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Meet the key people in-charge of Sri Lanka’s price stability and financial system stability

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In terms of the provisions of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Governing Board (GB) of CBSL has been established as the body responsible for overseeing the administration and management of the affairs of CBSL and determination of the general policies of CBSL. In terms of the law, the appointed members of the previously existing Monetary Board of CBSL continue as the members of GB of CBSL.

Accordingly, Sanjeeva Jayawardena P.C. and A N Fonseka who were appointed members of MB with effect from 29.06.2021 and 27.07.2022, respectively, continue to be members of GB. However, Dr. Ranee Jayamaha who was a member of MB since 29.07.2020 tendered her resignation from MB with effect from 12.09.2023, and therefore is not a member of GB. Sanjeeva Jayawardena P.C., Appointed Member who continued as a member of GB tendered his resignation with effect from 05.11.2023. Accordingly, both Dr. Jayamaha and Jayawardena submitted their resignations well before the Supreme Court made its final judgement on 14.11.2023 with regard to the Fundamental Rights Case filed on Economic Crisis.

The present GB of CBSL consists of Dr. P Nandalal Weerasinghe as the Chairman of GB and the Governor of CBSL, A N Fonseka, and newly appointed members, Dr. Ravi Ratnayake (appointed on 21.09.2023), Anushka S. Wijesinha (appointed on 21.09.2023) and Vish Govindasamy (appointed on 26.10.2023).

Brief profiles of the newly appointed members are as follows:

Dr. Ravi Ratnayake was a Chief Economist for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and former Director of Trade and Investment of the United Nations. At the United Nations (UN), Dr. Ratnayake has initiated a number of regional cooperation mechanisms including the AsiaPacific Research and Training Network on Trade (ARTNeT), Asia-Pacific Board Secretariat Business Forum (APBF), Asia-Pacific Sustainable Development Network, Asia-Pacific Network of Experts on Experts of paperless Trade (UN NExT) and assisted the member countries to revitalize the Asia-Pacific Trade and Agreement (APTA). Dr. Ratnayake had also been a Consultant to the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UN, United States Agency for International Development and Food and Agriculture Organization.

Anushka S. Wijesinha is an economist with experience in the Government, private sector and think tanks. He is the Co-founder/Director of public policy think, Centre for a Smart Future. Wijesinha has been an International Consultant for advisory projects in Mongolia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Maldives, and Iran. Until this appointment, Wijesinha was a Senior Independent Non-Executive Director at the Seylan Bank PLC and Hatton National Bank Finance PLC. He continues on the Board of Fairfirst Insurance Ltd. and Good Life X (Pvt) Ltd. Wijesinha also serves on the Council of the National Innovation Agency, the Export Development Board, and the Oversight Committee on Exports and FDI, at the Presidential Secretariat. In previous roles, he was the Chief Economist of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Research Economist at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, and Advisor to the Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade. Wijesinha was a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Innovation Ecosystems and was an Asia Foundation Development Fellow at the Korea Development Institute in Seoul. .

Vish Govindasamy holds an MBA and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hartford, USA. With over 26 years at its helm, Govindasamy is the Group Managing Director of Sunshine Holdings PLC, a diversified conglomerate which is today one of Sri Lanka’s top 50 listed companies. He is a fellow member of the Institute of Certified Professional Managers of Sri Lank and is the immediate past Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Employers Federation of Ceylon.

Before his current position at Sunshine Holdings, Govindasamy was the Chief Executive Officer of the Watawala Plantations, a diversified plantation management company in partnership with TATA India. At Watawala, he is largely credited with having played an instrumental role in successfully transforming a Government owned plantation company after privatization into the highest capitalized regional plantation company to be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. He also is credited with creating the Brands Zesta, Watawala & Rankhata which are the leading tea brands in Sri Lanka today. The House of Tata’s of India has placed Mr. Govindasamy in many of their corporate Boards in Sri Lanka.

In terms of the provisions of the CBSL Act No. 16 of 2023 there shall be a Monetary Policy Board (MPB) of CBSL which is charged with the formulation of monetary policy of CBSL and implementation of a flexible exchange rate regime in line with the flexible inflation targeting framework in order to achieve and maintain domestic price stability.

