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The British Council launches compelling report – ‘Young People on Climate Change: A Perception Survey’

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From left to right: Maarya Rehman – Country Director, British Council Sri Lanka, Malin Herwig – Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Sri Lanka and Anoka Abeyratne- Climate Lead for Royal Commonwealth Society

overwhelming 66% of participants agreed that climate change will be the biggest threat to Sri Lanka in the coming years

Notably six out of ten people in rural Sri Lanka think that climate change will be the biggest impending risk

Encouraging to know that 70% of the youth participants believe they can play the role of an awareness agent on climate change

Over 24% of the youth considered less or no access to knowledge resources as the biggest challenge with another staggering 62.5% not having access to affordable capacity building resources on climate action

Young people aged 18-35 years are among the most vulnerable groups to climate change impacts, particularly in developing countries like Sri Lanka. Seeing as young people are also the future leaders and decision-makers whose attitudes and actions will prove decisive for how the world addresses climate change mitigation and adaptation, it is critical to get a deeper understanding of their perceptions and understanding of climate change and action.

To understand the perceptions of young people in Sri Lanka on climate change and potential action to combat it, the British Council conducted an extensive survey with a respondent base of 1000 youth aged between 18-25 as well as 10 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with youth aged between 26-35 and interviewed over 25 policy makers, climate youth leaders, and other key stakeholders. British Council Research, Evaluation, and Monitoring Unit (REMU), South Asia together with SLYCAN Trust led on the research study.

The research report was formally launched on the 28 and 29 October, at a two-day Youth in Climate Action Virtual Conference hosted by the British Council, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka. The event was successfully concluded with valuable contributions made by the Ministries of Environment, Youth and Sports, Wildlife and Forest Conservation and Regional Corporation as well as Lisa Whanstall, , British Deputy High Commissioner, Sri Lanka, the UNDP Global Youth Program Manager together with the active participation of young people advocating for climate action. The virtual conference will serve as a much-needed platform and agency for setting up dialogue and conversation between key stakeholders, leading to recommendations and ideas for future, whilst discussing how young people can effectively contribute to climate action priorities set out by Government of Sri Lanka, UK and COP26.

“Action and innovation to address climate change is so important and harder to do than simple talking or tweeting about it. I hope to see real measurable action happening post conference, for us and for the future.” shared Anoka Abeyrathne, Climate Lead for Royal Commonwealth Society, who delivered the inspirational keynote session.

The research is part of the British Council’s Climate Connection programme, which aims to bring people around the world together to address the challenges of climate change, through arts and culture, education and the English language. The conference came ahead of United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland from 1 – 12 November 2021, with the UK presiding as the Summit’s President.

Commenting on the collaboration, Malin Herwig, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka stated, ‘COVID-19 has made people, the world over, experience the fragility of life on earth. Through UNDP’s extensive work in supporting Sri Lanka realize its climate priorities, young people are essential to play a key role in this transformation pathway – to put nature at the heart of sustainable development. It’s encouraging to hear that 70% of the youth interviewed believe they can play the role of an awareness agent on climate change. Let’s draw on the young people for the necessary transformation.’

The findings from the report have also been used to write a Global Youth Letter, a plan of action setting out young people’s aspirations and recommendations around climate change. The letter directly addresses the policymakers and world leaders who will attend the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

British Council Sri Lanka Country Director, Maarya Rehman said, ‘Climate emergency is the biggest crisis facing our planet so it’s no surprise that British Council research has found it’s the number one priority for young people the world over. I’m confident that the research will be a powerful piece of work that can be fed into the National Action Plan at a policy level and more importantly the findings are set to send a strong message about the importance of including youth voices in the climate action conversation.’


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Business

Hemas posts resilient nine-month results

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11 hours ago

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2026/02/11

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Ashish Chandra, Group Chief Executive Officer

During the quarter, macroeconomic conditions reflected selective cost pressures alongside areas of stability, with a moderated net impact on the Group’s performance.

The Sri Lankan Rupee depreciated by 2.4%, driven by higher import-related foreign exchange outflows and cyclone-related economic disruption. This created some pressure on imported inputs, particularly in Consumer Brands and Healthcare, which was partially mitigated through pricing actions, procurement discipline and cost optimisation initiatives.

Monetary conditions tightened, with the Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPLR) rising by 89 basis points to 8.94%. The impact on the Group was contained due to its strong balance sheet, negative net gearing and disciplined funding strategy, limiting the effect on finance costs.

Inflation remained low at 2.1%, helping to contain operating cost escalation and preserve consumer affordability. In parallel, softer global palm oil and crude oil prices provided relief on input and energy costs, partially offsetting currency pressures.

In December 2025, the IMF approved US$ 206 million in emergency financing to support Sri Lanka’s cyclone recovery. Sovereign credit ratings were maintained during the period, supporting overall macro stability and business confidence.

Impact from Cyclone Ditwah

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka on 25 November, was one of the most severe natural disasters experienced by the country in recent decades. The cyclone resulted in an estimated US$ 4.1 billion in direct economic damage—approximately 4% of national GDP—impacting homes, agriculture, infrastructure and livelihoods, with nearly two million people affected nationwide.

The Group’s manufacturing and service facilities did not sustain any direct physical damage, reflecting the effectiveness of proactive preparedness measures and robust business continuity frameworks across our operations. However, in the affected areas, the broader business ecosystems were significantly disrupted due to damage to personal assets, commercial premises, inventory losses, and disruptions to public transportation & logistics infrastructure, adversely impacting our employees, distributors and retail partners, including pharmacies.

