Category: Daily Financial Times

Sri Lanka Women completed their first bilateral ODI series win over Pakistan Women in 24 years, winning the third game convincingly at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cricket Stadium, Hambantota yesterday to take the series 2-1.

For the second time in three days, Sri Lanka’s top order cruised to an eight-wicket win, although the target proved much easier for the series decider.

Put in to bat, Pakistan suffered a triple blow in the second over itself when Chetana Vimukthi, playing just her fifth ODI, tore through the top order. Two overs in, Pakistan were down to 10-3.

Gull Feroza, Player of the Match in the first game, then started a slow but assured rebuilding passage alongside Muneeba Ali. They put on 68 runs together, before Chamari Athapaththu broke the stand, snaring Feroza for the first of her three wickets. Najiha Alvi then stitched together another brief resistance with Muneeba, but the latter’s dismissal kicked off a second collapse. From 110-4, they tumbled to 146-7.

If it weren’t for Captain Fatima Sana’s 41 off 49 balls, Sri Lanka could have been left with a much smaller total. With little company around, she pushed them closer to 200, but Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari cleaned up the rest by the 40th over. Sri Lanka were left with 188 to seal the series.

Vishmi Gunaratne, their centurion from the previous game, fell in the seventh over after putting on a steady opening stand of 46 off 39 balls with a free-flowing Athapaththu. The Sri Lanka Captain went after Tasmia Rubab the previous over, hitting three fours and a six. The scoring rate dipped after Gunaratne got out, but Pakistan did not find another breakthrough until the 16th over. By then, Athapaththu had completed her 30th fifty-plus score in ODIs – 52 off 38 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes), and half the required runs had been shaved off.

Harshitha Samarawickrama (71* off 92 balls, 11 fours), the other centurion from the second ODI, then put on an undefeated stand of 106 off 137 balls with Hasini Perera (50* off 77 balls, 8 fours), who continues to have a great year with the bat. Having not scored a single fifty in the first nine years of her ODI career, she got to her first one last year, and now has three this year.

The chase was completed with 76 balls to spare, giving Sri Lanka their first bilateral series win over the opponents since 2002, and breaking a sequence of four series wins for Pakistan. Athapaththu was declared the Player of the Match for her all-round showing, while Samarawickrama finished with the Player of the Series award, scoring 173 runs while being dismissed only once in three games.

The T20I series between the two teams begins on July 31, in Dambulla.

Scores:

Pakistan Women 187 (40) (Gull Feroza 40, Muneeba Ali 34, Najiha Alvi 30, Fatima Sana 41, Chethana Vimukthi 3/36, Chamari Athapaththu 3/27, Kavisha Dilhari 3/27) vs. Sri Lanka Women 191-2 (37.2) (Chamari Athapaththu 52, Harshitha Samarawickrama 71*, Hasini Perera 50*)

Luxury boutique hotel ‘Serene Pavilions’ has been recently relaunched under the brand name CLOVE Beach – Wadduwa’ following refurbishment.

The move follows the acquisition of Serene Pavilions Ltd., by MAC Hotels and Villas Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of MAC Holdings Ltd. This marks MAC’s entry to the luxury hotel industry with its first luxury hotel property acquisition.

Nestled along the southern coastal belt of Wadduwa just an hour’s drive from Colombo, CLOVE Beach – Wadduwa offers guests an unparalleled oasis of serenity, luxury, and indulgence, and truly defines the epitome of luxury living. This elegant beach-side haven sits amidst a large variety of trees with incredible views of the Indian Ocean.

Surrounded by lush gardens, aromatic Araliya blooms, and variety of trees, the property features 12 Balinese style inspired exclusive pavilions (15 rooms) designed to provide unmatched luxury, privacy, tranquility and exceptional service with a wide range of facilities (Private Dining, Butler service, Bar and Restaurant, Swimming Pool with submerged Jacuzzi beds, Private Plunge pool, SPA and Gymnasium). The three pavilion types include Single Bedroom Ocean Pavilion – 8 Units – 2,350 sq. ft, Single Bedroom Garden Pavilion – 1 Unit – 1,430 sq. ft and Two-Bedroom Garden Pavilion – 3 Units – 2,100 sq. ft. giving ample space for any guest choosing Clove as their holiday destination

Perfect for weddings, honeymoons, celebrations, or a simple rejuvenating getaway, ‘CLOVE Beach – Wadduwa’ is more than a destination, it is a lifestyle. CLOVE Beach – Wadduwa redefines luxury hospitality in Sri Lanka.

