A new World Bank report has warned that nearly 1.8 billion people across South Asia – including Sri Lanka – will face extreme heat risks by 2030, with climate adaptation efforts still falling short. The report, “From Risk to Resilience: Helping People and Firms Adapt in South Asia,” highlights that income barriers and market failures…
Gone are the days you needed a tiny SIM card to stay connected. The future is here with eSIM—or embedded SIM—technology, now gaining popularity in Sri Lanka too. It’s not just a new way to use your phone; it’s a revolution in connectivity. With eSIM, one number can work across multiple devices. Smartwatches, tablets, and…
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD is rapidly advancing in Sri Lanka’s EV market through a strategic partnership with John Keells CG Auto. The two companies recently signed an MoU to introduce DENZA, BYD’s luxury electric vehicle brand, showcasing models like the D9, N7, Z9, and Z9GT. This move aims to offer Sri Lankan consumers high-end,…
On May 12, 2025, Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old former flight attendant from South London, was arrested at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport. Sri Lankan customs officials discovered approximately 46 kilograms of a synthetic drug known as “kush” concealed in her luggage. Valued at around $3.3 million, this seizure marks the largest of its kind in…
Sri Lanka is gearing up for a critical second round of discussions with the United States over steep tariffs imposed on its exports. A high-level delegation led by Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma left for Washington, D.C., today for talks scheduled on May 27–28 with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office. The crisis began on…
The recent closure of the NEXT garment factory in Katunayake’s Free Trade Zone has dealt a significant blow to Sri Lanka’s apparel industry and its broader economy. Announced on May 19, 2025, the shutdown has resulted in the loss of around 1,400 jobs, nearly half of the company’s 2,800-strong workforce. The company cited rising operational…
In the wake of a severe salt shortage and soaring prices in Sri Lanka, opposition MP Mujibur Rahuman (SJB) has accused a government-appointed director of a state-owned salt company of importing bulk salt and reselling it at inflated prices through his private firm. Speaking in Parliament on May 21, Rahuman revealed that Dr. Ravi Liyanage,…
The long-delayed competitive examination for recruitment to Grade III of the Management Assistant Service, for which applications were called in 2019, will finally be held on Sunday, May 18. The exam, postponed for over six years, has caused concern among thousands of applicants who were under the maximum eligible age of 35 at the time…
Marking World Hypertension Day on May 17, health authorities are raising urgent alarms about the hidden danger of high blood pressure in Sri Lanka, with one in every three citizens affected—and nearly half of them unaware they are living with the condition. “It is known as the silent killer,” warned Dr. Shilanthi Mettananda, Consultant Community…
The World Bank has pledged US$1 billion to support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, focusing largely on private-sector-led investments that aim to create jobs and modernize key sectors such as energy, agriculture, tourism, and regional development. The funding package, to be delivered over three years, is expected to unlock significant private capital, especially in renewable energy…
