Columnist

New opportunities and a new chapter in UK–Sri Lanka trade

Thursday, 26 February 2026 04:14

Importance of AI governance: A critical imperative for Sri Lanka

Thursday, 26 February 2026 04:00

The comfort of lies: Why we keep voting for miracles

Thursday, 26 February 2026 01:57

SJB must be more of a guardrail than a roadblock

Thursday, 26 February 2026 00:01

Nearly two years of missed inflation targets: why that matters

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:22

Understanding proposed Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency Law

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:20

Is racism dead, dying or alive and kicking?

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 02:16

Why data centres?

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 01:10

Agriculture is not Sri Lanka’s past, it is its strategic future

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 01:04

Leadership under siege: The meeting culture crisis

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 00:57

Repeal of Parliamentarians’ Pension: An opportunity to move forward

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 00:29

Pensions: A crucial social responsibility

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 00:15

Onset of AI revolution: Sri Lanka must join Indian bandwagon

Monday, 23 February 2026 00:47

AI Impact Summit 2026: Shaping a human-centric future for AI

Monday, 23 February 2026 00:00

Book Review ‘Made in Nepal: Lessons in Business Building from the Land of Everest’

Saturday, 21 February 2026 00:10

Why does the State threaten people with yet another anti-terror law?

Saturday, 21 February 2026 00:04

An agonising cultural gap

Saturday, 21 February 2026 00:01

Rahman’s post-election Bangladesh and Hasina’s Awami League

Saturday, 21 February 2026 00:00

Education reforms: Introduction to religions

Saturday, 21 February 2026 00:00

Environmental Impact Quotient of pesticides: Catalyst for sustainable agricultural futures

Friday, 20 February 2026 00:24

Amended tax code proposes higher rates, wider net and tighter compliance regime

Fresh changes to the tax code will see higher tax rates on capital gains, a significant expansion of the Withholding Tax (WHT) base, tighter complianc ..

US says Sri Lanka must establish two-way FDI and trade

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:48

The US signalled that deeper economic engagement with Sri Lanka will depend on sustained reforms and reciprocal trade and investment flows, with US Em ..

NDB reports all-time high earnings; doubles PAT on a normalised basis

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:34

The National Development Bank PLC yesterday announced a strong growth across all business lines with Net Banking Revenue increasing by a 45.2% on a co ..

Sri Lanka to issue first digital national ID by late 2026: Deputy Minister

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:20

Sri Lanka plans to issue its first digital national identity card by the third or fourth quarter of 2026, with the procurement process now in its fina ..

Digital Economy and Cyber Security Acts this year

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:10

The Government is stepping up its efforts to introduce two major pieces of legislation—the Digital Economy Act and the Cyber Security Act, to establ ..

Hayleys to raise up to Rs. 7 b via debenture issue

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:07

Hayleys PLC has resolved to raise up to Rs. 7 billion through a listed, rated, unsecured, senior, redeemable debenture issue, subject to regulatory ap ..

EDB and German IPB to ink market access pact

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:28

The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved a proposal to sign a cooperation agreement between the Sri Lanka Export Development Board ..

Harsha flags ‘tourism paradox’ as arrivals rise but revenue weakens

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:26

Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has warned of a growing “tourism paradox,” claiming that while visitor arrivals are increasing, sector earnings ..

Fitch says CBSL push to consolidate banks broadly credit-positive

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:24

Fitch Ratings yesterday said the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) reintroduction of a consolidation framework for the banking sector is broadly po ..

Trade policy shift needed for growth phase amid reforms fatigue risk

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:22

Economist Talal Rafi said Sri Lanka has made measurable progress in stabilising the economy following the crisis, but cautioned that sustaining recove ..

Govt. to buy 75 motor graders for Rs. 1.4 b from United Tractors

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:20

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved awarding a contract for the procurement of 75 brand-new motor graders at a cost of Rs. 1,424.25 million, t ..

Reform momentum critical for Sri Lanka: IMF Resident Rep.

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 03:10

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday said sustaining reform momentum is critical for Sri Lanka to move from crisis stabilisation to economi ..

Gulf Air ups Colombo flights to 10 weekly on strong Ramadan demand

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 03:00

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has increased flight frequencies between Bahrain and Colombo to 10 flights per week from dai ..

Banks step up AML controls as Sri Lanka braces for critical mutual evaluation

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 03:00

Sri Lanka’s banking leaders said the country’s upcoming third Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) mutual eva ..

Vidullanka adds 6MW to national grid

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 02:54

Vidullanka PLC celebrated the opening of its newest solar facility, the 6MW Madampe solar plant, on 21 February. This newly connected plant is the com ..

