Hayleys PLC has announced plans to enter the large-scale supermarket sector, marking a major step in its 148-year history of diversification and value creation. The Group said the move reflects its strategy to bring quality, reliability, and service excellence closer to everyday Sri Lankan consumers, while redefining the modern retail experience. Hayleys plans to commence operations with 100 outlets across key urban and suburban areas, building a value-driven retail ecosystem that leverages its extensive reach, brand strength, and leadership in logistics, manufacturing, and services. The entry into the supermarket sector is expected to further diversify the Group’s earnings portfolio and…
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Tesla has issued a recall for 12,963 vehicles in the United States due to a defect in a battery pack component that could cause a sudden loss of drive power, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall affects certain 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles, where a malfunction in the battery pack contactor could result in drivers losing the ability to accelerate — heightening the risk of a crash. The NHTSA said the issue could lead to an unexpected power failure while driving. Tesla has confirmed it will replace the affected battery pack…
The renovation of the Colombo Central Bus Terminal is currently underway under the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, as part of the government’s broader vision of creating a “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life.” The project, which is being implemented with an allocation of Rs. 425 million, aims to upgrade the key transit hub to modern standards. It is aligned with the government’s national development agenda to improve public infrastructure and enhance urban living conditions. The renovation is being carried out with the direct manpower contribution of the Sri Lanka Air Force, in collaboration with the Colombo Municipal Council, Ceylon Electricity Board,…
Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2025, Lihasha Lindsay-White, has been reunited with her crown and dress after accidentally leaving them in a Bangkok taxi on Sunday, October 19. Lindsay-White reported the incident to Thailand’s 1155 Tourist Service Center after discovering she had left the crown and a dark green dress in a taxi near Siam Center Point in Pathumwan District. Thai Tourist Police, along with an interpreter, assisted her at the Pathumwan Police Station. CCTV footage helped authorities identify the taxi and its driver. Since the report was made over the weekend and the taxi cooperative office was closed, officials made…
A 17-year-old student of Bandaragama National School, who was riding a motorcycle, has died following a collision with a SLTB bus in the Kothalawala area, Bandaragama, today (22), police said. The victim has been identified as Lochana Lukshan, a Grade 12 student and student corporal who was active in several school groups, including the dance troupe. According to police, the accident occurred when the student, who was riding his motorcycle at high speed along the Bandaragama–Horana main road, lost control and crashed into the rear of a bus travelling towards Horana from Panadura. He was initially admitted to the Bandaragama…
A state-of-the-art Electronic Korean Language Examination Centre, equipped with modern facilities and smart devices such as tablets, was officially opened today (22) in Thalahena under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra. The new centre, known as the Korean Language Examination Center Ubiquitous-based Test (UBT), has been established to conduct Korean language proficiency tests required for employment opportunities in South Korea under the EPS programme. The initiative follows a decision by South Korea’s Human Resources Development Service (HRD Korea) to introduce tablet-based examinations starting in 2025. The centre was established at the request of…
The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has approved the government’s move to increase the Special Commodity Levy (SCL) on imported big onions and potatoes to ensure a fair price for local farmers during the 2025 Yala season. The decision, taken at a COPF meeting chaired by MP Harsha de Silva on Tuesday (21), raises the SCL on one kilogram of imported big onions by Rs. 10, from Rs. 40 to Rs. 50, and on imported potatoes by Rs. 20, from Rs. 60 to Rs. 80, effective from August 26, 2025. While the SCL was initially expected to be phased out,…
The Colombo High Court today (22) scheduled the trial of a case filed by the Bribery Commission against former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, who is accused of unlawfully acquiring assets and funds amounting to approximately Rs. 75 million while serving as a government minister. The case was called before Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal, who set December 18 and January 20 as the dates for the trial. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General AZad Navavi, appearing on behalf of the Bribery Commission, informed the court that all relevant documents required for the case have already been submitted to the defence.…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka is bringing a competitive and rules based, tax framework for investors after discussing with the International Monetary Fund, for projects over 50 million US dollars, Board of Investment Chairman Arjuna Herath said. Sri Lanka suspended tax holidays running up to 20 years or more given under Strategic Development Project Act, amid concerns over arbitrary ‘negotiated’ taxes as part of an IMF program. “In that context, we have worked actively with IMF to get the STP project concessions in place,” Herath said. “And we are looking at this being announced very soon. And projects over US dollars…
Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala informed Parliament today that the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Wickramasekara, who was shot dead today, was involved with the underworld. Wijepala assured that there is no threat to national security, despite shooting incidents in the recent past, including the murder of Wickramasekara. There is an evident clash between organized crime groups in the country who are also in possession of weapons, the Public Security Minister said, adding that today’s shooting was also one such incident. He further said that despite Lasantha Wickramasekara being elected as a public representative, he was an…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 303.40/50 to the US dollar Wednesday, weaker from 303.05/15 the previous day, while bond yields closed broadly steady, dealers said. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 closed at 8.30/35 percent, up from 8.25/35 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 closed at 8.80/83 percent, up from 8.75/85 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2028 closed at 9.25/30 percent, up from 9.20/30 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed at 9.67/73 percent, up from 9.65/70 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 closed flat at 10.50/65 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 closed at 10.67/73 percent, up from…
Cabinet approval has been granted to provide a pair of shoes for selected school students, Piriven students, and Sila Matha for the 2026 academic year, through a QR-coded voucher system. According to the government, it has been decided to provide vouchers for a pair of shoes for the selected school students by the end of the 2025 school term. The vouchers have been prepared by the Ministry of Education and are planned to be securely printed with a QR code that is to be given to the beneficiary students. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by…
Cabinet approval has been granted to conduct the ‘Sri Lankan Day’ national program on 12, 13, and 14 December 2025. Accordingly, the event will be held at the Colombo Town Hall grounds, Vihara Maha Devi Park, and adjoining roads, with the participation of the public and private sectors in four zones. The national programme was proposed in the Budget Speech 2025 by the President with the objective of creating a harmonious Sri Lanka by developing understanding among communities. The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing this programme. The programme has been…
Actress and entrepreneur Piumi Hansamali has rejected claims that she had any connection with the recently arrested underworld figure known as “Kehelbaddara Padme.” Media reports earlier today said that Hansamali had been questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding her alleged links to Padme. In a Facebook post, she clarified that she had only met Kehelbaddara Padme once in March 2022 during a New Year celebration in Dubai, and that the meeting was casual. “I first saw this person at that event with his wife and children. They took a photo with me. He also said that he wanted…
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to announce that the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2025 will not be held this year as originally planned. The decision was taken after careful consideration of the broader requirement of preparing well in advance for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India during February–March 2026. As per the guidelines of the International Cricket Council (ICC), all host venues for the upcoming 20-team event must be in perfect condition to meet the demands of a major international competition. Accordingly, Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to shift the…
Gold prices in Sri Lanka have dropped by nearly Rs. 60,000 since last Friday (17), it was reported. According to local gold merchants, a price drop of around Rs. 20,000 has been recorded today (22) alone. The price of a 22-carat sovereign has dropped from Friday’s rate of Rs. 379,200 to Rs. 322,000 at the Colombo Pettah gold market. Traders said a 24-carat sovereign has dropped from Rs. 410,000 to Rs. 350,000 during the same period. (Newswire) The post Gold prices in Sri Lanka take a plunge appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has sold 39.62 billion rupees of Treasury bills, of an offered 70 billion, with yields flat across maturities, data from the state debt office showed. The 3-month yield was unchanged at 7.52 percent, with 10 billion rupees of bills offered and 4.47 billion sold. The 6-month yield was unchanged at 7.89 percent, with 40 billion rupees offered and 30.76 billion sold. The 12-month yield was unchanged at 8.02 percent with 20 billion rupees offered and 4.38 billion bills sold. 108.61 billion bids were received. All three bills are available on tap at the weighted average yield.…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated slightly against the US Dollar today (22), compared to Tuesday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 299.22 to Rs. 299.38, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 306.71 to Rs. 306.86. The Sri Lankan Rupee has changed slightly against a basket of foreign currencies, while it has depreciated against Gulf currencies. (Newswire) The post Today’s CBSL official exchange rates appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange saw mixed sentiment on Wednesday, as its All Share Price Index closed up, while the S&P SL20 closed down. The All Share Price Index was up 0.03 percent, or 7.45 points, at 22,791.07. The S&P SL20 was down 0.11 percent, or 7.21 points, at 6,276.86. Market turnover was 6.61 billion rupees. Most of this came from capital goods (Rs1.5bn) and bank (Rs1.19bn) stocks. Top contributors to the ASPI were Colombo Dockyard (up 27.50 rupees at 171.25), Sampath Bank (up 1 rupee at 149.50), Central Finance (up 4.25 rupees at 317.50), Harischandra Mills (up…
Pakistan spinner Noman Ali has attained a career-best second position in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings after helping his team win the first Test against South Africa in Lahore. The left-arm spinner has progressed four places and is now only 29 rating points behind top-ranked Jasprit Bumrah of India after finishing with figures of six for 112 and four for 79 in Pakistan’s 93-run victory that helped take a 1-0 lead in the two-match ICC World Test Championship series. Noman is currently at a career-high of 853 rating points, becoming only the seventh from his country to cross the…