Economy

Rs 12 Billion Modern Hospital for Dambulla to be completed within 3 years

Published

5 months ago

November 27, 2025

The Government has decided to construct a fully equipped, state-of-the-art new hospital in Dambulla at an estimated cost of Rs. 12 billion, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. The project is expected to be completed within three years.

Dr. Jayatissa stated that the new hospital will replace the existing Dambulla Base Hospital, which currently operates with inadequate facilities. A plot of land in the Pohoranwewa Grama Niladhari Division of the Dambulla Divisional Secretariat area has already been identified for the project, and construction is expected to begin without delay.

An initial allocation of Rs. 700 million has been made for the first phase of the project, which will start with 130 beds and will later be expanded to a maximum capacity of 200 beds. The new facility will feature modern infrastructure and advanced medical services, including the provision of a CT scanner, which the Minister highlighted as an urgent need.

Economy

Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals exceed 840,000 so far this year

Published

16 hours ago

April 27, 2026

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The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) stated that the number of tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka so far has crossed the 840,000 mark.

Accordingly, a total of 840,411 tourists have visited the country between January 1 and April 22, 2026.

The highest number of arrivals has been recorded from India, with 176,465 tourists, the SLTDA noted.

A significant number of visitors have also arrived from countries including the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, and China.

Meanwhile, the SLTDA stated that a total of 99,777 tourists arrived in the country between April 1 and April 22, 2026.

However, the data indicate that daily tourist arrivals in April have declined significantly compared to previous months.

Economy

Haputale restaurant fined Rs. 1 million forover pricing bottled water

Published

1 day ago

April 27, 2026

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A restaurant in Haputale has been fined Rs. 1 million for selling a bottle of drinking water above the maximum retail price.

The fine was imposed by the Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court on April 24 following a raid conducted by the Consumer Affairs Authority Badulla District Office.

The raid targeted a restaurant owned by a private company on Welimada Road in Haputale. Authorities found that the establishment had sold bottled water at a price exceeding the approved limit.

The court subsequently imposed a fine of Rs. 1,000,000 on the hotel.

Economy

Sri Lanka to Launch First Digital Motor Insurance Card from May 1

Published

3 days ago

April 25, 2026

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Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development has announced that the country’s first digital motor insurance card will be introduced from May 1.

The Ministry stated that this initiative represents a significant step toward advancing national digitalization while also enhancing public safety.

By replacing physical plastic cards, the move is also expected to contribute to environmental sustainability across the country.

The Ministry added that the digital motor insurance card will be officially launched in collaboration with the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Police.