President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued an Extraordinary Gazette establishing a Presidential Task Force for Rebuilding Sri Lanka, aimed at coordinating post-disaster rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction efforts following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The gazette, dated December 31, appoints Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya as Chairperson of the Task Force, with a high-level team of Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, provincial officials and senior public servants named as members The post President gazettes 25-member Presidential Task Force for Rebuilding Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.
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Sri Lanka’s aviation sector recorded significant growth during the period from January to November 2025, compared to the corresponding period in 2024, reflecting a steady revival of the industry, the Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry said.
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) member of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Zohara Buhary was suspended by the party with immediate effect.
ECONOMYNEXT – In 2025, Sri Lanka navigated a turbulent path under the new National People’s Power (NPP) government, balancing economic stabilization post-2022 crisis with reforms, only to be derailed by the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah in late November. Drawing from EconomyNext’s extensive reporting—focused on economy, business, and policy — the year saw optimism in tourism and growth forecasts, IMF-backed progress, and fiscal gains, but ended with disaster’s shadow. Below are the key stories that garnered widespread coverage in 2025: Jan 14 – Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake undertook a four-day official visit to China. During the visit, he engaged in…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s inflation was 2.1 percent in the 12 months to December 2025, with prices rising 1.2 percent in the month, data from the state statistics office showed. The widely-watched Colombo Consumer Price Index rose 1.2 percent in December to 195.8 points from 193.4 points in November. Sri Lanka’s consumer prices have risen 3.4-pct over 39-months from September 2022, when the central bank’s deflationary policy stated to show up in the balance of payments. In 2025 prices fell absolutely from 192.6 points in January to 191.2 to April and the index started to climb slightly as the rupee…
Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department has announced an increase in casino entrance fees and betting and gaming levies, with the revised rates set to take effect from January 1, 2026. According to a notice issued on December 31, the Casino Entrance Levy (CEL) has been increased from USD 50 to USD 100 per entrant. The levy will be charged on every person entering a casino or gaming establishment in Sri Lanka, payable in US dollars or any other convertible foreign currency, or in Sri Lankan rupees from Sri Lankan citizens. In addition, the Gross Collection Levy imposed on betting and…
Sri Lanka’s telecom regulator has blocked access to a website referenced in a Grade 6 English language module, as controversy surrounding the incident intensified, prompting political calls for the resignation of Prime Minister and Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has restricted access to the website through Sri Lankan internet service providers, following public concern over its inclusion in printed school material used for language learning. Former minister Wimal Weerawansa called on Prime Minister and Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya to resign, alleging that references to adult web content in educational material posed a serious…
Sri Lanka’s external sector showed mixed performance in November 2025, with the current account returning to a surplus after recording deficits in the previous two months, according to data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The central bank said the current account posted a surplus in November, while the cumulative surplus for the January–November 2025 period stood at US$ 1.68 billion. However, pressures persisted on the trade account, as the merchandise trade deficit widened year-on-year in November. For the first eleven months of 2025, the trade deficit expanded to around US$ 6.9 billion, compared to the corresponding period…
Former MP Udaya Gammanpila has alleged that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been avoiding the appointment of the Auditor General until the end of the term of three independent members of the Constitutional Council on 18 January 2026. In a statement, Gammanpila said it was obvious that he wants to appoint the auditor general of his choice with the support of the Constitutional Council. Gammanpila further alleged that the President intends to command the majority of the Constitutional Council after appointing his henchmen as independent members of the Council. He said, however, there is a golden opportunity for the Leader…
Sri Lanka’s table tennis scene has a new global sensation as Taavi Samaraweera, a schoolboy from S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, has reached the number one spot in the world in the latest Under-11 Boys’ World Table Tennis Rankings released by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). This marks an unprecedented achievement for Sri Lankan table tennis at any age level. The post Sri Lanka’s Taavi Samaraweera becomes World No. 1 in Under-11 Table Tennis appeared first on Newswire.
