Photo courtesy of Sri Lanka Foundation Sri Lanka has been hit with one of the worst natural disasters in its history due to the impact of the cyclonic storm Ditwah. With over a million people displaced and over 400 people dead, approximately 330 people still remain missing according to a report by the World Health Organization. While flood waters in many parts of the country have receded and relief efforts are underway, Sri Lankans continue to respond to the needs of those affected with remarkable speed and solidarity. Amid all the noise and chaos, there are a group of people…
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ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s services sector activities expanded at a much slower rate in November 2025, with a Purchasing Managers Index compiled by the central bank registering an index value of 50.5, down from 66.0 in October. “The accommodation, food, and beverage services were the primary drivers of expansion,” the central bank said. Financial services also continued to strengthen, amidst increased lending, contributing to the overall increase. New businesses increased at a slower rate in November, registering 53.6 from 61.5 in October. Employment rose in November, registering 55.7 from 52.5 in October, as firms increased hiring to meet seasonal operational…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s manufacturing sector expanded at a slower rate in November, registering a value of 55.5 on the Purchasing Managers Index compiled by the central bank, down from 61.0 in October. “This indicates an expansion in manufacturing activities on a month-on-month basis, with favourable contributions from all the sub-indices,” CBSL said. The expansion in the New Orders sub-index was driven by increased manufacturing activity in the food and beverages sector, and the textiles and apparel sector. Production in November was at the neutral level, CBSL said, after rising in the previous month due to seasonal demand. Both Stock…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 309.45/50 to the US dollar in the spot market Tuesday, weaker from 309.25/35 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields were broadly steady. A bond maturing on 15.02.2028 was quoted at 8.95//9.00 percent, down from 8.97/9.00 percent. A bond maturing on 01.05.2028 was quoted at 9.00/05 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2029 was quoted at 9.49/50 percent. A bond maturing on 15.03.2031 was quoted at 9.85/95 percent. A bond maturing on 01.10.2032 was quoted at 10.23/28 percent, up from 10.22/26 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 was quoted at 10.40/45 percent.…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka will re-build better and stronger in the recovery from Cyclone Ditwah, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando said as the island recovers from the worst natural disater in over two decades that has left more than 800 people dead of missing. “We will re-build better and stronger,” Minister Jayantha said. “When we reconstruct, we have to make soemthing that is better than what it was.” Sri Lanka is giving 5 million rupees to people who have completely lost their houses regardless of the original size of the house. Cyclone Ditwah as an unusual…
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate for the third quarter of year 2025 has been reported as 5.4 percent of the positive growth rate, the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) of Sri Lanka said.
Donations have poured in from across Australia for a man who wrestled a gun from one of the alleged attackers during the mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, with the total now crossing $1.1 million ($744,000), Reuters reported.
A consignment of humanitarian relief supplies donated by the Government of Pakistan for disaster relief in Sri Lanka was officially received today at the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT), Colombo Port.
All schools in the Western, Southern, Northern, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa and North-Central provinces will reopen tomorrow (16) as scheduled, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa announced today.
In response to the Government’s request, the World Bank is making up to US$120 million in emergency support available by repurposing funds from ongoing projects, the World Bank said today.
The ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to restore the lives of people affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to rebuild the country in the aftermath of the disaster, continues to receive generous contributions on a daily basis from local and international organisations, members of the business community and philanthropists, the President’s Media Division said
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today informed the cheif magistrate’s court that steps are being taken to arrest former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga and produce him before court, after naming him as a suspect in an incident in which an alleged loss of nearly Rs. 800 million was caused to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) by implementing spot tenders at higher prices.
Sri Lanka Army troops attached to the Hanguranketha Divisional Secretariat (DS) Office for disaster relief duties handed over recovered personal belongings to a house owner whose residence was completely destroyed by a landslide.
The Railways Department has announced that students are allowed to use their November railway season tickets to travel on school days in December 2025.
Former Sri Lankan leg-spinner D.S. de Silva, who played in the country’s inaugural Test match in 1982 and later served as Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket, has passed away at the age of 83. De Silva died in London following a brief illness, family sources said. A respected figure in Sri Lankan cricket, De Silva represented the national team during the early years of Test cricket and went on to captain Sri Lanka in two Test matches. After his playing career, he continued to serve the game in multiple capacities, including as a coach, team manager and national selector. He…
The 31-member Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Medical Team that engaged in providing medical-assistance to disaster affected people has concluded their mission and is scheduled to fly home toningt.
A bold new chapter begins at Cinnamon Life Sri Lanka is gearing up to host the first international gem and jewellery exhibition of the year as FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 opens on 3rd January. Now in its 33rd year, the exhibition marks a major milestone with its move to The Forum, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, creating the most expansive edition of FACETS to date. Spread across two floors, this year’s exhibition promises an elevated and immersive experience for buyers, traders, collectors and jewellery enthusiasts from around the world. The modern facilities of Cinnamon Life combined with redesigned exhibition…
The IPL 2026 auction will be held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season. The mini-auction is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. IST and will be broadcast live on television and digital platforms in India. A total of 359 players — comprising 246 Indian cricketers and 113 overseas players — will be available in the auction pool, with the league’s 10 franchises set to bid for a maximum of 77 slots. Of these, 31 positions are reserved for foreign players. Under IPL regulations, each franchise can have a maximum…
ECONOMYNEXT – Washington-based World Bank said it was providing 120 million dollars to Sri Lanka by re-purposing funds from existing project and will help find more funds after a assessment of the disaster. The 120 million dollars in emergency support will help restore health care, water, education, agriculture, and connectivity. A Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) assessment is already underway in partnership with the Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction (GFDRR). “This rapid assessment will provide credible estimates of disaster impacts to inform early decisions and help target response and recovery efforts,” the World Bank said in a statement.…
There is no meaning in subjecting NPP MP Asoka Ranwala to a breathalyser test now to determine whether he was under the influence of liquor when he met with the recent accident. It is too late now for such an eventuality as one will not be able to find out whether he was drunk at the time of the accident, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harshana Rajakaruna said today.