ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s total imports fell to 1,779 million dollars in November 2025, from a high of 2,157 in October, official data show, as personal vehicle imports picked up in the month. Personal vehicle imports grew to 227.6 million dollars in November, up from 205.6 million a month earlier. By November Sri Lanka had imported 1,365.8 million dollars’ worth personal vehicles. In December, car dealers said sales had plunged after Cyclone Ditwah. The central bank also tightened loan-to-value ratios. (Colombo/Jan01/2026)
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Sri Lanka’s Transport and Highways Minister Bimal Rathnayake on Thursday inspected ongoing construction work on the Kadawatha–Meerigama section, the first phase of the country’s Central Expressway project. Officials briefed the minister that about 40% of construction on the section has now been completed. Although agreements for the project were signed in 2015, construction began only in 2020 and was soon halted as Sri Lanka slid into a severe economic crisis triggered by failed economic policies, officials said. Following the formation of a new government, discussions were resumed between the Transport Ministry and the Chinese government, leading to renewed loan approvals.…
Sri Lanka on Thursday rolled out a digital electronic bus fare payment system for state-run buses, marking a key step in the government’s push to modernize public transport services. The pilot project was launched by the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development with advisory support from the Digital Economy Ministry and is being implemented on buses operated by the Sri Lanka Transport Board. The system allows passengers to pay fares using electronic cards, with officials saying no additional charges will be imposed for card-based payments. Passengers will continue to pay only the standard fare for their journey. The initiative…
The restoration work on the Yaka Palama, popularly known as the Devil’s Bridge in Peradeniya, is expected to be completed within the next two to three months, Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) Engineer Mihira Gunasena said.
The Parliamentary Business Committee has decided to convene Parliament next week from January 6 to 9 for the first sitting week for January 2026.
This year-in-review offers a complete, easy-to-read summary of the defining events that shaped Sri Lanka from January 1st to December 31st, covering politics, the economy, society, diplomacy, sports, and the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today called for the holding of Provincial Council elections as soon as possible during the New Year.
Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force personnel have donated one day’s basic salary—totalling Rs. 372.8 million—to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund to support recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. The post Sri Lanka’s Tri-Forces donate one day’s salary, Rs. 372 mn, to Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 309.45/60 to the US dollar in the spot market, relatively flat from 309.50/60 a day earlier, dealers said, while bond yields closed down. The dollar has weakened from 293.25/75 to the US dollar last year, amid record current account surpluses and improvement in budget, denying the usual scapegoats macro-economists point to after depreciating currencies. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 closed at 8.40/70 percent, down from 8.40/80 percent. A bond maturing on 15.02.2028 closed at 9.00/10 percent, down from 9.05/20 percent. A bond maturing on 15.10.2029 closed at 9.70/78 percent, down from 9.75/85 percent.…
Several people have been killed and others injured when an explosion ripped through a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana, Swiss police said early on Thursday.
