Economy

Most businesses involving Israelis are Sri Lankan owned – Authorities

Published

4 months ago

August 7, 2025

Amidst growing concern of foreigners illegally engaged in businesses in Sri Lanka, majority of businesses involving Israelis are owned by Sri Lankans, authorities revealed.
According to acting director of the Police Tourist Division, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Prabath Vidanagama, while some of these ventures are solely run by foreigners, many are fronted by locals.

“In certain cases, the businesses are registered under Sri Lankans, but in reality, the operations are handled by foreigners. This is a concerning issue. However, we have already taken steps in cases where the businesses are completely owned and operated by foreign nationals,” ASP Vidanagama stated.

He said that police, in coordination with other enforcement agencies, have begun identifying foreigners involved in business activities, particularly in tourism hotspots such as Arugam Bay and Weligama.

These individuals, often operating under tourist visas, are violating conditions that strictly prohibit commercial engagement.

“We are currently gathering intelligence and verifying the details of foreign nationals who are engaged in business ventures while staying in the country on tourist visas,” he said. “This is especially prevalent in tourist-heavy areas like Arugam Bay and Weligama.”
The move comes in the wake of growing public concern, following reports that several Israeli nationals had been operating businesses while in Sri Lanka on tourist visas.

Source – Dailymirror

Economy

Tourist arrivals pass 2.1m for the first time in 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2025

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A total of 212,906 tourists have arrived in the country in the month of November, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) shows.

According to data released by the SLTDA, a total of 51,391 tourists have arrived from India which accounts to 24.1%. Furthermore, 24,953 persons from Russia, 16,915 from the United Kingdom, 14,518 from Germany and 9,384 Australian nationals have also visited Sri Lanka in the month of November.

Meanwhile, the number of tourists arrived in Sri Lanka in 2025 has increased to 2,103,593 with the release of the latest figures for November.

Among them, 474,796 individuals are from India, 191,742 from the UK, 158,593 from Russia, 131,259 from Germany, 121,671 from China and 101,771 are from France, the SLTDA noted.

Economy

Apple to support relief efforts in flood-hit Sri Lanka

Published

3 days ago

December 3, 2025

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Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced that the company will contribute to relief and rebuilding efforts across several Asian countries—including Sri Lanka—following days of severe flooding, landslides, and powerful winds.

Cook said that recent storms across Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka have devastated communities, extending the company’s condolences to all those affected.

Economy

Management Committee appointed for ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

5 days ago

December 1, 2025

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which aims to rebuild the country after the immense damage caused by Cyclone ‘Ditwa’, one of the worst natural disasters in Sri Lanka’s recent history.

The fund is to be established as a statutory fund under the Presidential Secretariat, and its Management Committee will comprise representatives from the government and private sectors.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, will serve as its Chairman, while Senior Additional Secretary to the President, G.M.R.D. Aponso will serve as the Convener of the Committee.

Other committee members include:

• President’s Special Envoy for Foreign Investment, Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof
• Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma
• Senior Economic Advisor to the President, Duminda Hulangamuwa
• Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sugeeshwara Gunawardena
• Chairman of the Hayles Group, Mohan Pandithage
• Chairman of John Keells Holdings (JKH), Krishan Balendra
• Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC, Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake
• Brandix Group CEO Ashroff Omar
• LOLC Executive Chairman Ishara Nanayakkara