Sri Lanka demonstrates economic resilience through strategic initiatives including a 50% surge in tax revenue, plans to become a regional data center hub, and agricultural insurance programs, while facing challenges from global geopolitical tensions, potential US tariffs on exports, and the exit of major global banks from its retail banking sector, which reflects broader economic pressures on the country's middle class.
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Will Investors lose confidence in SL? | The Nightly Business Report
Added:[music] [music] [music] >> Tonight on the nightly business report, >> [music] >> risk spillover Fitch warns of rising risks for emerging markets as US Iran conflict deepens.
>> [music] >> Sri Lanka among most exposed due to oil dependence.
Breaking target Sri Lanka's [music] tax revenue surges over 50% as IRD and customs beat targets by wide margins in early 2026.
The data gamble Sri Lanka moves to build regional data center hub with national [music] cloud platform plan says digital economy deputy minister.
>> Many organizations in in the government of Sri Lanka are carrying uh >> [music] >> in-house data centers.
The government's new strategy is to amalgamate them into government >> [music] >> government cloud platforms.
>> And the expensive Apple [music] Apple signals price hikes ahead as chip cost surge. AI demand and [music] supply disruptions push global smartphone prices up.
>> This is the nightly business report reporting from studio 24C. Here's Anuradha Wickramasinghe. [music] >> A very good evening and thank you for joining us on the nightly business report on Ada Derana news channel. Fitch ratings has warned that if the ongoing US Iran conflict worsens, the outlook for several emerging markets and Sri Lanka among the countries could face growing economic risks.
>> Fitch ratings agency says nearly 1/3 of emerging market sector outlooks are now classified as deteriorating up sharply from just 13% at the start of the year.
Fitch noted that Sri Lanka and the Philippines are particularly vulnerable due to their heavy dependence on oil and gas imports from Gulf countries, making them exposed to supply disruptions and higher energy costs. The agency warned that continued uncertainty could fuel inflation, weaken economic growth, and increase pressure on financial sectors across emerging markets. Despite these concerns, Fitch said ratings across most emerging economies have remained broadly resilient, although upward rating momentum has slowed amid rising geopolitical risks.
>> Sri Lanka is preparing to strengthen custom screening in a bid to address concerns over imported goods linked to forced labor as it seeks to avoid potential new US tariffs on its exports.
The United States remains Sri Lanka's largest export market, accounting for around $3 billion in mostly apparel shipments.
>> Sri Lanka is among 60 economies facing proposed tariff increases varying from 10% to 12.5% which could take effect as early as next month. Sri Lanka's rate is 12.5% which is higher than some regional competitors including Bangladesh and Pakistan which are expected to face around 10%. The apparel sector, one of Sri Lanka's key foreign exchange earners, generated about $5 billion in total exports last year and supports roughly 300,000 jobs. However, exports have shown signs of pressure falling 7.4% to $1.53 billion in the first 4 months of this year. In response, authorities say will be taken to improve screening mechanisms at customs to ensure imported inputs are free from forced labor concerns alongside efforts to align with international labor standards including conventions addressing workplace violence and harassment. Talks with US trade authorities are ongoing as Sri Lanka seeks to protect its export competitiveness.
>> Sri Lanka's tax revenue collection has significantly outperformed expectations across all three major revenue agencies as of early June this year with overall collections rising by more than 50% compared to the same period last year according to official data. The Inland Revenue Department recorded 1,112.4 billion rupees in revenue exceeding its target by 46.3% while Customs collected 1,189.4 billion rupees reflecting strong growth of 53.9% year-on-year.
>> The Excise Department also posted a 48.6% increase contributing to the overall surge. Authorities say the country has already achieved around half of its annual tax revenue target of 4,910 billion rupees within the first five months of the year despite the full year target being lower than last year's record intake. Officials attribute the strong performance to tighter tax compliance measures, expanded enforcement mechanisms, and broader structural reforms aimed at reducing evasion and widening the tax base. These include stricter taxpayer identification requirements for financial transactions, expanded withholding tax coverage, and a lower threshold for VAT registration.
