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Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), visited the Central Bank of Sri Lanka on February 17, 2026, as part of her official visit to the country.

Her visit coincides with a significant milestone, marking both the 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s membership in the IMF and the 75th anniversary of the Central Bank. During her time at the Central Bank, Dr. Georgieva met with Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe and senior officials to discuss the country’s economic progress and ongoing reforms.

Governor Weerasinghe expressed appreciation for the IMF’s continued support, particularly through the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which has played a key role in supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and facilitating the debt restructuring process. He also acknowledged the IMF’s technical assistance in areas such as monetary policy development, macroeconomic analysis, and strengthening financial sector frameworks.

Dr. Georgieva praised Sri Lanka’s achievements under the current IMF programme, describing the country’s recovery efforts as a positive example. She also highlighted the Central Bank’s contribution to restoring economic stability following the recent financial crisis.

While recognizing the economic challenges Sri Lanka has faced in recent years, the IMF chief expressed confidence that the country has the potential to achieve stronger and more sustainable growth, provided that structural reforms continue to be implemented.

The second reading of the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill, which seeks to abolish pensions granted to Members of Parliament, is scheduled to be debated today (17).

According to the Parliament of Sri Lanka Secretary General’s Office, the debate will take place from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Parliament is set to convene at 9.30 a.m. under the leadership of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, with time allocated for parliamentary business and oral questions before the debate begins.

This sitting marks the start of the second parliamentary week for February, which will continue until February 20, 2026. In addition to the pensions repeal bill, lawmakers are expected to consider a proposal to establish a Parliamentary Select Committee tasked with reviewing existing election laws and presenting recommendations for reform.

On February 18, Parliament will take up for debate three regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act, along with two orders issued under the Motor Traffic Act. The following day, February 19, second reading debates are scheduled for the Judicature (Amendment) Bill and the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill.

Meanwhile, on February 20, the Opposition is set to present an Adjournment Motion focusing on challenges currently affecting the country’s energy sector, which will be discussed in Parliament.

The Department of Meteorology has forecast intermittent rainfall across several regions of the country, including the Northern, North Central, Central, Uva, Eastern, and Southern provinces.

Some areas in the Eastern and Uva provinces, as well as the districts of Polonnaruwa, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya, are likely to receive fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 75 mm.

Elsewhere on the island, showers or thundershowers are expected to develop at various locations after 1.00 p.m., according to the forecast.

In addition, misty conditions are likely in parts of the Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts during the early morning hours.

Authorities have advised the public to take necessary safety precautions, particularly due to the risk of temporary strong winds and lightning that may accompany thundershowers.

A wave of cricket enthusiasm surrounding the highly anticipated India–Pakistan T20 clash on February 15 has triggered a significant boost in tourism arrivals to Colombo, with thousands of Indian fans travelling to Sri Lanka ahead of the match.

According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, 18,819 Indian visitors entered the country between February 1 and 12, making India the leading source market and accounting for 15% of all tourist arrivals during the period. Overall, Sri Lanka recorded 124,460 international arrivals within those twelve days, with February 12 alone seeing the highest single-day figure of 12,731 tourists—three days before the blockbuster encounter between India and Pakistan.

The surge in demand pushed travel costs sharply upward. Travel agencies reported that airfares from Chennai—normally priced between $200 and $250 for the 90-minute flight—spiked to as much as $623 to $756. Flights from Delhi also rose by more than 50%, with one-way fares averaging around $666 in the days leading up to the match.

Hotels across Colombo experienced a parallel boom. Luxury properties reported near-full occupancy on match weekend, with some premium rooms priced close to $1,000 per night—dramatically higher than the seasonal average of roughly $150.

Ticket demand reflected the same intensity. The 35,000-seat stadium sold out completely through the International Cricket Council platform, while more than 88,000 ticket requests were logged, underscoring the immense regional interest generated by one of cricket’s most celebrated rivalries.

Tourism stakeholders say the influx demonstrates how major sporting events can rapidly stimulate visitor arrivals, airline traffic, and hotel occupancy, positioning Sri Lanka to capitalise on future international tournaments as a catalyst for tourism growth.

The arrival of Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, has underscored renewed international confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and its ongoing rebuilding efforts following recent cyclone damage.

