Columnist

American socialism, US-Iran conflict, Ayatollah Khamenei’s funeral, and NATO-Russia-China

Thursday, 16 July 2026 03:30

Why men’s mental health deserves our attention

Thursday, 16 July 2026 03:27

NGO Bill: Slouching toward totalitarianism?

Thursday, 16 July 2026 01:16

Road drains driving dengue: Study reveals 70% of risk

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:28

Beyond handouts: Why Sri Lanka needs more economic leadership

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:25

Sri Lanka’s EV market in 2026: Beyond excitement, real test is affordability and ecosystem readiness

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:24

Leading in the tension: The quiet strength of purposeful leaders

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:23

Sri Lanka has educated women, now it must make work possible

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:22

Rise of the “Playpen Man”: The missing half of gender equity

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:20

Treating symptoms instead of causes: Why importing 7,500 workers will not solve construction industry crisis

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 05:34

Sri Lanka’s inflation target: Should it be cut from 5% to 2%?

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 05:10

France at half-time – a republic that’s still playing the long game

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 05:00

Strategy alone is worthless, execution is everything: NPP a mixed bag

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 04:48

Lions at their zenith: Trinity’s extraordinary 2026 campaign sets stage for Bradby

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 04:31

When the water rises: Why climate adaptation can no longer wait

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 00:50

Venerable Ananda’s forbidden love: A monk’s journey through time

Monday, 13 July 2026 02:12

Can Sri Lanka sustain its newly won upper-middle-income status?

Monday, 13 July 2026 02:07

The SSCL Vs VAT threshold revision – The logic of indirect tax reform

Monday, 13 July 2026 02:01

The invisible tax in our minds

Monday, 13 July 2026 01:55

Effective trade agreements: Why and how?

Monday, 13 July 2026 01:48

Banks channelled 70% of credit to productive sectors: HNB CEO

The banking sector channelled an estimated 70% of last year’s credit expansion into productive sectors, Hatton National Bank (HNB) Managing Director ..

Sampath Jayasundara assumes office as new Chairman of SLASSCOM

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:52

The Sri Lanka Association for Software Services Companies (SLASSCOM) yesterday elected Sampath Jayasundara as the new Chairman for the 2026/27 term, u ..

Public confidence: Anura enjoys 75% approval while Sajith trails at 29%

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:46

Public confidence in President Anura Kumara Dissanayake remains significantly stronger than that of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, even as a majo ..

Customs collects 65% of July target in first 14 days

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:44

Sri Lanka Customs has collected more than 65% of its July revenue target within the first 14 days of the month, putting the agency on course to exceed ..

Economic activity expands in June

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:43

The country’s manufacturing and services sectors in June have expanded, though at a slower rate compared to the previous month, as per the Purchasin ..

Outgoing Swedish Envoy sees brighter investment outlook for Sri Lanka, stronger bilateral trade ties

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:26

By Charumini de Silva Outgoing Swedish Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jan Thesleff said Sri Lanka is steadily rebuilding the confidence of international i ..

2027 Budget to cap primary spending at Rs. 5.1 t as deficit narrows from 2026 peak

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:24

The Government has set a primary expenditure ceiling of Rs. 5.064 trillion, or 12.9% of GDP, for the 2027 Budget while projecting the overall Budget d ..

Toyota Lanka breaks ground for flagship showroom in Bambalapitiya

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:22

Toyota Lanka’s growing footprint across Sri Lanka reached another milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for Toyota’s flagship showroom in Bam ..

Failure to meet WHO cigarette tax benchmark costs Govt. Rs. 25 b, says Verité

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:20

The Government of Sri Lanka lost over Rs. 25 billion in potential tax revenue since 2025 due to cigarettes being taxed lower than the World Health Org ..

Shippers’ Council renews push to eliminate hidden logistics costs, accelerate trade reforms

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 07:05

The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council (SLSC) has renewed its call for sweeping trade facilitation reforms, warning that hidden logistics costs, border del ..

LOLC Al-Falaah pioneers structured Tawarruq-based personal finance solution

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 06:59

Market leader LOLC Al-Falaah has introduced ‘Al-Falaah Tawarruq for Personal Finance,’ the country’s, as well as South Asia’s, first structure ..

