News
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce unveils Outlook 2025 Report
The 10th Annual Outlook Report 2025 was officially launched by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at the Economic Review and Outlook 2025 seminar. This year’s theme, “Consolidating Stability; Fostering Sustainable Growth”, encapsulates Sri Lanka’s progress toward economic recovery and resilience. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, highlighting policy directions and economic priorities for 2025.
Organised by the Chamber’s Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU), the report provides a three-part analysis. The first section reviews Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic fundamentals, including growth, inflation, monetary policy, performance of the external, fiscal and the financial sector. The second section offers a detailed review and outlook for ten key sectors: agriculture, tourism, retail, apparel, digital and IT/BPO, energy, logistics and transport, banking and insurance, fisheries, and poultry. The final section presents a forward-looking analysis of global and regional economic trends, emphasizing their implications for Sri Lanka’s recovery and growth trajectory.
In his opening remarks, Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, underscored the Chamber’s three-pillar strategy— Policy Advocacy, Engagement, and Market Access—which guides its efforts to support the business community and drive economic progress. He highlighted that while the EIU plays a critical role in policy advocacy, this seminar aligns with the Engagement pillar by fostering knowledge-sharing and dialogue on Sri Lanka’s economic outlook. Emphasizing the importance of leveraging Sri Lanka’s resilience, he stated, “This year’s report not only reflects on challenges but also provides a roadmap for sustainable growth and the reforms essential for long-term stability.”
Presenting the report, Senior Economist Sanjaya Ariyawansa highlighted Sri Lanka’s cautious optimism for 2025. Ariyawansa noted the critical role of structural reforms, stating, “Sustained fiscal discipline, governance improvements, and investments in digital infrastructure are vital to ensuring Sri Lanka’s economic recovery transitions into sustainable growth.”
A distinguished panel discussion followed, moderated by Ariyawansa. Panelists included: Bingumal Thewarathanthri, Chairman, Sri Lanka Banks Association & MD/CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, Dr. Chandranath Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. Shruti Lakhtakia, Economist, The World Bank Sri Lanka Office, Ruvini Fernando, Head of Strategy, Deloitte Sri Lanka and Maldives and Romesh David, CEO, South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT)
The panel provided valuable insights into fiscal and monetary reforms, digital transformation, the investment climate, growth opporutntiies and challneges, and regional economic trends.
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is on an official visit to Paris, France to participate in the high-level segment of the International Expert Conference on ’An Integrated and Sustainable Approach to Safeguarding the World Heritage Property of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and Associated Living Heritage’ which was to be held at UNESCO Headquarters today [Tuesday 1 April], with the participation of the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay.
The Conference, organized by UNESCO in partnership with Sri Lanka, brings together leading international experts to discuss sustainable strategies for the conservation of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of immense cultural and historical significance.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet senior interlocutors of the French Government to discuss bilateral cooperation and areas of mutual interest.
The Delegation of the Prime Minister includes the Minister of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) BUNGO and ETAJIMA arrived at the port of Colombo on a goodwill visit this morning (01 Apr 25).
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
The 141m long JMSDF BUNGO is an Uraga-Class Minesweeper Tender commanded by Commander TANAKA Koji and the ship is manned by a crew of 125.
Meanwhile, JMSDF Etajima, a 65-meter-long Minesweeper, is under the command of Commander Oda Takayuki and operates with a crew of 54 personnel.
During the stay in the island, crew members of the ships will explore some tourist attractions within the city of Colombo. The ships are scheduled to set sail from Colombo on 04 Apr.
“You and your families will be eliminated”
By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randun
A full-scale investigation has been launched to track down an underworld character, ‘Navy Dinesh,’ a key accomplice of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, for issuing death threats over the phone to three police officers, including the Gampaha HQI, Crime Branch OIC, of the same police station, and others.
Navy Dinesh is believed to have fled the country.
According to police sources, threats were issued following the arrest of Navy Dinesh’s father and brother in connection with a drug trafficking case.
Phone analysis reports have confirmed that the calls originated from Dubai and France.
Following the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, Navy Dinesh assumed leadership of the underworld gang he had previously been involved with.
Navy Dinesh contacted the Gampaha HQI, the OIC of the Crime Branch, and the investigating police constable, and threatened to kill them and their family members. “You and your families will be eliminated,” he said.
A special police team had been assigned to investigate the matter, and a report has been submitted to the courts, police sources said.
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