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Survey finds over 60% households suffered decrease in their total income

Published

3 years ago

2023/12/31

A survey conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) has found that 60.5% of households have reported a decrease in their total income, while 5.6% experienced an increase, and 33.9% saw no change despite the crisis.

The study titled “Household Survey on Impact of Economic Crisis – 2023” underscores the challenges faced by households, prompting them to adopt strategic adjustments and coping mechanisms in response to the prevailing economic difficulties.

The survey findings indicate a substantial impact on household income, with 60.5% of households reporting a decrease, while only 5.6% experienced an increase. Notably, 33.9% witnessed no change despite the crisis, showcasing the varied impact across different households.

In response to declining income, households employed diverse coping strategies, with 6.6% resorting to secondary jobs or additional income sources. However, a significant majority, comprising 73.6%, did not adopt specific coping measures.

Moreover, the economic crisis influenced changes in household expenditure, with 91.1% of households indicating an increase, while 3.6% reported a decrease. For those experiencing increased expenses, soaring food prices emerged as a primary concern, cited by 99.1% of respondents.

The survey report highlighted that 97.2% of households utilized at least one coping strategy to manage their expenditure, indicating a broad spectrum of approaches taken to address financial challenges.

Sri Lanka has faced one of its most formidable economic crises since gaining independence in 1948, initially triggered by the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 and compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite government efforts to stabilize the situation, the survey reveals the tangible and extensive impact on households.

This survey initiative by the Department of Census and Statistics aims to comprehensively analyze household coping mechanisms amid the ongoing economic challenges, offering critical insights into the strategies employed by families to navigate these tumultuous financial times.

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Sun directly overhead Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon today (30)

Published

4 hours ago

2026/08/30

Priyan

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.

The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (30) are Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and
Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon.

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Lanka tracks 11 US-sanctioned Iranian tankers off coast

Published

6 hours ago

2026/08/30

Thilina Walpola

(AFP) Sri Lanka’s maritime authorities were monitoring a fleet of 11 US-sanctioned Iranian oil tankers just off the island’s southern coast, the foreign minister said Wednesday.

The tankers were spotted close to the Galle harbour where an Iranian frigate, IRIS Dena, was sunk by a US submarine in March, killing 104 sailors. Sri Lanka’s navy rescued 32 Iranian sailors from that frigate.

Iranian vessels have been in limbo, unable to return to their home port because of a US blockade.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign minister Vijitha Herath said the tankers were in international waters where they had freedom of navigation.

“These ships are away from our territorial waters… we have no hold on them, nor have we facilitated them,” Herath told AFP.

The military deployed reconnaissance aircraft and patrol boats to monitor the vessels outside Sri Lanka’s 12-nautical-mile territorial waters, a military official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

“There is no indication of any ship-to-ship transfer of oil or illegal discharge of pollutants, so there is no basis for Sri Lankan authorities to take action against them,” the official said.

Many Iranian merchant vessels moved east towards the Strait of Malacca and Singapore due to US sanctions, while several remained near Sri Lankan waters, authorities said.

Sri Lankan officials said Washington had not formally notified Colombo about sanctioned Iranian-flagged vessels

News

House to debate abolition of Chief of Defence Staff post

Published

6 hours ago

2026/08/30

Thilina Walpola

Parliament is to debate next Wednesday the Government’s proposal to abolish the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), with the Second Reading of the Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill scheduled for September 9.

The Bill seeks to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act No. 35 of 2009, which was introduced shortly after the end of the armed conflict.

According to Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera, Parliament will meet from September 8 to 11, with the business for the week approved by the Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

The debate on the Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill is scheduled to take place from 11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, following questions to the Prime Minister and other parliamentary business.

The CDS post was established under the 2009 Act as part of the country’s higher defence command structure.

On Tuesday, September 8, the House will consider two Orders published in Extraordinary Gazettes under the Motor Traffic Act from 11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by an Opposition motion at the adjournment.

On Thursday, September 10, Parliament will debate a Resolution under the Women’s Empowerment Act.

The final sitting day of the week, Friday, September 11, has been allocated from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. for several Private Members’ Motions.

The motions will cover issues including regulation of the petroleum, fuel and water industries, measures to increase the birth rate, protection of the Diyagama Forest, pension deductions affecting Pirivena teachers, food-crop cultivation in mountainous areas, development of the Kithul industry and the establishment of a Faculty of Medicine at South Eastern University.

Questions at the adjournment will be taken up at the end of each sitting day.