Tourist arrivals top 1.2 m mark so far in 2026

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 06:58

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry crossed the 1.2 million visitor milestone during the first half of July, although arrivals continue to trail last year ..

AI is now recommending Sri Lankan brands by name

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 00:11

A new BrandRadar study tracked 198 brands across the most popular Large Language Models (LLMs) over a period of three months. ..

Global business leaders to address Sri Lanka Corporate Director Summit 2026

Monday, 13 July 2026 03:15

The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) will welcome two of Asia’s most distinguished business leaders — CG Corp Global Chairman and President ..

Australia backs Sri Lanka’s RCEP bid, urges trade reforms and digitalisation to boost competitiveness

Monday, 13 July 2026 03:10

Australia has reaffirmed its support for Sri Lanka’s ambition to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), with High Commissioner ..

Workers’ remittances remain robust in 1H

Monday, 13 July 2026 03:08

Sri Lanka’s workers’ remittances increased to a record high in June, whilst lifting cumulative earnings in the first half of 2026 to an all-time h ..

June tea crop rises but 1H output hit by weather, high fertiliser costs

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:50

Sri Lanka’s tea production rebounded in June with a 4% year-on-year (YoY) increase, although output for the first half of 2026 remained under pressu ..

Treasury unlocks contract repricing for Govt. suppliers

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:44

The Treasury has authorised Government institutions to revise prices and extend procurement contracts affected by the Middle East conflict and Cyclone ..

BIA handles 4.75 m passenger movements in 1H

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:43

Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) handled nearly 4.75 million passenger movements during the first six months of 2026, reflecting continued gro ..

Three overseas banks flagged Treasury payment before $ 2.5 m phishing fraud succeeded

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:28

Three correspondent banks in the US, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Vietnam rejected a fraudulent $ 1.3 million Government debt payment after det ..

Govt. launches global tender for 250 MW battery storage

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:25

The National System Operator Ltd., (NSO), operating under the Energy Ministry, has launched an International Competitive Bidding (ICB) process for the ..

Maga Engineering gets Rs. 5 b road contract and Rs. 2.4 b BIA terminal expansion project

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:23

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the award of a Rs. 4.99 billion contract (excluding Value Added Tax) to M/s Maga Engineering Ltd., for the const ..

Two major banks in combined Rs. 30 b capital issues this week

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:21

Commercial Bank opens up to Rs. 20 b subordinated debenture issue tomorrow Sampath Bank follows with up to Rs. 10 b Tier 2 Green Bond issue on Thur ..

Yashoravi Bakmiwewa creates history in South Asia

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 07:07

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), Sri Lanka’s premier employers’ organisation, has appointed Yashoravi Bakmiwewa as its 14th Director G ..

Data Privacy and Protection Summit 2026 announces Mastercard as Title Partner

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 07:03

The Data Privacy and Protection Summit, organised by the Daily FT and CICRA, has announced Mastercard as its Title Partner for 2026. ..

Alpha Fire to acquire Icon Engineering in Rs. 260 m share swap, eyes Rs. 1 b revenue milestone

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 06:58

Alpha Fire Services PLC has announced plans to acquire 100% of Icon Engineering Enterprises Ltd., for Rs. 260 million through a share swap, a move tha ..

Alliance Finance broadens Green Bond framework to refinance rooftop solar portfolio

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 06:57

Alliance Finance Company PLC has broadened the use of proceeds under its Green Bond Framework, allowing up to 30% of Green Bond proceeds to be deploye ..

Budget 2027 speech on 12 Nov.

Monday, 13 July 2026 03:18

The Government will present the Second Reading of the 2027 Appropriation Bill in Parliament on 12 November, with the Finance Ministry outlining the ti ..

Sri Lanka Tourism earnings fall 12% in 1H

Monday, 13 July 2026 03:14

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry experienced a challenging first half of 2026, with earnings declining by 12% year-on-year (YoY) to over $ 1.51 billion, ..

Private sector credit rebounds in May, surpasses Rs. 11 t

Monday, 13 July 2026 03:09

Private sector borrowing from the banking system regained momentum in May, with total outstanding credit increasing by Rs. 238.1 billion month-on-mont ..

