Guest Column by Dr. Beshan Kulapala, Co-Founder, Director & CEO of Volt Charge Sri Lanka Real-world charging data shows that EVs contribute far less to peak electricity demand than commonly assumed Even under higher simultaneous charging scenarios, EV-related demand remains within manageable levels With the right systems in place, EVs can support grid stability by…
Sri Lanka’s apparel exports fell 8% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to last year, but the data is revealing specific opportunities where targeted policy action could turn things around. January’s 3% decline deepened to 11% in both February and March. While global demand has softened, the late February escalation of Middle East tensions…
By Prof. Samitha Hettige China which has never maintained colonies is one of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Among other members (i.e. USA, UK, France and Russia) it is the only one to practice one country many systems of government. The Global Security Initiative (GSI) China proposed in April 2022…
Fitch Ratings – Emerging markets in Asia would see rising cost pressure across agribusiness and food supply chains if a prolonged US-Iran war pushes fertiliser supply disruption deeper into the planting season, Fitch Ratings says. For these sectors, reduced fertiliser availability and higher prices would raise production costs, discourage application rates and weaken crop yields,…
By Prof. Samitha Hettige Generation – Z Sri Lankans may not remember purchasing inverters, generators, rechargeable lamps & even sleeping in vehicles with air conditioners running during power cuts in the early 2000s. Power shortages were due to increased demand, insufficient hydro power, unfair trade union actions & petty political blockages etc. Requesting tech savvy…
The Annual Economic Review 2025, the publication in accordance with Section 80 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023, was presented to His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the President and the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, by Dr. P Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank of…
The World Bank has projected Sri Lanka’s economic growth to moderate to 3.6% in 2026, reflecting a slowdown from the stronger recovery momentum seen in 2025, according to its April 2026 – South Asia Economic Update report. Despite the moderation, the global lender noted that the size of Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to recover to…
Purchasing Managers’ Indices indicate expansions in both Manufacturing and Services activities in March 2026. Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Manufacturing (PMI – Manufacturing) increased to 66.7 in March 2026, supported by heightened activity related to seasonal demand. However, many respondents reported a tight production environment, mainly attributed to raw material and fuel shortages, rising costs,…
The region can best cope by protecting vulnerable people, letting prices adjust, anchoring inflation expectations, and accelerating structural reforms By Andrea Pescatori, Krishna Srinivasan Asia entered 2026 on a strong footing. Despite the region bearing the brunt of US tariffs last April and persistent trade policy uncertainty, growth was resilient in 2025 and trade remained robust. Now,…
Markets have been broadly orderly so far—but financial stability risks are elevated Global financial markets entered 2026 from a position of strength. Asset prices rose across major markets, volatility was subdued, and financial conditions were easy by historical standards. That benign backdrop has now been tested by the war in the Middle East. So far,…
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