Sri Lanka sells extra Rs7.7bn Treasury bills after auction

Friday July 3, 2026 10:45 am ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has sold 7,731 million rupees of treasury bills offered on tap at an average rate of 10.30 percent, the public debt management office said, bringing the total of bills sold this week to 107,731 million rupees. Total market sub…

Friday July 3, 2026 10:45 am

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has sold 7,731 million rupees of treasury bills offered on tap at an average rate of 10.30 percent, the public debt management office said, bringing the total of bills sold this week to 107,731 million rupees. Total market subscription was 7,73 million rupees. The debt office sold a 6-month bill at 10.30 percent. On Wednesday (1) the debt office raised 100 billion rupees of 3, 6 and 12 month bills. The 6 and 112 month bills were later offered on tap. Sri Lanka Treasury bill yields rise, all bills sold The date of settlement is July 3. (Colombo/Jul3/2026)

Thursday July 2, 2026 6:00 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – As Sri Lanka scales renewable and storage capacity, clearly defined technical standards and frameworks are essential to ensure system reliability and investor confidence, speakers at an energy security forum have said. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce hosted the discussion on “Energy Transition in Sri Lanka: Strategic Insights from Global Markets”, bringing together the public and private sectors to examine opportunities and challenges in the country’s evolving energy landscape. “As Sri Lanka continues its efforts to build a more sustainable and secure energy future, forums of this nature provide an important opportunity for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among stakeholders,” the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said. Speakers raised the need for creating an enabling environment that attracts investment, including the technical and safety standards required to protect consumers and businesses as storage and solar adoption scales nationally. The role of emerging technologies, technical standards, skills development, and industry–academia collaboration in supporting the next phase of Sri Lanka’s energy transition was discussed. The discussion also considered the importance of reliable energy infrastructure in meeting the growing demands of digital transformation, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, electric mobility, and data centres. The programme covered Sri Lanka’s energy future, including renewable energy development, energy security, regulatory and policy frameworks, electricity sector reforms, energy storage systems, grid modernization, investment and financing considerations, and international experiences in energy transition. Speakers highlighted the importance of aligning energy policy with broader economic development objectives, recognizing that affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy is a critical enabler of competitiveness, industrial growth, and national resilience. will continue working with industry and government stakeholders to develop evidence-based policy recommendations, including technical and safety standards, supporting Sri Lanka’s energy transition. (Colombo/Jul2/2026)

Thursday July 2, 2026 5:35 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 335.90/336.00 to the US dollar in the spot market on Thursday, from 336.20/40 the previous day, while bond yields were down, dealers said. The telegraphic transfer rate for Sri Lanka’s rupee against the US dollar was 331.75 buying, 340.75 selling; the euro was 375.0737 selling, 388.9907 buying; and the pound was 439.7166 buying, 453.7622 selling. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 closed at 10.35/45 percent, down from 10.35/50 percent. A bond maturing on 15.03.2028 closed at 10.53/62 percent, down from 10.55/65 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed at 10.90/11.00 percent, down from 11.00/05 percent. A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 closed at 11.18/25 percent, down from 11.30/38 percent. A bond maturing on 15.10.2030 closed at 11.20/27 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 closed at 11.50/60 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 closed at 11.60/70 percent, down from 11.65/75 percent. A bond maturing on 15.06.2034 closed at 11.65/75 percent. (Colombo/Jul2/2026)