Official reserves decline 6.9% to $ 6.45 b in June

Monday, 13 July 2026 03:07

Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets declined by 6.9% or $ 431 million in June, with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) gross official reserves ..

Sampath Jayasundara assumes office as new Chairman of SLASSCOM

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:52

The Sri Lanka Association for Software Services Companies (SLASSCOM) yesterday elected Sampath Jayasundara as the new Chairman for the 2026/27 term, u ..

June tea crop rises but 1H output hit by weather, high fertiliser costs

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:50

Sri Lanka’s tea production rebounded in June with a 4% year-on-year (YoY) increase, although output for the first half of 2026 remained under pressu ..

Public confidence: Anura enjoys 75% approval while Sajith trails at 29%

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:46

Public confidence in President Anura Kumara Dissanayake remains significantly stronger than that of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, even as a majo ..

Treasury unlocks contract repricing for Govt. suppliers

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:44

The Treasury has authorised Government institutions to revise prices and extend procurement contracts affected by the Middle East conflict and Cyclone ..

Customs collects 65% of July target in first 14 days

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:44

Sri Lanka Customs has collected more than 65% of its July revenue target within the first 14 days of the month, putting the agency on course to exceed ..

BIA handles 4.75 m passenger movements in 1H

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:43

Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) handled nearly 4.75 million passenger movements during the first six months of 2026, reflecting continued gro ..

Economic activity expands in June

Thursday, 16 July 2026 02:43

The country’s manufacturing and services sectors in June have expanded, though at a slower rate compared to the previous month, as per the Purchasin ..

Three overseas banks flagged Treasury payment before $ 2.5 m phishing fraud succeeded

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:28

Three correspondent banks in the US, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Vietnam rejected a fraudulent $ 1.3 million Government debt payment after det ..

Outgoing Swedish Envoy sees brighter investment outlook for Sri Lanka, stronger bilateral trade ties

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:26

By Charumini de Silva Outgoing Swedish Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jan Thesleff said Sri Lanka is steadily rebuilding the confidence of international i ..

Govt. launches global tender for 250 MW battery storage

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:25

The National System Operator Ltd., (NSO), operating under the Energy Ministry, has launched an International Competitive Bidding (ICB) process for the ..

2027 Budget to cap primary spending at Rs. 5.1 t as deficit narrows from 2026 peak

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:24

The Government has set a primary expenditure ceiling of Rs. 5.064 trillion, or 12.9% of GDP, for the 2027 Budget while projecting the overall Budget d ..

Maga Engineering gets Rs. 5 b road contract and Rs. 2.4 b BIA terminal expansion project

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:23

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the award of a Rs. 4.99 billion contract (excluding Value Added Tax) to M/s Maga Engineering Ltd., for the const ..

Toyota Lanka breaks ground for flagship showroom in Bambalapitiya

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:22

Toyota Lanka’s growing footprint across Sri Lanka reached another milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for Toyota’s flagship showroom in Bam ..

Two major banks in combined Rs. 30 b capital issues this week

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:21

Commercial Bank opens up to Rs. 20 b subordinated debenture issue tomorrow Sampath Bank follows with up to Rs. 10 b Tier 2 Green Bond issue on Thur ..

FT FUNTOON

Cartoon 11.07.2026

Saturday, 11 July 2026 09:26

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Wednesday, 8 July 2026 00:00

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Monday, 6 July 2026 03:24

Cartoon 04.07.2026

Saturday, 4 July 2026 00:52

Cartoon 01.07.2026

Wednesday, 1 July 2026 00:00

FT TV

President reviews energy projects ahead of 2027 Budget

Thursday, 16 July 2026 11:37

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chaired a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat on July 15 to review the progress of energy projects funded under ..

