Sri Lanka legislators briefed on new trends in human trafficking

Monday July 6, 2026 1:40 pm ECONOMYNEXT – Members of Sri Lanka’s Parliament have been briefed on emerging trends in human trafficking, and its associated legal, policy and development dimensions, with the aim of strengthening the legislative process in addressing the issue. Traf…

Monday July 6, 2026 1:40 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Members of Sri Lanka’s Parliament have been briefed on emerging trends in human trafficking, and its associated legal, policy and development dimensions, with the aim of strengthening the legislative process in addressing the issue. Trafficking in persons has evolved over time and is increasingly linked to organized transnational criminal networks, Ministry of Defence Secretary and Chairman of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, Sampath Thuyacontha was quoted in a Parliament statement. He “pointed out that deceptive overseas employment opportunities, fraudulent recruitment practices, technology-enabled recruitment, forced labour, sexual exploitation, and, in certain instances, the use of victims for forced criminal activities have emerged as major challenges requiring a coordinated national response.” “Special attention was also drawn to emerging trends in human trafficking, particularly technology-based recruitment, deceptive migration practices, labour exploitation, and forced criminal activities.” The programme was conducted by resource persons from the Attorney General’s Department, and organized by the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force of the Ministry of Defence and the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Additional Solicitor General, President’s Counsel Haripriya Jayasundara, and State Counsel Sajith Bandara served as the resource persons. The legislators were also briefed on the National Strategic Action Plan on Combating Human Trafficking (2026–2030) of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force. (Colombo/Jul6/2026)

Monday July 6, 2026 1:03 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board (EDB) and Germany’s Import Promotion Desk (IPD) have signed an agreement to continue their partnership to increase market access for the island nation’s export-oriented SMEs. The collaboration has been ongoing since 2019. The MoU establishes a renewed framework for cooperation in trade promotion services, exporter development, institutional and staff capacity building, business matchmaking, and development of export oriented women entrepreneurship. Under this agreement, IPD will continue to provide technical expertise, training programmes, consultancy support, and market access facilitation, while the EDB will support export oriented SME engagement and coordinate joint export development initiatives. Julia Bellinghausen, Head of IPD, Marcus Schwenke, Director International Markets, Federation of Wholesale Foreign Trade and Services (BGA), Stephanie Weber, and other representatives of IPD signed the agreement. IPD is committed to continuing supporting Sri Lankan exporters through technical expertise, capacity building initiatives, and stronger connections with European markets, Bellinghausen was quoted as saying in an EDB statement. She “highlighted the importance of building long-term, sustainable partnerships that enable SMEs to meet international market requirements and establish lasting commercial relationships”. Sri Lanka export-oriented SMEs, particularly in the natural ingredients sector, have benefited from capacity building programmes, market intelligence, buyer linkages, and participation in international trade fairs. A key feature of the collaboration has been the empowerment of women entrepreneurs. “Through targeted support initiatives, women led enterprises have been provided with enhanced opportunities to participate in international trade and expand their presence in global markets,” the EDB said. (Colombo/Jul6/2026)

Monday July 6, 2026 11:02 am

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s bourse was trending down in intraday trading, data on its site showed. The All Share Price Index was down 0.10 percent, or 21.57 points, at 22,157.16; while the S&P SL20 was down 0.11 percent, or 6.54 points, at 6,187.68. Market turnover was 667 million rupees. Leading positive contributors to the ASPI were Royal Ceramics (up 2 rupees at 45.90), Industrial Asphalts (up 10 cents at 60), and Haycarb (up 2.50 rupees at 160). Top negative contributors were Dialog Axiata (down 30 cents at 45.60 rupees), R I L Property (down 50 cents at 26.40 rupees) and Hayleys (down 1.25 rupees at 237.75) Aitken Spence Plc said P Englisch had stepped down from its board effective July 2, and M R Mihular was reappointed independent director. The stock was down 25 cents at 150 rupees. (Colombo/Jul6/2026)

