Global Gas Prices Explode Amid Middle East Conflict – Sri Lanka’s LPG Costs Spike in March 2026
Global gas and LNG markets have been thrown into turmoil by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, with benchmark prices surging to multi-year highs in the first two weeks of March 2026. Disruptions to Qatar’s LNG production the world’s second-largest exporter combined with restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz (which handles roughly 20% of […]
Sri Lanka Fuel Prices Surge Again in March 2026 – Middle East Conflict Drives Fresh Hike
Sri Lanka Fuel Prices Surge | The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) has announced another round of fuel price increases, effective from midnight on March 9, 2026, citing rising global crude oil costs triggered by escalating conflict in the Middle East. This revision comes just days after the government assured the public of adequate fuel stocks […]
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 Lankan Migrant Workers in the Middle East Amid Regional Tensions: Current Realities and Implications for Sri Lanka
As escalating conflict grips the Middle East in early March 2026, the lives of over one million Sri Lankan expatriate workers have come under renewed scrutiny. The recent intensification of hostilities triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliatory actions across the region has created an atmosphere of uncertainty for the […]
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 […]
Maternity Benefits in Sri Lanka: Legal Framework, Sectoral Differences, and Support Systems in 2026
Sri Lanka operates a dual-track maternity protection system that distinguishes between formal private-sector employment categories while providing universal health and nutritional support to all mothers. As of February 2026, the statutory framework has remained stable since the significant reforms introduced in 2018. No new amendments to core maternity leave entitlements have been enacted. The two […]
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 […]