Sri Lanka’s digital and social development drive is set for a major boost following the renewal of the strategic partnership between Dialog Axiata PLC and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The strengthened collaboration aims to unlock long-term socio-economic benefits by accelerating digital inclusion, empowering vulnerable communities, and supporting national development priorities at a time when the country is rebuilding from prolonged economic challenges.

Under the renewed agreement, Dialog and JICA will expand support across critical sectors including digital transformation, financial inclusion, education, gender equality, agriculture, and disaster risk reduction. These areas have become increasingly vital as Sri Lanka prioritises digital governance, rural connectivity, and climate resilience in its recovery strategy.

A key feature of the partnership is its focus on delivering scalable technology-driven solutions, such as expanding digital financial services to underserved groups, digitising agricultural value chains, and improving access to online learning platforms for students in remote regions. With more Sri Lankans moving toward cashless transactions and e-government portals, enhanced digital infrastructure supported through this partnership is expected to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and widen economic opportunities particularly for low-income households.

Since 2023, JICA has also played a central role in strengthening Dialog’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, supporting programs that promote equal opportunities and digital literacy among women and youth. The renewed collaboration will take these efforts further by expanding women-led entrepreneurship programs, improving access to digital tools, and encouraging technology-based employment in rural areas. These initiatives are expected to bolster participation in the labour force, especially among women affected by economic hardship.

Looking forward, the partnership will also widen efforts in renewable energy, including rural solar power solutions and energy-efficient digital infrastructure reducing national energy expenditure and supporting Sri Lanka’s commitment to a greener economy. The two organisations will additionally work together on projects aimed at combating gender-based violence through awareness campaigns and technology-enabled reporting mechanisms, contributing to a safer and more equitable society.

Commenting on the partnership, JICA Sri Lanka Office Chief Representative Kenji Kuronuma said the collaboration blends JICA’s global development experience with Dialog’s technological strength to “deliver scalable, people-focused solutions” to Sri Lanka’s most urgent socio-economic challenges. Dialog Axiata Group CEO Supun Weerasinghe highlighted that the renewed partnership reinforces a shared mission to “strengthen essential services, expand opportunities, and improve everyday lives” nationwide.With this expanded partnership, Dialog and JICA signal a long-term commitment to driving inclusive growth, poverty alleviation, and national resilience positioning digital innovation as a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s future development

Oman is intensifying efforts to draw foreign investment under its Vision 2040 economic transformation agenda creating a growing window of opportunity for Sri Lankan businesses, professionals and educators.

Omani Ambassador to Sri Lanka Ahmed Ali Said Al Rashdi says the Sultanate’s accelerated diversification drive is already strengthening bilateral ties, with investment, tourism, industrial cooperation and education emerging as priority areas.

Tourism remains one of Oman’s fastest-expanding sectors. The country welcomed 3.9 million visitors in 2024, up from 3.7 million in 2023, with targets to increase arrivals by one million annually.

To meet this demand, Oman plans six new airports, upgrades to Salalah and Sohar, and large-scale luxury hotel projects with global brands. Sri Lanka’s Santani Group has already partnered with state-owned developer Omran to build two premium resorts in Salalah and Jabal Al Akhdar one of several early examples of Sri Lankan investment taking root.

Foreign ownership is being liberalised in selected real-estate zones such as Al Mouj, Sultan Haitham City and Al Khuwair Downtown, where multiple high-rise developments are planned.

Alongside this, Oman’s new 10-year Golden Visa for investors committing USD 500,000 offers residency and family benefits—positioning the country as one of the Gulf’s more welcoming investment destinations.

Beyond tourism and real estate, Oman is placing heavy emphasis on industrialisation. The Mada’in network manages 15 industrial estates and four free zones, offering long-term leases, tax holidays up to 30 years, 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation.

These incentives, combined with Oman’s strategic location and Free Trade Agreements with the US, Singapore and a pending FTA with India, position Omani-registered companies to trade across all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets as local entities.

