Economy

World Happiness Report 2026: Sri Lanka ranked among world’s unhappiest countries

Published

2 months ago

March 21, 2026

Sri Lanka has been ranked among the least happy countries globally, with the island nation’s rankling dropping one place to 134th, according to the World Happiness Report 2026, published on Thursday.

With an average life evaluation score of 4.013, Sri Lanka is only ahead of 13 other countries in the index, including nations such as Ethiopia, Tanzania, Lebanon, Yemen and Afghanistan.

In comparison, Sri Lanka was ranked 133rd in 2025 and 128th in 2024 while the country was placed 112th and 127th in 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Every year, the World Happiness Report reveals where people feel most satisfied with their lives, and where they don’t.

The report ranks 147 countries using data from the Gallup World Poll, where respondents score their lives on a scale from 0 to 10, known as the Cantril Ladder. The rankings are based on a three-year average from 2023 to 2025, offering a more stable snapshot of global well-being.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions, 79 countries recorded significant gains in happiness levels from the 2006–2010 base period to 2023–2025.

Finland remains the happiest country in the world in 2026, holding the top spot for the ninth consecutive year.

The Finnish population reported an average life evaluation score of 7.764 out of 10 this year, up 0.375 points from last year.

Economy

Govt Approves Rs.112 B Central Expressway Phase Without New Loans

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

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“Rs. 112 Billion. 100% funded by the Government of Sri Lanka. Zero new loans.”

Minister Bimal Rathnayake says Cabinet approval for the Rambukkana–Galagedera phase of the Central Expressway is proof of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, adding that what was once a “distant dream” is now a funded reality under the Finance Ministry’s leadership over the past 18 months.

Economy

Sri Lanka’s official reserves fall below US$ 7 billion

Published

3 days ago

May 10, 2026

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Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets fell below the US$ 7 billion mark again in April 2026, according to the latest data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

The country’s total official reserve assets declined from US$ 7.026 billion recorded at the end of March 2026 to US$ 6.759 billion by the end of April.

Data also showed that foreign exchange reserves — the main component of official reserves — dropped from US$ 6.8 billion to US$ 6.505 billion during the month.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s gold reserves declined slightly from US$ 222 million to US$ 219 million.

Economy

PayPal to launch in Sri Lanka from May 15

Published

5 days ago

May 8, 2026

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PayPal is set to launch in Sri Lanka on 15 May, in a move expected to expand formal digital payment channels, initially starting with business-to-business (B2B) payments to exporters.

According to sources, the initial rollout will focus on enabling inward payments to exporters, with several local banks already appointed as agents for the service.

While an official announcement is yet to be made, sources said the launch is currently scheduled for 15 May, with the Presidential Secretariat likely to host the event.

Banking sector officials have already participated in familiarisation sessions relating to PayPal’s entry into Sri Lanka, while PayPal representatives are understood to have visited the country last month for discussions with local stakeholders and financial institutions regarding the rollout framework.

The move follows months of engagement between the Government, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), and the private sector, aimed at enabling regulated inward remittance functionality through the global online payments platform.

In February, Digital Economy Ministry Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapala said Sri Lanka had entered the final stage of enabling inward remittances through PayPal, describing it as a key milestone in modernising the country’s digital payments ecosystem.