Sri Lanka’s economy recorded a robust 5.4% growth rate in the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest National Accounts Estimates released by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS).

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at constant 2015 prices surged to Rs. 3,325.6 billion, up from Rs. 3,154.1 billion in the same quarter last year, signaling resilience despite global uncertainties.

At current prices, GDP climbed to Rs. 8,400 billion, marking a 12.6% increase from Q3 2024.

The growth was driven by Agriculture (3.6%), Industry (8.1%), and Services (3.5%), with taxes less subsidies on products rising by 13.9%.

Key Drivers of Growth:

Industry led the charge with an 8.1% expansion, powered by construction (12.2%), mining and quarrying (17.5%), and manufacturing activities such as petroleum products (83.1%) and basic metals (22.2%).

Agriculture grew 3.6%, supported by strong performance in plant propagation (46.6%), coconut cultivation (27.1%), and sugar cane and non-perennial crops (11.2%).

The Japanese government decided to extend an emergency grant of $2.5 million to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tuesday.

The emergency grant will be used to provide humanitarian assistance through international aid agencies, including food and other daily necessities.

Landslides and floods caused by a cyclone that hit the island nation in late November have killed more than 600 people.

Motegi told a press conference that Japan intends to continue providing “seamless support to our long-time friend, Sri Lanka, to ensure the earliest possible recovery and reconstruction of the affected areas.”

The minister also said a disaster relief medical team returned from Sri Lanka earlier Tuesday after handling 1,250 treatments in about two weeks.

Source: KYODO NEWS

Indian Army signallers re-connected a broken optical fibre cable in Sri Lanka’s Mahiyangana area as part of relief operations in the island after Cyclone Ditwah, the Indian High Commission said.

The Indian relief team also operated a field hospital in Mahiyangana, which is between Kandy and Baddula towns. Badulla and Kandy districts were among the hardest hit by Cyclone Ditwah.

The fibre cable had been damaged by a falling tree in the wake of the cyclone, causing a large communication black-out in the area.

“To re-establish the connectivity, Indian Army signallers carried out precise OFC splicing near the BTS tower located close to the Field Hospital,” the High Commission said.

Cyclone Ditwah broke fibre backbone in a dozen places put several thousand base transceiver towers out of commission due to power failure.

The Indian field hospital had treated around 1,000 to 1,200 patients daily.

The medical team performed 513 minor procedures, conducted 14 major surgeries as part of treating patients.

The team returned to India in an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft on December 14.

The aircraft also brought to Sri Lanka, 10 tonnes of essential medicines and 15 tonnes of dry rations, at the request of the Government of Sri Lanka.

The Government of India on Sunday donated a consignment of 17 types of essential medicines along with more than 14,200 kilograms of dry food items to Sri Lanka, following a request made by Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

The donation was formally handed over at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, by Indian Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Satyanjal Pandey to Minister Jayatissa.

The medical supplies were transported to Sri Lanka aboard a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The donation followed a recent meeting held at the Ministry of Health and Mass Media between Minister Jayatissa and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, during which the Sri Lankan minister requested urgent assistance.

According to officials, the donated medicines include 17 essential drug categories primarily used in the treatment of heart diseases, diabetes and related complications, as well as for the management of several other medical conditions. The supplies are expected to support both disaster-affected communities and the state hospital system.

Speaking at the handover, Minister Jayatissa said the donation would significantly strengthen the country’s ability to provide effective medical care to those affected by recent disasters, while also easing pressure on government hospitals.

He noted that India has consistently supported Sri Lanka during times of crisis, describing the neighbouring country as a long-standing and reliable partner that has extended assistance whenever Sri Lanka has faced disasters.

Indian Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Pandey said India would continue to support Sri Lanka’s relief and recovery efforts, reaffirming the Indian government’s commitment to assisting the Sri Lankan people during times of need.

The total number of people affected by Cyclone Ditwah has risen to 2.2 million, with 1.7 million people severely impacted, according to the latest figures released by the Disaster Management Centre.

Director General of the Centre, Sampath Kotuwegoda, said that approximately 495,000 families have been affected by the cyclone and its aftermath.

He further revealed that 629 bodies have been recovered so far, while 211 people remain missing, based on reports received from District Coordination Offices. Search and recovery operations are continuing in landslide-affected and other disaster-hit areas.

Major General Kotuwegoda noted that while some residents have refused to leave affected locations, the Government has no plans to forcibly evacuate them. He added that a number of displaced persons are currently staying with relatives, rather than in formal relief centres.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as relief, rescue and rehabilitation efforts remain underway across affected districts.