Feb 5 (FT) The National Sales Average (NSA) of tea declined in January 2026 on both a month-on-month (M-o-M) and year-on-year (YoY) basis, according to Forbes & Walker Research. The NSA for the month stood at Rs. 1,164.54 ($ 3.76), down Rs. 37.04 and $ 0.13 from December 2025, when the average was Rs. 1,201.58 ($ 3.89). Compared with January 2025, when the NSA averaged Rs. 1,185.43 ($ 4), the January 2026 figure represents a decline of Rs. 20.89 and $ 0.24. more..

Feb 5 (EN) Sri Lanka should increase its trade with India with an aim to reduce risks in the ongoing geopolitical battle, a former Asian Development Bank research expert said. SL and India have a long history of attempting to upgrade their 1998 Free Trade Agreement (FTA) into a broader comprehensive deal. While technical negotiations were completed for two major frameworks, CEPA and ETCA, neither was signed due to intense political opposition and domestic pressure within SL. more..

Feb 5 (Island) A home series against England was meant to be the ideal dress rehearsal, a chance for Sri Lanka to oil the wheels and gather momentum ahead of the World Cup starting later this week. Instead, the campaign has gone awfully wrong. Plenty of promise, precious little substance. Bar the lone victory in the opening ODI, the hosts have spent the white-ball leg chasing shadows, the ODI series defeat a bitter pill and the T20I whitewash a full-blown reality check. more..

Feb 5 (CI) Where in other formats, Sri Lanka have had brief shining moments in the past few years, their T20I returns have been consistently modest. Since the start of 2022, there has not been a single calendar year in which Sri Lanka have won more T20Is than they have lost. This, despite some of their oppositions through this period not being especially highly-ranked. Sri Lanka arrive at this World Cup in now customary disarray. A captain has been switched. Or more accurately, more..

Feb 5 (TM) Environment Ministry stated that if the use of substandard coal has caused any environmental impact, the relevant authorities would take necessary action, noting that concerns have however been raised particularly about its sulphur composition. Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody said the most significant concern relates to the sulphur composition of the coal in question. “If an environmental impact arises from this, appropriate measures will be taken. more..

Feb 5 (FT) Cabinet has approved the award of tenders for the installation of independent battery storage systems at 16 electrical substations across SL, a major step towards maximising the utilisation of solar energy in the national electricity grid. Approval follows the submission of a General Board Memorandum by Power Minister EKumara Jayakody, highlighting the need for battery storage to address one of the key challenges in integrating renewable energy into the power system. more..

Feb 5 (EN) SL’s central bank could have intervened to bring down short term rates that were moving up, but rates fell before the agency intervened, CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said. Sri Lanka’s interbank rates moved up above 7.75% overnight policy rate (OPR) as private credit picked up last year until cyclone Ditwah, and also govt relief payments in December. Rates started to move down in January with the central bank also buying more dollars and injecting more liquidity. more..

Feb 5 (FT) After setting tax collection records in 2025 without administrative reforms, the Finance Ministry this week announced the formal establishment of the Tax Policy Analysis Unit (TPAU) under the Department of Fiscal Policy, marking a significant institutional step towards embedding tax policy formulation within the Govt’s fiscal framework. Ministry said the operational launch of the Unit was accompanied by a first capacity-building training program more..

Feb 5 (FT) Agriculture-rich diversified conglomerate CIC Holdings has recorded a consolidated revenue of Rs. 70.28 billion for the nine months to end-Dec 2025, reflecting an increase of 8.69% year-on-year (YoY). Group’s gross profit increased by 10.11% to Rs. 18.42 billion, with the gross profit margin for the period under review improving to approximately 26%, supported by disciplined pricing and product mix optimisation. Profit After Tax (PAT) increased to Rs. 5.97 billion from Rs. 5.7 billion more..

Feb 5 (FT) Hemas Holdings has reported cumulative earnings of Rs. 5.9 billion, up 7.5% year-on-year (YoY), for the nine months to end-Dec 2025 supported by revenue growth of 9.4% to Rs. 95.8 billion and a significant reduction in net finance costs. Operating profit was broadly stable at Rs. 9.8 billion, with margin pressures in select Consumer Brands categories offset by robust performance in Healthcare and Mobility, both of which delivered double-digit growth in revenue and earnings. more..

