Economy

BBC has named Sri Lanka one of the 25 Best Places to Travel in 2025

Published

2 years ago

January 20, 2025

Recognized by the BBC as the ninth destination on its prestigious list of “The 25 Best Places to Travel in 2025,” Sri Lanka continues to capture the imagination of travelers worldwide.

The UK-based media powerhouse praised the island nation for its enchanting blend of natural beauty and cultural treasures, from mist-shrouded hilltop tea plantations and freely roaming wild elephants to ancient temples steeped in history and idyllic waves ideal for surfers.

Despite declaring bankruptcy in April 2022, Sri Lanka has demonstrated remarkable resilience under new leadership. The recently appointed President has focused on revitalizing the country after the dual challenges of a global pandemic and civil unrest.

Tourism plays a pivotal role in this effort, with the country leaning on its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and storied heritage to attract global visitors.

Sri Lanka’s recovery narrative and diverse offerings—from serene beaches to lush, misty highlands—make it a destination that appeals to travelers seeking both beauty and inspiration in 2025.

Sri Lanka is aiming to attract an impressive 3 million visitors in 2025 and has started the year on a promising note, welcoming nearly 80,000 travelers within the first 10 days of January.

India and Russia have emerged as the leading source markets, contributing 11,749 (16.6%) and 11,629 (16.4%) arrivals, respectively, between January 1 and 9.

The United Kingdom ranked third with 5,520 visitors (7.8%), followed by Germany at 5,049 (7.1%), Australia with 3,055 (4.3%), and France contributing 2,714 (3.8%). Notably, January 2 and 3 stood out with impressive daily arrival figures of 9,392 and 8,974, respectively.

Meanwhile, Chinese arrivals, which are traditionally lower during the Lunar New Year as families celebrate at home, ranked seventh. However, a surge in connectivity with expanded routes by Chinese airlines is expected to boost these numbers in the coming months.

Source: TTW

Economy

CPC Seeks Investors As Natural Gas Confirmed in Mannar Basin

Published

3 days ago

August 13, 2026

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The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation says the process of calling for proposals to select an appropriate investor to extract and utilize the natural gas resources in the Mannar Basin will begin this month.

Managing Director of CPC, Dr. Mayura Neththikumara, said the presence of natural gas in the Mannar Basin has been scientifically confirmed by the Sri Lanka Petroleum Development Authority.

The relevant process will be carried out with the approval of the Procurement Committee, and investors will be given approximately five months to submit their applications.

Economy

Battery storage systems to join national grid in September

Published

5 days ago

August 11, 2026

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Commercial-scale battery energy storage systems being installed at 16 electricity transmission substations across Sri Lanka are expected to be connected to the national grid in early September.

The systems, which were brought into Sri Lanka through the Colombo Port in three stages during May and June, are currently in the final stages of construction.

The project being implemented by WindForce PLC near the Anuradhapura substation is now around 85% complete.

The battery systems will store excess electricity generated by solar power plants during the daytime and release the stored electricity to the national grid at night when required.

Officials said the system would help maintain the stability of the national grid while reducing the need to generate electricity from diesel power plants during nighttime hours.

Each battery energy storage project will have a capacity of 10 MW. The National System Operator Ltd. (NSO), operating under the Ministry of Energy, will be responsible for managing and controlling the systems, while their maintenance will be handled by the respective companies.

Economy

Delft Island to become Sri Lanka’s first zero emission eco‑tourism destination

Published

6 days ago

August 10, 2026

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The Government of Sri Lanka has unveiled plans to transform Delft Island into the country’s first Zero Emission eco‑tourism destination, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, environmental conservation, and the preservation of its unique natural and cultural heritage.

A special site inspection and stakeholder discussion on the proposed development was held under the leadership of Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe recently.

The island, renowned for its Dutch‑era ruins, numerous archaeological landmarks, and iconic wild horses, is seen as possessing exceptional tourism potential.

Deputy Minister Ranasinghe told participants that Delft Island should be experienced not only by international visitors but also by domestic tourists. Despite its extraordinary attractions, he noted, the island has so far made only a limited contribution to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

He emphasized the Government’s commitment to unlocking Delft’s full potential through sustainable and environmentally responsible development.

Discussions focused on identifying priority infrastructure to position Delft Island as a premier tourism destination, with key areas including water supply, road infrastructure, transportation and accessibility. Strengthening community participation was also highlighted, with plans to enhance the knowledge and hospitality skills of local residents to enable them to benefit directly from tourism development.