The Western province continued to lead the provincial gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, albeit slipping from the 2022 levels while the North Western and Central provinces following as the distant second and third in the provincial distribution of Sri Lanka’s total economic output.

Despite the data being very much lagging, the Western province accounted for 43.7 percent of total GDP for 2023, measured on the current market prices.

The North Western and Central provinces accounted for 10.9 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively, compared to 11.1 percent and 10.0 percent in 2022.

The data released this week showed that Sri Lanka’s economy had continued to grow at an accelerated pace of 5.5 percent in the third quarter, from 4.7 percent growth seen in the second quarter, with all three major economic sectors – agriculture, industrial and services – recording growths of 3.0 percent, 10.8 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively.

Sri Lankan economy contracted by 2.3 percent in 2023, at a much lower pace than the 7.3 percent contraction in 2022, as the country was coming out from an economic crisis caused by the shortage in foreign currency, which left the country with fuel, medicine, food and many other essentials in short supply.

The provincial GDP data, which was released only yesterday, showed that the Western province led the highest contribution to the services activities, with 45.9 percent in 2023, reflecting its dominant role in providing services for the rest of the activities in the economy such as finance and logistics for other activities such as industrial and agriculture.

The Central province followed, with a 10.4 percent contribution to the services sector while the Southern province had a 9.9 percent share. The Western province also led the industrial sector activities, with a contribution of 48.7 percent, due its availability of better infrastructure and it being close to the ports.

The North Western and Central provinces followed as the distant second and third contributors to the industrial activities, with shares of 12.3 percent and 9.3 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, the North Western province led the agriculture activities, with a 19.6 percent share in 2023, followed by the Southern and Central provinces, with 13.5 percent and 12.4 percent, respectively.

In response to widespread concerns regarding the alleged presence of Israeli soldier Gal Ferenbook in Colombo, police said that they have not received any verified information on the matter.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is set to add one of its overhauled and upgraded Kfir multirole combat aircraft to its fleet within the first three months of next year, the Daily Mirror learns.

The tri-forces security provided to former Presidents will be removed from today as announced by Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala. The Defence Ministry said instructions regarding the matter have been issued to the Commanders of the tri-forces. The Defence Ministry said only police security will be assigned for the security of former Presidents.

The Ministry of Education announced that the second stage of the third term for the 2024 academic year in all government and government-approved private schools will commence on January 2, 2025. The term is set to run for three weeks, concluding on January 24, 2025.

A female student and another woman were killed after being struck by an express train at the Anuradhapura New Town Railway Station. The victims were part of a group from Ratnapura attending a taekwondo tournament at the Anuradhapura Public Ground.

A 30-year-old man was injured in a shooting by two unidentified assailants who arrived on a motorcycle in Koskandawala, Weeragula this afternoon.

Sri Lanka and India will jointly collaborate to expedite the implementation of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identification (SLUDI) project to aid the country in its efforts to improve the delivery of state services to the people.

There’s good news for the season for many here who have loved ones overseas, as Canada Post announced that it will resume its air mail services from tomorrow, Monday, December 23. However, Superintendent of International Postal Services Samanmalie Perera said that they anticipate some disruption in services due to a backlog of mails.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will travel to the island’s largest bilateral lender China for talks in January, he said on Saturday, days after completing a long-delayed foreign debt restructure.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy hospital ship ‘Peace Ark’ arrived in Colombo on a formal visit yesterday. ‘Peace Ark’ is a 178-meter-long hospital ship, crewed by 310 personnel under the command of Captain Deng Qiang.

A total of 2,243 people have died in road accidents this year, police said. They reported that 22,967 road accidents, including 2,141 fatal accidents, occurred between January 1 and December 13, 2024. Police said 6,500 serious accidents and 9,127 minor accidents were reported during this period.

Two writ petitions have been filed in the Court of Appeal requesting the court issue an order disqualifying Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr Upali Pannilage and Jaffna District Independent MP Dr Ramanathan Archchuna as MPs.

The government is hoping to initiate discussions with India to update the Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka, which was signed several decades ago, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said. He told a news conference that the FTA with India needs to be updated and continue as the market has expanded now.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has clarified in a statement that during his tenure from 2022 to September 2024 all private requests for medical assistance from public representatives were handled under the standard administrative procedures of the Presidential Fund.

Three people have died and at least 30 others injured in an accident that occurred this morning (21) when a bus veered off the road on the Hatton-Kandy main road.

The Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company (Private) Limited has announced extended operating hours for the festive season. The tower will be open to the public on December 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to midnight. On December 27, it will operate from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Additionally, the tower will remain open on December 31 and January 1, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. on January 2.

The deadline for rice imports permitted by the government expired at midnight on Friday (Dec 20) with private importers bringing in 67,000 metric tonnes during the period. Sri Lanka Customs said that it collected Rs. 4.3 billion in taxes on these imports.

The Colombo High Court today announced that the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has upheld its previous ruling confirming the death sentences imposed on former DIG Vass Gunawardena and five other accused over the abduction and murder of businessman Mohamed Siyam in 2013.

Former Parliamentarian Kulasingam Dhileeban has been arrested on allegations of financial fraud. It is reported that he has been arrested for financial fraud related to a land deal. The former Vanni District MP was arrested by officials from the Vavuniya Special Crimes Division.

The government has extended the temporary lifting of rice import restrictions, allowing private importers to bring in rice without a license until January 10.