Business

Environmental devastation seen as precipitating economic crisis in Northern Sri Lanka

Published

8 months ago

2025/05/13

Environmentalists and officials on an on-sight tour in Sri Lanka’s North.

As parched soil cracks underfoot and once-thriving fields lie fallow, the farmers of Mannar are living on the frontlines of a crisis that is no longer just environmental — it’s economic. Climate change has tightened its grip on this northern region, and with each failed monsoon and dwindling harvest, the livelihoods of entire communities are evaporating.

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), along with local stakeholders, has raised urgent concerns over the increasingly hostile conditions faced by farmers in the region. At the heart of the problem are erratic weather patterns — prolonged droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and extreme heat — all of which disrupt the delicate balance required for traditional farming practices.

“The erratic weather patterns triggered by climate change are not only drying up water sources but also pushing already vulnerable farming communities deeper into poverty, Dilena Pathragoda, Executive Director, CEJ told The Island Financial Review.

He added: “The economic consequences are severe — from crop failures to loss of livelihoods — and without timely interventions and climate-resilient strategies, the long-term sustainability of agriculture in regions like Mannar is in jeopardy.”

In 2024 alone, nearly 3,000 acres of paddy land in Mannar District were left uncultivated due to lack of water, according to data from local agrarian offices.

In other words, this represents an estimated loss of over Rs. 225 million in potential harvest income, based on average yields and market prices. Farmers who once cultivated rice, onions and vegetables with predictable seasonal success now face devastating uncertainty.

The failure of rain-fed tanks (reservoirs) and the drying up of canals have made irrigation nearly impossible in some areas. In Nanattan and Musali divisions, water availability dropped by some 60 per cent compared to historical averages. As water becomes scarcer, so do incomes, leading many families to take on debt or abandon agriculture altogether in search of daily-wage labour.

This agricultural downturn is having ripple effects throughout the local economy. In Mannar, where over 60% of households depend directly or indirectly on farming, the collapse of agricultural productivity has led to rising food prices, shrinking local markets, and reduced cash flow for small businesses. Fertilizer vendors, seed suppliers and even transport workers are reporting significant losses.

“Some farmers have seen their seasonal incomes drop from Rs. 200,000 to under Rs. 50,000, noted one local agriculture officer. “Many are defaulting on informal loans and are now relying on relief aid to survive.”

Economists warn that this trend, if unchecked, could contribute to broader socio-economic instability. Rural depopulation, youth migration, and heightened inequality are already being observed in vulnerable districts. Women, in particular, face added burdens as household food security becomes more precarious and access to clean water requires greater physical labor.

Despite these challenges, experts insist that solutions are within reach. Climate-resilient farming techniques — such as drip irrigation, drought-tolerant crops, and community-managed water systems — have shown promise in pilot projects across other dry zones. However, scaling these up requires political will, coordinated planning, and substantial investment.

Environmental advocates also call for a shift in national agricultural policy. “Rather than pouring money into outdated infrastructure or monoculture subsidies, Sri Lanka must pivot towards sustainable, adaptive farming models, said Pathragoda. “This includes better support for farmers’ education, access to technology, and integrated land and water management.”

Civil society groups, including CEJ, are urging both the government and international donors to treat the Mannar crisis as a wake-up call. Climate finance mechanisms, they argue, must be made accessible to grassroots communities, not just large-scale development firms. Moreover, climate justice must take center stage — recognizing that those suffering most have contributed least to the global emissions causing these disruptions.

As Sri Lanka navigates an uncertain economic recovery, ensuring food security and rural resilience is more than an environmental imperative — it’s a matter of national stability, Pathragoda stressed.

By Ifham Nizam

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Business

Sri Lanka sets bold target to slash cash use, seeks unified Fintech regulator

Published

23 hours ago

2026/01/12

Thilina Walpola

Channa de Silva, Chairman of the Fintech Forum, Sri Lanka

The inaugural Sri Lanka Fintech Summit 2025 concluded with industry leaders and regulators establishing two critical national priorities: a bold target to reduce physical cash usage and a push for consolidated regulatory oversight.

In a key decision, participants set a clear three-year goal to lower the ratio of cash in circulation to GDP from 4.5% to 3.5%. The strategy will focus on digitizing high-cash sectors like transport, utilities, and SME payments, while expanding digital access through post offices and cooperatives.

