Sri Lanka new national livestock policy counts on private sector

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:04 am ECONOMYNEXT — Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved the implementation of a new national livestock policy to replace its two-decade-old framework, with focus on private sector-led development and building market-oriented competitive production, minist…

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:04 am

ECONOMYNEXT — Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved the implementation of a new national livestock policy to replace its two-decade-old framework, with focus on private sector-led development and building market-oriented competitive production, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “In light of the challenges that have arisen in the field of food security and development in the livestock sector due to the social and economic transformations that have taken place globally and locally,” Jayatissa told reporters. The updated strategy targets several core pillars for sectoral growth, focusing on private sector-led development and building market-oriented competitive production, he said. The revision follows structural shifts that have impacted the agricultural landscape over the last twenty years. The new framework was drafted by drawing on local expert advice and knowledge. Additionally, the policy outlines measures to ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly development while offering targeted support for small-scale farmers and rural livelihoods. (Colombo/Jul15/2026)

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:48 am

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange trended up on Wednesday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving up 0.39 percent. The ASPI was up 83.87 points at 21,508.86, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was up 0.53 percent, or 31.76 points, at 6,028.76. Positive contributors to the ASPI were Sampath Bank (up 0.91 percent at 138.25 rupees), John Keells Holdings (up 0.51 percent at 19.90 rupees), ACL Cables (up 1.78 percent at 97.00 rupees), Hemas Holdings (up 1.27 percent at 31.90 rupees), Hatton National Bank (up 0.38 percent at 393.75 rupees), and LOLC Holdings (up 1.38 percent at 494.75 rupees). Dialog Axiata (down 0.45 percent at 44.10 rupees) and Laugfs Gas (down 3.29 percent at 50.00 rupees) were top negative contributors. Market turnover was 117.9 million rupees. Banks led turnover with 41.8 million rupees. Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company announced a first and final proposed dividend of 25 rupees per share for the financial year ended March 31. The company’s shares were trading at 1,499.50 rupees, up 2.56 percent or 37.50 rupees. (Colombo/July15/2026)

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:31 am

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 336.35/50 to the US dollar in the spot market on Wednesday, from 336.00/20 the previous day, while bond yields were steady, dealers said. The telegraphic transfer rate for the dollar was 331.8000 buying, 340.8000 selling; the euro was 376.9803 buying, 390.8973 selling; and the pound was 443.7513 buying, 457.7969 selling. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 was quoted at 11.05/15 percent down from 11.10/30 percent. A bond maturing on 01.03.2030 was quoted at 11.30/40 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 was quoted at 11.45/50 percent. A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 was quoted at 11.50/55 percent, down from 11.48/55 percent. A bond maturing on 15.03.2031 was quoted at 11.60/70 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 was quoted flat at 11.85/95 percent. A bond maturing on 15.06.2034 was quoted at 11.95/12.05 percent, down from 12.00/05 percent. Rs. 120,000 million Treasury bills are to be issued through an auction on July 15. (Colombo/Jul15/2026)

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:43 am

ECONOMYNEXT — Sri Lanka is rolling out an infrastructure expansion, institutional recruitment drive, and rehabilitation strategy to combat severe prison overcrowding fueled by ongoing nationwide anti-drug operations, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “While anti-drug raids are actively being carried out outside, which naturally leads to arrests and subsequent detentions, parallel efforts are underway to reduce prison congestion,” Jayatissa said. The state has completed the construction of staff quarters at the Pallekele prison and launched a new inmate building complex budgeted at 1.78 billion rupees, he said. A two-story building complex at Pallansena has been handed over for inmate use, and a warehouse complex at the Mahara prison was finalized at a cost of 22.5 million rupees, with another 61 million rupees advanced for further building works. To provide relief to metropolitan congestion, Jayatissa said temporary structures at the Welikada and Magazine prisons in Colombo are in their final stages of construction. Additionally, to mitigate national security threats, a specialized high-security facility equipped with high-security cells has been operationalized at the Welisara Navy Camp premises. The state has budgeted several mid-term projects extending through 2029. This includes an allocation of 446.9 million rupees for two buildings at the Wataraka prison, where a 1.77-billion-rupee Phase 2 remand wing will commence in 2027 alongside separate plans for a high-security zone. A structural redevelopment at Kalutara commenced to replace dilapidated structures, while 288 million rupees has been deployed for a new sewerage system at Kuruvita. Further inland, expansion works have launched at the Wariyapola prison on an estimated budget proposal of 4.62 billion rupees. The Matara prison is slated for complete relocation to Kotavila by 2029 with an investment of 5.18 billion, while preliminary revisions are underway to move the core Colombo prison to Milwala in Horana. (Colombo/Jul14/2026)

