Economy

Special Gazette issued introducing mandatory labeling rules for soaps

Published

1 month ago

July 17, 2026

Sri Lanka’s Consumer Affairs Authority has introduced mandatory labeling requirements for all covered categories of soap, requiring businesses to disclose the product name and its Total Fatty Matter, or TFM, percentage on the packaging.

The requirements are contained in Direction No. 100, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2496/39 dated July 10, 2026. The direction, issued under Section 10(1)(a) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No. 9 of 2003, will take effect on July 9, 2027.

The measure follows the introduction of numerous soap brands into the domestic market and concerns that some of these brands do not disclose their ingredients or the correct TFM content. While several long-established brands already provide the relevant information, concerns have been raised that some products do not display all prescribed details in the proper manner or disclose all ingredients.

Under this direction, importers, manufacturers, store owners, distributors and traders will not be permitted to import, manufacture, store, distribute, sell, display or offer the covered products for sale unless the required information is printed on the package or label.

The gazette says, “Name of the product as specified in the schedule shall be printed in bold type in all three languages of Sinhala, Tamil and English or, in two of those three languages on the main panel and the other language on any panel.”

It also says, “Total Fatty Matter (TFM) percentage by mass shall be printed on the product label clearly and conspicuously in a bold font size of not less than 2 millimeters (2mm) when packed.”

The gazette schedule lists the covered products as “Baby Soap,” “Toilet Soap,” “Shaving Soap,” “Carbolic Soap,” “Laundry Soap,” “Bathing Bar” and “Soft Soap.” Their respective standards are SLS 547, SLS 34, SLS 36, SLS 35, SLS 554, SLS 1220 and SLS 37. The direction was issued by order of the Consumer Affairs Authority and signed by S. M. D. Suriyakumara, Chairman (Acting).

Economy

CPC Seeks Investors As Natural Gas Confirmed in Mannar Basin

Published

3 days ago

August 13, 2026

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The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation says the process of calling for proposals to select an appropriate investor to extract and utilize the natural gas resources in the Mannar Basin will begin this month.

Managing Director of CPC, Dr. Mayura Neththikumara, said the presence of natural gas in the Mannar Basin has been scientifically confirmed by the Sri Lanka Petroleum Development Authority.

The relevant process will be carried out with the approval of the Procurement Committee, and investors will be given approximately five months to submit their applications.

Economy

Battery storage systems to join national grid in September

Published

5 days ago

August 11, 2026

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Commercial-scale battery energy storage systems being installed at 16 electricity transmission substations across Sri Lanka are expected to be connected to the national grid in early September.

The systems, which were brought into Sri Lanka through the Colombo Port in three stages during May and June, are currently in the final stages of construction.

The project being implemented by WindForce PLC near the Anuradhapura substation is now around 85% complete.

The battery systems will store excess electricity generated by solar power plants during the daytime and release the stored electricity to the national grid at night when required.

Officials said the system would help maintain the stability of the national grid while reducing the need to generate electricity from diesel power plants during nighttime hours.

Each battery energy storage project will have a capacity of 10 MW. The National System Operator Ltd. (NSO), operating under the Ministry of Energy, will be responsible for managing and controlling the systems, while their maintenance will be handled by the respective companies.

Economy

Delft Island to become Sri Lanka’s first zero emission eco‑tourism destination

Published

6 days ago

August 10, 2026

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The Government of Sri Lanka has unveiled plans to transform Delft Island into the country’s first Zero Emission eco‑tourism destination, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, environmental conservation, and the preservation of its unique natural and cultural heritage.

A special site inspection and stakeholder discussion on the proposed development was held under the leadership of Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe recently.

The island, renowned for its Dutch‑era ruins, numerous archaeological landmarks, and iconic wild horses, is seen as possessing exceptional tourism potential.

Deputy Minister Ranasinghe told participants that Delft Island should be experienced not only by international visitors but also by domestic tourists. Despite its extraordinary attractions, he noted, the island has so far made only a limited contribution to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

He emphasized the Government’s commitment to unlocking Delft’s full potential through sustainable and environmentally responsible development.

Discussions focused on identifying priority infrastructure to position Delft Island as a premier tourism destination, with key areas including water supply, road infrastructure, transportation and accessibility. Strengthening community participation was also highlighted, with plans to enhance the knowledge and hospitality skills of local residents to enable them to benefit directly from tourism development.