Thursday July 2, 2026 3:08 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Thursday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.06 percent. The ASPI was down 13.99 points at 22,229.71, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was up 0.05 percent, or 3.34 points, at 6,209.85. Positive contributors to the ASPI were Cargills (Ceylon) (up 2.30 percent at 645.25 rupees), Dialog Axiata (up 0.88 percent at 45.90 rupees), Melstacorp (up 0.52 percent at 192.00 rupees), and Bukit Darah (up 1.67 percent at 869.50 rupees). Aitken Spence (down 2.78 percent at 148.75 rupees), DFCC Bank (down 1.12 percent at 133.00 rupees), and Ceylon Tobacco Company (down 0.91 percent at 1,800.25 rupees) were top negative contributors. Market turnover was 1.52 billion rupees. Capital goods led turnover with 834.9 million rupees. Crossings were recorded in Hemas Holdings (20,949,956 shares), Windforce (500,000 shares), and Printcare (507,861 shares) SANASA Life Insurance successfully concluded a private placement of 5 million unlisted, redeemable, subordinated debentures, raising 500 million rupees. The proceeds are currently held in an escrow account to meet the regulatory capital adequacy ratio required to lift the suspension on its insurance license. Following the issue, the company’s capital adequacy ratio is estimated to range between 141 percent and 160 percent, fulfilling the minimum regulatory requirement of 120 percent. Shares closed up 3.04 percent at Rs.54.30. (Colombo/July02/2026)

Thursday July 2, 2026 2:42 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sampath Bank has won the titles of Sri Lanka’s Best Retail Bank, Best Commercial Bank, and Best Corporate Governance – Sri Lanka 2026, at the World Finance Banking Awards 2026. Presented by UK-based World Finance magazine, the awards recognise institutions that demonstrate excellence in performance, innovation, leadership, customer value, long-term sustainability and governance. This is the 12th year that Sampath Bank has been named both Sri Lanka’s Best Retail Bank and Best Commercial Bank. “While the retail and commercial banking honours recognise our ability to consistently deliver meaningful value and innovative financial solutions, the governance accolade affirms the strength of the principles that guide every decision we make,” Sanjaya Gunawardana, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sampath Bank, said. “These achievements reinforce our commitment to building a resilient, future-ready financial institution that contributes to the progress of Sri Lanka.” World Finance evaluates financial institutions through an assessment process that considers financial performance, innovation, operational excellence, customer experience, sustainability, leadership, and governance. Sampath Bank’s recognition for corporate governance reflects the strength of an integrated governance framework supported by robust Board oversight, proactive risk management practices, and a culture that prioritises responsibility and ethical conduct, the bank said. The dual banking honours recognise more than a decade of consistent performance and customer-focused innovation. The bank has continued to strengthen its digital capabilities, expand access to financial services, support business growth, and introduce solutions that respond to changing customer expectations. (Colombo/Jul2/2026)

Close up Farmer Hands Holding rice grains

Thursday July 2, 2026 2:30 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s State Fertilizer Company has received Cabinet approval to call for tenders to buy 20,000 metric tons of urea for the upcoming Maha season. 10,000 metric tons of granular urea and 10,000 metric tons of prilled urea, are to be procured, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “According to the fertilizer recommendations issued by the Department of Agriculture for these crops, a total requirement of 169,635 metric tons of chemical fertilizer has been identified,” Jayatissa said. Approximately 800,000 hectares of paddy fields will be cultivated during the Maha season, which is the primary rice cultivation season in the country. Fertilizer is also required for tea, vegetables, fruits and other crops, as well as to maintain a fertilizer reserve. (Colombo/July02/2026)

Felix Neumann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany

Thursday July 2, 2026 1:25 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has significant economic opportunities with Germany in logistics, manufacturing, renewable energy, green technologies, digital transformation, and tourism, German Ambassador Felix Neumann has said calling for continued trade facilitation. The ambassador “emphasised the need for continued trade facilitation, investment promotion, and digital ecosystem collaboration to connect businesses and reduce barriers, also noting the importance of rules-based international trading practices for sustainable economic growth and resilience,” The Sri Lanka–Germany Business Council said. He was delivering the keynote address at SLGBC Members’ Day, which brought together industry leaders, diplomats, and business professionals to enhance trade relations between Sri Lanka and Germany. The event served as a platform to acknowledge the significant contributions of German businesses in Sri Lanka and explore future opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation. Neumann spoke about key areas of bilateral engagement, and “reaffirming Germany’s long-standing cooperation with Sri Lanka’s economy”. SLGBC President Gerard Victoria said the Council was committed to promoting trade, tourism, and investment between the two nations while creating opportunities for business collaboration. (Colombo/Jul2/2026)