Recalled all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva struck a blistering unbeaten 95 to steer Team B to a six-wicket win over Team A in a practice T20 match organized by Sri Lanka Cricket, as selectors stepped up preparations ahead of the upcoming Pakistan tour and the ICC T20 World Cup. The match was played at the R. Premadasa Stadium. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Team A posted a competitive 206 for 4, powered by captain Dasun Shanaka’s unbeaten 73 off 33 balls and former T20I skipper Charith Asalanka’s unbeaten 53. The duo combined in a decisive late partnership to…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated slightly against the US Dollar today (01 Jan), the first working day of the year 2026, compared to Wednesday (31 Dec), the last working day of 2025. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has reduced from Rs. 306.29 to Rs. 305.83. Meanwhile, the selling rate of the Sri Lankan Rupee has dropped from Rs. 313.83 to Rs. 313.42. However, the Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated against a basket of foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies. (Newswire) The post Today’s CBSL official exchange rates appeared first on…
Sri Lanka’s National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has warned of deteriorating air quality across several urban centres, with the latest readings showing conditions slipping into “slightly unhealthy” levels. According to the NBRO, Colombo 07, Vavuniya, Kandy, Kegalle, Galle, Embilipitiya, and Puttalam recorded Air Quality Index (AQI) values above 100 during the past 24 hours. The situation is forecast to persist over the next 24 hours, with AQI levels ranging between 44 and 112 nationwide. While most cities are expected to remain at moderate levels, Galle and Puttalam are predicted to continue experiencing slightly unhealthy conditions, whereas Nuwara Eliya is likely…
The High-Level Committee for Foreign Relief Aid (Supplies) Coordination (HL-FRAC), appointed to ensure the effective distribution of foreign relief supplies among the disaster-affected population, convened for its sixth session at the Disaster Management Centre on Wednesday (31 Dec). According to a Defence Ministry statement, during the meeting, media personnel were briefed on the foreign humanitarian assistance received as well as the services rendered by foreign relief teams involved in disaster response efforts. It was revealed that Sri Lanka has received Humanitarian assistance from 22 foreign countries and the World Food Programme (WFP) to support communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The…
The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (Sri Lanka CERT) received more than 12,650 complaints related to cybersecurity incidents and social media misuse in 2025, marking a sharp increase in online fraud, harassment, and scams compared to previous years. According to Sri Lanka CERT Lead Information Security Engineer Charuka Damunupola, a large portion of the complaints involved fake and hacked accounts, as well as financial scams conducted through social media platforms. The agency also noted a rise in complaints related to hate speech, abusive content, and sexual harassment involving adults. Damunupola said there has been a noticeable increase in general…
Siyapatha Finance PLC, a leading licensed finance company and the largest fully-owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC, today announced a landmark leadership transition. Mr. Mathisha Hewavitharana, the current Chief Executive Officer (Designate), has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer, effective 1st January 2026. He succeeds industry veteran Mr. Ananda Seneviratne, who concludes a distinguished seven years tenure at the helm of the organization as its Managing Director. The appointment marks a milestone in Siyapatha’s commitment to internal talent development. Mr. Hewavitharana, a pioneering member of the team, joined the Company in 2005 as a Junior Marketing Executive. Over 20…
An out-of-control car veered off the road and crashed into a coconut tree in Ambalantota on New Year’s Day, injuring the driver, police said. The accident occurred early Thursday in the Godagama area when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a coconut tree along the roadside. The injured driver was admitted to hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately known. Police said the car had been traveling from Ambalantota toward Hikkaduwa at the time of the crash. Preliminary investigations indicate the driver lost control of the vehicle while attempting to avoid a pedestrian. Ambalantota police are continuing investigations…
A police officer on duty for New Year celebrations was killed after being struck by a car driven by an intoxicated motorist who ignored orders to stop in southern Sri Lanka, police said. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. Thursday at a police checkpoint near the Walawa River bridge in the Ambalantota area. Police said officers signaled a car traveling toward Ambalantota to stop, but the vehicle continued at speed and rammed into the officers on duty. The deceased was identified as Police Constable M. Sarath Kumara, 42, a father of two from the Suriyawewa–Weeriyagama area. A Civil Defence Force…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has recorded an 82 million dollar surplus in the external current account in November 2025, central bank data showed, with the rupee falling faster than the deficit month of October. According to revised data, Sri Lanka had recorded a 199 million dollars deficit in the current account and 196 million dollars in September. In September the rupee fell to 302.61 to the dollar from 302.45 to the dollar with a 196 million dollar current account deficit. In October the rupee fell by around 2 rupees to 304.61 with a 199 million dollar deficit in the current…
Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old socialist who delivered a thumping victory in November’s mayoral election, was officially sworn in during a midnight ceremony held in a subway station in New York. “Our campaign was built around listening to the people of New York, and we will govern in the same way,” Mamdani wrote on X hours before the ceremony. “Tomorrow, we get to work.” The private, underground oath was the first of two ceremonies planned to mark Mamdani’s swearing in, with a public block party outside City Hall expected to attract thousands. Subway swearing-in In New York, mayoral terms begin on…