World Bank: Sri Lanka's Economic Recovery Strong but Incomplete, Urgent Reforms Needed Amid High Poverty
The World Bank's latest 'Sri Lanka Development Update' reports a strong but incomplete economic recovery in Sri Lanka, projecting 4.6% growth in 2025. Poverty remains twice as high as pre-crisis levels, affecting a significant portion of the population. The Bank urges urgent structural reforms, including efficient public spending and private sector-led growth, to ensure inclusive and sustainable development.
President Dissanayake Inaugurates Sri Lanka Day at EXPO 2025 Osaka During Official Japan Visit
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake commenced his three-day official visit to Japan by serving as Chief Guest at Sri Lanka Day festivities at EXPO 2025 in Osaka. The event, co-organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lankan Embassy, showcased the nation's rich culture and vision for the future at the global exposition themed 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives'.
Former Sri Lankan Immigration Chief Jailed for Contempt of Court
Harsha Ilukpitiya, Sri Lanka's former Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment by the Supreme Court for contempt of court. The ruling stems from his failure to comply with a court order regarding a controversial electronic visa outsourcing deal. He had been in remand since September 2024.
X-Press Feeders Rejects US$1 Billion Damages for X-Press Pearl Disaster in Sri Lanka
Singapore-based X-Press Feeders has refused to pay US$1 billion in court-ordered damages to Sri Lanka for the 2021 X-Press Pearl environmental disaster. The company cites concerns over setting a 'dangerous precedent' for global maritime liability and the open-ended nature of the penalty, despite having already spent over US$170 million on cleanup and compensation. Sri Lanka's Supreme Court had mandated an initial US$250 million payment by September 23, 2025.