DFCC Bank has introduced Sri Lanka’s first ATMs and Cash Recycler Machines (CRMs) offering transactions in eight languages, enabling international visitors and local customers to withdraw or deposit cash in the language most familiar to them.

Now available in the arrivals area of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and at DFCC Bank locations in Hiriketiya, Ella, and Arugam Bay, the service offers English, Sinhala, Tamil, French, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, and German, with a wider rollout across the bank’s countrywide network.

The facility removes a practical barrier that can make even a simple transaction difficult. Foreign visitors navigating an unfamiliar country can withdraw cash without having to interpret banking instructions in another language, while Sri Lankan customers can use self-service banking in Sinhala, Tamil, or English.

At BIA, the multilingual facility may be one of a visitor’s first experiences of service in Sri Lanka.

DFCC…

Making that interaction clear and familiar extends the country’s welcome into an essential everyday service. By introducing the facility across the island, including key tourist destinations such as Hiriketiya, Ella, and Arugam Bay, DFCC Bank is carrying that experience into local destinations that attract travellers from around the world.

The initiative comes as tourism continues to play an important role in Sri Lanka’s economy. The country welcomed 2.36 million visitors in 2025, followed by a further 1.15 million during the first six months of 2026, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). As Sri Lanka attracts more visitors, the services they rely on must become easier to access across languages and nationalities.

Users select their preferred language at the beginning of the transaction and follow the on-screen instructions in that language. DFCC Bank ATMs facilitate cash withdrawals, while CRMs enable customers to both deposit and withdraw cash.

DFCC Bank CEO Thimal Perera said: ‘Banking cannot be truly accessible if language remains a barrier. Service beyond borders begins with understanding who is using the service and removing the barriers they face, whether that is an international visitor looking for a familiar language or a Sri Lankan who prefers to bank in English, Sinhala, or Tamil. A choice of language on a screen may seem small, but it signals a much bigger shift. The customer no longer has to adapt to the technology. The technology adapts to the customer. That is real progress. It removes difficulty, widens access, and gives more people the confidence to transact independently.’

DFCC Bank has expanded the facility progressively across its ATM and CRM network, prioritising tourism destinations, points of arrival, and other locations where multilingual access can make the greatest practical difference.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry yesterday condemned attacks on the Kingdom saying it reserves the right to respond to the source of ‘the aggression’ and deter those responsible.

Saudi forces attacked Yemen’s Houthi-held city of Hodeidah on Friday in the latest escalation of their conflict during the regional war between the United States and Iran.

The port of Hodeidah is a crucial lifeline for the parts of Yemen under Houthi control, handling the bulk of commercial and humanitarian imports into Houthi-controlled northern Yemen.

Major-General Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, blamed the Houthis for the escalation, calling their attacks on Red Sea shipping ‘cowardly and reckless’.

PALLEKELE: Defending champions Jaffna Kings joined Galle Gallants at the top of the table when they beat Colombo Kaps by 19 runs in the first match of the Lanka Premier League leg played at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Both teams came to the match with an identical record of three wins and six points and it was Jaffna Kings who came out on top with a superlative performance with both bat and ball. They hit up a challenging total of 202-5 and kept Colombo Kaps pegged down to 183-9.

What made the difference was Towhid Hridoy’s late blitz in Jaffna Kings’ innings combined with costly dropped catches and misfields that cost Colombo Kaps the game.

The early loss of Rubin Hermann put Colombo Kaps on the back foot, but Sadeera Samarawickrama and Ashen Bandara fought back to steady the ship, adding 50 off 33 balls. Just as the fielding restrictions were lifted, disaster struck when Bandara threw his wicket away in a suicidal run-out. Skipper Kamindu Mendis carried on his fine form, playing a rapid 28 off 13 before falling in the 11th over. Dunith Wellalage brought into the attack in the 12th over struck immediately by removing the set Samarawickrama for 44 (36 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes). Janith Liyanage and Milan Rathnayaka briefly reignited hope with a flurry of boundaries, but the target proved too much for the men in yellow.

