Economy

Sri Lanka’s CEB makes operating loss in Dec 2024 quarter as revenues plunge

Published

11 months ago

March 6, 2025

Sri Lanka’s state-run Ceylon Electricity Board has made an operating loss of 3.0 billion rupees in the December 2024 quarter, and made a marginal net profit with the help of other income and gains, interim accounts showed.

CEB’s revenues plunged 28 percent to 111.8 billion rupees in the December 2024 quarter, from 156.2 billion rupees, while cost of sales grew 49 percent to 116.2 billion rupees, leading to gross loss of 4.49 billion rupees, down from 78 billion in 2023.

Sri Lanka got exceptional rains in 2023 in the inter-monsoon period, keeping costs down. Selling prices were also higher.

With the help of other income and gains of 11.3 billion rupees in the December quarter, the CEB covered some of its administration costs of 9.8 billion rupees with an operating loss of 3.0 billion rupees.

There was finance income of 3.6 billion rupees and it was not specified whether it was a foreign exchange gain.

For the full year the CEB had made 11.7 billion rupees of forex gains, as the rupee appreciated with deflationary policy.

In the year to December the CEB posted profits of 144 billion rupees, helped by forex gains and also a 26 billion rupee capital gain from sale of shares of LTL holding to West Coast Power reducing its debt.

Concerns have been raised at Sri Lanka’s electricity tariff policy and way forward looking pricing is not made.

In the first quarter of each year, there is a dry period, which leads to higher thermal generation though now there is rooftop solar helping reduce the fuel usage and allowing to manage with coal, which is cheaper.

The International Monetary Fund has said Sri Lanka missed a structural benchmark after the Public Utilities Commission cut fuel electricity tariffs by 20 percent in January.

Source – Economynext

Economy

Galle ranks fifth among top 10 honeymoon destinations for 2026

Published

6 days ago

January 20, 2026

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Galle has been placed fifth among the world’s top 10 honeymoon destinations for 2026 in the latest rankings released by Tripadvisor.

The ranking forms part of Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2026 and is based solely on the volume and quality of traveller reviews submitted over a 12-month period.

Tripadvisor said the list reflects destinations that consistently received strong feedback from honeymoon travellers worldwide.

Beach and island destinations dominate the upper end of the 2026 rankings. Bali secured the top position, followed by Mauritius and the Maldives, with St. Lucia ranked fourth. Galle placed fifth, ahead of several established long-haul honeymoon favourites.

Tripadvisor noted that Galle’s appeal lies in its blend of heritage and coastal experiences. Founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Galle Fort remains a key attraction, with preserved ramparts, historic buildings, and walkable streets.

Economy

Sri Lanka Postal Service achieves record revenue

Published

2 weeks ago

January 12, 2026

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Sri Lanka’s postal service has recorded a remarkable turnaround in 2025, surpassing revenue targets set by the Treasury and signalling a major revival after years of stagnation.

Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara said the Department of Posts generated Rs. 13.1 billion last year, exceeding the revenue target assigned for 2025.

He highlighted that the past year also saw wide-ranging reforms, including large-scale recruitments, confirmations of long-serving staff, infrastructure upgrades, and investments in technology and transport to improve efficiency and service delivery.

According to Sathkumara, 378 Sub-Postmasters received permanent appointments in June 2025—the first confirmations for the category since 2020. In September, the appointments of 1,000 Postal Assistants were regularised, marking the first such confirmations since 2022.

The Postmaster General added that recruitment is underway to hire 600 Postal Service Officers through open competition, with appointments expected in February 2026.

Economy

Sri Lanka ranked most affordable place to live or retire in 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

January 11, 2026

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International Living magazine has identified the five most affordable places to live or retire in 2026, which scored the highest in the cost-of-living category of its 2026 Global Retirement Index.

It evaluated retirement destinations across climate, healthcare, visa and lifestyle, along with cost.

Sri Lanka ranked top of the list due to affordable local transportation and easy-to-obtain retirement visas. A couple can live extravagantly on $2,200 (£1,637) a month, or on $1,000 (£744) with some budgeting.

In second place is Vietnam, with the average cost of living in Hanoi sitting at under $1,800 (£1,339) per month. Rent is low and healthcare is affordable.

Thailand was ranked third, because a couple can live comfortably for around $2,000 (£1,488) a month in cities such as Chiang Mai or coastal towns such as Hua Hin. These both have affordable housing, and accessible services and transportation.

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