ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 329.30/60 to the US dollar in the spot market on Tuesday, from 330.75/90 the previous day, while bond yields closed lower, dealers said.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2028 closed at 10.50/65 percent, down from 10.50/70 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed at 10.70/85 percent, down from 10.85/95 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 closed at 11.05/15 percent, down from 11.15/20 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.02.2031 closed at 11.15/22 percent, down from 11.30/33 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 closed at 11.40/50 percent, down from 11.50/55 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 closed at 11.70/75 percent, down from 11.70/80 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2034 closed at 11.85/95 percent, down from 11.90/12.00 percent. (Colombo/Sep22/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher on Tuesday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving up 0.36 percent.

The ASPI was up 74.83 points at 21,054.01, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was up 0.70 percent, or 41.08 points, at 5,950.53.

The market experienced an upward shift following news that Fitch Ratings upgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) to ‘B-’ from ‘CCC+’, with a Stable Outlook.

“If you look at the exact point where the market inflection was, it changed and went up after that news came out into the market,” said Raynal Wickremeratne, Head of Research and Strategy at NDB Securities.

“In spite of global challenges and inflation concerns across emerging markets, the fact that our rating is increasing is a strong sign of recovery from a domestic perspective,” Wickremeratne said.

Wickremeratne added that the rally was driven by investor sentiment that had been waiting for the rating upgrade to materialize.

Positive contributors to the ASPI were Access Engineering (up 3.54 percent at 79.00 rupees), Overseas Realty (Ceylon) (up 2.11 percent at 53.20 rupees), Dialog Axiata (up 1.09 percent at 46.50 rupees), and Hatton National Bank (up 0.79 percent at 382.75 rupees).

Kotmale Holdings (down 3.40 percent at 1,200.00 rupees), Namunukula Plantations (down 3.24 percent at 68.70 rupees), Sri Lanka Telecom (down 2.84 percent at 85.50 rupees), Citizens Development Business Finance (down 1.72 percent at 34.30 rupees), and John Keells Holdings (down 0.52 percent at 19.00 rupees) were top negative contributors.

Market turnover was 1.37 billion rupees. Capital goods led turnover with 347.62 million rupees, followed by materials with 215.62 million rupees. (Colombo/Sep22/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers have approved a proposal to publish the Sri Lanka Cricket Bill in the government gazette and subsequently submit it for Parliament approval, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

In June, the cabinet had approved the preparation of the bill for the reorganization of Sri Lanka Cricket, shortly after the government put in place an interim committee, instead of a legally elected body, to oversee the lucrative institution.

The bill has received clearance from the Attorney General, Jayatissa said.

The government claims that the bill aims to overhaul the governance of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) by enforcing transparency, accountability, inclusion, and anti-corruption measures, while protecting player welfare. (Colombo/Sep22/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT — Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved awarding a contract to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited to build an aviation fuel storage complex and a dedicated transport pipeline to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The project is valued at 40.84 million US dollars alongside 8,548.75 million Sri Lankan rupees, inclusive of applicable taxes, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

The project involves building an aviation fuel storage tank complex with a total capacity of 92,000 cubic meters and related facilities at Muthurajawela.

A dedicated fuel transport pipeline will be constructed to link the new Muthurajawela storage facility directly to the aircraft refueling terminal at Katunayake.

The contractor will also carry out required modifications and upgrades to the existing terminal installations at Muthurajawela.

“Bids were invited following the international competitive bidding procedure, and three bids were submitted,” Jayatissa said.

Initial approval for the project was granted at a cabinet meeting on July 29, 2024, to establish a direct, secure fuel link between the supply hub and the country’s main international airport.

Aviation fuel is currently moved to Katunayake primarily by road bowsers and rail wagons, creating logistical bottlenecks, higher freight expenses, and safety risks.

The dedicated pipeline system is expected to ensure an uninterrupted, cost-effective supply of jet fuel to airlines as flight frequencies expand at the Katunayake gateway. (Colombo/Sep22/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT — Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved a proposal to run the Dr Neville Fernando Hospital as a state-owned enterprise managed by the Sri Lanka Air Force under a hybrid operational model, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

The facility provides both inpatient and outpatient healthcare services to the public on a free-of-charge and fee-levying basis.

“Transferring the ownership and assets of the hospital to a company wholly owned (100% shareholding) by the General Treasury, with the Sri Lanka Air Force undertaking the hospital’s management,” Jayatissa said.

An 11-member board of directors for the proposed company will be appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance based on recommendations from the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence.

The Treasury will fund the hospital’s transitional phase.

“Provision of funds by the General Treasury to cover staff salaries and operational activities of the proposed company for the 2026–2028 period, followed by the operation of the hospital as a self-financing entity.”

The Ministry of Health will provide medicines and medical consumables at an estimated cost of 125 million rupees annually to maintain free patient care.

Responding to questions on whether the facility would be turned into a private hospital under the military, Jayatissa insisted that free care will continue alongside paid services.

“There is a separate section where treatment is provided to the general public free of charge. In addition, a fee-levying section is already being maintained. Therefore, both of these sections will continue to operate,” Jayatissa said. (Colombo/Sep22/2026)

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal to award a 4.93 million euro contract to buy 5 million pre-printed polycarbonate cards to Muhlbauer ID Services GmbH of Germany, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

The pre-printed polycarbonate cards are for issuing National Identity Cards in the island nation.

Bids were invited following the International Competitive Procurement Procedure and 8 bids were received, Jayatissa said.

Muhlbauer was the substantively responsive bidder he said. (Colombo/Sep22/2026)