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Nearly one in four Sri Lankan workers could find their jobs reshaped or threatened by the rapid advance of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), according to a new labour market analysis that paints a sobering picture of the country’s digital readiness.

Drawing on International Labour Organisation (ILO) benchmarks and Sri Lanka’s Labour Force Survey 2023, the study estimates that around 1.83 million workers, or 22.8% of total employment, are in occupations exposed to GenAI. While this is slightly below the global average, analysts warn that the real danger lies not in the technology itself, but in Sri Lanka’s limited capacity to adapt to it.

At the sharpest edge of risk is a smaller but highly vulnerable group: over 187,000 workers in occupations with the highest exposure to GenAI, dominated by clerks and clerical support staff. These roles rely heavily on routine, information-processing tasks precisely the kind of work GenAI systems are increasingly able to perform faster, cheaper and around the clock.

“The threat is not dramatic mass layoffs overnight,” the report suggests, “but a gradual erosion of demand for certain roles.” As AI tools become more capable of drafting reports, processing documents and generating content, traditional white-collar jobs once seen as secure may quietly shrink.

Even professionals and technical workers are not immune. Nearly 142,000 workers fall into roles with rising exposure, signalling that GenAI’s reach extends beyond low- and mid-skill occupations. Meanwhile, millions employed in agriculture, crafts and elementary jobs remain largely shielded for now due to the manual and context-specific nature of their work.

Yet the most striking finding is not who is exposed, but who is ready. Of the 1.83 million potentially affected workers, only about 480,000 are digitally literate and employed in workplaces with basic digital infrastructure. This means the majority are theoretically replaceable by AI, but practically unable to benefit from it.

This digital gap creates a paradox. On one hand, low readiness may slow AI-driven job losses. On the other, it risks leaving Sri Lanka behind as global competitors harness GenAI to boost productivity and cut costs. Firms that fail to adopt may struggle to survive, indirectly threatening jobs across entire industries.

Source: Authors’ calculations based on LFS 2023 and occupation exposure categories identified by Gmyrek et al., 2025

The warning is clear: GenAI will not arrive as a sudden shock, but as a slow, structural threat. Without urgent investment in digital skills, workplace technology and reskilling pathways, Sri Lanka risks a future where jobs disappear not because AI is too powerful, but because the workforce is unprepared.

As the report concludes, the country stands at a crossroads. GenAI could either deepen employment insecurity especially for clerical and professional workers or become a tool for transformation. The outcome will depend on how quickly Sri Lanka acts, and whether its workers are equipped to work with AI rather than be replaced by it.

( Source : lankanews.lk)

The Sri Lanka Police has expressed its gratitude to the Government of the United Arab Emirates and its relevant authorities for their assistance in the deportation of three wanted suspects to Sri Lanka on 15 January 2026.

In a statement, the Police said the successful operation was carried out through close coordination and effective cooperation between Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies and UAE authorities.

The Police noted that the action highlights the strong and longstanding relationship between the two countries, as well as their shared commitment to upholding the rule of law and strengthening regional and international security.

Acknowledging continued support from the UAE, the Sri Lanka Police pointed out that a total of eleven wanted suspects were deported to Sri Lanka with UAE assistance in 2024 and 2025. This, the statement said, further reflects the UAE’s consistent efforts in addressing transnational crime.

The Police Department also praised the professionalism and efficiency of the UAE Government and its agencies, reaffirming its intention to further enhance bilateral cooperation in the ongoing fight against cross-border crime and in safeguarding public security.

Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, both sentenced for corruption, have filed appeals against their convictions, with the Supreme Court today (20 January) setting the hearing date for 9 March.The appeal petitions were heard by a bench consisting of Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Achala Wengappuli. After reviewing the submissions, the bench directed that the appeals be scheduled for hearing on the March date.

Aluthgamage and Fernando were previously found guilty of causing a loss exceeding Rs. 50 million to the government during the 2015 presidential election period, linked to the import of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts sets through Sathosa. Aluthgamage received a 20-year rigorous imprisonment sentence, while Fernando was sentenced to 25 years. Both have now challenged these rulings in the Supreme Court.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday revised its estimate of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the current financial year (April 2025-March 2026) upward to 7.3 percent, from its earlier prediction of 6.6 percent.

The IMF’s prediction was just marginally lower than the Indian government’s projection of 7.4 percent for the same period.

In a report, the IMF said its upward revision was a reflection of stronger-than-expected growth in the third quarter (October-December 2025), and “strong momentum” in the fourth quarter (January-March 2026).

“Growth is projected to moderate to 6.4 percent in 2026 and 2027 as cyclical and temporary factors wane,” it said.

(Source:adaderana.lk)

Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Ratnayake said the government is ready to set aside parliamentary time this week to debate a proposed No-Confidence Motion (NCM) being prepared by the opposition against Prime Minister and Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya.

Speaking in Parliament today, Minister Ratnayake stated that the sittings scheduled for 22 and 23 January could be fully allocated for the debate, should the opposition formally submit the motion.

