Business

Joint Chambers urge govt to put Sri Lanka back on track

Published

4 years ago

2021/12/24

Sri Lanka’s Joint Chambers have issued a statement on the impact of the foreign exchange crisis on the businesses in the country and urged the government put Sri Lanka back on track to stage a strong post-pandemic recovery to reach vistas of prosperity and splendor as envisioned.

Read the full statement below:

We wish to draw the attention of the Government to the difficulties faced by our member companies and the broader private sector in obtaining foreign currency to finance much needed imports due to the prevailing situation with regard to the lack of availability of foreign currency. This will affect in maintaining the credibility of doing business with our suppliers and business associates with whom we transact in foreign currency. At present we face the difficulties in obtaining foreign currency to finance much needed imports due to the prevailing situation with regard to the lack of availability of foreign currency.

These range from not being able to obtain letters of credit to the inability to clear goods that have already arrived in the port due to delays experienced in honouring letters of credit. Further, this impact is also felt by indirect exporters and firms providing support services for exports. We are concerned that while the importers themselves will face immense financial costs in the form of demurrage and other logistics related costs, it will also affect longstanding relationships built with suppliers resulting in a serious and irreversible loss of confidence. Importers are also unable to secure orders due to the inability to agree on a firm payment schedule as required by suppliers. This will seriously impede the availability of essential products especially during the upcoming festive period during which consumer demand is typically high for most products. This can cause great hardship to the public at large and may result in a significant increase in the cost of living.

Further, the banking system will also face difficulties as a result of not being able to meet the needs of their longstanding customers and could eventually experience a serious loss of reputation if they are compelled to dishonor committed payments. The Government will also experience a loss of revenue due to a drop in import duties at a time when increasing government revenue is of paramount importance.

While appreciating the efforts being taken by the Government to mobilise short term funding from a number of sources by way of swaps and credit lines, we urge the Government to finalise the negotiations on some of these arrangements and announce them with certainty as soon as possible with a clear indication when such facilities will become available. If these actions as envisaged by the recently announced Roadmap by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka are not materializing within the anticipated time-frames, we earnestly request the Government to reconsider other alternative courses of action available to the country such as engaging with IMF to explore the funding options they can offer.

If these conditions that are critical for ease of doing business do not improve, we are concerned that it will result in many local companies looking to relocate their business operations overseas. It will also seriously constrain our ability to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country. Therefore, we wish to urge the relevant authorities in Government to take quick remedial action to avoid the negative consequences as outlined above and put Sri Lanka back on track to stage a strong post-pandemic recovery to reach vistas of prosperity and splendor as envisioned.

All News Advertisement

Business

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector records 5.42% growth for January-November 2025: November slight dip

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/3

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka’s apparel industry delivered a robust performance during the first eleven months of 2025, with cumulative exports reaching US$4,571.99 million marking a 5.42% increase over the same period last year, according to data released today by the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF).

Sri Lanka’s total apparel exports for November 2025 reached US$367.60 million, representing a slight decrease of 1.96% compared to US$374.94 million in November 2024.

The monthly performance showed mixed results across key markets: United States: US$152.32 million (up 5.79% from US$143.98 million), European Union (excluding UK): US$119.61 million (up 3.35% from US$115.73 million), United Kingdom: US$43.63 million (down 13.83% from US$50.63 million), Other Markets: US$52.04 million (down 19.44% from US$64.60 million)

Strong cumulative performance: January-November 2025

Despite the November softness, cumulative apparel exports for the eleven-month period from January to November 2025 demonstrate solid growth, reaching US$4,571.99 million—a 5.42% increase over the corresponding period in 2024 (US$4,336.84 million).