Georgieva arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday, where she was welcomed by Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando and senior government officials. Her visit combines disaster-recovery assessment with a high-level economic mission aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s reform momentum.

During her stay, the IMF chief is scheduled to visit cyclone-affected communities in Gampola and hold a series of high-level discussions in Colombo with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe. The talks are expected to focus on expanding IMF support for reconstruction while reinforcing policy reforms designed to enhance economic resilience.

In a message shared shortly after her arrival, Georgieva expressed solidarity with communities recovering from the cyclone, noting that the Fund “has been standing by Sri Lanka since the disaster and will continue to do so.” She also highlighted the country’s resilience, expressing hope that brighter economic prospects will follow the recent hardships.

Ahead of the visit, Georgieva praised Sri Lanka’s economic turnaround since 2023, pointing to steady growth, stabilised inflation, improved foreign reserves, and tax revenues surpassing expectations. She commended key structural reforms—including the new Central Bank Act and governance-focused initiatives—describing them as critical steps toward restoring debt sustainability and unlocking broader international support.

While acknowledging that the reform journey is ongoing, she emphasised that Sri Lanka is “definitely on the path to success,” adding that sustained commitment to reform policies and the continued building of economic buffers will be essential to securing long-term stability.

The visit is widely seen as both a symbol of international confidence and a strategic opportunity for Sri Lanka to deepen partnerships that support reconstruction, strengthen institutions, and maintain the momentum of its economic revival.

Former Minister Vijith Wijayamuni Soysa reported to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) earlier today (17).

Authorities have not yet released details regarding the reason for his appearance or whether it is linked to an ongoing investigation. Further information is expected to emerge as inquiries continue.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman, along with other lawmakers from his party, took oath as Members of Parliament today morning (17) following the February 12 parliamentary elections.

The oath was administered by the country’s Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the oath room of Bangladesh’s National Parliament building in the capital.

Apart from them, independent lawmakers-elect and newly elected lawmakers of other parties took the oath in the ceremony.

According to a gazette notification published by the Election Commission on Friday, the BNP won 209 out of 297 seats.

The BNP is scheduled to form its new cabinet later in the day.

Secretary of the National Parliament Secretariat Kaniz Moula told journalists Monday that Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the new cabinet members at 4 p.m. local time on Tuesday (17). 

Source:Adaderana.lk

David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, arrived in Sri Lanka a short while ago, marking the start of his official visit to the country.

Welcoming the senior UK official, Andrew Patrick, the UK High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, shared a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, noting that this is Lammy’s first visit to the island.

The visit is expected to further strengthen diplomatic ties between the UK and Sri Lanka. During his stay, Lammy will also observe the UK’s humanitarian assistance efforts provided in response to Cyclone Ditwah, which caused significant damage across several parts of the country last year.

He is also scheduled to hold discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and meet with humanitarian partners involved in delivering UK-funded support to affected communities.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would be involved “indirectly” in high-stakes talks between Iran and the U.S. over Tehran’s nuclear program set for Tuesday in Geneva, adding he believed Tehran wanted to make a deal.

“I’ll be involved in those talks, indirectly. And they’ll be very important,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Tensions are soaring ahead of the talks, with the U.S. deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. The U.S. military is preparing for the possibility of a sustained military campaign if the talks do not succeed, U.S. officials have told Reuters.

Asked about the prospects for a deal, Trump said Iran has long sought a tough posture in negotiations but learned the consequences of that approach last summer when the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites.

Trump suggested Tehran was motivated this time to negotiate.

“I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump said.

WASHINGTON PUSHES TEHRAN TO FORGO ENRICHMENT

Prior to the U.S. strikes in June, U.S.-Iran nuclear talks had stalled over Washington’s demand that Tehran forgo enrichment on its soil, which the U.S. views as a pathway to an Iranian nuclear weapon.

“We could have had a deal instead of sending the B-2s in to knock out their nuclear potential. And we had to send the B-2s,” Trump said, referring to the bat-winged U.S. stealth bombers that carried out the bombings.

“I hope they’re going to be more reasonable.”

The remarks contrast with those by the U.S. president on Friday, when he embraced potential regime change, opens new tab in Iran and lamented decades of failed talks.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with the U.N. nuclear watchdog chief on Monday, saying in a post on X he was in Geneva to “achieve a fair and equitable deal.”

