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Deficit in the trade account widens to US dollars 4,200 million in 2024

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However, the average price of tea in the Colombo auction increased to US dollars 4.09 per kg in September 2024 from US dollars 3.63 per kg in September 2023

Import expenditure increased to US dollars 13,718 million

Export unit value declined by 5.6 per cent y-o-y

The deficit in the trade account widened to US dollars 4,200 mn during the nine months ending September 2024 from US dollars 3,341 mn in the corresponding period of 2023, the Weekly Economic Indicators report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka states.

“Earnings from exports increased by 6.0 per cent (year-on-year) to US dollars 9,518 mn during the nine months ending September 2024 as a result of increased earnings mainly from exports of petroleum products (111.0%), textiles and garments (2.6%), food, beverages and tobacco (19.2%), rubber products (10.7%), tea (7.0%), and coconut related products (20.0%), among others,” it states.

Further notes from the report are reproduced below.

Import expenditure increased by 11.3 per cent (year-on-year) to US dollars 13,718 mn during the nine months ending September 2024, mainly due to higher imports of textiles and textile articles (18.2%), machinery and equipment (22.9%), chemical products (25.7%), and building material (25.3%), among others.

The export unit value index declined by 5.6 per cent, (year-on-year), in September 2024 mainly due to lower prices recorded in exports of industrial goods. The import unit value index in September 2024 declined by 4.4 per cent, (year-on-year), due to lower prices recorded in intermediate goods. Accordingly, the terms of trade deteriorated by 1.2 per cent, (year-on-year) to 85.2 index points in September 2024.

The average price of tea in the Colombo auction increased to US dollars 4.09 per kg in September 2024 from US dollars 3.63 per kg in September 2023.

On year-on-year basis, Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) based headline inflation remained in the negative territory for the second consecutive month, recording a deflation of 0.8 per cent in October 2024 compared to 0.5 per cent in September 2024.

Food category recorded an inflation of 1.0 per cent, while the Non-Food category recorded a deflation of 1.6 per cent. Further, the CCPI based core inflation moderated to 3.0 per cent in October 2024 from 3.3 per cent in September 2024.

In September 2024, Purchasing Managers’ Index for Construction, as reflected by the Total Activity Index, indicated a contraction in construction activities, on a month-on-month basis.

At the start of the period from 26th October to 01st November, 2024, oil prices fell on signs of de-escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. However, prices picked up again towards the end of the week on concerns about retaliatory attacks. Overall, Brent and WTI prices rose by US dollars 0.36 and US dollars 1.96 per barrel, respectively, over the period.

Weekly Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) for the week ending 01st November 2024 decreased by 12 bps to 9.05 per cent compared to the previous week.

The Average Weighted Call Money Rate (AWCMR) recorded as 8.55 per cent on 01st November 2024 compared to 8.57 per cent at the end of the last week.

The reserve money decreased compared to the previous week mainly due to a decrease in the currency in circulation and deposits held by the commercial banks with the Central Bank.

The total outstanding market liquidity was a surplus of Rs. 80.050 bn by 01st November 2024, compared to a surplus of Rs. 86.268 bn by the end of the last week.

The gross official reserves were provisionally estimated at US dollars 5,994 mn as at end September 2024. This includes proceeds from the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) swap arrangement, which is subject to conditionalities on usability.



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Janashakthi Life delivers 36% revenue growth, ‘outperforming the industry’

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Janashakthi Life, the flagship company of JXG (Janashakthi Group), delivered a strong first-half performance in 2026, with Gross Written Premiums (GWP) increasing by 36% year-on-year to Rs. 5.11 billion. The Company’s growth significantly outpaced the industry’s 20.8% growth during the period, reflecting continued demand for its life insurance solutions and progress in expanding its customer base and strengthening its market presence.

The Company’s balance sheet also continued to expand, with total assets increasing to Rs. 41.14 billion as at Q2 2026, compared to Rs. 40.37 billion at the end of 2025. The growth reflects the continued scale of the business and provides a stronger platform to serve an expanding policyholder base while investing in the capabilities required to support its next phase of growth.

During the first half, Janashakthi Life paid Rs. 2.24 billion in claims and benefits, reaffirming its commitment to supporting policyholders when it matters most. These payments provide essential financial support at critical moments in the lives of individuals and families, highlighting the vital role of life insurance in protecting their financial wellbeing and long-term security.

The Company remained profitable during the period, recording Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 271 million, excluding the surplus transfer for the period. With the declaration of the surplus transfer, profitability is expected to be substantially higher. Janashakthi Life remains focused on strengthening earnings quality, managing costs effectively, and translating business growth into sustained improvements in overall performance.

Annika Senanayake, Chairperson of Janashakthi Insurance PLC, said, “The performance in the first half reflects the strength of Janashakthi Life’s business and the opportunities that exist to further develop the life insurance market in Sri Lanka. We remain focused on building a business that combines sustainable growth with sound fundamentals, while making insurance more accessible to a wider segment of the population. As part of JXG, Janashakthi Life is well positioned to leverage the Group’s financial services ecosystem and continue strengthening its position in the market.”