Year-to-Date Performance by Market:

European Union (excluding UK): US$1,435.39 million (up 13.07%)

Other Markets: US$742.98 million (up 5.75%)

United States: US$1,769.08 million (up 1.73%)

United Kingdom: US$624.54 million (down 0.22%)

Commenting on the export data, JAAF stated “The 5.42% growth in our cumulative exports for the first eleven months of 2025 reflects the resilience and adaptability of Sri Lanka’s apparel sector in navigating a challenging global environment. While we experienced a modest 1.96% decline in November, this should be viewed within the broader context of our strong year-to-date performance.

“Particularly encouraging is our 13.07% growth in the European Union market, which demonstrates the success of our strategic focus on strengthening relationships with EU buyers and meeting their increasingly stringent sustainability and compliance requirements. Similarly, our continued growth in the US market, despite tighter margins, shows that Sri Lankan manufacturers remain competitive on quality, delivery, and ethical manufacturing standards”.

Business

Sri Lanka highlighted as a popular tourism hotspot among South Korean travelers

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/3

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka Tourism, in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Korea, is providing support for the two VVIP South Korean Buddhist delegations visiting the country, demonstrating solidarity and strengthening cultural and religious ties with Sri Lanka.

The first delegation included Anunayake thero of Jogye order , South Korean chief Buddhist monks and devotees arrived in Sri Lanka consisting of 120 , on 01st December 2025, with the intention of undertaking a pilgrimage tour and highlighting Sri Lanka’s importance as a major Buddhist attraction for Buddhists around the world.

As same as the first delegation, the second VVIP Buddhist delegation which arrived on the 10th of December, 2025, was also given warm and a colorful welcome at the Bandaranaike International Airport, complete with a Cultural Dance troupe and a group of Sri Lankan children to greet them upon their arrival, making them feel at home and happy to see such a sensational sight. Ms . Thanuja Muniweera , Deputy Director and also the officer in charge of the Korean Market , was there to welcome the much revered guests . The delegation consisted of 150 visitors including both priests and devotees.

Led by Ven . Hyeil, , Chief priest of Haeinsa Temple , the main purpose of this visit is to show Sri Lanka as a welcoming and culturally vibrant destination. This will be a great opportunity to show the importance of the Korean Market as an emerging market and also promote Buddhist and Pilgrimage Tourism. South Koreans are known to be travelling in large numbers, including December 2025. The South Korean Buddhist delegation is one such example.

Business

Sunshine Holdings joins S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/3

Thilina Walpola

Shyam Sathasivam

Diversified conglomerate Sunshine Holdings PLC (CSE: SUN) has been included in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index, following the 2025 year-end index rebalance announced by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and S&P Dow Jones Indices. The inclusion takes effect from 22 December 2025, after market closing on 19 December 2025.

The S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index represents the 20 largest and most liquid companies listed on the CSE, selected based on stringent criteria including market capitalisation, liquidity, financial viability and sustained profitability. Constituents are weighted by float-adjusted market capitalisation, with a single-stock caps to ensure balanced representation.

Commenting on the milestone, Sunshine Holdings Group Chief Executive Officer, Shyam Sathasivam, said, “Our inclusion in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 is the result of more than five decades of collective effort and perseverance by our people, past and present, who have built Sunshine Holdings into the institution it is today. This recognition reflects the strength of our foundations, the discipline with which we have grown, and the consistency of our performance across business cycles. As we move forward, we remain focused on building resilient businesses, upholding strong governance standards and delivering sustainable long-term value to all stakeholders.”

The S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index is constructed in line with global index methodologies and international best practices, with all constituents classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®). Eligibility requires a minimum float-adjusted market capitalisation of Rs. 500 million, a six-month median daily value traded of Rs. 250,000, and positive net income over the twelve months preceding the rebalancing reference date.

Sunshine Holdings’ inclusion in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 reflects the Group’s long-term capital markets journey, evolving from a closely held family enterprise into a widely held blue-chip listed company. Over the years, the Group has focused on building institutional credibility, strengthening governance standards and expanding its shareholder base, resulting in a current market capitalisation of approximately LKR 70 billion, underscoring its scale and relevance within the Colombo Stock Exchange.