SL tilts towards oil as global energy volatility rises

Business News

South Asian icons from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan feature in 21st century’s global merit poll

Cabinet clears move to amend duty-free rules at Colombo Port City

Hayleys debenture issue oversubscribed

PUCSL to decide on electricity tariff hike within March after consultations conclude

Forbes Marshall Lanka wins Gold Flame at Sri Lanka National Energy Efficiency Awards 2025

“Sustainability Reporting for Corporates” seminar on 26 March

EDB, Verité Research empower women-led exporters in Kandy with trade data training

SLAMERP celebrates 40 years of strengthening rubber products export industry

Manufacturing, services PMI picks up in Feb.

Consumer sentiment starts showing fluctuations

Dialog introduces Oscal Tiger 8 5G

Entrepreneurs’ Organisation leaders convene in Colombo for 2026 Presidents’ Meeting

PIMARC 2026 concludes on high note: Bridges research, leadership and real-world impact

BASL’s National Labour Law Symposium to convene legal, regulatory and industry leaders

CA Sri Lanka forum explores country’s resilience to economic shockwaves from Middle East crisis

Roar Global transitions its creative division to Obsidian

Melstacorp parent ups stake to 42.97% with Rs. 165 m worth share purchase

SLFPA unveils 23rd edition of Profood Propack & Agbiz Knowledge Hub

Janashakthi Finance wins Bronze Effie Award for ‘uplifting Sri Lankan three-wheel community’ campaign

Alumex PLC powers innovation as official material sponsor of ‘Unleashed 2026’

Ceylon Chamber secures Gold at both TAGS and CMA Annual Report Awards

SLT-MOBITEL unveils redesigned fibre broadband packages powering homes and businesses

FT NEWS

Govt. issues fresh circular to manage public service operations amid fuel crisis