The Finance Ministry notes that revenue collection typically strengthens in the second half of the year suggesting further gains could follow if current trends continue.
>> A review meeting on the implementation of ministry-level projects and key policy initiatives under the 2026 budget proposals was held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumara Nayaka. The President's Media Division said the meeting focused on the progress of ongoing projects and the challenges faced in implementation. Attention was also given to the urgent steps needed to resolve issues and speed up work.
Speaking at the meeting, Secretary to the President Dr. Kumara Nayaka highlighted that all relevant institutions must work together to solve existing problems without delay. He also said that speeding up project implementation and ensuring public benefits is a shared responsibility.
A discussion was held today between the Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy, Arjuna Ranatunga, and a delegation from the World Bank Group led by Country Manager Jevorg Gevorgian. The meeting focused on the future development of the Port of Colombo including new financing models and greater private sector participation.
World Bank representatives noted that a joint study with Asian Development Bank is currently underway on port infrastructure development.
>> Discussions also covered plans to develop the East Container Terminal with greater operational independence and commercial flexibility while ensuring stakeholder engagement. The World Bank delegation shared international experiences on successful public-private partnerships and port reforms. Attention was also given to the restructuring of Sri Lankan Airlines and the aviation sector with ongoing discussions involving the International Finance Corporation. Minister Ranatunga emphasized that the government is preparing to take several key policy and institutional decisions regarding the Port of Colombo and the aviation sector ensuring transparency, strong financial models, and effective public-private collaboration.
>> Authorities move to reduce the impact of natural disasters and climate-related risks on the agriculture sector. The Minister of Agriculture says the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has broadened its crop insurance programs to provide greater financial security for farmers facing unpredictable weather conditions.
>> The insurance schemes now cover a wide range of cultivations with special focus on key plantation crops including tea, coconut, rubber, cinnamon, and banana.
Separate insurance coverage has also been introduced for seed paddy farms.
According to the ministry, the programs are available at concessionary premium rates allowing farmers to protect their crops and livelihoods against losses caused by droughts, floods, and other natural disasters. The move comes as climatic change continues to pose serious challenges to agricultural production with frequent droughts and heavy rainfall affecting farming activities across the country.
Environmental experts have also warned that prevailing El Nino conditions could further threaten crop yields and productivity in the months ahead.
Farmers can obtain more information by contacting the agricultural and agrarian insurance board through its district offices or by calling the hotline 1918.
>> The Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eran Wickramaratne says the government plans to make Sri Lanka a data center hub for the region. The Deputy Minister said the government is also taking steps to create a national cloud platform to enhance digital security. He was speaking at the Sovereign Cloud Symposium held in Colombo last evening.
>> This symposium was organized by global technology solutions provider NCINGA and Amazon Web Services under the theme accelerating public sector innovation with cloud, hybrid infrastructure and AI. It was revealed here that most of the government institutions at present have in-house data centers. The Deputy Minister revealed that the government's new strategy is to gradually phase out those scattered data centers, amalgamate them into the national cloud platform.
>> We need to implement all those security >> [clears throat] >> standards.
Because cyber security is something that challenging the digitalization and without public trust in the services that the government is delivering and [clears throat] also the safety of their private data, we cannot digitalize.
And unfortunately, because we waited so long to get into digitalization and also the technology has advanced and we see lot of uh cyber security issues that are popping up only uh challenging Sri Lanka's digitalization but all around the world, but [clears throat] unfortunately is starting to get into the mass scale in cyber security incidents.
at the time that we are trying to visualize.
>> A modernized, transparent, and secure digital public infrastructure is recognized as the bedrock of long-term economic stability.
>> And all of us in the public sector, especially, [clears throat] have to take on that accountability to classify our data correctly.
