While reiterating once again the importance of consolidation in the banking sector for higher scale, efficiency and strength, the Central Bank said it is going to roll out the second phase of the consolidation master plan for the non-bank finance company sector in earnest.

Sri Lankan Airlines Ltd. missed a third coupon payment on its 175 million US dollar bond, due later this year, according to a filing on Tuesday.

As part of a slew of policy reforms that are in the pipeline to improve both the resilience and corporate governance of the banks in the near and medium term, the existing Banking Act, which is currently being amended, could see its passage through Parliament in the early part of 2024.

Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara says measures will be taken to introduce a new QR code system within a very short period of time, in consideration of the proposal to introduce a QR code in relation to the registration and preparation of a data system for all three-wheeler drivers.

Negotiations are underway with regional countries, including India, as per the United Nations Law of the Sea to explore economic activities in a sea area extending 250 nautical miles beyond Sri Lanka's exclusive economic zone, the National Oceanic Affairs Committee Secretariat said.

The mango harvest in Sri Lanka has indicated a record increase this year, the Agriculture Department said.

Sri Lanka has earned low tourism revenue despite having 1.5 million arrivals in 2023 due to the visiting of lower- to medium-end travelers from the top two tourist markets to Sri Lanka such as Russia and India, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu said.

Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani has plans to expand his horizons in the telecommunications business through his firm Jio Platforms, expressing interest in buying stake in Sri Lanka Telecom PLC, the state-owned telecom company, Indian media reported.

The Central Bank outlined yesterday that the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is set to explore methods for diversifying its investment portfolio.