Jaffna Kings bowlers were disciplined with their lines and lengths at the death and were backed up by some top-notch fielding. Late hitting from Janith Liyanage, Malsha Tharupathi, and James Neesham only managed to narrow the margin. Dilshan Madushanka was the pick of the attack with three wickets, while Lizaad Williams claimed two to become the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 12 wickets and received the purple cap.

Jaffna Kings’ innings got off to a flier with Kamil Mishara hitting boundaries through the off-side and straight down the ground. He put the pressure right back on Colombo Kaps in the fourth over, smashing Shahnawaz Dahani for back to back sixes and a boundary in a 21-run over. Despite losing Avishka Fernando early, Jaffna Kings posted 61 runs in the powerplay, largely due to Mishara’s boundary fest. The 50-run stand off 29 balls between Mishara and Ibrahim Zadran was broken when Mishara was caught at deep cover for a 19-ball 44 (6 fours, 2 sixes). Zadran was handed a lifeline on 21 when Malsha Tharupathi dropped a simple caught and bowled chance. He laboured his way to a 41-ball half-century, surviving another drop on 56 when Milan Rathnayaka put him down at deep midwicket.

Dunith Wellalage promoted up the order struggled to get going, scoring 18 off 19 before being retired out in the 16th over. Zadran was dropped yet again on 80, Rathnayaka being the culprit at deep midwicket once again. He made Colombo Kaps play dearly for those lapses by smashing 22 runs off Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s final over to inject some real momentum into the innings. Colombo Kaps bowled brilliantly through the middle overs, but their death bowling fell apart with a flurry of full tosses and short balls and their fielders continued to let them down. Zadran was eventually run out for 95 off 65 balls (12 fours, 3 sixes), falling just short of a hundred with seven balls left in the innings.

Towhid Hridoy provided the finishing touches, launching Dahani for three consecutive sixes in the final over before adding another maximum and a boundary to finish unbeaten on 31 off just 8 balls (1 four, 4 sixes). To sum up the night for Colombo Kaps another catch was put down in the last over by Tharupathi. Neesham picked up two wickets while Mujeeb claimed one, but Hridoy’s late blitz propelled Jaffna Kings past the 200-run mark. – [ST]

Scores:

Jaffna Kings 202-5 (20) (Kamil Mishara 44, Ibrahim Zadran 95, Towhid Hridoy 31*, James Neesham 2/30) vs. Colombo Kaps 183-9 (20) (Sadeera Samarawickrama 44, Kamindu Mendis 28, Milan Rathnayaka 26, Janith Liyanage 20, Dilshan Madushanka 3/30, Lizaad Williams 2/47)

The global scramble for critical minerals has prompted an optimistic narrative: that mineral-rich developing states of the Global South are finally positioned to claim greater agency in world affairs. With both the US and China scrambling for access to lithium, cobalt, copper and rare earth elements, the logic seems straightforward – those who hold the minerals hold the leverage. Sri Lanka, with its deposits of graphite, heavy mineral sands and phosphate, is no stranger to this conversation. But evidence suggests that the reality of possessing critical minerals translating into strategic agency for developing states is far more complicated.

Policy discourse has long framed the critical mineral boom as a dual win. For the West, access to global south’s mineral reserves offers an answer to its quest to break away from China’s stranglehold on the critical mineral value chain, especially in mineral refining. For the global south, without the relative benefit of conventional forms of power, it could offer greater agency and leverage. Developing states are now positioning their mineral wealth at the heart of their strategies for structural reform. With both the US and China scrambling for access to their critical minerals, these mineral-endowed states are assumed to gain greater leverage to decide who to partner with and on what terms.

The capital deficit

But the mineral value chain is much more nuanced. Exploration, mining and processing of critical minerals require high capital, advanced technology and time. Once a potential mine is discovered, its exploration and production can take an average of 16-18 years. The most capital-intensive stages – actual mining and construction of mineral processing infrastructure – can still take up to five years, meaning a commercial mine could take years before starting to make any profit.

This is why China dominates the global mineral industry. China’s mineral boom started as early as the 1990s, long before critical minerals became a geoeconomic hype. Its subsidy-backed state-owned enterprise model ensured that China could invest high capital in both mining and processing and sustain for years until the mines started to make profit. Today, China is deeply embedded in the global critical mineral value chain, owning multiple overseas mines and extensive mineral processing facilities than its own domestic mining output can feed. Its growing electric vehicle and permanent magnet industries further solidify China’s dominance in the global critical mineral sector.