It is our call. I think the Personal Data Protection Act, which has come into effect, and the Data Protection Authority, which is the regulatory authority around it, has been very progressive >> [clears throat] >> in leaving as much room as possible for decisions to be made by sector regulators, all the way down to controllers themselves, controllers of data, to take the call on cross-border and or quasi-cross-border or or sovereign versus resident formulations in processing data.
>> The National Chamber of Exporters has raised concerns over new Central Bank regulations requiring exporters to convert foreign currency earnings within a significantly shorter timeframe, warning of possible impacts on business operations and competitiveness. The concern follows a recent gazette issued by the Central Bank, which required exporters to convert foreign currency proceeds held in designated accounts by the 10th day of the following month.
While reaffirming support for existing rules on repatriating export earnings, the chamber questioned why the measure was introduced without prior consultation with exporter representative bodies and industry stakeholders. Exporters say many businesses retain foreign currency balances for legitimate purposes, including importing raw materials, purchasing machinery, funding overseas marketing activities, and servicing foreign currency dominated loans. They warn that mandatory early conversion could disrupt cash flow planning, increasing exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, and result in additional transaction costs when foreign currency must later be repurchased. The chamber also noted that Sri Lanka's export sector continues to grow with total exports rising by more than 4% during the first 4 months of this year. The NCE has urged authorities to consider a more flexible approach and engage industry stakeholders when formulating policies that directly affect exporters and foreign exchange earnings.
>> Two global banking giants have now stepped away from Sri Lanka's retail banking space. HSBC sold its retail business to Nations Trust Bank and Standard Chartered's retail wealth and SME portfolios are moving to DFCC Bank.
These banks are not leaving Sri Lanka completely, but they are leaving the ordinary customer business. And that raises a serious question. If global banks no longer see enough value in Sri Lanka's retail market, what does that say about the strength of the country's middle class?
>> For years, names like HSBC and Standard Chartered give Sri Lanka's retail banking market a global stamp.
They were instrumental in providing credit cards, saving accounts, personal loans, wealth products, SME banking, and global access to local customers.
The kind of business that depends on wanting about all else.
A confident middle class with money to save, spend, and borrow. But now, the market is changing. HSBC has sold its Sri Lankan retail banking business, and Standard Chartered's retail wealth and SME portfolios are also being transferred.
The official explanation is global strategy.
But the local reality is harder to ignore.
Global banks are not walking from all Sri Lankan business, but they are walking away from the mass customer business.
And that points to a deeper problem.
Sri Lanka's middle class is squeezed.
The World Bank says poverty remained at 24.5% in 2024, still twice the 2019 level. It also says household incomes, employment, and welfare remain below pre-crisis levels.
Food prices more than doubled between 2021 and 2024.
Real wages are still below 2019 levels.
That means many families may be employed, but not comfortable.
They may have bank accounts, but not enough savings.
They may have income, but not enough cash left after food, transport, tax, electricity, and paying their debt.
That matters for banks.
A global bank wants customers who can save more, borrow safely, spend more, invest more, and move up the income ladder.
But if the middle class is only surviving, the retail banking opportunity becomes smaller.
The stress is also visible in credit behavior.
As Central Bank of Sri Lanka says gold back lending rose sharply by the end of the quarter one of this year.
Speaking to the nightly business report, head of corporate and capital market ratings at Lanka Ratings Agency, Ruwante Silva said, "The lower income within the Sri Lankan market doesn't make sense for global banks to remain in Sri Lanka."
>> Fewer people savings, weaker demand for loans, higher rates of loan defaults, a customer base under sustained financial stress.
The retail banking business case didn't just weaken, it deteriorated across every single measure.
The middle class is the engine of retail banking. They take mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, wealth management products.
When that segment contracts as sharply as it has in Sri Lanka, the revenue opportunity for a foreign bank operating at a premium cost structure simply isn't there.
I should add the economy did grow by 5% in 2024 and poverty has edged down slightly from this from its peak. So, there are early signals of stabilization.
But, the World Bank has noted that this recovery has not yet translated into broad improvements in household welfare.
The middle class is rebuilding, but it is not yet back.
