May 31, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 pm.

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.

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

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain: Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.

Winds: Winds will be southwesterly. Wind speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (60-65) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mullaittivu to Chilaw via Kankasanthurai, Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota. Wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times in the other sea areas around the island.

State of Sea: The sea areas off the coasts extending from Mullaittivu to Chilaw via Kankasanthurai, Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be very rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be fairly rough at times.

The wave height may increase about (2.0 – 2.5) meters in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota. (this is not for land area).

Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

In an unprecedented move for Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry, eight of the island’s leading cocktail bars are joining forces in Bangkok for a two-part international showcase aimed at placing Sri Lankan mixology firmly on Asia’s evolving hospitality map.

The initiative, unfolding this week and next, marks the first time such a diverse group of Sri Lankan bars has collaborated overseas under a single banner. More than a promotional tour, the showcase reflects a growing movement within the country’s bar scene — one driven by collaboration, local identity, and a determination to redefine Sri Lanka’s global culinary and beverage reputation.

The events will take place at two of Bangkok’s most prestigious hospitality venues, beginning yesterday (29) at the iconic House on Sathorn. Four Sri Lankan establishments will headline the opening guest shift, each representing a distinct regional and cultural identity.

Among them is Hideout Lounge from Kandy, the hill capital’s only progressive cocktail venue, known for incorporating tropical ingredients and regional influences into contemporary drinks. Joining them is Raa from Hiriketiya, a pioneering concept recognised as the world’s first bar dedicated entirely to toddy and arrack, with fresh toddy tapped on-site as part of a sustainable palm-based ecosystem.

Colombo’s nightlife scene will be represented by Shoulders, a venue celebrated for reinventing international cocktail classics with bold local twists, while Uncles — operating across Colombo, Ahangama, and Unawatuna — brings its energetic blend of local-inspired cocktails and street-food culture.

The second phase of the showcase will conclude on June 3 at Aqua Bar, Anantara’s design-focused rooftop venue, in collaboration with The Dram Attic. This segment features another four influential Sri Lankan bars that have helped shape the country’s modern beverage culture.

Jungle Kade from Madiha is expected to showcase its signature surf-town hospitality, combining open-fire cooking, house ferments, and experimental flavours rooted in Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Colombo-based speakeasy Kampong will bring an urban interpretation of Sri Lankan culture through contemporary mixology inspired by the city’s multicultural communities.

Meanwhile, Ropewalk from the historic Galle Fort will spotlight modern arrack-focused cocktails inspired by Sri Lanka’s colonial heritage, while internationally acclaimed Smoke and Bitters from Hiriketiya enters the event with global recognition already attached to its name. The bar recently earned the No. 67 position on the extended World’s 50 Best Bars list, gaining attention for cocktails built around indigenous spices, smoke, and house-made ferments.

Industry observers say the collaboration signals a major shift in Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector, which has traditionally operated through fragmented and highly competitive individual brands. Instead, the Bangkok takeover presents a unified front — one that embraces regional diversity while collectively promoting Sri Lankan ingredients, craftsmanship, and storytelling.

Throughout both events, bartenders are expected to champion local products including toddy, arrack, coastal herbs, native spices, and tropical flora. The organisers believe these ingredients, paired with modern techniques and authentic narratives, can help Sri Lanka establish a unique identity in the increasingly competitive global cocktail industry.

Beyond the drinks themselves, the showcase carries broader significance. At a time when Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality sectors are seeking renewed international attention, the collaboration demonstrates how independent creators can work together to elevate the country’s cultural brand. For many in the industry, Bangkok may be only the beginning

Germany is increasingly viewing Sri Lanka as a strategically important partner in the Indo-Pacific region, with growing opportunities emerging in trade, logistics, renewable energy, tourism, and infrastructure development. However, German officials and business leaders say Sri Lanka must continue reforms and improve investor confidence to fully benefit from stronger bilateral economic ties.

Speaking at the Sri Lankan-German Business Forum 2026 in Colombo under the theme “Building Trusted Partnerships,” German diplomats and industry representatives highlighted Sri Lanka’s importance amid changing global trade patterns and geopolitical uncertainty.

German Ambassador Dr. Felix Neumann said Germany was actively seeking reliable international partners that support free trade, multilateral cooperation, and stable governance systems. He noted that Sri Lanka’s location along major Indian Ocean shipping routes made the country increasingly valuable for East-West trade connectivity and supply chain diversification.