Ravi Liyanage, Director/CEO of Janashakthi Insurance PLC, said, “The first half delivered strong growth across key areas of the business, with GWP increasing 36% to Rs. 5.11 billion. In all key segments, namely regular business, group life business and single premium business, the Company has outperformed the industry significantly, demonstrating its market challenger behaviour. The Company is strengthening its stability, crossing LKR 41 billion in assets under management. Our focus now is on building on this momentum through stronger distribution, improved productivity and disciplined cost management, while continuing to enhance the customer experience by providing an unmatched service throughout the lifespan of the service contract.”

The first-half performance provides a strong platform for Janashakthi Life to build on its growth plans for the remainder of the year. The Company will continue to focus on expanding access to life insurance, strengthening customer relationships and developing solutions that respond to changing financial priorities.

With GWP growth significantly ahead of the industry, a growing asset base and increased claims and benefits delivered to policyholders, Janashakthi Life continues to build scale across its core operations. The Company remains focused on disciplined growth, stronger execution and improving the quality of its performance, with the objective of creating sustainable value for policyholders, shareholders and the wider business.

Further reinforcing its strong market standing, Janashakthi Life was recognised among Sri Lanka’s 50 Best Workplaces™ for 2026 by Great Place To Work® Sri Lanka and was also named among Brand Finance’s Sri Lanka 100 Most Valuable Brands. These recognitions reflect the Company’s continued focus on building a strong brand, delivering value to customers and creating a high-performing organisation. (JXG)

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Hunas Holdings and CCH enter strategic collaborative partnership

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(L-R): Dhanuka Samarasinghe (Chairman - Hunas Holdings PLC) Yoshihiko Tanabe, Director CCH

Major Japanese business group sees long-term potential in Hunas Holdings as the two organisations explore new opportunities for growth in Sri Lanka

Hunas Holdings PLC is entering a new phase of growth through a collaborative partnership with CCH Co., Ltd. (CCH INC.), a major Tokyo-based business group with experience across business process outsourcing (BPO), in-house services, investment, mergers and acquisitions, and business development.

The partnership follows a period in which Hunas Holdings maintained a measured approach to new investments amid volatile market conditions, focusing on identifying the right opportunities and international relationships capable of creating sustainable long-term value.

Founded in Japan in 2008, CCH has grown into a significant and diversified business group with interests across multiple industries. Its approach combines investment with M&A, business development and operational expertise, enabling the company to play an active role in the businesses and markets it enters.

For CCH, the partnership represents an opportunity to bring this experience to Sri Lanka through Hunas Holdings, an established local group with a strong platform and long-term growth ambitions.

Yoshihiko Tanabe, Director of CCH Co., Ltd., said: “Through our discussions with Hunas Holdings, we see a company with strong foundations, local expertise and a clear ambition for growth. We believe there is meaningful potential in bringing the strengths of CCH and Hunas Holdings together. I am excited about this partnership, and particularly about some of the projects and opportunities we are already exploring together. There is much to look forward to soon”

For Hunas Holdings, the collaboration marks a renewed chapter of investment and international partnership, while for CCH, it reflects confidence in Hunas Holdings and the opportunities presented by the Sri Lankan market.

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Prime Minister to headline Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit session

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Dr Harini Amarasuriya

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, will deliver the keynote address at a special session on day 2 of the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, titled “Nation Building in the Digital Age”, on 13 October 2026 at the Shangri-La Colombo.

The session will examine how Sri Lanka can use artificial intelligence, digital transformation, innovation and education to accelerate economic growth, improve productivity and build a knowledge-driven economy. As technology reshapes industries and the nature of work, the discussion will focus on how Sri Lanka can develop the capabilities needed to remain competitive and create opportunities for future generations.

The Prime Minister will be joined by Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary, Ministry of Digital Economy; Prof. Roshan Ragel, Senior Lecturer in Computer Engineering, University of Peradeniya; and Sanjay Shah, Founder and CEO, Elevante AI, who together will add perspectives from government, academia, and industry. Vinod Hirdaramani, Chairman of Hirdaramani Group and Deputy Vice Chairperson of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, will moderate the session.

The discussion will look at the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and automation, and their potential to transform industries and create new areas of economic activity. It will also consider the role of digitalisation in improving public services and supporting entrepreneurship.

Education and skills development will be another important part of the conversation, particularly as the demand for new capabilities grows alongside technological change. The panel will consider how Sri Lanka can prepare its workforce for future jobs while developing an environment that supports innovation and technology-led businesses.

The session will also look beyond technology itself to the wider conditions needed for a digital economy to grow. Policy, investment, infrastructure, education and collaboration between government, industry and academia will all have a role in determining how effectively Sri Lanka can turn technological change into economic opportunity.

Held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy,” SLEIS 2026 will offer perspectives from senior policymakers, business leaders, investors and international experts over two days of discussions on Sri Lanka’s economic direction, investment opportunities and the reforms needed to support future growth.

Registrations are now open at https://sleis.chamber.lk/. For more information, contact Alikie on 011 558 8805 (alikie@chamber.lk) or Shanuka on 0701082541 (events.division@chamber.lk).

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