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12 stories · 12 sections

Tourism

Sri Lanka Welcomes Its Busiest October Ever, Led by Visitors From India

More than 168,000 visitors arrived in October, beating a record set in 2018. But the country still needs another 838,000 in the last two months of the year to reach its 2.7 million target.

5 min read

The Sigiriya rock fortress rising above green forest, seen from the gardens at its base

Markets

Colombo Shares Hold Above 22,000 a Day After Reclaiming the Milestone
The All Share Price Index gave back 0.41% on Wednesday after a 2.75% surge on Tuesday lifted it past 22,000 for the first time since early July. Investors now turn to the central bank's 20 November rate decision.
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Economy

Sri Lanka's Inflation Climbs to 8.3%, Its Highest Since 2023, as the Central Bank Weighs Its Next Move
Transport and restaurant prices drove consumer inflation in Colombo higher again in October, putting it well above the central bank's new 5% target ahead of the 20 November policy decision.
5 min read

Politics

Public-Funds Case Against Former President Wickremesinghe Put Off to 9 December
The Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court postponed the CID case over the alleged misuse of more than Rs 16.6 million in public funds, as the Attorney General's next steps remain pending.
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Finance

Hot US Inflation Puts Rate Hikes Back on the Table — and Asia Will Feel It
Consumer prices in the United States rose faster than expected in October, and traders now expect the Federal Reserve to raise rates in December. With Europe also tightening, Asian economies face a stronger dollar and costlier money.
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Trade

Sri Lanka's Exports Rise 5% to $13.6 Billion, but Apparel and Tea Lose Ground
Electronics, spices and rubber are carrying Sri Lanka's export growth this year, while the two traditional pillars — garments and tea — are slipping, with tea sales to the Middle East hit hard by the conflict in the region.
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Tech

Sri Lanka Flies Its First Passenger Drone at Colombo Port City
A two-seat, electric EHang aircraft carried the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation on its first official flight, opening a six-month trial that could lead to air taxis for tourists and emergency services.
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Energy

Oil Holds Near $93 as Tanker Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz Continue
Brent crude rebounded on Wednesday as fresh strikes on tankers in and around the Strait of Hormuz offset a surge in OPEC+ output. For oil-importing Asia, the conflict is already showing up in fuel bills and inflation.
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Industry

India's Factory Growth Eases in October, but Export Orders Hit a Six-Month High
The HSBC India Manufacturing PMI slipped to 54.7 from 55.1, as domestic demand cooled. Strong overseas orders and the gentlest price rises in nearly four years softened the picture.
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Property

China's Housing Market Sends Mixed Signals Ahead of Official October Figures
A private survey shows new-home prices in 100 cities edging up in October, but resale prices are still falling and official data have yet to show a turn. The world's second-largest economy is still waiting for its property slump to end.
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Startups

Data Centres Dominate Southeast Asia's Startup Funding Rebound as India Cools
Venture funding for Southeast Asian startups has climbed back to its highest level in years, but one giant data-centre deal accounts for most of it. In India, fundraising slipped again in the third quarter.
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Agriculture

Heavy Rain Warning as Sri Lanka's Maha Paddy Season Gets Under Way
Forecasters expect more than 100mm of rain in parts of five provinces today. Farmers planted early this season to avoid November floods, and the government says fertiliser stocks are sufficient — but irrigation and El Niño remain worries.
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Culture

Sri Lanka Welcomes Its Busiest October Ever, Led by Visitors From India
More than 168,000 visitors arrived in October, beating a record set in 2018. But the country still needs another 838,000 in the last two months of the year to reach its 2.7 million target.
5 min read