Luxury Cruise Ship ‘Crystal Symphony’ Docks in Trincomalee

Published

3 months ago

February 26, 2026

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.

Sri Lanka Secures US$695 Million IMF Tranche

Published

3 days ago

May 28, 2026

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Sri Lanka has secured another US$695 million from the IMF after the completion of the fifth and sixth reviews of the country’s reform programme.

The IMF says Sri Lanka’s reform performance remains “generally strong” despite global challenges, but warned that the Middle East conflict and Cyclone Ditwah pose risks to economic recovery.

IMF Says Sri Lanka’s Policy Framework StrongerThan In The Past

Published

4 days ago

May 27, 2026

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IMF mission chief Evan Papageorgiou painted a firmer, more confident picture of Sri Lanka’s economic policy framework as the Fund’s Executive Board prepares to consider the combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews of the country’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) on Wednesday, 27 May.

“Sri Lanka’s reform program continues to move forward,” Papageorgiou said, stressing that “Sri Lanka’s policy framework today is considerably stronger than in the past.”

The IMF view, voiced at a critical moment for the island’s finances , frames the coming Board decision as a test of whether progress on macro stability, reserve rebuilding and investor confidence will translate into continued financial support.

The Executive Board’s decision could unlock the sixth and seventh tranches of the EFF, together worth about USD 700 million.

IMF mission chief Evan Papageorgiou said that the authorities’ recent progress in restoring macroeconomic stability and rebuilding reserves has been recognised by the public, investors and stakeholders.

Global shocks continue to pose renewed pressures, but the Fund emphasised that a stronger policy stance means Sri Lanka is better placed to navigate them.

Economy

Sri Lanka’s exports surpass US$ 5.7b in first four months of 2026

Published

5 days ago

May 25, 2026

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Sri Lanka’s total exports, comprising both merchandise and services, reached US$ 1,380.93 million in April 2026, recording a year-on-year growth of 6 % compared to April 2025.

According to provisional data released by Sri Lanka Customs, together with estimated figures for Gems & Jewellery and Petroleum Products, merchandise exports in April 2026 increased by 9.87% to US$ 1,063.77 million.

Earnings from services exports were estimated at US$ 317.16 million in April 2026, underscoring the growing importance of the services sector in driving Sri Lanka’s overall export performance.

On a cumulative basis, total exports for the period January to April 2026 are estimated at US$ 5,784.38 million, reflecting a growth of 4.3 % over the corresponding period in 2025.

Overall, the positive export performance recorded during the first four months of 2026 highlights the resilience of Sri Lanka’s external sector. Sustained export earnings, supported by stable merchandise trade and the growing contribution of services exports, indicate a steady and encouraging recovery trajectory for the Sri Lankan economy in 2026.