“What is not on the table: submission before threats,” Araqchi said.

QUESTIONS ABOUT URANIUM STOCKPILE

The International Atomic Energy Agency has been calling on Iran for months to say what happened to its stockpile of 440 kg (970 pounds) of highly enriched uranium following Israeli-U.S. strikes and let inspections fully resume, including in three key sites that were bombed in June last year: Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation against any attack, which would choke a fifth of global oil flows and send crude prices sharply higher.

Iran held a military drill on Monday in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international waterway and oil export route from Gulf Arab states, which have been appealing for diplomacy to end the dispute.

Despite Trump’s comments about Iran seeking a deal, the talks face major potential stumbling blocks. Washington has sought to expand the scope of talks to non-nuclear issues such as Iran’s missile stockpile. Tehran says it is only willing to discuss curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief and won’t accept zero uranium enrichment. It says its missile capabilities are off the table.

Speaking during a visit to Hungary on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said reaching a deal with Tehran would be hard.

“I think that there’s an opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement ... but I don’t want to overstate it either,” Rubio said.

“It’s going to be hard. It’s been very difficult for anyone to do real deals with Iran, because we’re dealing with radical Shia clerics who are making theological decisions, not geopolitical ones.”

Source:adaderana.lk

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to leave for India today (17) to attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which will be held in New Delhi.

The Sri Lankan leader will participate in the summit at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event, hosted under Prime Minister Modi’s patronage, is aimed at encouraging the ethical and responsible development and application of artificial intelligence for the benefit of society.

According to the President’s Media Division, President Dissanayake is scheduled to deliver a speech at the summit on February 19. The five-day event will bring together Heads of State from 20 countries, along with representatives from over 45 nations.

Key discussions will center on the future direction of artificial intelligence and its potential role in addressing major global issues. During his visit, President Dissanayake is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Modi and several other international leaders to strengthen diplomatic and strategic cooperation.

The island nation of Sri Lanka has been ranked the world’s most affordable destination to retire in 2026 by the renowned travel publication Travel + Leisure, highlighting the country’s growing appeal among global retirees seeking value without sacrificing lifestyle.

The recognition comes amid rising financial pressures on retirees worldwide. A recent report by U.S.-based insurer F&G noted that nearly one in four seniors in the United States postponed retirement in 2025 due to concerns about savings and long-term financial readiness. Against this backdrop, destinations offering lower living costs and comfortable lifestyles are gaining renewed attention with Sri Lanka emerging as a standout choice.

According to expat experiences cited in the ranking, retired couples can live comfortably on approximately $2,200 per month, covering accommodation, healthcare, transportation, leisure, and dining. Affordable housing plays a central role in the island’s appeal, with beachside rental properties often available for under $400 monthly, while utility expenses remain comparatively modest.

Everyday living costs further enhance affordability. Fresh produce and seafood purchased from local markets are inexpensive, and dining out remains accessible, with three-course meals for two averaging about $50 often less for local cuisine. Public transportation, including scenic long-distance rail journeys, is also priced at only a few dollars, allowing retirees to explore the country affordably.

Healthcare availability is another significant factor. Private hospitals in Colombo provide modern medical facilities and dependable services, while retirement visa processes are viewed as relatively straightforward and cost-effective compared with many other Asian retirement destinations.

The 2026 affordability ranking also featured Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, and Malaysia among the top choices, reflecting a broader trend of retirees seeking value-driven living in Asia.

As global living costs continue to rise, Sri Lanka’s combination of scenic coastal living, affordable daily expenses, accessible healthcare, and relaxed lifestyle positions the country as an increasingly attractive retirement destination for international retirees looking to stretch their savings while maintaining a high quality of life.

David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today (17) for an official visit aimed at reinforcing relations between the two nations.

The visit is expected to highlight the continued partnership between the UK and Sri Lanka, while also providing an opportunity for Lammy to observe the UK’s humanitarian assistance following the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

During his stay, Lammy is set to meet with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss a range of matters, including economic collaboration, reconciliation efforts, humanitarian concerns, and Sri Lanka’s involvement in the Global Charter on Children’s Care Reform, which promotes family-based care and child protection worldwide.

In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister will meet with humanitarian organizations involved in delivering UK-supported relief to communities affected by the cyclone, which caused extensive destruction across parts of the country late last year.