For the long-term health of the ecosystem, stakeholders agreed to lobby for the creation of a single, unified regulatory authority dedicated to fintech oversight. This aims to streamline approvals and provide clearer guidance for innovators.

“Our members needed to leave with concrete action points,” said Channa de Silva, Chairman of the Fintech Forum, Sri Lanka. The summit, designed as a series of closed-door roundtables with regulators including the Central Bank, produced actionable frameworks. “It was about defining KPIs, setting targets, and giving the industry a shared direction,” de Silva explained.

The outcomes signal a concerted shift from discussion to execution, aiming to build a more inclusive, efficient, and secure digital financial economy for Sri Lanka.

By Sanath Nanayakkare ✍️

Business

Kukus Group plans 18 outlets across three distinct Sri Lankan hospitality concepts

Published

23 hours ago

2026/01/12

Thilina Walpola

Lakmini Gurusinghe and Randila Gunasinghe

A new force in Sri Lanka’s food industry, Kukus Group, is gaining momentum with a clear vision to deliver authentic cuisine, high hygiene standards, and affordability. Founded by young entrepreneurs Nadeera Senanayaka, Lakmini Gurusinghe, and Randila Gunasinghe, the group has successfully launched its pilot outlet and is now preparing for a significant nationwide expansion.

The inaugural in Kotte has served as a successful proof of concept. Operating for five months, this modern street-food outlet has garnered a strong customer response, confirming market demand and providing the confidence to fund the group’s ambitious growth strategy.

The inaugural in Kotte

“The positive reception has been overwhelming and has solidified our plans,” said Lakmini Gurusinghe and Randila Gunasinghe. “Our Kotte outlet is the operational model we will replicate – ensuring consistent quality, disciplined operations, and excellent service across all future locations.”

The group’s expansion strategy is built on three distinct thematic brands:

Kukus Street: Targeting young urban customers, these outlets offer a vibrant, casual dining experience with a menu of Sri Lankan rice and curry, kottu, snacks, and BBQ, with most meals priced under Rs. 1,500. Services include dine-in, takeaway, and delivery.

Kukus Beach: Planned for coastal areas, beginning in the South, this concept will feature an urban-style beach restaurant and pub designed for relaxed social dining.

Kukus Bioscope: Celebrating Sri Lanka’s cinematic heritage, this dedicated restaurant concept will create a nostalgic cultural space inspired by the golden eras of Sinhala cinema, with the first outlet slated for Colombo.

The immediate plan includes transforming the flagship Kotte location into Kukus Pub & Bar, pending regulatory approvals. The long-term vision is to develop 18 outlets nationwide: 10 Kukus Street locations, 5 Kukus Beach venues, and 3 Kukus Bioscope establishments.

“Kukus Group is more than a hospitality brand; it’s a celebration of Sri Lankan flavors and culture,” the founders concluded. “Our mission is to build trusted, recognizable brands that connect deeply with communities and offer lasting cultural value alongside authentic cuisine. We are dynamic and excited to proceed with this strategic expansion,” they said.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Business

Fcode Labs marks seven years with awards night

Published

23 hours ago

2026/01/12

Thilina Walpola

The Fcode Labs team at Awards Night 2025

Fcode Labs marked its seventh anniversary by hosting its annual Awards Night 2025 at Waters Edge, celebrating team achievements and reinforcing its organizational values.

The event featured keynote addresses from Co-Founders & CEOs Buddhishan Manamperi and Tharindu Malawaraarachchi, who reflected on the company’s annual progress and future strategy. Chief Operating Officer Pamaljith Harshapriya outlined operational priorities for the next phase of growth.

Awards were presented across three key categories. Prabhanu Gunaweera and Dushan Pramod received Customer Excellence awards for partner collaboration. Performance Excellence awards were granted to Munsira Mansoor, Thusara Wanigathunga, Thushan De Silva, Adithya Narasinghe, Avantha Dissanayake, Amanda Janmaweera, Sithika Guruge, and Sandali Gunawardena. The Value-Based Behaviour awards were given to Thilina Hewagama, Udara Sembukuttiarachchi, and Kavindu Dhananjaya for exemplifying company values.