Author: Ashanthi Ratnasingham
Middle East military escalation could cost Asia-Pacific up to US$299 billion, UNDP
Years of human development gains across Asia and the Pacific are under pressure as the impacts of the recent military escalation in the Middle East ripple through economies and households, despite a temporary ceasefire. As the situation remains fluid, a current preliminary analysis by UNDP examines how heightened volatility, transmitted through energy, trade, and labour […]
IMF warns Middle East shock could hit Sri Lanka growth, backs targeted relief as tariffs rise
The International Monetary Fund has warned that escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pose a significant risk to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, even as authorities move ahead with price reforms and fiscal adjustments. The IMF said the evolving crisis could impact key external sectors including exports, remittances, tourism and connectivity, describing it as one […]
Middle East conflict threatens Sri Lanka recovery as inflation, tourism and reserves come under pressure
Sri Lanka’s economic recovery is facing renewed pressure as the escalating Middle East conflict begins to feed through to inflation, tourism, and external balances, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said. The island entered 2026 from a position of relative strength, recording 5.0 percent growth in 2025, supported by broad-based expansion across services, industry, and agriculture. […]
Sri Lanka faces renewed economic risks despite recovery momentum, ADB says
Sri Lanka’s economic recovery is expected to continue into 2026, but fresh global and domestic risks are beginning to test its stability, according to the latest Asian Development Outlook (April 2026) by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The report notes that while the country has moved past its worst crisis phase, growth is likely to […]
Huawei IP Summit 2026 highlights AI-driven enterprise Datacom networks amidSri Lanka’s 5G evolution and Pre-Wi-Fi 8 advancements
Huawei recently hosted its Intelligent IP Summit 2026 in Sri Lanka, bringing together industry leaders and technology experts to explore the future of enterprise data communication (Datacom) networks, as organisations navigate rapid disruptions driven by AI and the expansion of 5G. The summit underscored the growing importance of enterprise networks as the foundation of digital […]
Kenilworth Estate: Crafting premium Ceylon tea through innovation and heritage
Since 1947, when its current factory rose from the site of an earlier 1942 structure, Kenilworth Tea Estate has crafted teas renowned for their long, wiry, well-twisted leaves; blacker, cleaner, and meticulously rolled through an extended 2.5-hour Orthodox process that yields a coppery-bright infusion with creamy, full-bodied strength, woody frankness, and subtle citrus notes. Perched […]
Sri Lanka’s apparel sector gains competitive edge under UK’s DCTS scheme
The United Kingdom’s revised Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), effective fromJanuary 2026, presents a clear opportunity for Sri Lanka’s apparel sector. It is particularlysignificant for small and medium-sized exporters, offering them a stronger footing in a keymarket. The real strength of the revised scheme lies in its practicality. By easing rules of origin andallowing greater […]
World Wildlife Day 2026: From rescue to rewilding, Kalo’s journey continues
He arrived at the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe on March 23, 2024, barely eightmonths old. Kalo had spent an unknown number of days trapped at the bottom of anabandoned well near Galenbidunuwewa in Sri Lanka’s Anuradhapura District, separatedfrom the herd he had lost. When wildlife officers from the Department of WildlifeConservation pulled him out, […]
Fortune GP Farms strengthens poultry sector performance through global collaboration
Reinforcing its commitment to advancing measurable production standards across Sri Lanka’s poultry value chain, G P Farms Lanka Limited, which is a joint-venture between Bairaha Farms PLC and Crysbro group, recently conducted a two-day technical workshop/seminar in collaboration with global breeding leader Cobb Vantress. The programme brought together technical specialists from Cobb Vantress operations in […]
ADB President welcomes Sri Lanka Prime Minister, Reaffirms support for recovery and reform
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda met today with Sri Lanka Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at ADB’s Manila headquarters. The meeting reaffirmed the strong development partnership between ADB and Sri Lanka, with both leaders underscoring their commitment to post-cyclone recovery, inclusive growth, and advancing women’s equality. “Sri Lanka’s resilience in the face of crises […]
APHNH President Raveen Wickremesinghe on trust, standards and collaboration
Sri Lanka’s private healthcare sector is being asked to expand capacity while rebuilding public trust. In this interview, Raveen Wickremesinghe, President of the Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes (APHNH), sets out an evidence-led agenda for the new term, focused on clearer standards, ethical safeguards, and closer alignment with national health priorities. He notes […]
Interview with Rajitha Jayasuriya of Fairway Holdings
As the island economy continues to progress along the road to recovery, the real estate sectoris gathering momentum in terms of its contribution to the construction sector as well as theeconomy as a whole. Several new developments are leading the way from the supply-side ofthe market. Today, we have the distinct pleasure of speaking with […]