ECONOMYNEXT — Six project companies of renewable energy firm WindForce PLC have submitted winning bids to develop 28 megawatts (MW) and 144 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage systems (BESS), the company said in a regulatory filing.

The estimated equity investment for WindForce across these energy storage projects is approximately 944 million rupees.

The bids were placed under a tender for the establishment of 150 MW / 600 MWh Battery Energy Storage Systems integrated with existing ground-mounted solar power plants. The projects will be built on a Build, Own, and Operate (BOO) model for a 15-year operational period.

“While the formal award of the projects is still pending, the Board of Directors considers this development to be price-sensitive information, given its relevance to the Company’s future operations, potential project portfolio expansion and long-term financial outlook,” WindForce said.

The company confirmed that the bid prices submitted by its project firms fell within the winning bid threshold.

The six participating units include Diya Janani (Pvt) Ltd, in which WindForce holds a 100 percent stake with a project capacity of 3.75 MW / 18.75 MWh; Kebitigollewa Solar Power (Pvt) Ltd, where it holds 88.50 percent (4.90 MW / 25.00 MWh); and Vydexa (Pvt) Ltd, in which it owns 76.13 percent (4.90 MW / 25.00 MWh).

The remaining capacity belongs to Solar Universe (Pvt) Ltd, Sooryashakthi (Pvt) Ltd, and Solar One Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd, each 50 percent owned by WindForce and each holding 4.90 MW / 25.00 MWh. Together, the projects total 28.25 MW and 143.75 MWh.

“This announcement contains forward-looking statements based on the current bidding outcome. These are subject to the final awarding process, regulatory approvals and execution of the relevant agreements,” the company said.

WindForce stated that it will make further disclosures to the market once formal contract awards are received, relevant agreements are signed, or any other material developments occur. (Colombo/Sept25/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Vietjet will offer complimentary Wi-Fi for passengers on all Vietjet-branded flights, including Colombo-Ho Chi Minh City route.

Vietjet, together with its group companies Galaxy Holdings and Galaxy Telecom, signed a partnership agreement with Starlink, the satellite internet service engineered and operated by SpaceX, to provide passengers with free, high-speed Wi-Fi on Vietjet flights, during the working visit to the United States by Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam.

The agreement was exchanged in the presence of Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam, senior leaders and business representatives from both countries, marking a new milestone in aviation technology cooperation between Vietnam and the United States.

In the initial phase, Starlink will be installed on 120 Vietjet aircraft, including 100 Airbus A321 and Boeing 737 aircraft and 20 Airbus A330 aircraft.

Vietjet also plans to equip all future aircraft deliveries with high-speed internet, extending connectivity across its Vietnam domestic and international network, including the Colombo to Ho Chi Minh City service.

With high-speed, low-latency connectivity and coverage over oceans, polar regions and remote areas, Starlink will enable passengers to work, stay connected, stream entertainment and access online content throughout their journey.

Vietjet aims to make high-speed inflight Wi-Fi no longer a premium amenity, but an essential and widely accessible digital service for everyday air travel.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Vietjet Chairwoman, said: “With Starlink, time in the air no longer has to mean time offline. Vietjet passengers will be able to stay connected throughout their journey, whether working, staying entertained, or keeping in touch with family and friends. This reflects Vietjet’s longstanding commitment to innovation and our ambition to bring leading technologies closer to more people.”

“The introduction of Starlink on Vietjet will build on the fast, reliable service already connecting homes and businesses on the ground in Vietnam,” said Tim Hughes, Senior Vice President of Global Business and Government Affairs at SpaceX.

“We’re thrilled to deliver a connectivity experience to Vietjet and its customers, making every journey better, smoother and infinitely more enjoyable.”

The Starlink agreement marks the beginning of a long-term technology relationship between Vietjet and SpaceX.

Together with its modern fleet and continued investment in data, artificial intelligence and highly skilled talent, Vietjet is building a digital aviation ecosystem that keeps millions of passengers, including those flying to and from Sri Lanka, connected to the world throughout their journeys. (Colombo/Sep25/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC plans to raise up to 5 billion rupees through an issue of listed, rated, senior, unsecured, redeemable debentures.

An initial Issue of up to 20 million debentures will be offered at 100 rupees each.

The bank will issue a further 20 million debentures, in the event of an over subscription of the initial issue and another 10 million debentures if that tranche too is oversubscribed.

The issue offers two options: Type A debentures carry a 3-year tenor with a fixed interest rate of 12.75 percent per annum (Annual Effective Rate of 12.75 percent) payable annually, while Type B debentures carry a 5-year tenor with a fixed interest rate of 13.50 percent per annum (Annual Effective Rate of 13.50 percent) payable annually.

The subscription list opens on October 1, 2026.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC’s Investment Banking Unit is the manager to the issue, and SSP Corporate Services (Private) Limited is the registrar to the issue.

Pan Asia Bank shares were trading at 52 rupees up 0.39 percent.  (Colombo/Sept25/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange opened higher on Friday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving up 0.18 percent.

The ASPI was up 37.48 points at 21,104.37, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was up 0.46 percent, or 27.32 points, at 5,970.10.

Positive contributors to the ASPI were Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (up 0.95 percent at 53.00 rupees), Dialog Axiata (up 0.64 percent at 47.00 rupees), and Hayleys (up 0.44 percent at 226.25 rupees).

Renuka Foods (down 2.12 percent at 24.00 rupees), Access Engineering (down 0.62 percent at 79.60 rupees), and Hemas Holdings (down 0.32 percent at 30.80 rupees) were top negative contributors.

Market turnover was 43.59 million rupees. Capital goods led turnover with 17 million rupees, followed by real estate management and development with 13.1 million rupees.

Singer Finance (Lanka) announced dates for its proposed rights issue of ordinary voting shares following in-principle approval from the CSE on September 23, with the Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled for October 15, 2026, and the Ex-Rights (XR) date set for October 16.

Pan Asia Banking Corporation announced an issuance of listed, rated, senior, unsecured, redeemable debentures to raise up to 5 billion rupees. The bank will offer an initial 20 million debentures at 100 rupees each, with options to issue up to an additional 30 million debentures, opening for subscription on October 1, 2026. (Colombo/Sep25/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 33.15/30 to the US dollar in the spot market on Friday, from 330.30/55 the previous day, while bond yields were broadly steady, dealers said.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2028 was quoted at 10.45/60 percent, up from 10.40/60 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 was quoted at 10.80/11.00 percent, up from 10.70/80 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 was quoted at 11.10/15 percent, up from 11.15/20 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2030 was quoted at 11.20/25 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.02.2031 was quoted at 11.25/30 percent, down from 11.25/35 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2034 was quoted at 11.93/12.05 percent, up from 11.95/12.00 percent. (Colombo/Sep25/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s services exports in August 2026 rose 13.97 percent to 331.87 million dollars, compared to the same period last year, the island’s Export Development Board said.

Transport and logistics grew 51.41 percent to 187.50 million dollars.

Financial services fell 62.16 percent to 1.65 million dollars.

Earnings from construction fell to 7.62 million dollars in August 2026, down 36.91 percent year-on-year.

Exports earnings from ICT/BPM fell 10.49 percent to 135.10 million dollars in August 2026 compared with August 2025.

Services exports reached an estimated 2,600.73 million dollars from January to August 2026, a year-on-year increase of 6.59 percent.

Total exports of goods and services for August 2026 was 1,601.36 billion US dollars, up 1.77 percent from August 2025. (Colombo/Aug26/2026)