Accordingly, the President has appointed Dr. (Ms.) Dushni Weerakoon and Dr. Priyanga Dunusinghe as Members of MPB of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka with effect from 21.09.2023 in terms of Section 15 of the CBSL Act with the approval of the Constitutional Council.

The above two members are the technical experts joining MPB along with members of the Governing Board and the Deputy Governors in-charge of Price Stability and Financial System Stability.

Brief profiles of the two technical experts are as follows:

Dr. Dushni Weerakoon is the Executive Director of the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) and Head of its Macroeconomic Policy Research. She joined the IPS in 1994 on completing her PhD, and has written and published widely on macroeconomic policy, regional trade integration and international economics.

She has extensive experience working with Policy Development Committees of the Government of Sri Lanka, including as a member of the Committee on Economic Stabilization, Recovery and Promotion of Growth and as a Director at the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI), having previously served as an Appointed Member of MB of CBSL (2019-2020). She has also held positions as a Director on the Boards of corporate entities.

Dr. Priyanga Dunusinghe is a Professor in Economics in the Department of Economics, and Head – Department of Information Technology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has been teaching, research, training, and consultancy experience for about 20 years. His areas of teaching are Econometrics, Statistics, Quantitative Techniques, Financial Institutions, Development Economics, and International Trade & Finance. His areas of research interest are macroeconomic policies; growth and development including agriculture, financial markets, poverty, labour, public debt, education and international trade & investment. Dr. Dunusinghe has also worked as a Consultant to the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Bank, European Union, Asian Development Bank, International Labour Organisation, UN Conference on Trade and Development and to the Government of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Labour, and Ministry of Agriculture.



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MIWAYZ redefines Sri Lankan urban mobility with landmark launch

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From left Suraj Randel Lawson ( COO - Miwayz ) Nalliah Thayaparan (CEO - Miwayz) Sanjaesh Thayaparan -(UK Marketing Coordinator) Yogeshwaran Niaranjan ( Data Analysist - Miwayz) at the launch of Miwayz

Miwayz, Sri Lanka’s newest and most anticipated lifestyle and smart mobility platform, has officially announced its grand launch.

Signaling a major shift in the country’s ride-hailing and delivery ecosystem. the platform went live from Sunday, 12th July with an unprecedented milestone: securing a trusted community of 25,000+, eagerly awaiting passengers within an incredibly short pre-launch window.

For Sri Lankan consumers who have long sought greater transparency and safety, and for drivers seeking fair compensation, Miwayz enters the market not just as an app, but as a community-driven answer to modern commuter challenges.

Facing the Realities of the Road: Addressing Driver Pain Points

For years, the backbone of Sri Lanka’s urban transport—its hardworking three-wheeler and motorcycle drivers—has operated under immense financial strain. Traditional ride-hailing industry have long extracted predatory commission rates ranging from 15% to 25% on every single ride, severely squeezing driver take-home pay. Coupled with highly unpredictable daily incomes and skyrocketing vehicle maintenance and fuel costs, drivers have increasingly felt reduced to mere transactional numbers on a screen.

To address these pain points directly, Miwayz has introduced a highly disruptive, driver-centric economic model:

  • 0% Commission & Zero Subscription Fees: Registered driver-partners will enjoy 0% commission cuts and zero-value subscription fees for their first three months of operation, allowing them to take home 100% of their hard-earned fares.
  • The Industry’s Lowest Flat Subscription: Post-launch promotional period, Miwayz will transition drivers to the industry’s lowest flat rate daily/monthly subscription model, completely eliminating percentage-based commission structures. This ensures predictable operational costs and maximized income stability.

Tapping into a Massive Market

The launch of Miwayz arrives at a critical juncture for Sri Lanka’s massive urban transport market. According to the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority (RPTA), there are currently over 250,000 registered three-wheelers operating as active passenger transport services in the Western Province alone.

Furthermore, latest vehicle population statistics from the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) reveal that Sri Lanka has over 1.20 million motor tricycles (three-wheelers) and more than 5.17 million motorcycles (bikes) registered nationwide.

By positioning itself as a fair-play platform for this immense pool of micro-entrepreneurs, Miwayz is set to capture a dominant share of the daily commuting market, starting in Colombo and rapidly expanding across the province.

A Foundation Built on Mutual Trust

In a market where trust is the ultimate currency, Miwayz’s rapid acquisition of a combined 25,000+ strong pre-registered base represents a significant vote of confidence from local users.