DFCC Bank delivers landmark 2025

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:43

DFCC Bank yesterday said it has delivered a record financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2025, reinforcing the strength of its strategy ..

Phoenix Ogilvy dominates Sri Lanka’s creative rankings

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:27

Phoenix Ogilvy has been named 2025 Sri Lanka Agency of the Year after topping Campaign Brief Asia’s Creative Rankings as the most internationally aw ..

Govt. to amend SSCL Act

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:11

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a proposal to submit a Bill to Parliament to amend the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) Act, No. 2 ..

Court orders trial against foreign insurance broker for securing local reinsurance tender

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:08

The Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday overruled preliminary objections raised by Tysers Insurance Brokers Ltd., an international insurance broking f ..

Sri Lanka projects $ 5.5 b from apparel exports in 2026

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:30

Sri Lanka’s apparel and textile sector is forecast to generate $ 5.5 billion in export revenue this year, with authorities banking on new trade conc ..

Tourist arrivals top half-a-million mark

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:27

In a remarkable feat for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, arrivals surpassed the half-a-million mark in just under two months of 2026, sparking optimism ..

Govt. says coal tender followed rules; $ 4.27 m penalties recovered

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:25

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday defended the Government’s coal procurement process, insisting it was conducted in ful ..

Sajith claims of job losses due to MAS Holdings’ factory closures

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:23

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said the closure of two factories operated by MAS Holdings could deal a setback to the economy, with an e ..

Updated National Tariff Policy gets Cabinet nod

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:21

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the implementation of the updated National Tariff Policy based on recommendations submitted by the Nationa ..

Prime, Melwa acquire waterfront land in Port City for $ 57.6 m

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 03:12

Prime and Melwa, two Sri Lankan business powerhouses, have joined forces to mark a defining milestone in Sri Lanka’s most ambitious urban developmen ..

IRD introduces Privilege Card for compliant individual taxpayers

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 03:08

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has introduced a Privilege Card scheme for individual taxpayers as a measure to recognise and reward those who mee ..

Batik Air resumes Colombo-Kuala Lumpur flights from 30 March with four weekly services

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 03:00

Batik Air will relaunch operations to Sri Lanka from 30 March with four weekly flights between Colombo and Kuala Lumpur, restoring direct connectivity ..

Minister admits inferior coal supplied, denies fraud in tender process

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 02:58

Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha yesterday acknowledged that inferior quality coal had been supplied under a recent tender, but rejected allegation ..

Sajith claims ninth coal shipment below standard, questions output

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 02:50

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday alleged that the ninth coal shipment imported to the country is of inferior quality, citing real-time ope ..

US says Sri Lanka must establish two-way FDI and trade

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:48

The US signalled that deeper economic engagement with Sri Lanka will depend on sustained reforms and reciprocal trade and investment flows, with US Em ..

DFCC Bank delivers landmark 2025

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:43

DFCC Bank yesterday said it has delivered a record financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2025, reinforcing the strength of its strategy ..

NDB reports all-time high earnings; doubles PAT on a normalised basis

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:34

The National Development Bank PLC yesterday announced a strong growth across all business lines with Net Banking Revenue increasing by a 45.2% on a co ..

Phoenix Ogilvy dominates Sri Lanka’s creative rankings

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:27

Phoenix Ogilvy has been named 2025 Sri Lanka Agency of the Year after topping Campaign Brief Asia’s Creative Rankings as the most internationally aw ..

Sri Lanka to issue first digital national ID by late 2026: Deputy Minister

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:20

Sri Lanka plans to issue its first digital national identity card by the third or fourth quarter of 2026, with the procurement process now in its fina ..

Govt. to amend SSCL Act

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:11

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a proposal to submit a Bill to Parliament to amend the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) Act, No. 2 ..

Digital Economy and Cyber Security Acts this year

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:10

The Government is stepping up its efforts to introduce two major pieces of legislation—the Digital Economy Act and the Cyber Security Act, to establ ..

Court orders trial against foreign insurance broker for securing local reinsurance tender

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:08

The Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday overruled preliminary objections raised by Tysers Insurance Brokers Ltd., an international insurance broking f ..

Hayleys to raise up to Rs. 7 b via debenture issue

Thursday, 26 February 2026 03:07

Hayleys PLC has resolved to raise up to Rs. 7 billion through a listed, rated, unsecured, senior, redeemable debenture issue, subject to regulatory ap ..

Sri Lanka projects $ 5.5 b from apparel exports in 2026

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:30

Sri Lanka’s apparel and textile sector is forecast to generate $ 5.5 billion in export revenue this year, with authorities banking on new trade conc ..

