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Sri Lanka’s tea exports to the UAE rose 3.3% in 2025 to 18.32 million kilograms, underscoring strong demand and the reputation of Ceylon tea for quality and authenticity. Speaking at an International Tea Day celebration at Abu Dhabi Global Market, Ambassador Dr Arusha Cooray highlighted the legacy of Sri Lankan tea, its economic contribution, and the distinctive character of teas from the island’s seven growing regions.

Sri Lanka has been ranked 67th in this year’s Global Peace Index conducted by the Institute for Economics and Peace.

Sri Lanka with an overall score of 1.91 in 2026 is only behind Bhutan in the South Asian region, according to the yearly study that ranks 163 independent states and territories based on their level of peacefulness.

Bhutan is ranked 16th most peaceful nation in the world. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka was ranked 97th in the world in 2025.

The Global Peace Index measures a range of factors, including personal safety, internal and international conflict, militarization, political stability, crime, terrorism and more.

According to the 2026 report, South Asia recorded the worst deterioration in peacefulness on the 2026 GPI, with the average overall score deteriorating by 2.3 per cent. The region is ranked seventh of the eight GPI regions.

Five of the seven countries in the South Asian region deteriorated, with only two recording improvements. The deterioration was driven overwhelmingly by the ongoing conflict domain, which recorded the largest change at 7.1 per cent, reflecting escalating internal conflicts and cross-border tensions across the subcontinent.

The safety and security domain was relatively stable, while the militarisation domain recorded a small average deterioration.

Bhutan which is ranked 16th globally on the 2026 GPI was ranked 69th globally in 2008. Bhutan recorded a marginal deterioration of 0.4 per cent over the past year.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry achieved a historic milestone in May, recording its highest-ever tourist arrivals for the month with 145,745 visitors, surpassing the previous May record of 132,919 arrivals in 2025 and registering a 9.65% year-on-year (YoY) increase.

The strong performance comes despite challenges posed by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which disrupted long-haul air traffic and increased travel costs across several key markets.

The latest data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) indicate a gradual strengthening in monthly arrival momentum after several months of relatively subdued growth.

The May performance pushed cumulative arrivals for the first five months of 2026 above the 1 million mark, reaching over 1.02 million visitors. However, year-to-date (YTD) arrivals remain marginally lower, down 1% compared to the corresponding period last year.

Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday described the achievement as a significant turning point for the industry, highlighting the recovery from pandemic-era lows.

Young Sri Lankan driver is set to make his Monaco debut this weekend as the FIA Formula 3 Championship resumes after its opening round in Melbourne.

Driving for AIX Racing, the 18-year-old enters the iconic street race after testing at the Red Bull Ring, simulator preparation, and time spent balancing his racing programme with A-Level examinations.

David, the first Sri Lankan to compete in FIA Formula 3, said Monaco is one of motorsport’s biggest challenges due to its narrow layout, limited overtaking opportunities and high track evolution.

“Confidence and precision are just as important as outright speed,” David said, adding that he had focused heavily on simulator work ahead of the weekend.

The Monaco round runs from June 4 to 7, with the Sprint Race on Saturday and Feature Race on Sunday, according to the FIA Formula 3 calendar.

David will also race with a special helmet tribute to Ayrton Senna, whose Monaco performances remain among the most famous in Formula 1 history.

Nilshani de Silva, one of Sri Lanka’s leading disability rights advocates, has been selected to represent the country at the 19th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to be held at the United Nations Headquarters.

Serving as Sri Lanka’s youth representative at this year’s conference, she has also been invited to address the assembly alongside international leaders, including the United Nations Secretary-General, during the opening session on 9 June.

Notably, Sri Lanka will hold the presidency of this year’s Conference of States Parties, which is regarded as one of the world’s foremost forums dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.

Nilshani de Silva, who has Down syndrome, is widely recognised as an advocate for the rights of Sri Lanka’s disabled community. She is also known as a skilled counsellor, teacher and fashion designer.

Reports indicate that this international recognition has been awarded in appreciation of her efforts to challenge societal misconceptions and champion the rights of persons with disabilities.

Sri Lanka will begin a phased programme to electrify and modernise its suburban railway network starting in 2027, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena announced.

It is reported that the initiative, developed on presidential instructions, will focus on two priorities: restoring damaged railway infrastructure and introducing an electrified commuter rail system.

Officials said immediate efforts will concentrate on repairing tracks to resume services quickly, followed by slope protection measures such as retaining walls and improved drainage to minimise landslide and weather‑related risks.

In the second stage, upgrades will target key commuter corridors including the Coastal Line, the Main Line via Polgahawela and Rambukkana, and the Kelani Valley Line.

Under the Colombo suburban rail modernisation plan, electrified services are scheduled to roll out from 2027 on the Fort–Ragama, Fort–Panadura, and Maradana–Makumbura routes. These lines will later be integrated into a wider suburban rail loop designed to ease daily travel into Colombo.

The project will introduce standard‑gauge tracks (4 feet 8.5 inches) and new electric trains to support frequent short‑distance services.

Officials emphasized that the metro‑style commuter rail cannot be rolled out in one go due to its scale and cost, and will therefore be delivered in stages.

The long‑term plan envisions a complete transformation of suburban transport, with full implementation expected to take between 10 and 15 years.

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