Monday July 6, 2026 10:41 am

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 335.00/40 to the US dollar in the spot market on Monday, from 335.20/35 the previous day, while bond yields were broadly steady, dealers said. The telegraphic transfer rate for Sri Lanka’s rupee against the US dollar was 330.75 buying, 339.75 selling; the euro was 375.4943 selling, 389.4113 buying; and the pound was 440.2150 buying, 454.2606 selling. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 was quoted flat at 10.95/11.00 percent. A bond maturing on 01.03.2030 was quoted flat at 11.00/10 percent. A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 was quoted at 11.20/28 percent, up from 11.23/25 percent. A bond maturing on 15.10.2030 was quoted flat at 11.25/30 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 was quoted flat at 11.50/60 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 was quoted at 11.60/68 percent, down from 11.60/70 percent. A bond maturing on 15.06.2034 was quoted at 11.65/70 percent, down from 11.65/72 percent. (Colombo/Jul6/2026)

Monday July 6, 2026 1:10 am

ECONOMYNEXT- The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has extended the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying on the business and activities of a primary dealer for another six months with effect from 4.30 pm July 5. The central bank said that it extended the suspension under the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance and the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance, “in order to continue the investigations being conducted”. “The Central Bank of Sri Lanka, acting in terms of the Regulations made under the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance and the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance, has decided to extend the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying on the business and activities of a Primary Dealer for a further period of six months with effect from 4.30 p.m. on 05th July 2026, in order to continue the investigations being conducted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.” Perpetual Treasuries, a central bank licensed primary dealer in government bonds’ activities, was suspended on several occasions after a bond scam that ran between 2006 to 2016 came to light. (Colombo/Jul6/2025)

Sunday July 5, 2026 10:55 am

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank bought a net US$70.5 million in June, official data showed, amid local currency mostly stabilized after touching a four-year low in the previous months. The Central Bank bought US$96.3 million and sold US$25.8 million in June, after selling more than US$ 211 million in May on a net basis. It sold dollars for the first time in 22 months. The Central Bank has net bought US$556.4 million in the first half of 2026 following a net purchase of US$2 billion last year. The rupee was under high downward pressure in May as the imports bill for fuel went up unusually following the Middle Eastern escalation amid continued demand for dollars to buy new vehicles. The Central Bank has been buying dollars aggressively from the market to boost the foreign currency reserves to meet the targets the country agreed with the IMF under the US$3 billion external fund facility and to relay the island nation’s multilateral and bilateral loans. The Central Bank’s aggressive reserve building comes ahead of the repayment of foreign debts to sovereign bond holders. This repayment is scheduled to start from April 2028. (Colombo/July 05/2026)

Saturday July 4, 2026 6:56 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s central bank has extended the term of the administrator at the troubled Nation Lanka Finance by six months to ensure an uninterrupted winding-up process. CBSL extended the tenure of P W D N R Rodrigo under the Banking (Special Provisions) Act, No. 17 of 2023 (BSPA). “The extension has been granted to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of the resolution process of NLFP. The Administrator requires further time to advance key steps in the process, as permitted by the BSPA,” CBSL said. During the extended term, he will maintain full control over all assets, operations and affairs of Nation Lanka Finance, and will continue to manage the company under the BSPA. He is required to submit necessary reports and information to CBSL in line with statutory requirements. “This decision forms part of CBSL’s ongoing efforts, as the Resolution Authority, to safeguard the interests of the depositors, and to protect the stability and integrity of the financial system. “All stakeholders of NLFP who have financial obligations over the company are advised to fulfill their contractual obligations toward the company in accordance with respective agreements on time only through a bank account under the name of NLFP and to maintain records for all payments. Further, all stakeholders of NLFP are kindly requested to co-operate with CBSL in this regard.” Rodrigo was first appointed through the Gazette Extraordinary Order on July 4, 2025, and his tenure was extended till July 3. He will now continue in this role for another 6 months, from July 4, 2026 to January 3, 2027. (Colombo/Jul4/2026)