ECONOMYNEXT — Softlogic Stockbrokers has launched StockB, a mobile investment platform designed to offer a unified trading, research, and portfolio management service for investors on the Colombo Stock Exchange.

The platform aims to make investing simpler and more accessible by bringing real-time market data, interactive charting, technical analysis, stock recommendations, and macroeconomic data into a single system, the stockbroking firm said.

Beyond share trading, the mobile application also automates basic administrative tasks, enabling clients to handle online agreement processing, payments, and receipts digitally to reduce manual paperwork.

The app expands direct stock market access for everyday retail investors, Softlogic Stockbrokers Director and Chief Executive Officer Dihan Dedigama said.

“With this trading app, it will take significant time out of an investor needing to connect with a broker if they don’t need to, and this is the start of a new journey to take the stock market to our retail investors,” Dedigama said.

The application is now available as a free download for both existing and new clients.

The platform addresses long-standing fragmentation in the local market, where retail investors often had to consult multiple disjointed channels to check market research, view portfolio balances, and place trade orders.

Softlogic Stockbrokers Head of IT Mohan Abeysundara said the platform was designed to eliminate friction across the entire user journey rather than serve as a basic transaction portal.

“We didn’t want to merely digitize the trading screen; we wanted to streamline the entire customer experience.From digital agreement signing to receiving crucial market alerts, we eliminated unnecessary manual friction,” Abeysundara said.

Abeysundara added that combining company research, trading tips, and push notifications alongside live market prices provides investors with the context needed to make informed choices on their own.

Speaking at an accompanying panel discussion, Finetech Holdings Chief Executive Clehan Pulle noted that artificial intelligence adoption in Sri Lanka remains low at around 6.2 percent. Pulle said platforms that process complex data for everyday users help level the playing field between institutional and retail participants.

StockB will operate as an evolving digital investment companion, with further features planned as client needs change. (Colombo/Sep8/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT — Sri Lanka will launch a 100-million-dollar Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded development program aimed at strengthening social safety nets, livelihoods, and care services for vulnerable groups.

The Macro-Recovery Sector Development Program for Promoting Resilience and Inclusive Economic Opportunities will run from November 2026 to October 2031 across Kegalle, Matale, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Batticaloa, and Nuwara Eliya districts.

Financed via a concessional loan from the ADB, the initiative seeks to address economic vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate impacts.

“Around 56 percent of the country’s population faces multi-dimensional vulnerabilities, which severely impact women, youth, elderly citizens, persons with disabilities, and rural as well as estate communities,” Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs told journalists.

The project will operate under policy and investment components across three core areas.

Entrepreneurship training, market access, financial linkage will be provided, and 30,000 selected Aswesuma families will receive a seed capital grant of 200,000 rupees, in two installments.

New regulations, along with training for care workers, as well as five elderly day-care centers will be established for elderly care.

A Social Protection Plan will be created to reform the system.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the implementation proposal submitted by the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment.

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 328.70/329.00 to the US dollar in the spot market on Tuesday, weaker from 328.25/30 the previous day, while bond yields closed broadly steady, dealers said.

A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 closed at 9.55/85 percent, up from 9.55/75 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2028 closed at 10.10/20 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed flat at 10.50/55 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 closed at 10.73/78 percent, up from 10.75/80 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 closed at 11.25/35 percent, up from 11.15/25 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 closed at 11.70/80 percent, up from 11.60/70 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2034 closed at 11.80/90 percent, up from 11.75/83 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.08.2036 closed at 11.85/93 percent, up from 11.85/95 percent. (Colombo/Sep8/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Viet Nam budget airline Vietjet is offering Sri Lankan travellers Eco tickets from 90 dollars one-way (inclusive of taxes and fees) and 22 percent off Deluxe fares on its Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City route.

The sale runs from 22:30 on 7 September to 21:30 on 10 September (Sri Lanka time).

The promotional Eco fares are available across Vietnam domestic and international routes, while the Deluxe discount applies to international flights using the promo code SALE99.

The travel period is between 10 September 2026 and 31 March 2027 (blackout dates apply).

“Passengers can savour Vietnamese favourites such as pho, banh mi and Vietnamese iced milk coffee, alongside international dishes, while cultural and entertainment programmes add an extra touch of Vietnamese spirit at 10,000 metres above the ground,” the airline said

Vietjet connects Sri Lankan travellers to Vietnam and to a fast growing network across Asia, Australia, and soon, Europe.

The airline will launch services from Hanoi to Almaty and Prague in October, marking its debut in the European Union market. (Colombo/Sep8/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT — Sri Lanka will invite fresh tenders for the returfing of synthetic running tracks at the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex after the only qualified bidder submitted a price significantly above initial estimates, the government said.

The project covers the resurfacing of the 400-meter, 200-meter, and 80-meter synthetic tracks under the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority, with an estimated total cost of 1.06 billion rupees.

Previous cabinet approvals for the project were granted in October 2025 and March 2026, after which tenders were called following the International Competitive Bidding procedure.

“Three bids were received for the tender, but upon evaluation, the sole qualified bidder submitted a price 70 percent higher than the estimated project cost,” Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Following the evaluation, the High-Level Procurement Committee recommended scrapping the initial procurement round and calling for fresh bids.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to recall bids to select a suitable contractor to execute the returfing project.

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Tuesday trading, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.38 percent.

The ASPI was down 81.43 points at 21,542.23, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was down 0.03 percent, or 1.58 points, at 6,064.97.

Positive contributors to the ASPI were Hatton National Bank (up 0.46 percent at 383.25 rupees), Cargills (Ceylon) (up 1.36 percent at 688.75 rupees), Richard Pieris and Company (up 1.92 percent at 26.50 rupees), Vidullanka (up 5.02 percent at 23.00 rupees), and National Development Bank (up 0.67 percent at 112.00 rupees).

Ceylinco Insurance (down 6.71 percent at 2,900.25 rupees), Sampath Bank (down 0.54 percent at 139.25 rupees), and Nations Trust Bank (down 1.76 percent at 307.25 rupees) were top negative contributors.

Market turnover was 1.466 billion rupees. Insurance led turnover with 339.59 million rupees.

Nations Trust Bank disclosed the reconstitution of its Board Audit Review Committee following a board meeting on September 7, 2026, appointing Independent Non-Executive Director Ananda Jayawardana as a member.  (Colombo/September08/2026)