He noted that reports of an NCM being drafted against the Prime Minister are a serious matter, adding that it raises concerns if signatures are being collected without the motion being officially presented. The minister said the government expects clarity on whether the opposition intends to proceed with submitting the NCM.

In response, Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunatileke told Parliament that the issue falls within the opposition’s internal decision-making process and would be resolved following further discussions.

Minister Ratnayake subsequently urged the opposition to formally submit the motion, emphasizing that prolonged uncertainty could have implications for the country’s political stability.

Several senior officials of the National Institute of Education (NIE) have been suspended in connection with the controversy surrounding the Grade 6 English language module.

Deputy Director General of the NIE, Darshana Samaraweera, has been placed on compulsory leave, while two other institute officials have also been suspended over the same matter. Earlier, NIE Director General Professor Manjula Vithanapathirana stepped down from her position pending the results of an internal investigation.

The issue arose after the Ministry of Education halted the distribution of a newly printed Grade 6 English module when it was discovered that the content contained a reference to an inappropriate website. The textbook, which had already been prepared and printed by the NIE, came under review following a formal complaint.

The Sri Lankan Rupee recorded a slight depreciation against the US Dollar at commercial banks today (20 January), compared to rates quoted on Monday, with the selling price reaching up to Rs. 313 at some banks.

At Seylan Bank, the US Dollar buying and selling rates remained unchanged at Rs. 306.90 and Rs. 311.65, respectively. NDB Bank quoted a buying rate of Rs. 306.45, while the selling rate stood at Rs. 312.95.

Meanwhile, People’s Bank reported steady rates, with the Dollar buying at Rs. 306.23 and selling at Rs. 312.99. At Commercial Bank, the buying rate was recorded at Rs. 304.49, while the selling rate increased to Rs. 313.

Sampath Bank also reflected the upward trend in selling prices, quoting a buying rate of Rs. 306.50 and a selling rate of Rs. 313 for the US Dollar.

Donald Trump has vowed to “100%” follow through on his threat to impose tariffs on European countries who oppose his demand to take control of Greenland.

European allies have rallied around Greenland’s sovereignty. Denmark’s foreign minister emphasised the US president cannot threaten his way to ownership of the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reiterated the UK’s position that the future of Greenland is for “Greenlanders and for the Danes alone” to decide.

On Monday, Trump declined to rule out the use of force and insisted he would press ahead with the threatened tariffs on goods arriving in the US from the UK and seven other Nato-allied countries.

Asked by NBC News if he would use force to seize Greenland, Trump answered: “No comment”.

The US president said he would charge Britain a 10% tariff “on any and all goods” sent to the US from 1 February, increasing to 25% from 1 June, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

Trump said the same would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland - all of whom are members of the defence alliance Nato which was founded in 1949.

Asked if he will follow through on the tariff threat, Mr Trump told NBC News: “I will, 100%.”

Trump added: “Europe ought to focus on the war with Russia and Ukraine because, frankly, you see what that’s gotten them... That’s what Europe should focus on - not Greenland.”

Denmark has warned that US military action in Greenland would spell the end of Nato. In recent days, Greenland has received support from European members of the alliance - some even sent a handful of troops to Greenland last week in a move seen as symbolic.

However, Trump followed that deployment with an announcement to impose tariffs on the eight Nato allies.

Danish foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said that Europe had to show President Trump tariff threats were “not the way forward”.

“We have red lines that can’t be crossed,” he told Sky News. “You can’t threaten your way to ownership of Greenland. I have no intention of escalating this situation.”

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte said the alliance will keep working with Denmark and Greenland on the security of the Arctic.

The European Union is to hold an emergency summit in Brussels for its leaders on Thursday where they will discuss how to respond to Trump’s latest threat to take over Greenland.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said the bloc has “no interest to pick a fight, but we will hold our ground”.

“But trades threats are not the way to go about this,” Kallas added. “Sovereignty is not for trade.”

It comes as text exchanges between Trump and the Norwegian prime minister were released - showing that on Sunday the US president blamed Norway for the fact he didn’t get the Nobel Peace Prize.

In his reply - seen by the BBC - Jonas Gahr Støre explained that an independent committee, not the government of Norway, awards the prize which last October went to Venezuela’s opposition leader María Corina Machado.

“Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter,” Støre added.

Trump also addressed the text message exchange in Monday’s interview and said: “Norway totally controls it [the Nobel Prize] despite what they say.

“They like to say they have nothing to do with it, but they have everything to do with it.”

Meanwhile, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) on Monday announced that multiple aircraft are on their way to Pituffik Space Base in Greenland.

The joint US-Canada military defence organisation stressed they are part of a routine operation “to support various long-planned Norad activities”, and said they had been coordinated with Denmark and that the government of Greenland had been informed.

Similar Norad operations at the base took place in 2022, 2023, and last year. 

(Source:adaderana.lk)

Donald Trump is expected to meet global business leaders in Davos on Wednesday, sources familiar with the matter said, as the U.S. President’s presence looms large over the annual gathering of the global elite in Switzerland.

