The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to expand hemodialysis services at government hospitals through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mechanism, citing rising demand for renal care across the island. Dialysis services are currently available at approximately 80 government hospitals. However, existing resources have been deemed inadequate to meet growing clinical needs, resulting in ongoing challenges for kidney patients in accessing timely and sufficient treatment, Cabinet spokesperson Minster Nalinda Jayatissa said. Drawing on the experience of a PPP model already implemented at Kandy National Hospital, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media plans to develop a suitable framework for introducing…
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ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka will have to spend more than 350 million dollars to re-build railway tracks damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena said. Upcountry tracks were the most severely damaged while the Northern and Southern coastal tracks were the least affected. The Rambukkana to Kadugannawa track is estimated to cost 74 million dollars Deputy Minister Gunasena said in comments broadcast over Sri Lanka’s Derana television. The Nanu Oya to Badulla track, one of the most severely affected lines, was estimated to cost around 127 million dollars, to his recollection. Re-building the Gampola to Nawalapitiya track…
Ashadi Jewellers and CloudBuzz Pvt Ltd have entered into a strategic technology partnership, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s luxury jewellery sector. Under this collaboration, CloudBuzz will undertake and lead the complete digital operations of Ashadi Jewellers, enabling the brand to scale, innovate, and engage customers through modern, technology-driven experiences, while preserving the heritage and craftsmanship that define Ashadi. This partnership brings together two organisations united by excellence in their respective domains. Ashadi Jewellers, a name synonymous with premium handmade jewellery, represents decades of artistry, trust, and uncompromising quality. CloudBuzz, a fast-growing IT solutions provider, is recognised for building…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) continued to see positive investor sentiment on banking shares and selected capital goods, with these sectors contributing to the All Share Price Index gaining 1.21 percent, or 278.16 points to close up at 23,292.91. The more liquid S&P SL20 index gained 2.19 percent to close at a six week high of 6,379.11 on Tuesday. The index surpassed the 6,364.61 mark on November 21, data on its site showed. The top contributors to the ASPI on Tuesday were HNB (up 17.50 rupees at 417.50), Commercial Bank (up 5.25 rupees at 212.50), John Keells…
ECONOMYNEXT – A contract to build a concrete underpass bridge at Mahaiyawa in Kandy on the A 09 road has been awarded to NEM Construction (Pvt) Ltd, Cabinet spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. The contract was awarded after calling competitive tenders. A standing procurement committee has selected NEM Construction from three bidders, Minister Jayatissa said. The cabinet has approved awarding the contract for 699.58 million rupees without tax. (Colombo/Jan06/2025)
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal for state hospitals to provide medical testing like MRIs and CT scans through public private partnerships, health minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “The demand for advanced diagnostic services in the public health system is increasing due to the growth of non-communicable diseases,” Jayatissa told reporters. “Patients have to be on long waiting lists due to the limited facilities available in government hospitals such as CT scanners, MRI scanners, DSA, cardiac catheterization units and automated hematology and biochemistry analyzers.” This leads to delays in clinical management, he said. “Considering the financial…
Sri Lanka Police say it is suspected that illness linked to illicit liquor consumption is the cause of the death of five individuals in the Thambaravila area of the Wennappuwa Police Division today. According to the Police, the incident came to light this morning (Jan 06), following information relayed to the 119 Police emergency hotline. Investigations revealed that a group had consumed illicit liquor at their workplace on Sunday night (Jan 04). Police had received information of two people who had been found dead at a grinding mill in Thambarawila. Further investigations had revealed that two more people employed in…
Several roads in Galle were submerged due to the heavy rainfall experienced in the area today (06). It is reported that the Galle–Wakwella road near the Galle Police Station was inundated. Meanwhile, the Galle Police stated that vehicular movement along the Galle–Wakwella road has also been disrupted. It is further noted that rainfall continues in the Galle area. (Newswire) The post Heavy rain floods roads in Galle (Video) appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka Cabinet of Ministers has decided to award a Murban crude deal for four shipment to Singapore-based Vitol Asia, the government said. Out of the five bids received from the registered suppliers of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation for procurement of 2,800,000 + 5% barrels of Murban crude oil for a period of four months from 15.04.2026 to 14.08.2026, Vitol Asia Pte. Ltd. of Singapore has been chosen. The decision was taken based on the recommendation of the higher level standing procurement committee with regard to the bids, the government said in its Cabinet decisions document. (Colombo/January 06/2026)
