DailyMirrorLK

Sri Lanka Ranked Second Most Expensive Country to Live in South Asia Sri Lanka has been ranked the second most expensive country in South Asia to live in, according to cost-of-living data from Numbeo. An individual in Sri Lanka needs around USD 506 (Rs. 153,899) per month — excluding rent — to live comfortably, while a family of four in Colombo requires approximately Rs. 570,997 monthly. The Maldives tops the SAARC region as the most expensive country, with a per-person cost of USD 840.4. Meanwhile, the Central Bank’s Annual Economic Review 2024 highlights that household expenses continue to rise, though inflation has eased compared to previous years. Read full article here: https://lnkd.in/gXcRvbwi

Sri Lanka’s Ageing Rate Among the Fastest in Asia Sri Lanka’s elderly population is growing at one of the fastest rates in Asia, with health officials warning of major social and healthcare implications. According to Community Health Specialist Dr. Nishani Ubayasekara, the proportion of Sri Lankans aged 60 and above has risen from 12% in 2012 to 18% in 2024, and is projected to reach 25% by 2040 — meaning one in four citizens will be elderly. Experts attribute this trend to longer life expectancy and declining birth rates, calling for stronger elderly care and preventive health programs. 🔗 Red full article here: https://lnkd.in/gBhrzUfe

Over 230,000 Students in Colombo District Addicted to Drugs More than 230,000 school students in the Colombo District are reported to be addicted to drugs, according to Prisons Commissioner Jagath Weerasinghe. Speaking at a school awareness programme, he warned that the Southern Province has the highest rate of student drug abuse and underworld activity — highlighting a growing national crisis among youth. Weerasinghe also revealed that 42 children under the age of five currently live in prisons with their mothers, underscoring the deep social impact of substance abuse and crime. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g_MBgrPU

Preschools to Adopt Unified Curriculum from 2026 Sri Lanka will introduce a single islandwide preschool syllabus starting in 2026, Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced. Training for nearly 19,000 preschool teachers is set to begin in November 2025, ensuring educators across provinces are prepared to implement the new Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. Dr. Amarasuriya reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing and consolidating schools, rather than closing them, to ensure equal access and quality education nationwide. Read full article here: https://lnkd.in/gnMM-jWw

Vehicle Importers Call for Revised Registration Periods Ahead of Budget The Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) is urging the government to revise the vehicle registration timelines — proposing a six-month window for regular importers and a one-month limit for personal imports. VIAL President Indika Sampath Merinchige noted that the current three-month period leaves importers with little time after customs clearance to prepare vehicles for sale. He added that the association has submitted proposals to streamline the import process and curb misuse of import permits by unauthorized individuals. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ghRHARRc

AI’s Chilling Effect on Democracy: Research Scientist Michał Klincewicz Artificial Intelligence is reshaping not only industries — but democracy itself. In an interview with Daily Mirror, Michał Klincewicz, Research Scientist and Assistant Professor at Tilburg University, warns that AI-generated content could have a chilling effect on democratic societies. From the rise of AI-driven misinformation to “sloppaganda” flooding social media feeds, he explains how fake narratives can distort public perception, weaken policy responses, and undermine informed voting. Klincewicz calls it “a new form of colonialism — through the internet and AI.” 🔗 Read the full conversation on Daily Mirror: https://lnkd.in/gVEC8XFk

One in Four Sri Lankan Adolescents Show Signs of Depression – Study A new study has raised serious concern over the mental wellbeing of Sri Lankan teens — revealing that one in four adolescents show symptoms of depression, while over half report significant psychological distress. Researchers found several social and lifestyle factors driving this trend, with female students identified as being particularly vulnerable. Experts warn the findings are a wake-up call for parents, educators, and policymakers to take adolescent mental health seriously. Read full article here: https://lnkd.in/gb-5z9yH

IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement with Sri Lanka on Fifth Review The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Sri Lankan authorities have reached a staff-level agreement to conclude the Fifth Review of the country’s reform program under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). Once approved by the IMF Executive Board, Sri Lanka will unlock access to approximately US$347 million in funding. Led by Evan Papageorgiou, the IMF mission reviewed economic progress from September 24 to October 9, noting that Sri Lanka’s reform efforts are yielding strong results — with 4.8% GDP growth in the first half of 2025, inflation stabilizing at 1.5%, and foreign reserves rising to US$6.1 billion. Fiscal performance has strengthened on the back of higher tax revenue, particularly from motor vehicle imports, while debt restructuring is nearing completion. The IMF highlighted that “program performance is strong” and urged Sri Lanka to maintain reform momentum to safeguard macroeconomic stability and resilience. The agreement now awaits Executive Board approval, contingent on the 2026 Appropriation Bill and sufficient progress on debt restructuring. Upon completion, total IMF disbursements to Sri Lanka under the EFF will reach US$2.04 billion. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g76_Mk4Q

Sri Lankans feel it’s time to ditch traditions, norms Sri Lanka, once bound by customs, silence, and family-driven hierarchies, is experiencing a cultural shift. From Premadasa’s defiance of caste barriers in politics to the 1996 cricket victory breaking elite dominance, and now YouTube and tattoos reshaping expression, traditions are slowly being replaced by individual choice and modern simplicity. The New Year table no longer dictates milk rice, TV channels no longer monopolize with religious programming, and even funerals are infiltrated by selfie culture. While freedom has created new avenues of equality and opportunity, it has also opened the door to shallow entertainment and contradictions — like tattoo acceptance for locals but arrests for foreigners. Sri Lankans are asking: How much tradition should we carry forward, and how much should we let go? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gdfnge9X

World Bank: Sri Lanka’s growth strong, but recovery still uneven The latest Sri Lanka Development Update projects the economy to grow 4.6% in 2025, easing to 3.5% in 2026. While inflation remains low and external inflows steady, poverty is still twice as high as in 2019, with food prices and malnutrition weighing on households. The World Bank calls for: ✅ Private sector–led growth & job creation ✅ More efficient use of public funds (over 80% now on salaries, welfare & debt) ✅ Structural reforms in trade, tax, land & labor markets 🔑 “Every rupee of public money must be well-spent,” says David Sislen, World Bank Division Director. Read full article here: https://lnkd.in/g7S8xZhY