ECONOMYNEXT – The United States has announced a 17 million US dollar grant to modernise digital systems and maritime documentation at the Port of Colombo, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Stern Meyer announced the grant during a visit to the Colombo port, following discussions with senior maritime officials and government ministers.

The funding is aimed at upgrading Sri Lanka’s Maritime Single Window and Port Community System, which manage documentation, regulatory clearances, and data sharing across the port.

“This funding will support the digital infrastructure used for maritime documentation, regulatory procedures, and information exchange among port stakeholders,” Ambassador Meyer said.

The planned digital upgrade is designed to improve coordination between the SLPA, Customs, terminal operators, shipping lines, and other key agencies involved in daily cargo handling.

“Better integration of maritime data and administrative processes will reduce paperwork, improve cargo clearance, and support more efficient vessel and cargo operations,” SLPA Chairman Parakrama Dissanayake said.

Modernising these core digital systems is vital to strengthening trade facilitation at the Port of Colombo, which operates as a primary transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean, officials noted. (Colombo/Oct16/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Amana Takaful Insurance has introduced live motor claim tracking and digital document submission through its mobile application to enhance customer transparency.

The updated platform features trilingual capabilities in English, Sinhala, and Tamil to improve accessibility across Sri Lanka.

The new Motor Claims Workflow lets customers track the status and progress of their motor claims through the app.

“This enables customers to remain informed at each stage of the process without having to rely solely on traditional follow-up channels,” the company said.

Customers can also digitally submit the documents required to support the settlement of their claims.

Necessary supporting documents can be uploaded through the mobile app.

“By combining real-time visibility into the claims journey, digital document submission and access in all three languages, Amana Takaful continues to make its services more transparent, convenient and accessible to customers across the country.” (Colombo/Oct16/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s SMB Finance PLC has appointed Lansage Ajith Prasanna Medis as chief executive officer of the company with effect from October 16.

Medis does not have a relevant interest in shares issued by the company, SMB Finance said in a market filing.

A brief profile provided by the company is reproduced below:

Professor Ajith Medis has extensive experience in academia, financial services, business strategy, and management.

He joined academia in 2002 after a decade of working with LOLC, People’s Merchant Bank, and Mitsui & Company.

He previously held senior positions in the financial services sector, including Chief Executive Officer of PMF Finance PLC, Director of Alliance Finance PLC, Overseas Consultant to the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad, and many others.

He has also provided consultancy services to over 30 finance companies in various capacities, both local and overseas.

His expertise includes implementing turnaround strategies for ailing entities, enhancing top- and bottom-line performance for growth, and restoring corporate fundamentals.

Professor Medis holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Special Honors) degree from the University of Kelaniya, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and a PhD in Strategy from Management and Science University, Malaysia.

He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK and a Certified Management Accountant qualification from Australia.

His combined academic expertise, financial-sector experience, and strategic management background will contribute to the leadership and future development of SMB Finance PLC. (Colombo/Oct16/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT — Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange opened up on Friday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving up 0.60 percent.

The ASPI was up 119.48 points at 20,090.63, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was up 0.63 percent, or 36.09 points, at 5,735.11.

Positive contributors to the ASPI were Dialog Axiata (up 3.29 percent at 43.90 rupees), Commercial Bank of Ceylon (up 0.51 percent at 199.00 rupees), Sri Lanka Telecom (up 4.54 percent at 82.90 rupees), and Sampath Bank (up 1.45 percent at 140.00 rupees).

Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (down 1.57 percent at 50.00 rupees), Ambeon Holdings (down 3.98 percent at 31.40 rupees), Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) (down 2.28 percent at 72.80 rupees), Singer (Sri Lanka) (down 0.56 percent at 70.60 rupees), and Ceylon Tobacco Company (down 0.56 percent at 1,768.00 rupees) were top negative contributors.

Market turnover was 170.32 million rupees. Capital goods led turnover with 36.64 million rupees. (Colombo/Oct16/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted flat at 331.15/25 to the US dollar in the spot market on Friday, while bond yields were steady, dealers said.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2028 was quoted flat at 10.60/70 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2029 was quoted at 10.95/11.05 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2030 was quoted at 11.41/45 percent, up from 11.40/45 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.12.2031 was quoted at 11.65/73 percent, up from 11.65/70 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 was quoted at 11.75/90 percent, up from 11.75/85 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.01.2033 was quoted at 11.85/95 percent, up from 11.95/12.00 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2034 was quoted flat at 12.20/30 percent.

The telegraphic transfer rate for the dollar was 326.70 buying, 335.70 selling; the euro was 363.6850 buying, 377.4658 selling; pound was 432.5942 buying, 446.7026 selling.

On the Colombo Stock Exchange the All Share Price Index was up 0.56 percent, or 111.97 points, at 20,083; while the S&P SL20 was up 0.63 percent, 35.68 points, at 5,734. (Colombo/Oct16/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s services sector expanded at a slower rate in September 2026, according to a Purchasing Managers Index compiled by the central bank, which registered an index value of 60.5, compared to 65.6 the previous month.

“Business Activity increased in September 2026, reflecting improvements across several sub-sectors, led by financial services, with notable contributions from education and professional services,” CBSL said.

New businesses increased in September 2026, registering 60.9 from August’s 60.0, due to the expansion in the financial services, with positive contributions from the insurance, education, professional, and other personal services sub-sectors.

Employment increased in September, “as firms across several sectors increased recruitment to meet operational needs and support business expansion”.

Backlogs of Work declined in the month, although at a slower rate compared to the previous month.

Broader global economic uncertainties continued to pose downside risks to the outlook, CBSL said. (Colombo/Oct15/2026)