Feb 5 (FT) National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) has pledged full support for Export Development Board’s (EDB) plans for the year ahead at its first council meeting for 2026. The meeting brought together export sector representatives for a focused discussion on priorities, sector concerns including labour shortages, market access, and post-disaster challenges, and collaboration with the EDB. SL’s export sector continued its positive growth momentum in 2025, recording a notable growth of 5.6% more..

Feb 5 (FT) Sri Lanka presented a clear message of confidence, reform, and long-term opportunity at the exclusive Port City Colombo Investor Forum held on 27 Jan at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. Jointly organised by the High Commission of SL in Singapore and Port City Colombo, the forum positioned Port City Colombo as the centrepiece of SL’s next phase of economic transformation. The forum brought together close to 100 senior invitees from across real estate, financial services, more..

Feb 5 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake set out a broad economic vision centred on governance, human capital, and equitable growth, arguing that SL’s political independence remains incomplete without economic freedom. Addressing the 78th National Independence Day celebrations, Prez said the country was still engaged in a struggle to complete our independence, adding that the true fulfilment of independence lies in the extent to which we are able to achieve economic freedom. more..

Feb 5 (SO) When Cyclone Ditwah hit SL, the military did most of the heavy lifting. They carried out search-and-rescue operations, moved supplies, and restored access. The military was the first to respond whenever the Govt wanted to do something fast, technical, and coordinated. For critics, this is proof that SL is sliding deeper into militarisation- the so-called militarisation of SL society. However, this is the result not so much of the military creeping into civilian functions more..

Feb 5 (Island) The argy-bargy is done, and the battle’s lost and won, one might say with apologies to the Bard. A prolonged tug of war between Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Constitutional Council (CC) has come to an end. The newly reconstituted CC has unanimously approved Prez’s nominee for the post of Auditor General (AG). The National Audit Office (NAO), which remained headless for months, now has a new head—Samudrika Jayaratne, who has served as Senior Deputy Auditor General. more..

Feb 5 (GV) In regional politics yesterday’s adversaries often become today’s strategic partners. History repeatedly shows that geopolitical interests can override past hostilities. This reality now raises a deeply unsettling question for the Tamil people of Sri Lanka. If former adversaries of India can become its trusted partners does that also mean that long standing friends of the Tamil people risk becoming inconvenient voices when strategic interests demand silence? more..

Feb 5 (TM) When the NPP Govt swept into office, it did so on a singular, compelling promise: system change. It pledged to dismantle corruption, end nepotism, and restore credibility to institutions hollowed out by decades of political interference. For a country battered by economic collapse and moral exhaustion, that promise was not merely attractive, it was essential. 16 months into governance, the delayed appointment of an Auditor General has become a defining moment for that pledge. more..

Feb 5 (SO) Water holds a unique place in our lives. Not only for fulfilling the daily needs such as drinking, washing, food production, energy generation, and transportation, but also taking pride of place in SL’s health, hygiene, and spiritual values.Water is not an unlimited resource. Even though 70% percent of the planet earth is covered in water, only three percent is freshwater. Two-thirds of the freshwater is unavailable for our use, due to being in glaciers. more..

Feb 5 (ST) On that fine and sunny February morn 78 years ago, Britain, still morosely sulking over the loss of India that crowned her vast empire on which the sun never set but always rose at dawn, performed one little chore, one small duty that remained to be done before leaving for old England. It involved the formal ritual of ceremoniously handing over, on a silver platter, the royal gift of independence granted by His Majesty the King of England to the people of Ceylon and the tearing up of the Kandyan. more..

Feb 5 (CT) Few infrastructure projects in SL better illustrate the country’s uneasy relationship with long-term planning, foreign financing and political continuity than the Central Expressway. The first section of the E04, stretching from Kadawatha to Mirigama, is once again inching forward. Yet, it is doing so under a cloud of uncertainty that raises uncomfortable questions about governance, credibility and the real cost of delay. On the surface, there is reason for cautious optimism. more..

Feb 5 (TM) Sri Lanka’s economic stabilisation under the IMF-supported EFF has delivered tangible macroeconomic improvements, including sharply lower inflation, stronger revenue performance, and a recovery in output from crisis lows. However, remarks made last week by senior IMF officials suggest that while the stabilisation phase is largely on track, the country’s medium-term growth trajectory remains uncertain and subject to considerable structural and external constraints. more..