EDB and German IPB to ink market access pact

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:28

The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved a proposal to sign a cooperation agreement between the Sri Lanka Export Development Board ..

Tourist arrivals top half-a-million mark

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:27

In a remarkable feat for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, arrivals surpassed the half-a-million mark in just under two months of 2026, sparking optimism ..

Harsha flags ‘tourism paradox’ as arrivals rise but revenue weakens

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:26

Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has warned of a growing “tourism paradox,” claiming that while visitor arrivals are increasing, sector earnings ..

Govt. says coal tender followed rules; $ 4.27 m penalties recovered

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:25

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday defended the Government’s coal procurement process, insisting it was conducted in ful ..

FT FUNTOON

Cartoon 26.02.2026

Thursday, 26 February 2026 02:49

Cartoon 23.02.2026

Monday, 23 February 2026 00:00

Cartoon 21.02.2026

Saturday, 21 February 2026 00:00

Cartoon 19.02.2026

Thursday, 19 February 2026 01:53

Cartoon 14.02.2026

Saturday, 14 February 2026 00:20

FT TV

Science Ministry moves to strengthen Sri Lanka Gamma Centre

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 12:45

The Ministry of Science and Technology has launched measures to achieve self-sustainability at the Sri Lanka Gamma Centre by expanding its capabilitie ..

Sri Lanka records highest January export earnings in a decade at US$ 1.53 billion

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 11:55

Govt. imposes millions of US$ in penalties for substandard coal shipments

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 23:42

President holds bilateral discussions with Indian Prime Minister

Saturday, 21 February 2026 23:08

President attends dinner hosted by Indian PM at AI Impact 2026 Summit

Thursday, 19 February 2026 10:20

Sri Lanka begins local production of cancer-detecting FDG

Wednesday, 18 February 2026 20:42

FT Click

Celebrating Sri Lanka’s creative voice

Saturday, 14 February 2026 00:00

SEYLAN BANK LAUNCHES

Tuesday, 10 February 2026 04:00

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

LB Finance adopts Snowflake to transform into AI-powered financial Institution

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:06

Datamation Systems launches world class FiNAC HROptimizer

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:05

Dialog partners Xiaomi to introduce Redmi Note 15 5G Series in Sri Lanka

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:03

FT Lite

Prime Minister inaugurates ‘Matara Festival for the Arts’

Saturday, 21 February 2026 00:05

The inaugural ceremony of the Matara Festival for the Arts, featuring a wide range of creations by local and international artists, kicked off on Thur ..

‘Waves of Hope’ benefit concert raises Rs. 4 m for flood relief

Saturday, 21 February 2026 00:03

HIPG co-hosts Chinese New Year cultural showcase in Hambantota

Saturday, 21 February 2026 00:00

Opinion and Issues

New opportunities and a new chapter in UK–Sri Lanka trade

Thursday, 26 February 2026 04:14

FROM 1 January 2026, the UK implemented reforms to its trade preference scheme, the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). Sri Lanka’s garment ..

Importance of AI governance: A critical imperative for Sri Lanka

Thursday, 26 February 2026 04:00

The comfort of lies: Why we keep voting for miracles

Thursday, 26 February 2026 01:57

FT View - Editorial

Coal tender allegations blacken Govt. image

Thursday, 26 February 2026 01:55

The cracks are beginning to show in a Government that came to power on a pledge to crackdown on bribery and corruption. ..

New leadership for Sri Lanka’s port sector amidst challenging times

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:00

When genocidaires come for tea

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 02:14

Need for judicial accountability in Natasha Edirisuriya case

Monday, 23 February 2026 00:00

New vehicle number plate backlog needs to be addressed with speed

Saturday, 21 February 2026 00:00

Re-applying for EU GSP+ trade concession

Friday, 20 February 2026 00:00

Special Report

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

Wednesday, 18 February 2026 00:00

Sri Lanka reached a significant milestone in its sustainable finance journey with the successful convening of the Lanka Impact Investment Summit 2026, ..