For Sri Lanka, these openings arrive at a critical moment. Bilateral trade remains modest partly due to indirect shipping routes but continues to expand gradually. Sri Lanka exports tea, apparel and agricultural products to Oman while importing petroleum products, minerals and chemicals. Total trade has fluctuated around USD 200-250 million annually in recent years, but both sides expect this figure to climb as new partnerships deepen.

Sri Lanka is also emerging as a partner in education and human capital development. Eight Sri Lankan universities have applied for recognition in Oman, with three already approved. The Ambassador said the country is keen to welcome more Sri Lankan schools and colleges, noting that only one currently operates in Oman despite rising demand.

Oman’s state-owned giants have already established a presence in Sri Lanka. OQ, part of the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), supplies LPG to Sri Lanka, while ASYAD, the OIA-owned logistics conglomerate overseeing ports, shipping and airlines, has ongoing partnerships in energy and logistics.

In agriculture, Oman recently signed 278 new farming investment contracts, including proposals from Sri Lankan investors. New Government-to-Government MoUs in tourism and agriculture and three more in progress signal expanding cooperation. Student exchanges, university partnerships and institutional collaborations are also advancing.

Ambassador Al Rashdi emphasized that Oman’s stability maintaining the same dollar-pegged exchange rate for 55 years and its market-oriented policies make it a secure gateway for Sri Lankan companies seeking entry to the Gulf. Company registration is now fully online, 83 business activities require no additional licences, and there is no minimum capital requirement.

For Sri Lanka, the benefits are clear: access to a stable investment hub, expanded export potential, job opportunities for skilled workers, and a platform to strengthen economic resilience. With rising interest from both sides, Oman–Sri Lanka relations are poised for a more connected and investment-driven future.

Global fuel prices have risen sharply as a result of sanctions imposed on Russia and restrictions targeting 117 vessels involved in transporting Russian fuel. The situation has been further exacerbated by Russia’s decision to limit fuel exports following Ukrainian drone strikes on 17 of its refineries, intensifying the upward pressure on prices in the world market.

Diesel prices had already increased over the past two weeks with the onset of winter in Europe, and the upward trend has now extended to petrol, jet fuel, and kerosene.

In addition to sanctions directly targeting Russia, the European Union’s 19th sanctions package—which also affects countries importing Russian fuel, including China—has contributed to the price escalation.

The EU has issued stern warnings to “shadow ships” that transported Russian fuel while disabling their GPS systems to evade monitoring. These vessels reportedly changed their listed destinations mid-voyage. The EU has cautioned 117 such ships that they will be denied entry into European ports if they continue transporting Russian fuel.

As a result, many of these vessels have halted such operations, reducing global shipping capacity. This reduction has driven up shipping fees significantly, creating an additional layer of pressure on global fuel prices.

Due to the ongoing import challenges and supply constraints, oil prices are expected to experience a notable increase by the end of this month. Market data shows a consistent upward trend in fuel prices since June.

The Court of Appeal yesterday upheld the death sentences imposed on five men convicted in connection with the 2019 seizure of 152 kilograms of heroin.

A Bench comprising Justice Pradeep Hettiarachchi and Justice P. Kumararatnam affirmed the judgment delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Namal Balalle on September 27, 2023. The High Court had found all five accused guilty on three counts and imposed the death penalty for each count.

The convicts — Chaminda Rohana Fernando, Anton Chrisantha Fernando, Dulaj Ravindra Perera, Liyanadurage Surange, and Tharindu Jayantha Fernando, all residents of Kattuwa, Negombo — were charged with conspiracy, trafficking, possession, and peddling of 152.341 kilograms of heroin.

They were arrested on November 2, 2019, in the southern high seas while operating a multi-day fishing trawler named Buddhima, allegedly using their cover as fishermen to transport narcotics.

Additional Solicitor General Shanil Kularatne, assisted by State Counsel Vishwa Wijesuriya, appeared for the Attorney General.