“We did not want to launch with just an app and a hope; we wanted to launch with a community that believed in our vision from day one,” said the CEO of Miwayz, Nalliah Thayaparan. “To have over 25K trusted driver partners and passengers in our ecosystem before our official launch is the ultimate validation. It proves that Sri Lankans are ready for a platform built on mutual respect, honesty, and fair value.”

Going Beyond the Usual: The Miwayz Promise

Miwayz is engineered specifically to address the daily pain points of Sri Lankan commuters and drivers through three core pillars:

  1. Total Price Transparency & Best Fair Rates: Passengers will benefit from upfront, highly reliable fare estimates with zero hidden costs, unexpected surges, or predatory price hikes. Miwayz guarantees the best, standard distance-to-fare ratios in the market, ensuring complete peace of mind.
  2. Uncompromising Safety: To protect both riders and driver-partners, Miwayz features strictly verified profiles, real-time live trip tracking, and a dedicated 24/7 localized support team ready to assist at any moment.
  3. Everyday Convenience & Passenger Perks: Designed as an all-in-one lifestyle companion, the platform integrates seamless ride-hailing options with everyday essentials, including the upcoming rollout of Miwayz Food featuring local culinary favorites. To celebrate the launch, passengers will receive an exclusive 50% discount on their first 5 rides during the first three months of operation.

Strategic Powerhouse Collaboration with Dialog Axiata

To enhance the overall mobility experience for both passengers and driver-partners, MiWayz has entered into a strategic partnership with Dialog Touch, Sri Lanka’s leading fleet and fuel management platform. The collaboration introduces innovative payment and rewards capabilities that deliver greater convenience to riders while creating tangible value for driver-partners.

Through this partnership, Dialog Touch users can now seamlessly use their Touch Card as a payment method within the MiWayz app, enabling a fast, secure, and cashless payment experience for every journey. In addition, MiWayz driver-partners will benefit from fuel vouchers powered through the Dialog Touch platform, a first-of-its-kind rewards initiative introduced by Touch to recognize and support drivers with meaningful savings on fuel expenses.

Long-Term Support Alliance with TVS

To match its digital strength with on-the-ground sustainability, MiWayz has secured a pivotal strategic partnership with TVS. Focused entirely on providing long-term operational support to the platform’s growing driver-partner community, TVS is introducing immediate, tangible cost-saving benefits on the road. Under this landmark alliance, registered MiWayz driver-partners will gain exclusive access to:

  • Exclusive Discounts on Spare Parts: Deep cost reductions on essential vehicular components to reduce overall maintenance costs.
  • Specialized Vehicle Services: Tailored, high-priority maintenance and repair services at TVS Own Service Centers
  • Valuable Vehicle Trade-In Offers: Highly attractive trade-in opportunities allowing drivers to upgrade their vehicles easily and sustainably.

Representing the alliance, Geethal Anthony, CEO – TVS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd remarked, “We are incredibly proud to partner with MiWayz on this journey of sustainable urban empowerment. At TVS, we believe that true market innovation comes from putting tangible value back into the hands of the community. By providing long-term support structures—specifically through exclusive discounts on spare parts, specialized services, and accessible trade-in options—we are ensuring that driver-partners can significantly lower their operational overheads. This partnership sets a new benchmark for shared economic growth and corporate responsibility in Sri Lanka’s mobility landscape.”

Investing Directly in People: The Direct Reinvestment Model

In a progressive move, Miwayz is channeling its core resources directly into the pockets of its users and partners through a long-term Direct Reinvestment Model.

Rather than focusing on short-term market noise, the company is redirecting its operational capital to create sustained, long-term value additions:

  • For Driver-Partners: Enhanced welfare programs, sustainable financial incentives, and long-term professional development pathways that elevate their livelihoods alongside TVS’s operational discounts.
  • For Passengers: Consistent loyalty rewards, highly competitive daily pricing structures, and community-driven promotions that provide tangible economic relief in their daily travel budgets.

“We believe the best way to grow is not by plastering billboards, but by enriching the lives of the people who use our platform,” the CEO added. “By investing directly in our drivers and passengers, we are building a sustainable, loyal ecosystem that benefits Sri Lanka for the long haul.”