The processing chokepoint

Beyond simple extraction, the primary chokepoint in the critical mineral value chain lies in midstream processing, a domain where the capacity of developing countries is most severely curtailed. The initial mined ore does not carry significant commercial value unlike the processed

minerals and their end products like EV batteries. Currently most developing countries, despite mining commercially valuable and strategically important minerals, export their mining output to China, in raw or semi-processed forms with very low commercial value.

The Serra Verde rare earth mine in Brazil illustrates this starkly. Brazil’s first rare earth mine and the only at-scale producer outside Asia of four key rare earth elements, Serra Verde’s entire mineral output was exported to China for processing through a ten year offtake agreement, because no other state at the time had the capacities to process them. This locked Serra Verde into an asymmetric partnership with China. Brazil was deprived of greater agency despite possessing the mine, while China continued to take home the greater profit. In April this year, Serra Verde was acquired by USA Rare Earth – a US-listed rare earth company – which also came with a similar offtake agreement that mandated Serra Verde’s minerals must go to processing facilities of US and its allies. Such agreements show that though the processing destination might change, the greater value of minerals are reaped far away from their origin.

Without vertical integration of mining and processing at home, the mineral producers of the developing world will continue to be confined to extraction, depriving them of the ability to capitalise on their mineral wealth for economic gain and strategic agency.

Not all minerals are equal

Although the umbrella term ‘critical minerals’ is widely used in geoeconomic contexts, not all minerals that make it onto strategic lists are equally valuable or in demand. Their criticality and value also fluctuate over time depending on the geographic dispersion of mines, innovation of technology, and overall global demand. Minerals like lithium, cobalt and copper have higher demand due to their geographic exclusivity and indispensability for batteries and green energy.

For example, Sri Lanka’s graphite and heavy mineral sands are significant but lack the criticality of cobalt, lithium or rare earths where high demand is coupled with potential supply risk. In contrast to Vietnam that boasts of the world’s second largest rare earth reserves, or Indonesia which dominates 59% of global nickel production, Sri Lanka does not possess a near-monopoly over any high-demand resource, which limits the strategic leverage its mineral wealth can generate. What Sri Lanka could focus instead is on increasing the revenue from existing mineral exports with further value addition for which it requires significant foreign capital investment. But as a small state it should also be mindful when negotiating mineral partnerships with foreign entities, to ensure that Sri Lanka gets a fair bargain without having to sacrifice its resource sovereignty, environmental sustainability and wellbeing of its communities, if not to replicate the destiny of many other mining states of the global south.

Who actually holds power?

A contemporary examination of the DRC’s cobalt sector provides a clear illustration of asymmetric power distribution in mineral partnerships. In October 2025, the DRC imposed a quota system for cobalt export responding to excess production that plunged global prices and thereby DRC’s cobalt revenue. While this appears as the DRC exercising agency, its actual depth of reliance on Chinese firms for cobalt mining and refining exposes a greater structural limitation on that agency. For example, a long term minerals for infrastructure agreement, commonly referred to as Sicomines agreement, obligates China to develop essential infrastructure in the DRC, the debt of which the latter must pay back in the form of mineral exports to China. Therefore, even under the new quota system, the payback to Sicomines takes precedence as a state-backed priority because DRC cannot reallocate mineral exports elsewhere without causing a default on its Sicomines infrastructure loan of approximately $7 billion.

The DRC case shows that more than the mineral-bearing state, the mining firms of mostly foreign ownership have greater agency. Mining companies have significant leverage over not only the operation of mines but also the ability to influence mineral prices through their control over capital investments and global supply.

Lessons for Sri Lanka

The global shift towards technological advancement and decarbonisation has triggered an unprecedented surge in demand for critical minerals, positioning the global south as a potential alternative player. But while mineral endowments offer global south states clear advantages in revenue, infrastructure and job creation, these benefits do not inherently guarantee the strategic agency necessary to overcome structural vulnerabilities. Possessing mines is only the beginning. Without processing capacity, vertical integration, and the type of mineral exclusivity that generates genuine leverage, the strategic agency through critical minerals remains largely out of reach.

