Press & Media


EDB Launches Priority Fuel Program to Shield 4,500 Exporters

March 19, 2026 at 4:20 pm | Uncategorized | No comment

Recognizing the export sector as the nation’s top economic priority, the Export Development Board (EDB) has launched a fast-track fuel supply program this week. EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe announced that the initiative aims to support over 4,500 exporters across the apparel, tea, and spice industries. The program ensures that transport fleets moving export cargo receive […]

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Ceylon Chamber Proposes 5-Point Plan to Protect Export Economy

March 18, 2026 at 4:26 pm | Uncategorized | No comment

To safeguard Sri Lanka’s economic stability amid rising global uncertainty, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce officially proposed five urgent measures today. The Chamber is calling on the government to identify and prioritize “Essential Services” and “Export Sectors” for dedicated fuel and foreign exchange allocation. A standout proposal includes allowing licensed local bunkering firms to independently […]

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Navigating the “Hormuz Closure”: Global Carriers Halt Bookings

March 18, 2026 at 4:16 pm | Uncategorized | No comment

The global logistics landscape has shifted significantly this week. On March 18, major freight forwarders and carriers issued urgent advisories following the effective closure of critical waterways in the Middle East. With the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea seeing intensified disruptions, carriers have begun suspending new bookings and diverting mainline traffic. For the […]

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The “Reliability Tax”: Freight and Insurance Premiums Spike Across Indian Ocean

March 16, 2026 at 4:12 pm | Uncategorized | No comment

Logistics experts are warning of a new “Reliability Tax” hitting the Sri Lankan export sector. Following the escalation of naval conflicts in the Middle East, global insurance underwriters have significantly raised war-risk premiums for vessels calling at South Asian ports. Freight rates for the Colombo-Europe and Colombo-US lanes have seen a sharp increase as shipping […]

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SLPA Convenes Emergency Meeting as Middle East Crisis Scales Up

March 12, 2026 at 4:09 pm | Uncategorized | No comment

As military tensions in the Middle East escalate, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake convened a high-level emergency meeting this week with terminal operators and global shipping lines. The goal is to ensure the Port of Colombo remains a resilient “Safe Harbor” despite the volatility in the Gulf. With major carriers like […]

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Agile Response: OSM Navigates the March 2026 Port Congestion

March 10, 2026 at 6:04 pm | Uncategorized | No comment

As the Port of Colombo and Hambantota handle a surge in “rerouted cargo,” OSM Holdings has activated its Agile Response Protocol. Our 1 million square feet of strategic warehousing is providing critical “overflow” space for importers whose containers were unexpectedly offloaded in Sri Lanka due to the Gulf crisis. Executive Director Onella Karunanayake notes, “The […]

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End of an Era: CEB Dissolved as Six New Power Entities Begin Operations

March 9, 2026 at 6:02 pm | Uncategorized | No comment

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) was formally dissolved at midnight on March 8th, replaced by six new successor companies. This restructuring aims to modernize the power sector and eventually lower energy costs for the manufacturing and warehousing industries. For the cold-chain and temperature-controlled warehousing sector, this reform is a “silent fuel.” Lower electricity tariffs would […]

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Hambantota Port to Handle 6,500 Containers as Gulf Routes Stall

March 8, 2026 at 6:01 pm | Uncategorized | No comment

In a major logistical shift, shipping line MSC will unload 6,500 containers destined for West Asia at the Hambantota Port, as passage to the Gulf is currently unviable. This move places unprecedented pressure on existing bunker fuel stocks, with prices skyrocketing overnight. While there is no immediate fuel crisis, the “bunker premium” is rising as […]

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$36 Billion Vision: EDB Unveils National Export Roadmap 2030

March 7, 2026 at 5:59 pm | Uncategorized | No comment

The Export Development Board (EDB) convened a High-Level CEO Forum to unveil the National Export Roadmap. The strategy aims for $36 billion in export revenue by 2030, with a heavy focus on high-value sectors like Electronics and Electrical Components. For the logistics sector, this signals a massive future demand for specialized, climate-controlled storage and high-tech […]

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Humanitarian Custody: Sri Lanka Takes in Iranian Vessel ‘IRIS Bushehr’

March 6, 2026 at 5:56 pm | Uncategorized | No comment

Following the sinking of the IRIS Dena, the IRIS Bushehr sought emergency docking in Sri Lanka due to engine failure. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka is acting under “humanitarian responsibility” while maintaining strict neutrality. The crew has been moved to a navy facility near Colombo. The presence of foreign naval assets in […]

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