SriLankan Airlines has introduced an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot named ‘Yaana’ to enhance customer support and streamline passenger inquiries.
‘Yaana’ integrates advanced AI and natural language processing technologies to assist with various customer queries efficiently. According to Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Worldwide Sales and Distribution at SriLankan Airlines, the chatbot has already managed nearly 12,000 inquiries, resolving 88% of them autonomously.
Developed in collaboration with CodeGen International, ‘Yaana’ is now available on the airline’s corporate website. It is designed to operate in multiple languages, including English, French, and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for a broader customer base.
The Ministry of Health has placed advance orders for 862 essential medicines and over 5,000 surgical items required for 2025, marking the first time such a proactive measure has been taken, Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa announced.
Key institutions, including the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC), and the Medical Supplies Division (MSD), are collaborating to streamline the procurement process.
“For the first time in history, the MSD has, by January 31, placed an order for 862 essential medicines and surgical items needed for the next year through the SPC. This was made possible due to the voluntary service of employees in these institutions,” Minister Jayathissa stated.
Additionally, the NMRA has significantly reduced its backlog of 2,100 pending drug registrations to 447, with 330 files processed in January alone.
The Minister acknowledged that delays in medical supply distribution have been a persistent issue, with state pharmaceutical procurement taking up to nine months. To further improve efficiency, the government has already begun placing orders for 2026 medical supplies.
The Lanka Salt Company in Hambantota has announced an increase in salt prices, citing the rising cost of imported salt as the primary reason for the hike.
According to the company, the price of a 400-gram packet of salt powder has risen by Rs. 20, from Rs. 100 to Rs. 120, while the price of a one-kilogram packet of crystal salt has increased by Rs. 60, from Rs. 120 to Rs. 180. However, officials clarified that this price adjustment is a temporary measure.
Sri Lanka’s annual salt demand is approximately 20,000 metric tons, but adverse weather conditions in the last quarter of the previous year caused a decline in local production. In response, the government approved the temporary importation of 12,000 metric tons of salt from India to address the shortfall.
Despite these imports, the State Trading Corporation has assured that relying on foreign salt will not be a long-term solution. Local salt production is expected to resume at the Hambantota Salt Works by March, stabilizing domestic supply.
The Hambantota Salt Company has also assured that prices will be reduced once the new harvest becomes available. Currently, the Hambantota Salt Works accounts for 50% of the country’s salt production, while the Paranthan and Puttalam Salt Works also contribute significantly to the national supply.
A high-level discussion on the progress of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) took place yesterday (06) at the Presidential Secretariat, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and an IMF delegation.
According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the government has already reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF on the third review of the USD 3 billion extended arrangement. The review details are expected to be presented to the IMF Board of Directors by the end of this month.
The discussions focused on the implementation progress and the government’s commitment to continuing the program. Once the IMF Executive Board grants approval, Sri Lanka is set to receive the fourth tranche of the extended loan, amounting to USD 333 million.
The meeting was attended by IMF Executive Director Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian, Alternate Executive Director Dr. P. K. G. Harischandra, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwadana, and Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya informed Parliament yesterday (05) that the ongoing coconut shortage has resulted from the lack of a comprehensive government policy on coconut cultivation.
She stated that the current administration is developing a structured policy to enhance coconut cultivation and has already initiated several short-term programs to address the issue. Additionally, she confirmed that the government has allocated increased funds in this year’s budget to support coconut cultivation.
The Prime Minister highlighted that institutions under the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure are actively working to boost coconut production. Measures include testing for high-yield coconut varieties, identifying effective agricultural practices, providing technical guidance to control pests and diseases, and proposing policies to strengthen the coconut sector. These efforts aim to prevent future shortages and ensure a stable supply of coconuts.
The Supreme Court has scheduled March 19 for the support hearing of a Fundamental Rights petition filed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, contesting the government’s decision to reduce his security detail.
A three-judge bench, comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Janak de Silva, and Sampath Abayakoon, fixed the date following a request by Additional Solicitor General Varunika Hettige, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General. She sought additional time to obtain instructions from the respondents and file objections.
The petition names Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the Cabinet of Ministers, and several others as respondents. Rajapaksa argues that the government arbitrarily reduced his security detail to 60 officers without conducting a proper security assessment. He maintains that, as the leader who ended the three-decade-long war against the LTTE, he continues to face terrorist threats.
Through the petition, Rajapaksa seeks a declaration that his Fundamental Rights were violated by the government’s decision. President’s Counsel Ali Sabry represented the former President in the case.
The inaugural Catalysing Climate-Smart Agriculture: Public-Private-People Forum was recently held in Colombo, bringing together key stakeholders from the private sector, government, civil society, and international development partners. The forum aimed to address pressing challenges in Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector by promoting climate-smart solutions.
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the event served as a strategic platform for dialogue and collaboration. Discussions focused on policy, regulatory, and fiscal reforms, alongside digital innovations, to enhance resilience, reduce emissions, and support national climate goals.
Collective Action for Sustainable Agriculture
Dr. R.D.S. Jayatunga, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, underscored the forum’s importance, stating, “This platform demonstrates the power of collective action in tackling one of the most critical challenges of our time. By uniting expertise and resources from the public, private, and community sectors, we can develop innovative solutions to strengthen agricultural resilience and secure sustainable livelihoods for millions of Sri Lankans.”
Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) Nalin Munasinghe echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of partnerships. “Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector stands at a crossroads. Through collaborative initiatives like this, we can foster climate-resilient growth that protects livelihoods and ensures long-term food security.”
Key Challenges and Solutions
The forum examined the significant impact of climate change on agriculture, including erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and pest outbreaks. Stakeholders validated findings from a comprehensive Barriers Assessment and explored actionable solutions to boost private sector investment.
Proposed measures included policy reforms, financial incentives, and improved coordination mechanisms to align investments with global financing opportunities and local needs.
A key outcome of the forum was the validation of an actionable roadmap aimed at:
Removing barriers to private sector investment in climate-smart agriculture
Strengthening collaboration between public, private, and community sectors
Leveraging international climate financing and digital innovations to scale best practices
The roadmap also recommended establishing a Private Sector Working Group to sustain momentum and ensure continued engagement among stakeholders.
Towards a Climate-Resilient Future
The forum featured expert insights on global best practices, including strategies from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plan. Representatives from academia, civil society, and the financial sector contributed their perspectives, ensuring an inclusive approach to solution development.
The outcomes of this initiative will inform future efforts to strengthen Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector, with a focus on sustainability, resilience, and meeting national climate commitments.
The Sri Lankan Government, under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, will launch three new digital facilities today (7) at the Presidential Secretariat, including the GOVPAY system, aimed at reducing costs and processing time for public services.
Key Highlights of the Initiative:
GOVPAY System – A centralized online payment platform for accessing government services digitally, initially covering 16 government institutions.
EBMD Facility – A new service allowing Sri Lankans abroad to obtain birth, death, and marriage certificatesthrough their respective embassies, integrated with the Registrar General’s Department to reduce delays.
Digital Expansion in Public Services – The President’s Fund services will now be accessible at 341 Divisional Secretariats nationwide, with trained officers and the required technology in place.
Government’s Digitalization Drive
Minimizing cash usage and transitioning towards a cashless economy.
Enhancing digital infrastructure for improved public service efficiency.
Empowering SMEs, as over 400,000 small and medium-sized enterprises are already using QR-based transactions.
Officials, including Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eranga Weerarathna, Presidential Fund Secretary Roshan Gamage, Foreign Affairs Ministry Additional Secretary M.K. Pathmanathan, and Lanka Pay CEO Channa De Silva, emphasized that further digital enhancements will soon be introduced to expand and expedite public service accessibility.
Mainly fair weather will prevail over most parts of the island.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and North-central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Kurunegala districts during the morning.
February 06, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s digital economy stands at a crucial turning point, demonstrating strong growth potential while facing challenges in infrastructure, policy frameworks, and digital literacy. With increased internet accessibility, expanding e-commerce platforms, and advancements in fintech, the nation is steadily advancing towards a digital transformation.
Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, stated that Sri Lanka could generate US$ 5 billion annually from digital exports by 2030. He made this statement during the launch of the Sri Lanka Digital Public Infrastructure Summit on February 5th.
To accelerate digital transformation, Sri Lanka must prioritize strengthening its ICT infrastructure, fostering innovation, and implementing progressive regulations.
Investment in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and blockchain will be key to positioning the country as a leader in digital solutions.
Additionally, upskilling the workforce and promoting STEM education are essential for maintaining a sustainable talent pipeline.
A strategic approach involving collaboration between the government, private sector, and international partners can help build a robust digital economy.
By addressing infrastructure gaps and leveraging technological advancements, Sri Lanka can create a more inclusive, efficient, and globally competitive digital landscape, official sources revealed.
“In an economy valued at US$ 80-90 billion, achieving US$ 5 billion in digital exports represents a substantial growth opportunity,” Wijayasuriya said.
He further noted that embracing digitization fully could lead to a 1-2% annual increase in the compound annual growth rate (CAGR), boosting Sri Lanka’s baseline GDP growth of 2-3%. If digital exports reach the projected target, this additional GDP growth could potentially double.
Past government initiatives, including the Digital Economy Strategy and the expansion of the IT-BPM sector, aimed to position Sri Lanka as a regional technology hub. However, challenges such as insufficient broadband coverage, outdated cyber regulations, and workforce skill gaps continue to hinder rapid digital progress.
“As digital adoption deepens across industries, economic growth could see an uplift of one to two CAGR points,” Wijayasuriya added. “For an economy with a business-as-usual growth rate of 3-4%, or even starting from a lower base, digitization could contribute an additional two to three percentage points to GDP growth.”
Wijayasuriya also stressed the need to expand the digital workforce beyond the current target of 200,000 professionals.
“Growing the digital economy to around 12% of GDP is achievable, but we should aim even higher—closer to 20%,” he said, emphasizing that increasing the digital workforce to 20% could potentially generate US$ 15 billion in annual digital export revenue.
He further highlighted the importance of reducing the cost of conducting digital business. “We can’t depend on being an island nation; in the digital sphere, competition is global. Our national competitiveness will depend on the maturity of our digital systems and readiness,” he noted.
To achieve these goals, Sri Lanka aims to move up in global rankings for digital economy maturity. Wijayasuriya emphasized the focus on improving key dimensions such as connectivity, digital transformation, innovation, cybersecurity, and trust frameworks.