Government plans ‘Silicone City’ industrial park in Nattandiya

Thursday, 9 July 2026 10:13

Kalubowila hospital opens new cardiac and imaging units

Tuesday, 30 June 2026 22:51

Disability ID card to be introduced for priority government services

Tuesday, 30 June 2026 22:15

IMF commends Sri Lanka’s economic recovery progress

Tuesday, 30 June 2026 21:35

NCDM reviews El Niño preparedness at Presidential Secretariat

Tuesday, 30 June 2026 21:29

FT Click

HNB Sarusara: Journey towards building 30,000 agripreneurs

Friday, 26 June 2026 04:03

Sampath Bank marks third year of musical excellence with SOSL Pops Trilingual Extravaganza

Wednesday, 17 June 2026 05:12

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

CSSL celebrates 50 years of leadership in shaping Sri Lanka’s digital future

Thursday, 16 July 2026 01:25

Visa Sri Lanka holds Cybersecurity Conclave 2026

Thursday, 16 July 2026 01:22

SLASSCOM reflects on a year of creating opportunities, strengthening Sri Lanka’s knowledge and innovation industry

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:00

FT Lite

Sri Lanka makes history at 100th Blackpool Dance Festival with landmark championship victory

Saturday, 11 July 2026 02:14

Sri Lankan dancers Tarja De Silva and Gihan Umesh achieve a historic first, bringing home championship honours from the world’s most prestigious Lat ..

Pepsi Street Kala 2.0 showcases art, music and food uniting audiences in colourful cultural celebration

Saturday, 11 July 2026 02:13

Shangri-La Colombo presents exclusive sommelier curated dining experience at Capital Bar and Grill

Saturday, 11 July 2026 02:10

Opinion and Issues

American socialism, US-Iran conflict, Ayatollah Khamenei’s funeral, and NATO-Russia-China

Thursday, 16 July 2026 03:30

Future history will record that the 250th birthday of the USA coincided with the funeral procession of Ayatollah Khamenei and his family (including hi ..

Why men’s mental health deserves our attention

Thursday, 16 July 2026 03:27

NGO Bill: Slouching toward totalitarianism?

Thursday, 16 July 2026 01:16

FT View - Editorial

Govt. should take cue from countries that have restricted social media for under 16s

Thursday, 16 July 2026 01:16

Social media is a double edged sword, more so where children are concerned. Hence several countries have restricted social media access for children ..

Return to upper-middle-income status and the way forward

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:00

Will quotas to increase women representation in politics be helpful?

Tuesday, 14 July 2026 05:33

Next on IMF agenda: Fixing tax administration?

Monday, 13 July 2026 02:05

Consumer rights and inflated pricing

Saturday, 11 July 2026 01:57

Crippling labour shortage

Friday, 10 July 2026 00:00

Special Report

Rewiring organisational culture for a changing workforce

Thursday, 25 June 2026 05:10

In an era where organisations are grappling with employee disengagement, generational shifts, and evolving workplace expectations, traditional managem ..

Global Biz Connect 2026 highlights private sector confidence

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 07:14

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

Wednesday, 18 February 2026 00:00

Business News

Govt. launches ‘Ceylon Tea Village’ program to drive $ 2.5 b export target by 2030

Sri Lanka must pivot to high-value experiential tourism amid global headwinds: THASL

CAASL, Vietjet Air hold high-level talks ahead of Sri Lanka launch

Ceylon Chamber to host BCCS 2026 launch seminar on strengthening ESG reporting and strategy

Future-ready Boards must put talent and culture at centre of governance

Outgoing Swedish envoy bullish on Sri Lanka’s resilience, investment climate and future ties

Global Boardroom leaders headline Sri Lanka Corporate Director Summit 2026

From global Boardrooms to Sri Lanka: International leaders shaping the future of Boards

DSL strengthens Board with key appointments as company marks 40 years of excellence

Seminar on Beneficial Ownership Compliance under the Companies Act, No. 12 of 2025

Asoka Piyadigama appointed to C.W. Mackie Board

Banking veteran Janakan Selvaratnam joins Serendib Hotels Board

BPPL to acquire Ravi Industries customer base in Rs. 300 m deal

Govt. bans forced labour imports to strengthen US trade compliance

Cabinet approves € 924,063 German grant for energy-efficient buildings program

Cabinet approves establishment of Zero-Waste Cinnamon Processing Centre in University of Ruhuna

Lankan-founded startup Logical accepted into Y Combinator, raises over Rs. 150 m

Cabinet clears financing agreements for $ 35 m ADB-backed rooftop solar project

EDB and Expertise France lay groundwork to promote sustainable trade with EU

Indian export delegation engages with SL biz, SMEs at Ceylon Chamber B2B session

Lanka IOC PLC successfully concludes 24th Annual General Meeting

Ceylon Chamber launches ‘Scale Up 2.0’ to support SME ecosystem

Columnist

American socialism, US-Iran conflict, Ayatollah Khamenei’s funeral, and NATO-Russia-China

Why men’s mental health deserves our attention

NGO Bill: Slouching toward totalitarianism?