Availability

The Miwayz passenger and driver applications are now officially available for download on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. Commuters and drivers across Sri Lanka are invited to download the app today to experience mobility and lifestyle convenience their way.

About Miwayz

Miwayz is a next-generation, community-first lifestyle and smart mobility platform based in Sri Lanka. Committed to elevating the urban travel experience, Miwayz combines advanced ride-hailing technology, transparent pricing, robust safety standards, and merchant delivery ecosystems to create a fairer, more efficient way for communities to connect, move, and thrive.

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Successful government securities auctions anchor yield curve amid subdued trading

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The secondary market yield curve remained broadly stable during the past week as subdued trading activity persisted around the Treasury Bond auction. Meanwhile, weighted average yields at the weekly Treasury Bill auction recorded declines across all tenors, First Capital Research stated in its latest weekly report.

According to the report, secondary market activity opened on a cautious note with selling interest emerging ahead of the T-Bond auction, causing a slight upward adjustment in yields amid moderate trading volumes. As the week progressed, investor participation remained muted, with market participants largely staying on the sidelines in anticipation of the auction, keeping the yield curve broadly unchanged.

Following the successful completion of the bond auction, the market witnessed mixed sentiment, with selling pressure concentrated at the short end and buying interest emerging in longer-dated maturities. However, activity remained subdued, and the yield curve largely held its ground through the weekend.

At the Treasury Bond auction held on July 13, 2026, the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) successfully raised the full offered amount of LKR 150.0 billion. This comprised LKR 70.0 billion through the 2030 maturity, LKR 50.0 billion through the 2034 maturity, and LKR 30.0 billion through the 2037 maturity, at weighted average yields of 11.57%, 12.04%, and 12.58%, respectively.

Similarly, at the weekly Treasury Bill auction held on July 15, 2026, the PDMO raised the full offered amount of LKR 120.0 billion. The 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month bills raised LKR 55.0 billion, LKR 35.0 billion, and LKR 30.0 billion, respectively. Weighted average yields declined across all tenors, with the 3-month bill easing by 8 basis points (bps) to 10.13%, the 6-month bill by 3 bps to 10.27%, and the 12-month bill by 1 bp to 10.20%.

On the external front, the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) depreciated against the US Dollar, closing the week at LKR 336.3/USD compared to LKR 334.7/USD seen previously. Market liquidity within the banking system expanded significantly, starting the week at LKR 125.89 billion and closing higher at LKR 157.19 billion.

Thus the market data may highlight a clear divergence between short-term liquidity comfort and long-term caution, which points toward a gradual steepening of the yield curve in the near term.

The emergence of buying interest in longer-dated maturities (2034 and 2037) shows that institutional investors are eager to lock in double-digit yields while liquidity is high. This institutional support will likely place a temporary ceiling on long-term rates.

The mild depreciation of the rupee (moving to LKR 336.3/USD) acts as a cautionary counter-signal. If the currency continues to face pressure, it could limit how far short-term yields can fall, flattening the curve back out.

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CSE sees lack of investor participation, market turnover remains thin

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The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed a quiet trading session on Friday, with the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) edging marginally lower down by 42.16 points or 0.20% to close at 21,405.41.

Market turnover remained thin, coming in at Rs. 0.72 billion (approximately US$ 2.2 million), reflecting a general lack of investor participation as most sectors encountered downward pressure.

A total of 31.94 million shares changed hands across 13,397 trades, resulting in a negative market breadth where declining counters outpaced gainers 127 to 91. Blue-chip counters Sampath Bank PLC (SAMP), Lanka IOC PLC (LIOC), and John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) anchored the day’s market turnover, while a notable off-market crossing was recorded in Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC (LLUB). Trading volume in SAMP alone was highly concentrated, accounting for 12% of the day’s total turnover.

Sector performance remained mixed, with the Banking sector emerging as the most actively traded, posting a modest gain of 0.18%. The Health Care Equipment & Services sector secured the spot as the day’s best performer, rising by 0.55%.

Conversely, the Household & Personal Products sector faced the steepest decline, dropping 1.95% to finish as the worst-performing sector of the day. In terms of individual movements, Blue Diamonds Jewellery Worldwide PLC [Voting] (PINS.N) led the gainers, advancing by 6.11%, while Agstar PLC (AGPL.N) emerged as the top loser, shedding 9.09%.

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

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