Sri Lanka

Farmers are demanding the return of grazing land in Mayilaththamadu and Mathavanai, which is at the centre of a dispute with newcomers from other parts of the country, to whom then-President Rajapaksa granted land. The crisis is having a severe impact on milk production, a vital activity for the local economy.

The East Container Terminal (ECT) was designed to accommodate the largest container ships, but is still non-operational despite significant public investment. Four out of five tenders for straddle carriers have been cancelled, while some cranes are currently in service. Losses are projected to reach as much as US$ 126.7 million by 2027.

The Gangaramaya Temple and the India International Centre are behind the SAMHiTA project. Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha was present at the ceremony. A team of local experts will carry out the work, expected to end by late November 2026, part of an effort to preserve the cultural and Buddhist heritage of South Asia.

Apps offering money to farmers and vulnerable people in difficulty are rife across the island, concealing draconian terms. In March, parliament had approved ad hoc legislation intended to tackle the phenomenon, but the necessary implementing regulation has still not been published in the Official Gazette.

Minister Nanayakkara told parliament that 1,454 people are behind bars because they are unable to pay court-imposed fines of up to 100,000 rupees (around 268 euros). There are 60 prisons in the country, with overcrowding reaching 400 per cent of capacity.

The Sri Lankan government is set to develop a unified regulatory framework over the 2026–2028 period, covering structural and fire safety, sustainability, and building accessibility. The goal is to harmonise local conditions with international standards and boost resilience against floods, landslides, and high winds.

Following a summary trial, 24-year-old Anojan Sivarasa was sentenced to death for a social media comment deemed offensive to Islam. Neither deleting the post nor apologising availed him. Saudi and Sri Lankan lawyers have filed an appeal with the kingdom‘s supreme court. For his parents, he is the sole breadwinner.

Some 20 Iranian vessels are anchored off the coast of Sri Lanka, running low on food, water, and fuel. Opening its ports would entail the risk of US secondary sanctions; yet, for Sri Lanka, it is vital to maintain its status as a maritime hub, in the face of competition from India.

The Sri Lankan government marked World Habitat Day observed yesterday by announcing 30,000 new homes by 31 December. Yet, some people in the Western Province have been waiting for generations for a real solution amid countless promises.

To mark World Children's Day, the government announced measures against child labour, alongside new steps to combat cyberbullying. Parents are also being urged to exercise greater caution when sharing images of their children on social media.

Despite its target of 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030, Colombo has suspended the feed-in tariff scheme for surplus energy. This is a setback for small-scale consumers, who will struggle to recoup their investment under this system. Meanwhile, a floating solar farm has been launched in Dambulla.

The numbers come from the Computer Literacy Statistics 2025 report prepared by the DCS. The overall computer literacy rate is up by 3.3 per cent, but the study highlights disparities between urban and rural areas and across the country's various provinces. Smartphone usage for email or internet access has seen a slight decline.