The charges were filed under Section 54A(d) of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, as amended, read with Sections 102 and 113B of the Penal Code.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, met with Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, on Friday on the sidelines of the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, held from 20–21 November 2025 in Brussels.

During the discussions, both sides agreed to maintain close collaboration at the bilateral level as well as in multilateral fora.

They underscored the importance of further strengthening the longstanding fraternal relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka through enhanced high-level engagements. The two delegations also highlighted the need to leverage the strong goodwill between the countries by expanding cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including trade and investment, tourism, culture, education, defence, agriculture, and human resource development.

Sri Lanka Railways announced that the obstructions along the up-country railway line have now been fully cleared, restoring the tracks to a condition suitable for train operations.

Accordingly, the Colombo Fort–Badulla night mail train (departing Colombo Fort at 8:30 p.m.) and the Badulla–Colombo Fort night mail train (departing Badulla at 6:30 p.m.) operated as scheduled yesterday (21).

However, Train No. 1007 from Colombo Fort to Badulla (9:45 a.m.) and Train No. 1008 from Badulla to Colombo Fort (10:20 a.m.) will be cancelled today (22). All other services on the up-country line will run as normal.

The night mail services had been suspended on November 19 and 20 due to ongoing repairs and clearance work following a rockfall and earth slip between Ohiya and Idalgashinna.

Train operations were disrupted earlier due to a derailment caused by fallen trees and a landslide along the stretch between the Idalgashinna and Ohiya railway stations.

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has extended the early landslide warnings issued for several areas in seven districts, due to the prevailing heavy rainfall.

The alerts, originally issued yesterday (21), will remain in effect from 4:00 p.m. on November 21 to 4:00 p.m. today (22).

A Level-1 (Yellow) Alert — advising the public to be vigilant — has been issued for the following Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs) and surrounding areas:

Badulla District: Haputhale, Uva Paranagama, Kandaketiya, Haldummulla
Kalutara District: Mathugama
Kandy District: Ganga Ihala Korale, Udunuwara, Thumpane, Pasbaga Korale, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Udapalatha, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara
Kegalle District: Aranayake, Yatiyanthota, Deraniyagala, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Galigamuwa, Ruwanwella, Warakapola
Kurunegala District: Mawathagama, Rideegama, Mallawapitiya
Nuwara Eliya District: Walapane, Ambagamuwa, Hangurakketha, Kotmale
Ratnapura District: Kolonna, Balangoda, Imbulpe, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Kiriella

Showery weather condition is expected to enhance over the Island in next few days.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other areas of the island after 1.00 p.m.

Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, Western and Southern provinces during the early hours of the morning.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

SLT-Mobitel has set a new milestone in Sri Lanka’s digital landscape by achieving the highest-ever 5G speeds in the country, surpassing 10Gbps on its advanced 5G Standalone (SA) ready network. The record-breaking achievement, conducted under Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) 5G trial approval, highlights the company’s continued leadership in driving the nation’s digital transformation through cutting-edge connectivity solutions.

The trial showcased the capabilities of 5G Advanced technologies, including Massive MIMO, 5CC carrier aggregation in the C band, and mmWave spectrum deployment, establishing a new benchmark for mobile connectivity in Sri Lanka. This development marks a significant leap from earlier trials and reflects SLT-Mobitel’s commitment to providing future-ready digital infrastructure.

As part of its nationwide expansion, SLT-Mobitel has extended its 5G trial network to 18 districts, preparing the ground for a wider commercial rollout. The company aims to ensure that its high-speed network is accessible to a broad segment of the population, supporting the government’s digital inclusion and transformation agenda. By delivering ultra-fast connectivity, SLT-Mobitel seeks to enhance sectors such as healthcare, education, enterprise services, and everyday consumer applications, enabling citizens to leverage the benefits of advanced digital technology.

SLT-Mobitel has a history of pioneering 5G innovations in South Asia. In 2019, the company conducted the region’s first 5G trial, connecting a mobile smartphone to its network at record speeds. Subsequent demonstrations included hybrid Standalone and Non-Standalone 5G deployments, highlighting incremental advancements in network capability and reliability.