MP Dr. Harsha de Silva endorsed the wearable medical device developed by Sri Lankan-born entrepreneur Shavini Fernando, and discussed the possibility of integrating it into the 1990 Suwa Sariya free emergency ambulance service, saying it could help monitor patients’ oxygen levels during transport. De Silva met with Fernando, founder and chief executive officer of OxiWear Inc., in Colombo this week to discuss the device and its potential applications beyond individual patient use. Fernando, a pulmonary hypertension patient who developed the device for her own safety and that of others at risk of sudden oxygen drops, introduced OxiWear as an ear-worn…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has decided to call for the expression of interest from the interested investors to turn 24 unutilized state bungalows and houses into productive manner on a 30-year lease, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. The government intends the identified 24 state properties to be given to investors for embassies, international organizations, diplomatic uses, government and government-affiliated institutions, as well as high-end restaurant and boutique hotels, The move comes after a panel appointed by the government has identified suitable strategy for effective and economical utilization of the bungalows and houses and relevant premises that were…
PAKISTAN TOUR OF SRI LANKA 2026: SRI LANKA SQUAD Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Panel has named the following 18-member men’s squad for the T20I series against Pakistan. The matches will be played on 7th, 9th, and 11th January at the RDICS, Dambulla. The squad 1) Pathum Nissanka 2.) Kamil Mishara 3.) Kusal Mendis 4.) Kusal Perera 5.) Dhananjaya de Silva 6.) Charith Asalanka 7.) Dasun Shanaka – Captain 8.) Janith Liyanage 9.) Kamindu Mendis 10.) Wanindu Hasaranga 11.) Dunith Wellalage 12.) Maheesh Theekshana 13.) Dushan Hemantha 14.) Traveen Mathew 15.) Dushmantha Chameera 16.) Matheesha Pathirana 17.) Nuwan Thushara 18.)…
Photo courtesy of tourhero Sri Lanka in 1881 was an emerald island. Its forests blanketed 84 percent of the land with their canopies stretching endlessly across mountains and valleys. Today, a mere 29.7 percent remains. This is not merely statistics or limited to academic studies. Here is the story of a nation slowly severing its own lifeline. Between 1960 and 2010, nearly one million hectares of forest vanished. Coffee and tea plantations marched across hillsides. Massive irrigation schemes consumed 25,000 acres in single projects. Post-war tourism zones claimed another 17,800 acres. Each cleared hectare represented not just lost trees but…
Photo courtesy of LTLT In the first quarter of 2026, the Ceylon Electricity Board’s plan of increasing electricity tariffs by 11.57% has understandably sparked public anxiety around affordability. In a shaky economy, electricity prices are foremost on the minds of households, businesses and industry, and discussions about fairness are unavoidable. But tariffs are more than just prices. They are also signals. Yet, read side by side with the National Electricity Plan, the latest tariff proposal exposes something deeper than cost recovery. It reveals how the electricity system operates when times get challenging. The central question is not whether electricity should…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s budget deficit will rise 1.4 percent to 6.5 percent of gross domestic product in 2026 as a result of extra spending related to Cyclone Ditwah relief and recovery, a Finance Ministry document shows. Capital expenditure will rise by 1 percent of GDP to 5.0 percent from 4.0 percent in the original budget passed in parliament, the document said. Recurrent spending will grow 16.9 percent of GDP from the original 16.5 percent in the original budget. Sri Lanka is planning to spend an extra 500 billion rupees for Ditwah spending. Sri Lankas budget and debt metrics have…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee opened at 309.90/310.10 to the US dollar in the spot market Tuesday, weaker from 309.95/310.05 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields edged lower on increased buying interest. A bond maturing on 15.02.2028 was quoted at 9.00/10 percent. A bond maturing on 15.03.2028 was quoted at 9.05/15 percent. A bond maturing on 15.10.2028 was quoted at 9.15/25 percent. A bond maturing on 15.10.2029 was quoted at 9.67/70 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 was quoted at 9.71/73 percent, down from 9.73/75 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 was quoted at 9.75/85 percent, down from…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has raised fuel prices other than Petrol Octane 92, effective from midnight of January 05. Octane 92 will remain at 292 rupees a litre. Octane 95 raised to 340 rupees from 355. Auto Diesel has been raised to 279 rupees from 277. Super Diesel raised to 323 rupees from 318. Kerosene raised to 182 rupees from 180. (Colombo/Jan26/2026)
The Government of Sri Lanka is deeply concerned about the recent developments in Venezuela and is closely monitoring the situation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) has announced a revision of fuel prices effective from midnight today.
Dramatic images show Venezuela’s seized president Nicolás Maduro being transferred from an armoured vehicle to a helicopter in New York.