Sugar Consumption in Sri Lanka 2026: High Intake Levels, Health Concerns, and the Need for Awareness
Sugar consumption is deeply embedded in Sri Lankan daily life. From the morning cup of tea with several teaspoons of sugar to traditional sweets during festivals and snacks for children, most families consume sugar regularly. Recent data shows that the average Sri Lankan consumes about 34 kilograms of sugar per year, which is more than […]
Is Sri Lanka Ready for the Next Global Economic Shock?
Sri Lanka has built meaningful buffers to handle external pressures, according to Central Bank Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe. In a Bloomberg interview on 7 March 2026, the Governor explained that the country is now in a stronger position than in recent years to absorb global uncertainties. With inflation at a comfortable 1.6% and foreign […]
Did Sri Lanka’s EEZ Humanitarian Response Rise Above Geopolitics?
Sri Lanka, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, has once again found itself drawn into the periphery of distant conflicts through events unfolding in its maritime domain. In the past 48 hours, two separate incidents involving Iranian vessels within or near Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) have placed the country’s commitment to […]
Sri Lanka Inflation Slows to 1.6% in February 2026: Mixed Impact on Households
Sri Lanka recorded a further slowdown in headline inflation in February 2026. The Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, base 2021=100) stood at 195.3, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 1.6%, down from 2.3% in January. This is the lowest headline inflation rate observed in recent months and remains well below the Central Bank’s 5% target under […]
Oil Prices Surge After Gulf Conflicts and Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Impact on Sri Lanka’s Fuel Costs in March 2026
Global oil prices have risen sharply following recent military actions in the Gulf region and warnings from Iran restricting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, which handles about 20% of the world’s oil supply, saw tanker traffic halt or divert after radio warnings from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards instructing ships not to pass. This […]
Denmark Proposes Copyright Law to Fight Against the Deepfakes
Denmark is pioneering a groundbreaking legal approach to combat AI-generated deepfakes by amending its Copyright Act to grant individuals stronger control over realistic digital imitations of their own appearance, voice, and physical characteristics. Announced in June 2025 by the Danish Ministry of Culture, the proposed amendments backed by broad cross-party support, introduce new protections under […]
Why Has IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva Visited Sri Lanka in February 2026?
In our previous article, we explored the concept of fiscal space and its role in enabling governments to address priorities during challenging times. High-level international engagements can influence such flexibility, particularly in countries navigating recovery and external shocks. On February 16, 2026, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva arrived in Sri Lanka for a three-day official […]
The Body’s Built-In Recycling System: Yoshinori Ohsumi’s Nobel Prize Discovery of Autophagy
In 2016, Japanese cell biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his pioneering work on autophagy, a fundamental cellular process that allows cells to break down and recycle their own damaged or unnecessary components. Derived from the Greek words for “self-eating,” autophagy serves as the body’s internal cleanup and […]
Sweden’s Education Rethink: Reducing Screens and Reviving Traditional Learning – Lessons for Sri Lanka
Sweden, long celebrated for its progressive education system, has undertaken a significant policy shift in recent years. Facing evidence of declining student performance linked to heavy digital device use, the country is reducing classroom screen time, prioritising physical textbooks, encouraging handwriting, and introducing stricter mobile phone restrictions. This balanced approach offers valuable insights for nations […]
CEB Proposes 13.56% Electricity Tariff Hike for April-June 2026
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted a proposal for a 13.56% increase in electricity tariffs for the second quarter of 2026, covering the period from April 1 to June 30. The submission, dated February 13, 2026, was made to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), which is now reviewing the request. This […]