Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets increased by 6.6% to USD 7,284 million in February 2026, compared to USD 6,832 million recorded in January 2026.

Accordingly, country’s reserves have surpassed the USD 7 billion threshold for the first time since August 2020. 

However, this includes the proceeds received under the swap arrangement with the People’s Bank of China, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

Sri Lanka is undergoing a brain drain crisis where a new study from the University of Peradeniya reveals that over 50 per cent of state university graduates, rising to 80-90 per cent in critical fields like medicine, engineering, and agriculture, are migrating permanently, never to return, according to a recent article by Ceylon Public Affairs.

The article which explores brain drain levels in 2025 mentions that the Sri Lankan government spends Rs. 87 billion yearly on university education in which many believe this has turned free education into a “development aid programme” for richer countries, with the best and brightest doctors, engineers, and scientists contributing to the economies of the West while Sri Lanka grapples with a 24.5 per cent poverty rate.

“Yearly, 42,000 undergraduates are educated across disciplines such as arts (25 per cent), management (20 per cent), engineering (13 per cent), and medicine (10 per cent). However, this system is inadvertently fuelling a migration of skilled workers. According to the University of Peradeniya study, the brightest graduates—those with science-based degrees—are leaving in droves, with migration rates exceeding 80 per cent in some departments.” Ceylon Public Affairs says.

Ceylon Public Affairs says that the reason for such high levels of brain drain is due to both economic and social realities. Low wages and high unemployment worsened by the country’s recent economic crisis, including a sovereign default and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that pushes graduates to seek opportunities abroad. Meanwhile, the private and public sectors in Sri Lanka struggle to offer salaries competitive with global markets, trapping the nation in what economists call the middle-income trap.

The luxury cruise ship Crystal Symphony has arrived in Sri Lanka, carrying a group of European tourists.

Renowned globally as a high-end cruise vessel offering premium amenities, the Crystal Symphony is a popular choice among travelers.

The ship, which has the capacity to accommodate 900 passengers and 500 crew members, is equipped with a wide range of specialized luxury facilities.

The facilities provided by the Crystal Symphony include exclusive cabin rooms, restaurants serving international cuisine, swimming pools, theaters and music halls, and library facilities.

The Crystal Symphony arrived at the Trincomalee Harbour yesterday.

The vessel arrived in the country from the Bahamas with 558 tourists on board.

These tourists visited popular attractions in Trincomalee, as well as iconic travel destinations such as Dambulla and Sigiriya.

Meanwhile,within the first 45 days of the year, 436,666 tourists have arrived in the country.

During this month alone, the number of tourist arrivals stands at 159,339.