Sri Lanka PMI June 2026: Services Expansion vs Manufacturing Slowdown
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka PMI June (Purchasing Managers’ Index) shows continued expansion in overall economic activity, but with a clear divergence between the services and manufacturing sectors. While services activity strengthened, manufacturing growth moderated, with new orders remaining flat and employment trends stable but not expanding. This pattern raises important questions about the […]
No Shame in Seeking Help: Common Struggles and Hope for Every Age in Sri Lanka
Mental health struggles do not choose age or background. In Sri Lanka today, school children feel the pressure of studies and future worries. Young people face job stress, relationship challenges, and the weight of expectations. Adults carry family responsibilities, financial burdens, and daily exhaustion. Elders often deal with loneliness, health concerns, and the feeling that […]
Responsible Social Media Use: SLMA’s Campaign to Protect Mental Health in Sri Lanka
Why we need a campaign to protect mental health in Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka continues to face significant mental health challenges. Economic pressures, social changes, and the rapid spread of information on digital platforms have created new risks alongside opportunities for support. In recent weeks, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), through its Expert Committee […]
Sri Lanka Prison Reform: Lessons from Norway, Germany & Singapore to Cut Overcrowding
Why Sri Lanka prison reform needed right now? Sri Lanka’s prison system is under severe pressure. The number of inmates has grown significantly in recent years, with overcrowding reaching critical levels in several facilities. This includes both convicted prisoners and those on remand for relatively minor or unproven cases, alongside individuals involved in serious crimes. […]
Sri Lanka Upgraded to Upper Middle Income by World Bank 2026: What It Means
Sri Lanka upgraded to upper middle income economy by World Bank. The World Bank Group has updated its annual Country Income Classifications, reclassifying Sri Lanka from a lower-middle-income economy to an upper middle income economy. This change, announced in the latest release around July 1, 2026, places Sri Lanka alongside Jordan, Micronesia, the Philippines, and […]
IMF Staff Concludes June 2026 Visit to Sri Lanka: Key Takeaways
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou, concluded IMF staff visit to Sri Lanka on June 30, 2026. The team was in Colombo from June 24 to 30 to review recent macroeconomic developments and progress on the economic reform program supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement. This […]
Sri Lanka School Junk Food Ban 2026: Tackling Childhood Obesity & NCDs
Sri Lanka School Junk Food Ban 2026 – Sri Lanka has taken a decisive step to improve child health by enforcing a nationwide ban on junk food and unhealthy snacks in schools. Starting in late June 2026 (enforcement reported from around June 23), the Education Ministry, in coordination with the Health Ministry, has prohibited the […]
Sri Lanka Single-Use Plastic Bottles Ban 2026: Government Leads the Charge
Sri Lanka has taken another bold stride in the battle against plastic pollution. From 31 May 2026, the purchase and use of single-use plastic bottles has been officially banned across all state institutions nationwide. A special circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government places direct responsibility on heads of […]
Sri Lanka PIC-NET 2026: Public Sector Digital Transformation Launch
The Sri Lanka PIC-NET 2026 marks a major step forward in the country’s digital economy journey. The Ministry of Digital Economy has officially launched the Public Impact Champions Network (PIC-NET) as a pilot institutional network to accelerate the digitalization of public services. This initiative was announced during an awareness programme for coordinating executive officers held […]
Middle East Crisis Sri Lanka Labour Market Impact 2026
The Middle East Crisis Sri Lanka Labour Market 2026 situation highlights growing challenges for the country’s economy and workforce. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East is creating a slow-moving shock that affects global labour markets, with clear spillover effects on Sri Lanka through reduced migrant deployments, […]