Dilmah invited to be Patron of the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Supply Chain Working Group For over three decades, Dilmah has been more than a tea company. It has been the custodian of a philosophy that its Founder, Merrill J. Fernando, described simply: “Business is a matter of human service.” That conviction has guided every decision, from how Dilmah grows its tea to how it engages with the people and communities that make its story possible. Today, that philosophy is once again at the heart of a new milestone, as Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC has been invited…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka Customs has earned 870 billion rupees from vehicle imports, with year end collections expected to be around 2,545 billion rupees by the last week of December, Customs spokesman Chandana Punchihewa said. Sri Lanka customs was initially given a target of 2,115 billion rupees, which was revised up to 2,231 billion rupees, he said. “The target also incorporated the expected revenues from vehicles,” Punchihewa said in a video statement sent by government information office. “We got 870 billion rupees from vehicles but that would only have taken the total to around 2,400 billion rupees. “We have so…
The Colombo Municipal Council’s 2026 budget has been passed after being presented for the second time. The CMC’s 2026 budget was passed today with 58 votes in favour and 56 voting against. Previously, the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) lost the first budget vote at the Colombo Municipal Council on 22 December 2025. The council’s budget was defeated after the joint opposition voted against it. 60 councillors voted against the budget while 57 supported it. However, the second reading of the budget presented today has been passed. (Newswire) The post Ruling NPP passes Colombo Municipal Council Budget in 2nd vote…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Panasian Power said its 5MW ground-mounted solar project at Baddegama, Galle was connected to Galle Grid Substation on December 30. “This project operates through the subsidiary of PAP and starts revenue generation from today,” Panasian Power said in a stock exchange filing. The commissioning adds another 5MWac/ 6.76MWp to the national grid. This is the last 5MW ground-mounted solar power plant connected to the national grid, out of the seven projects which the company entered into power purchase agreements with the Ceylon Electricity Board in the third quarter of 2024. “This project utilizes Longi Bi-facial, N…
Sri Lanka has been named among the world’s 10 destinations where travellers feel happiest, according to a new list published by USA Today, highlighting the island’s growing appeal for purpose-driven and experience-focused travel. The ranking is based on G Adventures’ Happiness List 2026, which surveyed more than 8,000 adults across the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand who intend to travel in 2026. The study found that 89 per cent of respondents believe purpose-driven travel contributes to their long-term happiness. Sri Lanka was recognised for a seven-day sailing experience along the country’s south…
Former Cabinet Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has written to U.S. President Donald Trump requesting a reduction in tariffs imposed on Sri Lankan imports to the United States, according to Ada Derana. In the letter, Alahapperuma appealed for relief from the tariffs, stating that the measures have adversely affected Sri Lanka’s export sector. He urged the U.S. administration to consider reducing the tariff rates in order to ease the burden on Sri Lankan exporters. The former minister’s request comes after the United States imposed tariffs on Sri Lankan goods as part of its broader trade policy. Alahapperuma emphasized the importance of maintaining…
Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath departed for Bangladesh from the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning. The Foreign Minister had left the country on SriLankan Airlines flight UL 189 bound for Dhaka. It is reported that he is travelling to represent Sri Lanka and participate in the funeral ceremony of the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia. The funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, who died at the age of 79 after a prolonged illness, is to be held this evening. (Newswire The post FM departs for Bangladesh to attend Khaleda Zia’s funeral appeared first on Newswire.
Automated e‑gates have been introduced at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, providing Sri Lankan passengers with quicker and more secure immigration clearance. The Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka Private Limited (AASL) said the new system is designed to deliver a seamless arrival experience, reducing waiting times while enhancing safety standards at the country’s main gateway. The AASL has requested passengers to make use of the e-gates located at the arrival terminal for this purpose. (Newswire) The post E-gates introduced at BIA to speed up immigration clearance appeared first on Newswire.
Five opposition members of the Galle Municipal Council were arrested yesterday (30) for allegedly using criminal force against municipal staff and obstructing officials in the discharge of their duties, police said. The group, representing the SJB, UNP and SLPP, is due to be produced before the Galle Magistrate today (31). The arrest comes after the group had hurled water bottles toward the officials’ seating area during the committee session, causing a tense situation. The incident had taken place after opposition members clashed with ruling party members, accusing them of budget election fraud, and protesting the presence of the municipal secretary…
The Sri Lankan Rupee remains steady against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (31 Dec), compared to Tuesday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 306.55, while the selling rate is also unchanged at Rs. 311.80. According to the NDB Bank, the buying rate is Rs. 308.75, while the selling rate is Rs. 313.25. People’s Bank reports the buying rate of the US Dollar is Rs. 306.53, and the selling rate is Rs. 313.29. At Commercial Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar are Rs. 304.74…