Sri Lanka wouldn’t need to look far to learn from its global south counterparts on how to tap into its mineral resources and how to negotiate mineral deals. Mineral-endowed states in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America provide ample case studies on both positive and negative impacts of the mineral industry. With a new national policy for mineral governance and an increasing interest from foreign investors what Sri Lanka now needs is a realistic appraisal of its mineral industry against its capacities, potential revenue and impact on the environment and communities. It needs clarity on whether domestic value addition is feasible without having to succumb to asymmetric dependencies with foreign entities and whether Sri Lanka’s mineral wealth translate into genuine strategic leverage.

CEAT Kelani Holdings has expanded its radial tyre portfolio in Sri Lanka with the launch of two new SUV-focused products engineered to deliver a superior blend of control, comfort and durability across the country’s diverse driving conditions.

The launch introduces the SecuraDrive SUV tyre in size 215/65 R16 and the CrossDrive AT tyre in size 245/70 R16, taking CEAT’s total radial tyre portfolio in Sri Lanka to 82 variants. Designed and tested at CEAT’s R and D Centre in Frankfurt, Germany, these tyres bring globally benchmarked engineering to local roads, combining advanced compound technology and tread design with practical performance benefits for everyday driving.

The SecuraDrive SUV is positioned for modern urban and highway-driven SUVs such as the Toyota Rush, Suzuki Vitara, Nissan Qashqai, Juke and X-Trail, Kia Sportage and even utility vehicles like the Toyota Hilux. It has been engineered to deliver high-speed stability, precise handling and consistent grip across wet and dry surfaces.

At a technical level, the tyre’s wide face cavity and five-rib tread design increase the contact area with the road, ensuring more even pressure distribution. For users, this translates to better grip, improved braking confidence and longer, more even wear. Its optimised cavity shape reduces rolling resistance, which not only enhances fuel efficiency but also contributes to a smoother, more controlled drive.

Noise and ride comfort, two critical factors for SUV owners, have been addressed through a combination of pitch sequencing and advanced tread geometry. By using an optimised pitch distribution developed through algorithm-based design, the tyre significantly reduces road noise and vibration, resulting in a quieter cabin experience. Complementing this is an optimised ply line and reduced belt deflection, which work together to minimise vibration and improve handling stability.

Wet weather performance, a key concern on Sri Lankan roads, is enhanced by fluidic sipe designs that efficiently channel water away from the tyre surface. This improves traction and reduces the risk of aquaplaning, giving drivers greater confidence in heavy rain. Reinforced construction, including a two-ply build and rim flange protection, further improves durability and resistance to road damage, making the tyre well suited to both city use and rougher road conditions.

For more rugged applications, the CrossDrive AT has been developed as an all-terrain solution for vehicles such as the Mitsubishi Triton, Mitsubishi L200, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Montero and Kia Sorento. Designed to appeal to drivers with a more adventurous lifestyle, this tyre combines off-road capability with on-road refinement.

Its aggressive zig-zag groove pattern is engineered to bite into loose and soft surfaces, delivering strong forward traction when driving on gravel, mud or uneven terrain. At the same time, surface-adaptive 3D sipes flex in response to the road, maintaining stability and grip on wet tarmac as well as loose trails.

A key technical feature is its self-cleansing tread design, which actively ejects mud, stones and debris through an optimised open pattern. This prevents tread clogging, ensuring consistent traction and preserving the integrity of the tyre over time. In practical terms, drivers experience fewer interruptions in grip when transitioning between terrains.

Despite its off-road emphasis, the CrossDrive AT has been engineered for everyday usability. Tighter lateral grooves improve block stability and reduce air pumping, which lowers road noise and delivers a more composed, quieter ride on highways, an important balance for SUVs used both in the city and beyond.

Both new tyres benefit from CEAT’s ongoing investment in research and testing, with rigorous evaluation conducted across wet, dry and extreme conditions to optimise compound mix, tread performance and overall durability. Specially designed sidewalls and tread patterns help absorb shocks and vibrations, ensuring better control and ride comfort on Sri Lankan roads.

Every CEAT tyre undergoes stringent quality checks, and the company remains the only tyre manufacturer in Sri Lanka certified with IATF 16949:2016, reflecting adherence to globally recognised automotive quality standards.

Backed by a comprehensive four-year warranty and supported by a network of more than 550 dealers island-wide, the new SecuraDrive SUV and CrossDrive AT tyres are now available at authorised CEAT outlets with introductory pricing.

