Electricity Tariff Revision Proposal for Q1 2026: Potential Effects on Household Finances and Energy Use in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s electricity sector enters 2026 with a proposed tariff adjustment from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), submitted to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) on December 24, 2025. The proposal outlines an overall 11.57% increase to address a projected revenue deficit of Rs. 13,094 million for January to March 2026. Based on […]
Sri Lankan Rupee Holds at Around 309-310 per USD in Early 2026: Persistent Challenges for Everyday Costs and Food Affordability
As 2026 begins, the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) has maintained relative stability against the US Dollar (USD), trading in a narrow range around 309.5-309.7 LKR per USD in the first three days of January. Data aligned with Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) indicative rates show the spot rate hovering near 309.6 on January 1, […]
Sri Lanka’s Banking Sector Resilience and Its Meaning for Ordinary Citizens
As 2025 draws to a close, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has released the Financial Soundness Indicators for the third quarter (July–September 2025). These figures, combined with the strong fiscal performance recorded in the first nine months of the year, offer reassuring news for ordinary Sri Lankans who are still recovering from the 2022 […]
Cyclone Ditwah’s Impact on Sri Lanka’s Economy: Fiscal Resilience Tested Amid Recovery Challenges
Sri Lanka’s path to economic recovery faced a severe setback with the devastating Cyclone Ditwah in late November 2025. This catastrophic event, one of the deadliest natural disasters since the 2004 tsunami, inflicted widespread damage across all 25 districts, affecting nearly 2 million people and over 500,000 families. As the nation grapples with reconstruction, recent […]
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet Approves Targeted Tariff Reforms: A Strategic Boost for Deep-Sea Fishing and Tuna Exports in 2026
Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector, a cornerstone of the nation’s economy and food security, has received a timely policy intervention with the Cabinet’s recent approval of tariff reforms aimed at easing bait fish imports for the deep-sea fishing industry. Announced on December 23, 2025, these measures address a longstanding shortage of bait fish critical for long-line […]
Gold Prices in Sri Lanka on December 23, 2025: Latest Rates Amid Global Record Rally
As of December 23, 2025, gold prices in Sri Lanka remain elevated, reflecting the ongoing global surge that has pushed the precious metal to unprecedented highs. According to reliable local sources like IdeaBeam, today’s gold rates show significant levels for both investment and jewelry purposes. This comes as international spot gold trades around $4,400+ per […]
World Bank’s $50 Million Digital Services Project: Why Sri Lanka Must Strengthen Digital Communication for Growth and Resilience
Sri Lanka has entered a new phase of recovery and modernization. Following years of economic turbulence and climate‑related disasters, the country is now receiving $50 million project support from the World Bank to improve digital services and strengthen the economy. This project is not just about technology upgrades, it is about building resilience, improving governance, […]
Why Sri Lanka Must Embrace Sustainable Energy: Opportunities, Risks, and the Path to Responsible Investment in 2026
A Critical Juncture for Sri Lanka’s Energy Future Sri Lanka stands at a decisive moment in its development journey. The country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels has left its economy vulnerable to global price shocks, foreign exchange shortages, and environmental degradation. At the same time, climate change is intensifying floods, droughts, and cyclones, placing immense […]
Sri Lanka’s Main Railway and the Limits of a Colonial Alignment
Sri Lanka’s repeated railway disruptions following extreme weather events have renewed scrutiny of a long-standing structural issue: the continued reliance on a railway corridor designed in the 19th century for a colonial economy, rather than a modern, climate-resilient transport system. Cyclone Ditwah did not introduce a new failure into the system. Instead, it highlighted vulnerabilities […]
Climate Change Is No Longer a “Future Threat” for Countries Like Sri Lanka
Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern. For countries like Sri Lanka, it has become an immediate development, economic, and humanitarian challenge. Extreme weather events that were once considered rare are now occurring with alarming frequency, placing immense pressure on Governments, communities, and already‑strained public resources. Recent warnings from the United Nations following […]