>> Furthermore, she said that policy makers must take heed of the overall message of these global banks exiting. Despite whether it's an internal factor or an external factor, investors are looking at Sri Lanka might not be having a favorable opinion of the country.
>> When institutions like HSBC and Standard Chartered step back from a market, other global investors notice.
These banks are not just financial institutions. They are part of the infrastructure that makes international business possible. The C&T risk issue I mentioned, the difficulty of getting money in and out of Sri Lanka freely, is not just a banking problem.
It affects every foreign investor considering entering this market. Banks are not closing their corporate and institutional operations here. They are stepping back from consumer banking, one segment, not the entire relationship with Sri Lanka. And HSBC, for instance, is make making similar moves in many markets simultaneously.
But the overall picture, sovereign default history, currency depreciation, restrictions on capital movement, and contracted middle class does create a perception challenge.
>> The International Labor Organization is calling for stronger protections and labor rights for domestic workers in Sri Lanka as the world marks 15 years since the adoption of a landmark international convention recognizing domestic work as formal employment.
>> Marking the anniversary of the domestic workers convention, the ILO highlighted the critical role domestic workers play in supporting families, communities, and economies. According to Sri Lanka's 2024 labor force force survey, the country is home to nearly 189,000 domestic workers, many of whom work without written contracts, regulated working hours, paid leave, or social security protections. The ILO noted that demand for domestic workers is increasing due to an aging population and growing migration trends. While reliable care services remain essential for boosting women's participation in the workforce, the organization welcomed recent initiatives including the introduction of a standard employment contract for domestic workers and a new complaint management system aimed at protecting migrant workers. However, the ILO stressed that stronger legal safeguards and greater representation for domestic workers are still needed, urging Sri Lanka to accelerate efforts to ensure decent work, fair conditions, and equal rights for all domestic workers.
>> Sri Lanka's premier international gem and jewelry exhibition, Gem City 2026, will be held in Ratnapura from the 31st of August to the 2nd of September.
Speaking at the media conference announcing the details, the Deputy Minister of Industries, Chaturanga Abeysinghe, said the exhibition is expected to draw global buyers, traders, and gemologists.
>> One of iconic uh exhibitions in Sri Lanka on the gem and jewelry sector. So, this is a prominent sector for the country. The government has been taking various initiatives to strengthen this industry, make it formalize, and also uh make it one of our key export earners going forward. So, at the moment, we are doing about a $300 million worth of uh exports, and it's growing. And there are fundamental changes that is taking place throughout the entire value chain to improve this industry and position Sri Lanka as a global hub for gem and jewelry. So, as an initiative, Sri Lanka carries out three main exhibitions across the year.
And today, we are announcing the exhibition uh Gem City Ratnapura exhibition with the theme of Home to the Finest.
>> Sri Lanka's mineral resources sector is set to take center stage with the launch of the mineral sands technical conference 2026, aimed at promoting innovation, sustainability, and investment in the industry. The Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development says the conference, organized by Lanka Mineral Sands Limited, will bring together local and international experts, industry stakeholders, and policy makers to discuss the future of Sri Lanka's mineral sands sector.
>> The event is scheduled to be held at the Galle Face Hotel and will focus on the latest development in mineral technologies, sustainable mining practices, and value-added industrial opportunities. Key discussions will include environmentally responsible mining methods, progressive rehabilitation of mining sites, and the adoption of environmental, social, and governance, or ESG, standards within the sector. The conference will also feature technical presentations and panel discussions on attracting investment, improving industry competitiveness, and maximizing the economy benefits of Sri Lanka's mineral resources. Officials say the event is expected to provide a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration while supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of the country's mineral industry.
>> We're taking a short commercial break now. This is the nightly [music] business report.
>> [music] >> Welcome back to the nightly business report. The Colombo Stock Exchange ended today's trading session on a mixed note with the All Share Price Index rising 0.22% to close at 22,436.14.
