Sri Lanka approves $17.16mn tugboat hire for Ports Authority

Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:05 pm ECONOMYNEXT – The cabinet of ministers has approved hiring two tugboats from Sri Lanka Shipping Company Limited, for 17.16 million dollars, excluding applicable taxes and duties, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. The 70 ton Bollard Pull (BP) Twin Azi…

Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:05 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – The cabinet of ministers has approved hiring two tugboats from Sri Lanka Shipping Company Limited, for 17.16 million dollars, excluding applicable taxes and duties, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. The 70 ton Bollard Pull (BP) Twin Azimuth Stern Drive type port tugs are for the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. Bids were invited to select a suitable bidder, and 3 bids were received. “Following the evaluation of the bids, based on the recommendation submitted by the High Level Procurement Committee, the Cabinet approved the proposal to procure the said 02 tugboats from the lowest responsive bidder for a period of 05 years,” Jayatissa told reporters. (Colombo/Jul21/2026)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:41 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers have approved a proposal to buy 600 deluxe buses for 14.4 billion rupees, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. The budget allocated 14,400 million rupees to the Sri Lanka Transport Board for purchasing 600 new Standard buses with 49-54 seats. But after the Road Safety Plan – 2025-2026 was introduced, the types of buses suitable for use in intercity and long-distance services and their minimum specifications have changed, he said. “According to those specifications, Deluxe model (air-conditioned) buses should be used for intercity and long-distance services.” So cabinet approved the proposal to purchase more comfortable Deluxe model (air-conditioned) buses instead of the 600 new Standard model buses for which provisions have already been allocated, he said. (Colombo/Jul21/2026)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:21 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Tuesday trading, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.22 percent. The ASPI was down 47.45 points at 21,160.65, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was up 0.18 percent, or 10.97 points, at 5,954.19. “A neutral day in the market in terms of positives and negatives, about 122 positives and a 121 negatives,” Dimantha Mathew, Chief Research and Strategy Officer at First Capital Holdings PLC, said. Positive contributors to the ASPI were Dialog Axiata (up 1.62 percent at 43.80 rupees), John Keells Holdings (up 0.51 percent at 19.80 rupees), Aitken Spence (up 1.05 percent at 145.00 rupees), and Lanka Ashok Leyland (up 6.53 percent at 2,675.75 rupees). Ceylinco Insurance (down 4.68 percent at 2,850.00 rupees), Harischandra Mills (down 10.98 percent at 4,734.50 rupees), and Hatton National Bank (down 0.52 percent at 384.00 rupees) were top negative contributors. Market turnover was 3.28 billion rupees. Food & staples retailing led turnover with 2.3 billion rupees. “Not seeing a lot of turnover, bit of high net worth activity is present on the by side, large capital stocks are where the hunt is for,” Matthew added. “You have the banking shares moving hands, and some construction sector activity that is taking place.” Crossings accounted for a significant portion of the day’s turnover, dominated by Cargills (Ceylon) which saw 3.6 million shares traded at 630 rupees, representing 68 percent of total market turnover. Additional crossings were recorded in Melstacorp (1 million shares at 180 rupees) and Nations Trust Bank (105,000 shares at 306 rupees). (Colombo/July21/2026)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:22 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers have approved a proposal for the National Water Supply and Drainage Board to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Australia, to collaborate, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. This will enhance research capacity and strengthen international academic collaboration, he told reporters. “The proposed collaboration is expected to enhance the technical knowledge, research capabilities and professional development opportunities of the staff of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board and support Sri Lanka’s long-term water security and infrastructure development goals.” The NWSDB has held discussions with RMIT. “Based on the agreement reached between the two parties, the Cabinet approved the proposal.” (Colombo/Jul21/2026)

(L to R) Ravi De silva – Manager for Chaminda Vaas, Chaminda Vaas, Theo Fernando – Managing Director Access Real Estate, Mangala Perera – Chief Operating Officer, Access Real Estate

Tuesday July 21, 2026 12:16 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Access Real Estate has appointed Sri Lanka cricketer Chaminda Vaas as its brand ambassador, as the company celebrates its 15th anniversary. “Chaminda represents the pinnacle of Sri Lankan dedication, consistency, and excellence, the exact pillars upon which we develop our projects” said Theo Fernando, Managing Director / CEO, Access Real Estate. “Reaching our 15-year milestone is a testament to the trust our clients place in us. Welcoming Chaminda Vaas to the Access Real Estate family is the perfect way to celebrate.” The company develops fully serviced, ready-to-build residential and commercial plots and has delivered over 155 developments on 350 acres of land. By providing strategic relocation opportunities, the company said it enables families to benefit from urban property appreciation while gaining immediate access to modern daily conveniences and superior infrastructure. (Colombo/Jul21/2026)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:26 am

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 336.35/40 to the US dollar in the spot market on Tuesday, from 336.25/35 the previous day, while bond yields were broadly steady, dealers said. The telegraphic transfer rate for the dollar was 331.80 buying, 340.80 selling; the euro was 376.2404 buying, 390.1574 selling; and the pound was 444.8948 buying, 458.9404 selling. A bond maturing on 01.03.2030 was quoted at 10.35/40 percent. A bond maturing on 15.05.2030 was quoted at 10.40/50 percent. A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 was quoted flat at 11.50/60 percent. A bond maturing on 15.10.2030 was quoted at 11.60/65 percent, down from 11.60/68 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 was quoted at 11.90/12.05 percent, down from 11.90/12.00 percent. Rs. 140,000 million Treasury bills are to be issued through an auction on 22 July. (Colombo/Jul21/2026)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:19 am

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange indices were trading up at midday on Tuesday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving up 0.06 percent. The ASPI was up 13.19 points at 21,221.29, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was up 0.13 percent, or 7.90 points, at 5,951.12. Positive contributors to the ASPI were John Keells Holdings (up 1.02 percent at 19.90 rupees), Dialog Axiata (up 0.93 percent at 43.50 rupees), Aitken Spence (up 1.05 percent at 145.00 rupees), and Browns Investments (up 1.89 percent at 5.40 rupees). Hatton National Bank (down 0.26 percent at 385.00 rupees), DFCC Bank (down 0.58 percent at 127.50 rupees), and Ceylon Grain Elevators (down 1.50 percent at 475.00 rupees) were top negative contributors. Market turnover was 358.7 million rupees. Food, Beverage & Tobacco led turnover with 201.3 million rupees. Tess Agro announced 125,000,000 Ordinary Voting Shares have been listed with effect from July 21, 2026, pursuant to a private placement. (Colombo/July21/2026)