Tuesday July 14, 2026 6:38 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed flat at 336.00/20 to the US dollar in the spot market on Tuesday, while bond yields closed higher, dealers said. The telegraphic transfer rate for the dollar was 331.5000 buying, 340.5000 selling; the euro was 375.1252 buying, 389.0422 selling; and the pound was 441.8372 buying, 455.8828 selling. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 closed at 10.35/50 percent, up from 10.30/45 percent. A bond maturing on 01.05.2028 closed flat at 10.60/70 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed at 11.10/30 percent up from 11.05/15 percent. A bond maturing on 15.05.2030 closed at 11.5/50 percent, up from 11.30/40 percent. A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 closed at 11.48/55 percent, up from 11.40/45 percent. A bond maturing on 15.10.2030 closed at 11.56/60 percent, up from 11.50/55 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 closed at 11.75/85 percent, up from 11.65/75 percent. A bond maturing on 15.01.2033 closed at 11.80/90 percent, up from 11.65/75 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 closed at 11.85/95 percent, up from 11.75/85 percent. A bond maturing on 15.06.2034 closed at 12.00/05 percent, up from 11.80/90 percent. Rs. 120,000 million Treasury bills are to be issued through an auction on July 15. (Colombo/Jul14/2026)

Tuesday July 14, 2026 4:52 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 0.50 percent. The ASPI was down 107.67 points at 21,424.71, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was down 0.37 percent, or 22.04 points, at 6,000.15. Positive contributors to the ASPI were Dialog Axiata (up 1.37 percent at 44.30 rupees), CT Holdings (up 1.25 percent at 508.00 rupees), National Development Bank (up 0.69 percent at 110.00 rupees), and Ceylon Tobacco Company (up 0.25 percent at 1,800.00 rupees). Melstacorp (down 0.82 percent at 181.75 rupees), Vallibel One (down 2.88 percent at 91.00 rupees), John Keells Holdings (down 0.50 percent at 19.80 rupees), Carson Cumberbatch (down 2.74 percent at 710.00 rupees), and Hatton National Bank (down 0.44 percent at 392.25 rupees) were top negative contributors. Market turnover was 1.089 billion rupees. Banks led turnover with 221.1 million rupees. The Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance set the reference price for the commencement of trading of its Rights entitlements at 0.30 rupees per right. The valuation was determined based on an estimated preference share value of 10.29 rupees, using a maximum annual dividend per share of 1.05 rupees and the 364-day Treasury Bill rate of 10.20 percent as of July 8. The stock closed down 5.31 percent at Rs.10.70. (Colombo/July14/2026)

Tuesday July 14, 2026 3:30 pm

ECONOMYNEXT — Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved a joint initiative to establish a modern Centralized Zero-waste Biomass Cinnamon Processing Centre at the University of Ruhuna to address long-standing supply chain inefficiencies. Speaking at the weekly cabinet press briefing, Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa announced that the project aims to resolve major constraints affecting regional spice producers, particularly smallholders. Accordingly, the cabinet decision highlighted that the local spice sector requires modernized infrastructure to overcome persistent production hurdles. “The Sri Lankan cinnamon industry, which is dominated by small-scale growers in Matara and Galle districts, continues to face a number of common challenges such as high processing costs, hygiene standards and minimal use of biomass waste,” the cabinet note said. As a direct solution to these industry constraints, the new facility will be set up at the Mapalana Agricultural College land premises, which belongs to the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Ruhuna. The Cabinet of Ministers greenlit the proposal to launch the facility as a collaborative state venture between the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), and the University of Ruhuna. The infrastructure roll-out is structured to minimize waste and maximize the commercial utility of cinnamon biomass. The entire project is expected to be implemented as a four-phase development project spanning a total period of 27 months, aimed at uplifting global compliance standards and reducing operational overheads for regional growers. (Colombo/Jul14/2026)