Road drains driving dengue: Study reveals 70% of risk

Beyond handouts: Why Sri Lanka needs more economic leadership

Sri Lanka’s EV market in 2026: Beyond excitement, real test is affordability and ecosystem readiness

Leading in the tension: The quiet strength of purposeful leaders

Sri Lanka has educated women, now it must make work possible

Rise of the “Playpen Man”: The missing half of gender equity

Treating symptoms instead of causes: Why importing 7,500 workers will not solve construction industry crisis

Sri Lanka’s inflation target: Should it be cut from 5% to 2%?

France at half-time – a republic that’s still playing the long game

Strategy alone is worthless, execution is everything: NPP a mixed bag

Lions at their zenith: Trinity’s extraordinary 2026 campaign sets stage for Bradby

When the water rises: Why climate adaptation can no longer wait

Venerable Ananda’s forbidden love: A monk’s journey through time

Can Sri Lanka sustain its newly won upper-middle-income status?

The SSCL Vs VAT threshold revision – The logic of indirect tax reform

The invisible tax in our minds

Effective trade agreements: Why and how?

Trending

Venerable Ananda’s forbidden love: A monk’s journey through time

DSL strengthens Board with key appointments as company marks 40 years of excellence

AI is now recommending Sri Lankan brands by name

Toyota Lanka breaks ground for flagship showroom in Bambalapitiya

Sri Lankan academic receives international distinction for promoting ethical leadership in higher education

Court red flags Customs’ CoPF remarks on vehicles case

Budget surplus widens to Rs. 197.3 b through May on robust revenue growth

Three overseas banks flagged Treasury payment before $ 2.5 m phishing fraud succeeded

Two major banks in combined Rs. 30 b capital issues this week

TWC Capital advises on $ 28 m IFC investments in Sri Lanka’s energy and agribusiness sectors

Business News

Govt. launches ‘Ceylon Tea Village’ program to drive $ 2.5 b export target by 2030

Sri Lanka must pivot to high-value experiential tourism amid global headwinds: THASL

CAASL, Vietjet Air hold high-level talks ahead of Sri Lanka launch

Ceylon Chamber to host BCCS 2026 launch seminar on strengthening ESG reporting and strategy

Future-ready Boards must put talent and culture at centre of governance

Outgoing Swedish envoy bullish on Sri Lanka’s resilience, investment climate and future ties

Global Boardroom leaders headline Sri Lanka Corporate Director Summit 2026

From global Boardrooms to Sri Lanka: International leaders shaping the future of Boards

DSL strengthens Board with key appointments as company marks 40 years of excellence

Seminar on Beneficial Ownership Compliance under the Companies Act, No. 12 of 2025

Asoka Piyadigama appointed to C.W. Mackie Board

Banking veteran Janakan Selvaratnam joins Serendib Hotels Board

BPPL to acquire Ravi Industries customer base in Rs. 300 m deal

Govt. bans forced labour imports to strengthen US trade compliance

Cabinet approves € 924,063 German grant for energy-efficient buildings program

Cabinet approves establishment of Zero-Waste Cinnamon Processing Centre in University of Ruhuna

Lankan-founded startup Logical accepted into Y Combinator, raises over Rs. 150 m

Cabinet clears financing agreements for $ 35 m ADB-backed rooftop solar project

EDB and Expertise France lay groundwork to promote sustainable trade with EU

Indian export delegation engages with SL biz, SMEs at Ceylon Chamber B2B session

Lanka IOC PLC successfully concludes 24th Annual General Meeting

Ceylon Chamber launches ‘Scale Up 2.0’ to support SME ecosystem

FT NEWS

Court issues open warrant against ex-SriLankan CEO’s wife in Airbus probe