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Lanka has sixth highest food price inflation: World Bank
The World Bank in their latest assessment put out a list of 10 countries with the highest food price inflation. Sri Lanka was ranked at sixth with a percentage of 86%, while Zimbabwe was at the top spot with a staggering 321%.Most notably according to the report Sri Lanka’s food inflation is observed to be worse than that of countries such as Suriname, Rwanda and Iran as well.
Zimbabwe, Lebanon, Venezuela and Turkey ranked first four countries in the assessment while Iran, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Moldova, Rwanda and Ghana were the remaining countries in the list published by the World Bank.
The World Bank in its latest update for the month of October had opined that domestic food price inflation would continue to rise, especially in low and middle-income countries, including African nations.
When faced with probable food shortages at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries actively used trade policy to adapt to domestic demands.As of July, Sri Lanka is experiencing major domestic food supply shortages.Due to fertiliser shortages, agricultural production in Sri Lanka has reduced by 40% to 50%, and there is a scarcity of foreign exchange to purchase food imports.
“Fertilizer and fuel (for land preparation, transport, and harvesting activities) shortages are expected to limit the food supply. Some relief is coming from the first shipment of 44,000 tonnes of urea supported by Indian credit (and 21,000 tonnes is expected to arrive soon). There has been an increase in demand for Indian rice, with roughly 9.6 million tonnes shipped this year,” the assessment stated.
Exporters are rushing to secure letters of credit and have signed contracts to export 1 million tonnes of rice from June to September 2022, fearing that export restrictions may be imposed (as has happened with wheat). Furthermore, food price inflation in Sri Lanka reached 80%.
“Domestic food price inflation remains high around the world. Information between May to August 2022 shows high inflation in almost all low-income and middle-income countries; 88.2 per cent of low-income countries, 91.1 per cent of lower-middle-income countries, and 93 per cent of upper-middle-income countries have seen inflation levels above 5 per cent, with many experiencing double-digit inflation. The share of high-income countries with high inflation has also increased sharply, with about 82.1 per cent experiencing high food price inflation,” the update read.
The bank noted that there has been another increase in fertilizer prices, in addition to increasing energy prices, as policy measures such as export restrictions have limited global fertilizer availability.
“The war in Ukraine has altered global patterns of trade, production, and consumption of commodities in ways that will keep prices at high levels through the end of 2024 exacerbating food insecurity and inflation. High food prices have triggered a global crisis that is driving millions more into extreme poverty, magnifying hunger and malnutrition,” the bank added.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
The Supreme Court has been petitioned seeking an explanation as to how eight petitions filed against the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution were not listed for hearing . Two of the petitioners, namely Dias Bandaralage Ajith Shantha Kumara Jayathilaka and Gunathilakage Dakum Dulara Gunathilaka, have requested an opportunity to examine the official Registry and parliamentary records so that all material facts may be objectively established. They said that their petitions that had been registered by the Supreme Court should have been heard along with other petitions.
The Registrar of the Supreme Court, Secretary General of Parliament, Speaker and the Attorney General have been named as the respondents.
The five-member bench that heard the petitions consisted of Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena, Achala Wengappuli, J, Arjuna Obeyesekere, J, Sampath B. Abayakoon, J and K.M.G.H. Kulatunga, J.
The petitioners sought the explanation in the absence of any judicial order dismissing, rejecting, striking out, terminating or otherwise disposing the said petitions. They have requested the disclosure of the complete procedural history of the unlisted cases.
The second petitioner Gunathilaka has referred to a speech by Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archuna in Parliament, on 21 August, 2026, regarding X-Press Pearl, a container carrier that sank off the port of Colombo, and related matters.
They have sought leave to proceed under Articles 17 and 126 of the Constitution and asked for a full Bench of the Supreme Court, or the widest Bench, constitutionally permissible.
They also requested that the Chief Justice and Achala Wengappuli refrain from participating in the hearing and determination of their application, having regard to the objective-appearance issue arising from their prior constitutional and judicial participation in matters forming part of the factual subject matter now requiring examination.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of Vinivida Foundation, Nagananda Kodituwakku, has requested the Supreme Court Registrar not to proceed with the determination of 22nd Amendment process, pending the hearing of fundamental rights petition filed by Chairman of the Vinivida Foundation lawyer, Sugandhika Fernando, seeking a full bench, excluding Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, to hear the petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment Bill. She also requested that the hearing be suspended immediately until the matter was fully heard and determined.
Among the respondents are Chief Justice Surasena, the first respondent, and Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe. Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Shiran Gooneratne, Achala Wengappuli and Priyantha Fernando.
(SF)
Sri Lankan passport holders travelling to Thailand wouldn’t be eligible for visa-free entry from 15 September, 2026, according to a new visa notice issued by the Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo.
Under the new measures, all Sri Lankan travellers will be required to obtain a Thai visa before departing for Thailand. Visa applications must be submitted online through Thailand’s official e-Visa system.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo has also clarified that it will not accept visa applications submitted in person or in physical form.
According to the Embassy, tourist visa applications submitted by Sri Lankan passport holders are expected to take approximately 3–7 working days, calculated from the date on which all required documents have been duly completed and submitted.
Processing times for Non-Immigrant Visa and DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) applications may take longer.
Foreign nationals residing in Sri Lanka or the Maldives who hold valid work or residence permits may also require additional processing time.
The Embassy has cautioned applicants that it reserves the right to request additional documents or information when necessary. Applicants may also be asked to attend a visa interview on a case-by-case basis.
The new requirement represents a significant change for Sri Lankan travellers, who will need to complete the visa process before travelling to Thailand from September 15 onward.
The Embassy has urged applicants to rely only on its official communication channels for the latest visa requirements, procedures and updates.
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