News
Lankan passport rises in global ranking
Sri Lanka has climbed five places in the latest Henley Passport Index, moving from 96th to 91st in the 2025 rankings. This marks a continued improvement, following a four-place gain last year.
The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 countries based on the number of destinations their passport holders can enter without obtaining a prior visa. Sri Lankans currently enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 42 destinations.
At the top of the index is Singapore, with its passport offering visa-free entry to 193 countries. Japan and South Korea remain in second place, with access to 190 destinations, while seven
European nations—including France, Germany, and Italy—share third place with 189 visa-free destinations.
Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands are among countries occupying fourth place, followed by New Zealand, Greece, and Switzerland in fifth.
The United Kingdom and the United States have slipped one position each since January, now ranking sixth and tenth respectively. The UK passport offers access to 186 destinations, while the US allows entry to 182.
India made its most significant leap in over a decade, jumping eight places to 77th, with visa-free access to 59 countries.
Meanwhile, Pakistan remains among the lowest-ranked, placed fourth from the bottom, ahead of Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.The index is published quarterly by Henley & Partners.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain
Turkiye, Pakistan agree Saudi Arabia military deployment under Mecca pact
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