HARTI Policy Brief 2025 : Evaluating the Impact of Entrepreneurship Development Programs on the Progression of Agro-Based Startups in Sri Lanka

Background Sri Lankaโ€™s agricultural sector, employing nearly one-fourth of the labour force, remains central to rural livelihoods yet continues to struggle with persistent structural constraints such as low productivity, limited value addition, weak market integration, and high vulnerability to climatic and economic shocks. Over the past two decades, the government of Sri Lanka has increasingly promoted entrepreneurship development as a …

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HARTI Policy Brief 2025: Dedicated Economic Centers in Sri Lanka: Functionality and Sustainability

Background Dedicated Economic Canters (DECs) were established in Sri Lanka as part of a national initiative to enhance the agricultural marketing infrastructure. Their primary objectives were to ensure fair prices for producers, affordable food for consumers, and reduced transaction costs along the supply chain. Launched in 1999, these centers were designed to serve both producing and consuming regions through centralized, …

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Committee on Public Finance Focuses on Issues Related to the Gem and Jewellery Industry

The Committee on Public Finance of Parliament held extensive discussions on issues related to the gem and jewellery industry. These matters were discussed when the committee met in Parliament on 27.01.2026, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva. The meeting was attended by Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Nishantha Jayaweera, as well …

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UK GRANTS MAJOR TRADE ADVANTAGE TO SRI LANKAโ€™S APPAREL SECTOR THROUGH LIBERALISED DCTS RULES

The United Kingdom remains one of Sri Lankaโ€™s most important trading partners and is currently the second-largest export destination for Sri Lankan goods. In a significant move to strengthen trade relations with developing countries, the UK introduced the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) with effect from 19 June 2023, granting preferential market access to 65 developing countries, including Sri Lanka. …

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Imported milk powder prices to be reduced

Importers have agreed to reduce the prices of imported milk powder from January 16, the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development said today. Accordingly, the price of a kilogram of imported milk powder will be reduced by Rs. 125, while a 400-gram packet will see a reduction of Rs. 50 from January 16. The Ministry said the …

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Sri Lanka Expo 2026 International Trade Exhibition Officially Launched

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board officially announced today, January 9, the launch of an international exhibition titled “Sri Lanka Expo 2026” aimed at promoting Sri Lanka’s export potential and investment opportunities. The official website for the exhibition, www.srilankaexpo.lk, was also launched at the event, enabling local exhibitors and foreign buyers to register online. This international exhibition, scheduled for June 18โ€“21, …

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๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐œ๐ก๐š๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐š๐ง๐š๐ ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌโ€™ ๐ˆ๐ง๐๐ž๐ฑ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐œ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐‘๐ž๐ฆ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ฌ ๐’๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐  โ€” ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐ž๐ฆ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ5

The Sri Lanka PMI for Construction increased to 66.2 in November 2025, signalling a continued expansion in construction activity, despite weather-related disruptions towards the end of the month. New orders remained in expansionary territory, supported by the increased availability of both private and government-funded projects. Employment and quantity of purchases recorded further increases, reflecting sustained optimism and positive momentum in …

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๐๐จ๐ฏ๐ž๐ฆ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ“ ๐”๐ฉ๐๐š๐ญ: ๐’๐ซ๐ข ๐‹๐š๐ง๐ค๐šโ€™๐ฌ ๐„๐ฑ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐ง๐š๐ฅ ๐’๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐’๐ก๐จ๐ฐ๐ฌ ๐‘๐ž๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ž๐ง๐œ๐ž

Total exports (goods & services) reached USD 18.8 bn, recording 4.9% YoY growth during Janโ€“Nov 2025, supported by steady performance in both merchandise and services exports. Merchandise exports grew 5.4% YoY in November, while services exports moderated amid softer tourism and transport earnings. Import expenditure rose sharply, with goods imports up 18.9% YoY in November, driven largely by vehicle imports, …

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๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฌ๐š๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐š๐ซ๐ž ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐ž๐ – Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Deposits held with licensed banks and finance companies are automatically insured under the Sri Lanka Deposit Insurance Scheme (SLDIS), administered by the Central Bank of Sri Lankaโ€”providing coverage of up to Rs. 1.1 million per depositor, per institution for eligible deposits. Stay informed. Save with confidence. Licensed Commercial Banks: https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/authori…/licensed-commercial-banks Licensed Specialised Banks: https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/author…/licensed-specialised-banks Licensed Finance Companies: https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/author…/licensed-finance-companies SLDIS webpage: …

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