Business leaders, including CEOs in financial services, crypto and consulting, were invited to a reception after Trump’s address to the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, the sources told Reuters on Monday. The agenda was unclear.

One CEO simply had “a reception in honour of President Donald J Trump” scheduled in their diary, while another said their understanding was that global CEOs had been invited, not just those from the United States. One of the sources said the invitations had come from the White House.

Anthony Scaramucci, an investor who briefly served as Trump’s communications director during his first term, said he knew the meeting was happening.
“I’m not going. I’m not sure I’m invited, but even if I were, I wouldn’t want to be a side show,” Scaramucci said.

Trump is expected to arrive on Wednesday in the Swiss mountain resort, where he is due to deliver a special address.

Several top U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, are also accompanying Trump.

China, meanwhile, is being represented in Davos by Vice Premier He Lifeng who is due to deliver a special address on Tuesday. He will also host a reception with CEOs and founders of global companies, a source told Reuters.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside of business hours.

‘EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE THE PRESIDENT AT HIS WORD’

The WEF agenda has to some extent been overtaken by the U.S. president’s dramatic policy moves, including his demand in recent days that the United States take over Greenland.

WEF organisers have said that over 3,000 delegates from more than 130 countries will attend this year, including 64 heads of state and government, particularly from emerging economies.

The list also includes several heads of G7 nations, with changes in U.S. policy under Trump in focus.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev will also travel to Davos and hold meetings with members of the U.S. delegation, two sources with knowledge of the visit told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, national security advisers from a number of countries are due to meet on the sidelines of the event on Monday, with Greenland among the subjects on the agenda, diplomatic sources said.

One European diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Greenland had been added to the agenda of the previously scheduled meeting after Trump on Saturday to impose extra tariffs on eight European countries until the U.S. is allowed to buy the Arctic island.

Bessent said European governments should not retaliate against any measures taken by the U.S. in their dispute.

“I think it would be very unwise,” Bessent told reporters when asked about retaliatory trade measures on the sidelines of the WEF meeting, adding that Europe should not doubt Trump’s intentions over Greenland.

“I’ve been travelling, so I haven’t been in touch (with European officials), but I spoke to President Trump and evidently there are a lot of inbounds, and I think everyone should take the president at his word,” Bessent said.

Jenny Johnson, CEO of asset manager Franklin Templeton, said Trump’s moves were negotiating tactics that can feel uncomfortable, but appeared to be in U.S. interests.

“We all know his style. His style is, ‘I’m going to come out with a hammer, and then I’ll negotiate with you,’” Johnson told Reuters in an interview.

“But his instinct about trying to figure out longer-term positions for the U.S. is the right instinct,” she added.

Source:adaderana.lk

Predominantly dry weather is expected to prevail across most parts of the country today (20), according to the Department of Meteorology.

The department cautioned that ground frost may occur in isolated areas of the Nuwara Eliya District during the early morning hours, particularly in higher elevations.

In addition, misty conditions are likely to develop in several regions, including the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Western, North Central and Uva provinces. Similar conditions may also be experienced in parts of the Galle, Matara and Ampara districts during the early hours of the day.

Air quality in many urban areas across Sri Lanka remained at slightly unhealthy levels over the past 24 hours, according to data released by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO).

Areas such as Colombo, Jaffna, Kandy, Kurunegala, and Galle recorded Sri Lanka Air Quality Index (SL AQI) levels between 104 and 144, primarily due to elevated PM2.5 levels. 

In contrast, Nuwara Eliya, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, and several southern and eastern towns remained within moderate air quality levels.

NBRO forecasts indicate that slightly unhealthy conditions are expected to continue through the next 24 hours in most cities, with SL AQI values projected to range between 48 and 140.

 (Source: Newswire)

Sri Lanka’s post-disaster recovery initiatives, including the government’s “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” and “Healing Sri Lanka” programs, received international recognition at the inaugural Global Caregiver Forum 2026 in Madrid, Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj said.

The programs, aimed at restoring normalcy for families affected by the country’s recent major natural disaster, were highlighted by state leaders and experts from around the world for their focus on both infrastructure recovery and psychosocial support for children and caregivers.

Speaking at the closing plenary session, Minister Paulraj noted that “Healing Sri Lanka” was designed by the Women and Child Affairs Ministry as a parallel initiative to strengthen the psychosocial well-being of affected families, helping parents and caregivers heal while ensuring children receive quality care and protection.

The two-day forum, held under the patronage of Spain’s Queen Letizia and organised in collaboration with UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the LEGO Foundation, brought together global experts to develop strategies for early childhood development and caregiving.

Minister Paulraj participated as a panelist alongside Kazakhstan’s Health Vice Minister Aliya Rustemova, CEO of Triple P Positive Parenting Programme Matt Buttery, Portugal’s Catarina Magalhães of Boavista Training and Development Centre, and Fergal Landy of Ireland’s Family Resource Centre National Forum.

The Sri Lankan delegation also included Nilushika Dhanasekara, Director of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, and Shashikala Sumudu Kumari Ratnayake, Education Officer at UNICEF Sri Lanka.

( Source: lankaleader.lk)