The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) will host the National Business Excellence Awards (NBEA) 2026 tomorrow at the Shangri-La Colombo, commencing at 5 p.m.

Celebrating its 21st consecutive year, the NBEA recognises and rewards outstanding business achievements.

Over the years, the awards have honored companies that demonstrate excellence in business and organisational performance across a wide range of sectors.

This year’s milestone event is expected to bring together leading business leaders, entrepreneurs, government officials, and diplomatic representatives to honor the highest standards of corporate excellence and sustainability. The awards evaluation process is led by a highly respected Panel of Judges, ensuring transparency, integrity, and rigorous assessment.

Over 140 nominees across 31 sectors and business categories will be unveiled during the ceremony, which will be followed by a glamourous sit-down dinner and networking opportunities for distinguished guests. The grand ceremony will be graced by Chief Guest French Ambassador Remi Lambert.

The National Business Excellence Awards 2026 completed its evaluation process through a multi-stage assessment led by an independent Technical and Financial Evaluation Committee chaired by Ernst and Young Partner – Financial Accounting Advisory Services Rajith Perera, followed by a final review by an independent panel of judges Co-Chaired by Postgraduate Institute of Management Senior Professor in Management Ajantha Dharmasiri and human resources and labour law consultant and Attorney-at-Law Lasantha Salgado.

Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the fastest-improving emerging market sovereigns for investor relations and debt transparency, with the Institute of International Finance (IIF) ranking the country fourth among the largest improvers in its 2026 assessment, as the Government seeks to rebuild investor confidence following its debt restructuring.

The IIF’s Investor Relations and Debt Transparency Report 2026: The Transparency Dividend found Sri Lanka’s overall Investor Relations Country Score rose to 43.67 out of 50 in 2026 from 37.33 in 2025, placing the country in the top quartile of 57 emerging markets and developing economies assessed against international best practices. The survey average increased only marginally to 37 from 36.1 a year earlier.

The report identified Sri Lanka among a small group of ‘fast movers,’ recording the fourth-largest improvement in investor relations scores with a gain of 6.3 points, behind Vietnam, Belize, and Mozambique. It also highlighted Sri Lanka as one of the strongest performers in improving debt transparency practices during the year.

The Finance and Planning Ministry said Sri Lanka’s improvement was driven by stronger debt transparency and environmental, social and governance (ESG) data and policy dissemination, with the country becoming the fifth-highest improver in both categories.

According to the Ministry, Sri Lanka’s debt transparency ranking improved significantly from 19th among score improvers in 2025 to fifth in 2026, reflecting what it described as sound debt management practices adopted over the past year.

The Ministry attributed the progress to continued efforts by the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), working with other Government institutions, to strengthen the country’s sovereign investor relations framework through enhanced investor engagement and debt transparency.

It said the improvements were expected to strengthen investor confidence, broaden Sri Lanka’s sovereign investor base, support market access, and enhance the country’s credibility in international capital markets.

The IIF said the findings come as governments worldwide face intensifying competition for global capital amid a structural spending ‘super-cycle’ driven by defence expenditure, clean energy investment, artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, and rising healthcare costs, while borrowing costs remain elevated and fiscal space remains constrained.

Against that backdrop, the report argues that transparency has become an increasingly important determinant of borrowing costs for emerging markets.

The IIF said timely, credible, and predictable disclosure of fiscal, debt, and policy information enables investors to distinguish known risks from unknown risks, reducing the uncertainty premium embedded in sovereign borrowing costs. Over time, stronger disclosure and sustained investor engagement can broaden the investor base, reinforce market access, and contribute to more stable sovereign credit ratings.

While transparency cannot compensate for weak economic fundamentals, the report said it allows policymakers to address underlying fiscal challenges more effectively with investor support and is one of the few factors influencing borrowing costs that remains entirely within the control of sovereign authorities.

The SriLankan Airlines Swimming Team made quite a splash at the Travel Trade 2026 Swimming Competition, emerging as the Overall Champions with a significant lead. The team also claimed both the Men’s and Women’s Overall Championship trophies, demonstrating the teamwork, determination and winning spirit that continue to define SriLankan Airlines. The airline’s Swimming Team now hopes to extend its winning streak at the upcoming Mercantile 2026 Swimming Championship in October.