💰 The Economy
📰 Tourism Sector records continued growth with 90,000 arrivals in June
According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), 93,486 tourists arrived in
the country in June 2025, bringing the total number of arrivals for the year to 1,123,289. Of
these, 231,564 were from India, 111,940 from Russia, and 103,990 from the United Kingdom.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/yc7765f6

📰 BOI announces significant surge in FDIs in 1Q amid stable investment climate
The Board of Investment (BOI) reported an increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) compared
to the previous year, reflecting a stable and investor-friendly economic environment. As of
June 2025, the BOI had received 79 investment proposals, comprising 40 greenfield projects
and 39 proposals for the expansion of existing ventures. The total estimated value of these
investments is USD 4,669 million, with USD 3,899 million in foreign investment, and USD 770
million in local investment. This represents an 18 percent increase compared to the proposals
received during the same period in 2024.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/ybm7d8au

⚖ Politics & Policy
📰 Government to make special announcement on fiscal strategy on 30 June
The Government is set to make a special announcement on its fiscal strategy in Parliament on
30 June, according to a statement released by the Office of the Leader of the House.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/hrmdsnba

📰 CoPF approves stamp duty hike, lifting key import bans
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) chaired by MP Dr. Harsha de Silva recently approved
a series of significant fiscal measures, including an increase in stamp duty and the phased
relaxation of longstanding import restrictions, to boost State revenue and ease pressure on key
industries. The Committee also endorsed two regulatory changes under the Import and Export
(Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969. These regulations propose to lift restrictions that have been in
place since 2020, marking a gradual shift from protectionist policies towards more open trade.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/mvjxxm3z

📰 Cabinet sub-committee appointed to review challenges posed by Middle East conflict
A Cabinet sub-committees has been appointed to submit appropriate recommendations after
closely studying the conflict situation in the Middle East region. The committee has been tasked
with reviewing all fields that are affected, the extent of the impact, and propose actions that
should be taken in this regard.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/2e6ush8m

📰 Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra addresses China-South Asia Cooperation Forum
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, participated
in the Ninth China-South Asia Exposition and the Sixth China-South Asia Cooperation Forum
(CSACF) held recently in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. Addressing the Forum, he stressed
the importance of regional unity and shared development, and invited investors and partners

from China, and the region to explore opportunities in infrastructure, technology, green energy,
agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/3sk8wbd7

📰 Parliamentary meeting focuses on resolving district-level industry challenges
A special discussion regarding the coordination of the Ministry of Industries’ operations, and
district-level activities was recently held at the Parliament under the leadership of Industries
and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi and Deputy Minister
Chathuranga Abeysinghe. The main objective of this meeting was to establish mechanisms to
address district-specific issues under the mediation of 25 designated MPs.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/24h4kd2v

📰 Parliament Committee eyes structural reforms to cut electricity generation costs
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development recently
discussed deep structural reforms to the country’s electricity sector, as rising generation costs
and integration challenges for renewable energy sources continue to pressure the national grid.
The Committee highlighted the need to adopt strategies that could reduce electricity
generation costs and to proceed according to a long-term plan.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/f473pub6

!? What you need to know
📰 EDB partners with SDCSL to strengthen SME exporters’ commitment to sustainability and transparency
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) recently convened a high-level meeting to
explore strategic collaboration for the implementation of the newly launched ‘Initiative for
Textile Sustainability Benchmarking’ (ITSB), a transformative platform aimed at elevating
sustainability standards across Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel sector. The ITSB initiative is a
joint effort by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainable Development Council of Sri
Lanka (SDCSL), and the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), with support from the
Government of Sweden. It seeks to integrate internationally recognized sustainability standardsthroughout Sri Lanka’s textile value chain to promote transparency, accountability, and long-
term global competitiveness.

Link: https://tinyurl.com/mrxp2bwf

📰 Star Garments officially inaugurates state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Togo
Star Garments Group, a leading Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer and a subsidiary of Charles
Komar & Sons, has officially inaugurated its new textile manufacturing facility at the Adétikopé
Industrial Platform in Togo. The event was held under the patronage of Togo’s President, Faure
Gnassingbé, marking a significant development for both the company and the West African
textile sector.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/46v6uh39

Disclaimer – This Advisory is intended for circulation among JAAF stakeholders only. Please do
not circulate or share on social media. The Advisory includes economic, political, social and
governance perspectives This Advisory was prepared by the Strategic Communications Unit of
Adfactors PR Lanka. For inquiries, contact sarah.muiz@adfactorspr.com