The S&P SL 20 Index also edged up 0.26% to 6,226.78, reflecting mild gains among blue-chip stocks.
Market turnover stood at 3.12 billion rupees while total volume reached 103 million shares. A total of 20,636 trades were recorded during the session, indicating steady investor participation.
>> Gold prices rose today, recovering from previous losses as investors welcomed the signing of a US-Iran interim peace agreement while weighing the Federal Reserve signal for a rate hike later this year. Spot gold rose 1.1% to $4,304.89 an ounce. However, US gold futures slipped 1.3% to $4,325.97.
Bullion found support from optimism surrounding the US-Iran accord, which is expected to ease tensions in the Middle East and pave the way for the reopening of key energy export routes. Among other precious metals, silver prices rose 1.3% to $68.78 per ounce while platinum gained 1.1% to $1,759.89 an ounce.
Oil prices fell nearly 3% in Asian trade today as investors assess the implications of the newly unveiled US-Iran peace accord with concerns over global supply surplus weighing on sentiment. Brent crude futures expiring in August fell 2.13% to $77.70 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate Crude Futures dropped 2.8% to $74.66 per barrel. Once again, both benchmarks hit their lowest levels since the 2nd of March after rising only 1% in the last session after Trump declared the agreement with Tehran was not yet final and warned that military action would resume if Iran failed to meet US expectations. Including today's loss, oil prices have reduced in the last five sessions out of six. Prices have fallen nearly 11% so far this week.
The Sri Lankan rupee has appreciated slightly against the US dollar today compared to yesterday with the selling rate decreasing to 339 rupees and 6 cents. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate and the selling rate of the US dollar have altogether decreased by a few points.
With that, we can now take a closer look at how the Sri Lankan rupee is performing against other major global currencies today.
>> [music] [music] [music] >> Let's take a short commercial [music] break. You're watching the nightly business report.
>> [music] >> Welcome back to the nightly business report. Softlogic Life Insurance PLC has officially announced its entry into the Bangladeshi insurance market through the acquisition of a majority stake in Diamond Life Insurance Company Limited.
Softlogic Life confirmed it has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 60% of the issued shares of the Bangladesh based life insurer. The transaction is valued at approximately 1.9 million US dollars. With this move, the Sri Lankan firm establishes a firm foothold in one of South Asia's rapidly growing insurance sectors. In the announcement, Softlogic Life Chairman Ashok Pathirage emphasized that this acquisition is a key component of the company's broader goals for growth beyond its domestic borders.
Hela Apparel Holdings faces suspension from the Colombo Stock Exchange effective today as it fails to resolve a compliance issue tied to an auditor's disclaimer on its financial year 2025 accounts due to delayed debt restructuring. The company has been on the CSE watch list since December of 2025 with prolonged suspension potentially leading to delisting.
Separately, it has completed an 8 million dollar divestment of its brand business including 6 million dollars upfront and a 2 million dollar earnout.
Though the net proceeds are expected to be about 484,000 dollars after deductions. The company says the move helps preserve over 1,500 jobs while its Egypt operations continue under management agreement.
Lanka Kade has been appointed as a national entity member of the World Crafts Council AISBL marking a major international recognition for Sri Lanka's craft industry. [music] The membership followed a rigorous review process and formal approval by the WCC AISBL board. The elevation strengthens Lanka Kade's role in promoting Sri Lankan handmade crafts and cultural heritage on a global platform.
As a member, the company will participate in international initiatives focused on preserving traditional craft techniques and supporting artisan communities. It will also engage in global exhibitions and knowledge-sharing programs aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods for local craftsmen. The appointment follows Laksala's recent participation at the World Craft Forum in Kuwait City, reinforcing its commitment to showcasing Sri Lankan craftsmanship worldwide.
Emirates marks 40 years of service to Colombo, Sri Lanka this year since its first flight in April 1986. Emirates has transported over 15 million passengers, have uplifted more than 403,000 tons of cargo to and [music] from the country.