Feb 5 (DM) US Prez Donald Trump has said multiple times that he wants Canada to be the 51st. State of the United States, and not an independent country as it has been all along. Trump’s aim is to bring the entire Western Hemisphere under US control, ostensibly to face a perceived threat from Russia and China or even a European power. In pursuit of his objective, Trump is exploiting separatist sentiments in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, sentiments rooted in a feeling of being more..

Feb 5 (DM) Renting a house or an apartment in Colombo is now becoming next to impossible due to exorbitant rental fees. Around 10-15 years ago, the real estate value for annexes and rooms in areas such as Nugegoda, Maharagama, Kohuwala and surrounding areas remained below Rs. 50,000. Today, a room that is described as most suitable for working couples or students would cost around Rs. 30,000 indicating the shift in prices. But in most instances, such accommodation doesn’t even have basic facilities more..

Feb 4 (Island) Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday raised concerns over the recent suspension of Parliament’s Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Staff, Chaminda Kularatne, alleging that the process appeared to be mala fide. Addressing Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne in Parliament, Premadasa said that the existence of a personal disagreement between the Speaker and the suspended official had more..

Feb 4 (CT) Govt has assured that it will soon address the pending issues faced by CEB employees who have opted for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. He acknowledged growing concerns among employees whose travel plans, visa arrangements, and personal commitments have been disrupted due to delays in their official release from the CEB. “We are aware that several employees who opted for VRS are in a more..

Feb 4 (FT) Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday that over 24,000 passengers have used the newly introduced electronic gates at the BIA since the soft launch on 23 Dec 2025. Addressing the post-Cabinet media briefing, he said that, on average, around 4% of total arriving passengers have opted to use the e-gates to enter the country. He noted that while uptake is still relatively modest, the figures indicate growing public acceptance of the system during its initial phase. more..

Feb 4 (Island) Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament that the CIABOC has commenced an investigation into the 2020 sugar scam. He said the probe had been initially handled by the CID, which sought the AG's instructions on further proceedings. Acting on those instructions, CID referred the matter to CIABOC for further investigation. The findings so far have been handed over to CIABOC, for further investigation. more..

Feb 4 (CT) In line with the 78th National Independence Day, SL Army announced that promotions will be granted today to 9,158 non-commissioned officers. Accordingly, the promotions have been awarded with effect from 4 Feb. Under the promotions, 260 senior non-commissioned officers holding the rank of Warrant Officer II have been promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer I, while 1,211 senior non-commissioned officers holding the rank of Staff Sergeant have been promoted to more..

Feb 4 (TM) A cousin of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Bandara Rambukwella, was arrested on allegations of money laundering by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. He was taken into custody yesterday at his residence, the Police said. The court later ordered that Bandara Rambukwella be remanded until 10 February. Meanwhile, an individual was arrested at the BIA while attempting to smuggle a large quantity of foreign currency into SL. more..

Feb 4 (CI) Chasing a modest target of 129, Sri Lanka once again found themselves in the throws of a middle-order trough, but on a third-use wicket, one where turn was far from infrequent, their plan to employ seven specialist batters was seemingly on the verge of finally paying off. On paper, this was the perfect use case. A batting collapse, but in a low-scoring thriller, so that the extra batter would not be burdened by scoreboard pressure, and therefore, presumably, able to shepherd home more..

Feb 4 (Island) Hemas Hospitals has strengthened its regional healthcare positioning with the launch of Adora Cosmetic Centre at Hemas Hospital Wattala, introducing a hospital-backed, clinically governed model of aesthetic medicine at a time when South Asia’s cosmetic sector is expanding faster than regulation. Unlike standalone cosmetic clinics, Adora is fully integrated into the Hemas Hospital ecosystem, embedding aesthetic services within hospital-grade infrastructure, multidisciplinary more..

Feb 4 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara convened a high-level meeting to review SL’s preparedness for its Third Mutual Evaluation on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), signalling direct presidential oversight of a process critical to safeguarding the country’s standing in the global financial system. The meeting comes as SL prepares to demonstrate technical compliance more..