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

Monday, 16 February 2026 02:44

TiECon 2026 summit puts spotlight on value of entrepreneurship

Friday, 30 January 2026 00:00

Business News

Advantis and Belgium-based Sarens to strengthen heavy lift and engineered transport capabilities

National Corporate Director Awards set new benchmark for boardroom excellence

Prime Lands secures historic Otters Club car park property for ‘The Elizabeth’ residential tower

Tea export volume up 7% YoY in January; average FOB up 5.6%

Colombo land values rise 10.6% in H2 2025: CBSL

CEO of the Year 2025 Awards tonight

Scale Up 2026 10th anniversary brings over 50 global partners to Colombo

SL, NZ strengthen trade ties ahead of Sri Lanka Expo 2026

Japan-Sri Lanka Committee on Business Environment holds third meeting

Colombo Dockyard announces Board appointments post-Mazagon takeover

Sri Lanka positions for Indian Ocean seaweed leadership at India Expo 2026

C.M.S. Jayawickrama appointed MD of Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings

Overseas Realty records Rs 9.2 b Pre-Tax Profit in 2025

Aitken Spence Chairperson Stasshani Jayawardena to assume interim Managing Director role

DCTS boost: Shipments heading to UK under new tariff-free scheme

PIM Green Digital Summit this Thursday

Hayleys Solar delivers 4,036 kW installations across six locations for Pussalla Meat Producers

UN delegation backs financing framework for Ditwah-hit businesses

EDB hosts special training program to boost international trade competitiveness

Impact investing part of broader capitalism transformation: Expert

OMICRON launches CPX 200 ecosystem in Colombo, strengthening commitment to Sri Lanka’s power sector

SLID concludes high-impact session on directors’ accountability under Sri Lanka’s PDPA

Columnist

New opportunities and a new chapter in UK–Sri Lanka trade

Importance of AI governance: A critical imperative for Sri Lanka

The comfort of lies: Why we keep voting for miracles

SJB must be more of a guardrail than a roadblock

Nearly two years of missed inflation targets: why that matters

Understanding proposed Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency Law

Is racism dead, dying or alive and kicking?

Why data centres?

Agriculture is not Sri Lanka’s past, it is its strategic future

Leadership under siege: The meeting culture crisis

Repeal of Parliamentarians’ Pension: An opportunity to move forward

Pensions: A crucial social responsibility

Onset of AI revolution: Sri Lanka must join Indian bandwagon

AI Impact Summit 2026: Shaping a human-centric future for AI

Book Review ‘Made in Nepal: Lessons in Business Building from the Land of Everest’

Why does the State threaten people with yet another anti-terror law?

An agonising cultural gap

Rahman’s post-election Bangladesh and Hasina’s Awami League

Education reforms: Introduction to religions

Environmental Impact Quotient of pesticides: Catalyst for sustainable agricultural futures

Trending

Onset of AI revolution: Sri Lanka must join Indian bandwagon

Prime, Melwa acquire waterfront land in Port City for $ 57.6 m

MAS to cease garment operations at Methliya plant, shift to fabric manufacturing

IRD introduces Privilege Card for compliant individual taxpayers

Asia Capital and Japanese investors reach amicable deal

India’s DTDC inks deal with Prompt Xpress Intl. to enhance logistics in Sri Lanka

Colombo Dockyard announces Board appointments post-Mazagon takeover

Hayleys Solar delivers 4,036 kW installations across six locations for Pussalla Meat Producers

Batik Air resumes Colombo-Kuala Lumpur flights from 30 March with four weekly services

Banks redraw risk lines after 2022 crisis

Business News

Advantis and Belgium-based Sarens to strengthen heavy lift and engineered transport capabilities

National Corporate Director Awards set new benchmark for boardroom excellence

Prime Lands secures historic Otters Club car park property for ‘The Elizabeth’ residential tower

Tea export volume up 7% YoY in January; average FOB up 5.6%

Colombo land values rise 10.6% in H2 2025: CBSL

CEO of the Year 2025 Awards tonight

Scale Up 2026 10th anniversary brings over 50 global partners to Colombo

SL, NZ strengthen trade ties ahead of Sri Lanka Expo 2026

Japan-Sri Lanka Committee on Business Environment holds third meeting

Colombo Dockyard announces Board appointments post-Mazagon takeover

Sri Lanka positions for Indian Ocean seaweed leadership at India Expo 2026

C.M.S. Jayawickrama appointed MD of Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings

Overseas Realty records Rs 9.2 b Pre-Tax Profit in 2025

Aitken Spence Chairperson Stasshani Jayawardena to assume interim Managing Director role

DCTS boost: Shipments heading to UK under new tariff-free scheme

PIM Green Digital Summit this Thursday

Hayleys Solar delivers 4,036 kW installations across six locations for Pussalla Meat Producers

UN delegation backs financing framework for Ditwah-hit businesses

EDB hosts special training program to boost international trade competitiveness

Impact investing part of broader capitalism transformation: Expert

OMICRON launches CPX 200 ecosystem in Colombo, strengthening commitment to Sri Lanka’s power sector

SLID concludes high-impact session on directors’ accountability under Sri Lanka’s PDPA

FT NEWS

CEB engineers to stage six-hour token strike today over restructuring demands