Emirates currently operates three daily flights connecting Sri Lanka's largest city to over 135 destinations. On flights to and from Colombo, passengers enjoy the fly better experience. The mix of both aircraft types offer seats in four cabin classes including premium and economy. In the past year, most passengers arriving to Sri Lanka embarked on their journeys from Europe.
Outbound travel from Colombo has primarily been to destinations including Dubai and points in Saudi Arabia, the UK, Italy, France, and Madagascar. To boost connectivity for its customers, Emirates expanded its partnership with Sri Lankan Airlines in 2023 to encompass 30 routes on an interline basis. Over the past years, Emirates has delivered generous baggage allowances for all economy, first, and business class, letting all passengers enjoy menus by award-winning chefs and over 6,500 entertainment channels including Sinhala and Tamil content.
HNB and Nucleus Software, a well-known global provider of lending and transaction banking solutions, celebrated 5 years of partnership since 2021. [music] The milestone marks 5 years since HNB modernized its corporate banking ecosystem and support the long-term digital transformation vision. The partnership has enabled a seamless digital experience across vendor payments, payroll processing, and host-to-host connectivity. The implementation was recognized with the silver award for best managed project at Project Management Excellence Awards 2023, reflecting the scale, complexity, and the impact of the transformation.
The 5-year celebration brought together the leaders from both organizations to reflect the partnership and collaboration between them. Both organizations confirmed their commitment to the next phase defined by agility, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.
Capitec Holdings PLC returned to profitability in the financial year ended March 2026, reporting a profit before tax of 37.56 million rupees as revenue reached 1.92 billion rupees. For the fourth quarter, revenue rose 19% year-on-year to 547.53 million rupees, while gross profit increased 39% to 215.51 million rupees. The company recorded an operating profit of 10.22 million rupees, reversing a loss reported in the same period a year earlier. Capitec attributed the turnaround to a 2-year restructuring program focused on cost discipline, asset-light revenue streams, and technology investments. Growth was supported by its marketplace and digital services platforms, as well as expanding cross-border operations that generate US dollar revenue through international e-commerce channels. The company also accelerated the use of artificial intelligence across its operations and began transitioning its delivery fleet to electric vehicles to improve efficiency and strengthen long-term profitability.
We're going in for a short commercial break. Global business updates coming on [music] the other side. This is the Nightly Business Report.
Welcome back to the Nightly Business Report. Most Asian stocks rose today with Japanese and South Korean shares hitting a record high after reports showed the US and Iran [music] had signed a framework deal to end their nearly 4-month war. Japan's Nikkei 225 index was the best performer in Asia today, surging nearly 2% to a record high of 71,477 points. South Korea's Kospi rose nearly 1% to a record high of 8,976.55 points. China's Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 added 0.1% while the Shanghai Composite fell 0.4%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index vastly lagged its regional peers, sliding 1.8% to its weakest level since July of 2025.
Apple plans to raise the prices of its products as the cost of the memory chips it uses has surged. Apple's outgoing chief executive Tim Cook told the Wall Street Journal that price increases were unavoidable as the situation around memory chips has become unsustainable.
He did not say when the prices would rise or which products would be affected. It's unclear whether the price hikes will affect the iPhone 18, which is expected to be launched in September.
In addition to rising AI demand, the war in Iran has also disrupted supply of crucial materials to produce semiconductors, adding more cost to computer chips. According to research firm Omdia, the average selling price of smartphones globally is expected to rise by around 20% in 2026 to an all-time high. Apple's new phones are likely to cost up to $150 more than the iPhone 17s as the firm is expected to upgrade their specifications to support new AI features.
Thank you for watching the nightly [music] business report on Ada Derana News Channel. Please do share your events or media releases with us via email on [email protected]. [music] We'll see you again tomorrow with the latest updates across the business globe. Vinod Derana Suriya will be joining you next with Ada Derana Sports [music] Central. Till then, I'm Anuradha Wickramasinghe. Thank you very much for watching. Have a great night.
>> [music] [music] >> Woo!
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