These factors led to temporary supply-chain and distribution disruption during November and December, alongside a short-term deterioration in consumer sentiment. As a result, demand softness was observed during the latter part of the third quarter, particularly within the Consumer Brands and Healthcare sectors. Demand has since stabilised, with encouraging recovery trends evident, entering the fourth quarter.

In parallel, the Group mobilised a coordinated, multi-sector disaster response, working closely with government authorities, community organisations and local stakeholders. The Group committed approximately Rs. 30 million in financial and in-kind humanitarian assistance, focused on immediate relief for vulnerable communities. In addition, the Group has factored in Rs. 200 million for targeted support to small and medium enterprises across our value chain through extended credit terms, stock replenishment and business restoration initiatives. (Hemas)

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Aviyana Ceylon chairman Dr. Thisara Hewawasam wins 2025 People’s Award for Business Leadership

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11 hours ago

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2026/02/11

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By Ifham Nizam

At a time when Sri Lanka is seeking to reposition itself as a premium tourism destination amid economic recovery and declining mass-market margins, Dr. Thisara Hewawasam, Chairman and Founder of Aviyana Ceylon, has been recognised with the 2025 People’s Award – Lifetime Achievement (VIP Category) for his contribution to business leadership and tourism-led economic transformation.

Dr. Hewawasam received the award at the 2025 People’s Awards ceremony held recently in Colombo, in recognition of his role in pioneering Sri Lanka’s first seven-star hotel project, Aviyana Ceylon, and for advancing globally competitive standards within the local hospitality sector.

The award was presented by Vietnam’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam, along with Parliamentarian Harshana Rajakaruna and Iconic Awards Director Asanka Athapattu, reflecting growing diplomatic and regional attention to Sri Lanka’s private-sector-driven growth narrative.

According to the official citation, the honour recognises Dr. Hewawasam’s leadership as a homegrown entrepreneur who translated long-term vision, discipline and innovation into a hospitality venture designed to compete at the highest international level. His work was acknowledged for strengthening Sri Lanka’s tourism brand while supporting national economic recovery through high-value investment, skills development and employment creation.

Crucially, the citation highlights that Dr. Hewawasam’s contribution extends beyond a single project. By positioning Aviyana Ceylon at the ultra-luxury end of the market, he has helped shift the national tourism conversation away from volume-led growth towards value-based tourism, a model increasingly viewed by policymakers as essential for improving foreign exchange earnings without overburdening infrastructure or natural ecosystems.

Industry analysts note that Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is at an inflection point, where attracting fewer but higher-spending visitors has become a strategic necessity. In this context, flagship developments such as Aviyana Ceylon are seen as confidence signals to international investors, demonstrating that locally led projects can meet global benchmarks in design, service quality and brand ambition.

The People’s Award—conferred only once in a recipient’s lifetime—serves as a public endorsement of leadership that delivers sustained national impact.

In recognising Dr. Hewawasam, the award highlights the growing role of domestic entrepreneurs in shaping Sri Lanka’s post-crisis growth model, particularly in sectors capable of delivering long-term foreign exchange stability.

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Business

Corporate quarterly results continue to snag CSE vibrancy

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11 hours ago

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2026/02/11

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The CSE commenced on a positive note yesterday but later the All Share Price Index slumped due to corporate quarterly results not reaching expected levels, market analysts said.

Amid those developments both indices indicated mixed reactions. The All Share Price Index went down by 103.17 points, while the S and P SL20 rose by 2.48 points. Turnover stood at Rs 3.55 billion with seven crossings.

Those crossings were: Tokyo Cement 2.58 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 268 million; its shares traded at Rs 104, ACL Cables one million shares crossed for Rs 100 million; its shares traded at Rs 100, Cargills Ceylon 75000 shares crossed for Rs 54.7 million; its shares traded at Rs 730, LB Finance 302000 shares crossed for Rs 49.5 million; its shares traded at Rs 164, Tokyo Cement (Non-Voting) 570,000 shares crossed for 49 million and its shares traded at Rs 85.90, Seylan Bank 430,000 shares crossed for Rs 47 million; its shares sold at Rs 109.50 and HNB (Non-Voting) 70600 shares crossed for Rs 28 million; its shares traded at Rs 369.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Cargills Rs 206.6 million (283,000 shares traded), Renuka Agri Rs 153.5 million (9.6 million shares traded), ACL Cables Rs 148 million (1.45 million shares traded), Easter Merchants Rs 140 million (8.11 million shares traded), TJ Lanka Rs 109 million (2.8 million shares traded), Ceylon Land and Equity Rs 106 million (4.9 million shares traded) and Colombo Dockyard Rs 76.6 million (517,000 shares traded). During the day 158 million share volumes changed hands in 34681 transactions.

It is said that construction related companies and manufacturing and financial services related companies performed well. Top negative contributors to the ASPI were Senkadagala Finance (down Rs 68.50 at 837), Cargills (Ceylon) (down Rs 21 at 730), and Dialog Axiata (down 60 cents at Rs 32.70).

Yesterday the rupee was quoted at Rs 309.50/55 to the US dollar in the spot market, from Rs 309.43/50 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields dropped significantly.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 was quoted at 9.45/55 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.03.2031 was quoted at 9.82/87 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.10.2032 was quoted at 10.15/20 percent, down from 10.17/21 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.06.2033 was quoted at 10.45/50 percent, down from 10.50/54 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 was quoted at 10.60/62 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2034 was quoted at 10.65/70 percent, down from 10.77/81 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2035 was quoted at 10.72/75 percent, down from 10.95/98 percent.

An auction of Rs. 90,000 million Treasury bills is scheduled to take place today and an auction of Rs 51,000 million Treasury bonds tomorrow.

By Hiran H Senewiratne

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