ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s debt burden measured in both debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) and dollar terms have fallen though it has risen in local currency, Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha said.

In a video statement issued by the Finance Ministry, the Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka’s total debt has reduced to 88.8 percent of the GDP as of end June 2026, compared to 95 percent on December 31, 2025.

Official data released by the Finance Ministry showed total government debt had fallen to US$95 billion by end June this year from US$100.4 billion by end of last year.

However, in rupee terms, the total debt has increased to 32 trillion rupees by end June this year, compared to 31.2 trillion on December 31, 2025. (Colombo/September 02/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields dipped across maturities at Wednesday’s auction, with all offered 80 billion rupees of bills sold, data from the Public Debt Management Office showed.

The 3-month bill was down 10 basis points at 9.96 percent, with all 35 billion rupees offered sold.

The 6-month bill was down 17 basis points at 9.27 percent, with all 25 billion rupees offered sold.

The 12-month bill was down 8 basis points 9.81 percent, with all 20 billion rupees offered sold.

All 3 bills are available on tap. (Colombo/Sep2/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Hunas Holdings, a diversified conglomerate, said it was partnering with CCH Inc to develop its real estate and hospitality sectors. 

CCH Inc is a Tokyo-based diversified business group founded in 2008 that specializes in business process outsourcing (BPO), in-house services, investment, mergers and acquisitions, and business development.

“Its approach combines investment with M&A, business development and operational expertise, enabling the company to play an active role in the businesses and markets it enters,” Hunas Holdings said in a market filing. 

Hunas Holdings, a listed company on the CSE, has 12 subsidiaries that specialise across renewable energy, leisure, tea and real estate. 

“This partnership is entered into identify, develop and manage potential Real Estate and hospitality projects.”

The collaboration is expected to strengthen the company’s presence and growth prospects across these sectors, while enabling the development of new opportunities. (Colombo/Sep2/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange indices closed marginally up on Wednesday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index inching up 0.03 percent.

The ASPI was up 7.33 points at 21,325.64, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was up 0.06 percent, or 3.60 points, at 5,990.05.

Positive contributors to the ASPI were Ceylinco Insurance (up 9.12 percent at 3,110.00 rupees), Haycarb (up 3.57 percent at 203.00 rupees), Dipped Products (up 2.65 percent at 58.10 rupees), and National Development Bank (up 0.90 percent at 111.50 rupees).

Browns Investments (down 7.02 percent at 5.30 rupees), Carson Cumberbatch (down 3.90 percent at 720.25 rupees), Melstacorp (down 0.39 percent at 189.25 rupees), and Hemas Holdings (down 0.95 percent at 31.20 rupees) were top negative contributors.

Market turnover was 1.28 billion rupees. Banks led turnover with 256.4 million rupees.

Hunas Holdings announced a strategic partnership with Tokyo-based CCH Inc. on August 31, 2026, targeting the real estate and hospitality sectors to identify, develop, and manage potential projects. (Colombo/September02/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Visitor numbers into Sri Lanka fell 3.3 percent in August 2026, compared to a year ago, official data showed.

Total arrivals in August were 191,704 compared to 196,845 in the same month last year.

India continued to be the top source with 47,253 visitors, making up a quarter of total arrivals.

The UK (19,588) and China (12,321) followed.

There have been 1,535,122 visitors to the island so far this year.

Last month, Sri Lanka revised down its tourist arrival target and revenue goal, the country’s Tourism Promotion Bureau chief said.

The island nation cut down its 3 million visitor goal in 2026 to 2.7 million and lowered its revenue target from tourism to 4.2 billion dollars from 5 billion dollars.

Sri Lanka revised down 2026 tourist arrival, revenue targets

Tourist arrivals declined by 1.7 percent year-on-year in July 2026, the central bank said.

Total arrivals during January-July 2026 amounted to 1,343,418, compared to 1,368,288 arrivals recorded during the corresponding period of 2025.

Tourism earnings were estimated at 286 million dollars in July 2026, CBSL said, a 10.3 percent decline from a year earlier.

Total tourism earnings during January-July 2026 fell by 11.5 percent to 1.8 billion dollars, compared to the corresponding period of 2025.

Sri Lanka lost the hosting rights for the February 2027 Women’s Champions Trophy, which would have seen an uptick in visitor numbers, after the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to move the tournament out of the country due to concerns over government interference in the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). (Colombo/Sep2/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – The US helped Sri Lanka detect a narcotrafficking network attempting to smuggle crystal methamphetamine through the island-nation to international markets, the US Embassy said.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Delhi Country Office and Sri Lanka’s Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) conducted the joint operation disrupting a Pakistan-based network.

“Acting on intelligence developed by DEA’s Foreign Counterparts Unit Pakistan Anti-Narcotics Force Special Investigations Cell between August 14–29 on suspicious maritime containers moving from Pakistan to Colombo, PNB seized approximately 463 kg of crystal methamphetamine — valued at $21 million — concealed in bath towels, and arrested several suspects.”

“This operation underscores the strength of the U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership in dismantling transnational criminal organizations that fund terrorism and threaten communities in both our countries.”

This cooperation builds on longstanding training and technical assistance provided through the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to the Sri Lanka Police and Customs.
(Colombo/Sep2/2026)