In January 2025, SLT-Mobitel became the first telecom provider in Sri Lanka to trial 5G-Advanced technology, achieving download speeds exceeding 5Gbps using a 3CC configuration. The latest trial exceeding 10Gbps builds on these achievements, demonstrating the operator’s ongoing efforts to explore next-generation technologies and prepare the country for ultra-fast, low-latency connectivity.

Industry experts say such advancements are crucial for Sri Lanka to remain competitive in the digital economy, facilitating smart city initiatives, IoT applications, AI-driven services, and high-capacity enterprise solutions. SLT-Mobitel’s infrastructure investments not only strengthen mobile broadband capabilities but also provide a foundation for emerging technologies and innovation ecosystems.

The company’s dedication to superior network performance has consistently been recognized. SLT-Mobitel has been awarded the title of the Fastest 4G Network in Sri Lanka by Ookla in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024, reflecting a sustained focus on delivering high-quality mobile experiences to users nationwide.

With this latest 5G milestone, SLT-Mobitel reaffirms its role as the National ICT Solutions Provider, leading Sri Lanka toward a fully connected future. The expansion of 5G capabilities promises not only faster internet speeds but also the potential to revolutionize industries, enhance productivity, and improve the quality of life for Sri Lankans across the country.

Sri Lanka’s tea industry recorded a marginal improvement in October 2025, though the performance across different elevations highlighted ongoing disparities and structural challenges within the sector. According to provisional data from Forbes & Walker Research, the country’s October tea crop reached 21.78 million kilograms (Mnkg), up 0.50 Mnkg from the 21.28 Mnkg harvested in October 2024.

 However, this slight year-on-year gain masks a mixed scenario, with all elevations except the Low Grown segment reporting declines. Compared to October 2023, the overall crop fell by 1.22 Mnkg from 23.0 Mnkg, reflecting persistent fluctuations in production.

High Grown tea, known for its premium quality, faced a significant 6.22% year-on-year reduction, producing 3.79 Mnkg, while the Medium Grown segment declined 1.52% to 3.47 Mnkg.

In contrast, the Low Grown category was the only segment to post a positive variance, increasing 5.96% to 14.34 Mnkg. Green Tea output also dipped 1.86% to 176,195 kilos, extending a downward trend from previous years, with a notable 13.39% drop compared to 2023 levels.

Despite these mixed monthly figures, cumulative production for January–October 2025 reached 220.97 Mnkg, representing an increase of 2.82 Mnkg over the 218.15 Mnkg recorded in the same period in 2024.

All elevations posted gains relative to last year: High Grown output rose 2.16% to 45.92 Mnkg, Medium Grown climbed 2.88% to 39.59 Mnkg, and Low Grown increased marginally by 0.50% to 133.51 Mnkg. Green Tea production also improved 4.10% to 1.94 Mnkg.

When compared with the first ten months of 2023, which saw 216.49 Mnkg harvested, cumulative production in 2025 reflects a 4.48 Mnkg increase. Medium Grown, Low Grown, and Green Tea segments exceeded 2023 levels, while High Grown output remained 5.17% below the same period, underscoring persistent challenges in the country’s premium tea sector.

Industry analysts note that the uneven recovery across elevations highlights structural and operational weaknesses, including aging plantations, labour shortages, and fluctuating climatic conditions, which continue to affect yield consistency. The disparity in production between high and low elevations also suggests that investment and modernization efforts need to be strategically targeted to support sustainable growth.

While modest cumulative gains offer cautious optimism for Sri Lanka’s tea industry, stakeholders emphasize the importance of addressing productivity gaps, upgrading processing facilities, and promoting high-value tea varieties for export. As global demand remains competitive, the sector’s future growth will rely on balancing elevation-specific challenges with strategic innovation and market diversification.

Forbes & Walker Research concluded that, although overall output shows incremental improvement, elevation-level shifts and structural constraints continue to shape production trends, signalling the need for targeted policy and private sector interventions to strengthen the industry.