According to Dr. Neumann, Sri Lanka is well-positioned to become a stronger economic partner for German businesses as global companies reduce dependence on single markets and seek alternative regional hubs. He also pointed to Germany’s long-standing contribution to Sri Lanka’s vocational education sector since 1959, which has helped strengthen the country’s skilled workforce.

Despite the opportunities, German officials stressed that reforms remain essential. Dr. Neumann highlighted the need for policy consistency, anti-corruption measures, improved ease of doing business, and modernised company registration systems. Predictability, he said, is a critical factor for attracting long-term foreign investment.

Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka Chief Delegate Martin Klose said the forum aimed to strengthen investor confidence and transform discussions into practical business partnerships. He identified logistics, maritime industries, infrastructure, and export facilitation as sectors with strong potential for cooperation.

German Chamber of Commerce and Industry official Dr. Nicole Renvert said global geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions have pushed German companies to focus on building resilient and diversified trade networks. She noted that Sri Lanka’s skilled labour force, logistics capabilities, and strategic maritime location create strong opportunities for German investment.

Renewable energy, green technology, energy efficiency, and maritime services were also identified as key sectors for future collaboration. German officials said sustainable investments are becoming an increasingly important priority for European companies.

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy representative Tobias Pierlings described Sri Lanka as occupying a critical position connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. He said reliable trade routes and diversified economic partnerships have become more important than ever due to global instability and shipping disruptions.

Meanwhile, German Asia-Pacific Business Association Executive Member Almut Rößner said recent high-level political engagement had created fresh momentum for bilateral business relations. She praised the resilience of Sri Lankan businesses despite recent economic challenges and encouraged both countries to capitalise on current opportunities.

The forum brought together 40 German delegates along with Sri Lankan business leaders, policymakers, and investors to explore new partnerships. While Germany’s interest in Sri Lanka continues to grow, officials made it clear that sustained reforms, transparent governance, and a stable investment climate will determine how far the economic relationship can develop in the coming years.

SriLankan Airlines, once promoted as a symbol of national pride, is rapidly becoming one of the biggest financial burdens on Sri Lanka’s fragile post-crisis economy. Despite repeated restructuring attempts, billions in taxpayer-funded bailouts, and promises of reform, the national carrier remains trapped in a cycle of losses, mounting debt, and political indecision.

The latest revelations by Ports and Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake expose the scale of the crisis. According to the Government’s own estimates, nearly Rs. 90 billion more will be required to sustain the airline until 2030, averaging around Rs. 30 billion annually. On top of this, SriLankan Airlines has reportedly requested another Rs. 10 billion merely to continue day-to-day operations.

These figures emerge at a time when Sri Lanka is still recovering from the devastating 2022 economic collapse and remains under strict IMF-guided fiscal discipline. The contradiction is glaring. While citizens endure increased taxes, reduced subsidies, and a rising cost of living, the State continues pouring billions into an airline that has failed to achieve long-term profitability.

Recent financial indicators show the carrier’s instability worsening. SriLankan Airlines recorded a Rs. 2.7 billion loss in the 2024/25 financial year after posting a Rs. 7.9 billion profit the previous year. However, analysts point out that the earlier “profit” was largely driven by exchange-rate gains rather than genuine operational performance.

The debt burden remains staggering. In March 2026, the airline completed restructuring of its US$175 million sovereign-guaranteed bond after creditors accepted a 16% haircut. Meanwhile, another Rs. 91.3 billion in state bank loans has already been restructured through Treasury-backed repayment mechanisms.

Critics argue that the airline survives only because taxpayers continue underwriting its failures. Even the Government now openly admits the model is unsustainable. Minister Karunathilake bluntly stated that “people who have never even seen an aircraft” are helping finance the airline through taxes.

The National People’s Power (NPP) Government initially opposed privatization and insisted SriLankan Airlines would remain fully under State control. The administration argued that a national carrier was essential for strategic and emergency purposes, including evacuation missions during crises such as COVID-19.

However, mounting fiscal pressure appears to have forced a dramatic policy reversal. The Government is now preparing investment proposals for a public-private partnership (PPP), with possible foreign or local investors expected to enter the airline under a joint venture structure. Officials insist this will not amount to full privatization, but rather an “Emergency Public Partnership” style arrangement where the State retains partial ownership while private investors absorb operational responsibilities.

The shift reflects economic reality more than ideology. Sri Lanka simply cannot afford endless airline losses while servicing IMF-linked reforms and external debt obligations. Unless a credible strategic investor is secured soon, experts warn the airline may become another dangerous liability threatening the country’s broader financial recovery.