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Путешествие «По Краю»001
Sri Lanka introduces QR code fuel rationing system
Sri Lanka has reintroduced its QR code fuel rationing system, previously used successfully years ago; registration is available at fuelpass.gov.lk.
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Economy
The island's economy, prices, currency and business climate.
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Fuel prices in Sri Lanka rise amid Iran conflict
Amid the Iran conflict, fuel prices in Sri Lanka rose: 92 octane up 24 rupees, 95 octane up 25 rupees, and diesel up 22 rupees.
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Comment for RBC on the Fuel Crisis and Middle East Conflict
The author commented to RBC that a fuel crisis in Sri Lanka would only occur if Middle East hostilities are prolonged, which he considers unlikely.
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Fuel Queue Panic Easing, Supply Is Available
Queues at petrol stations have reduced; news reports confirm fuel is available.
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Minor Fuel Queue Panic After Strait Closure News
News of the Strait of Hormuz closure prompted Sri Lankans to rush to fuel stations, but queues are already easing; tourists skip the line.
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Why Russia Is Not Investing in Sri Lanka
A brief comment explains that the lack of viable projects and poor investment climate account for weak Russian investment in Sri Lanka.
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Russia Seeks Workers from Sri Lanka to Fill 11 Million Labour Shortage
Russia is actively recruiting workers from Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh to fill an 11 million labour shortage worsened by the war and a demographic crisis.
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Wildberries Enters the Sri Lankan Market
Russian marketplace Wildberries is moving to enter the Sri Lankan market — details published on Retail.ru.
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Russian Tourist Flow to Sri Lanka Drops by 20 Percent
In January 2026, the number of Russian tourists dropped by 20% year-on-year, and the UK overtook Russia in arrivals due to reduced flights and competition from Vietnam.
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Sri Lanka Targets 3 Million Tourist Arrivals in 2026
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya announced a target of 3 million tourist arrivals in 2026 after a 2025 record of 2.36 million tourists generating $3.2 billion in revenue.
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Nuwara Eliya Taxi Drivers Strike Against Pick Me Service
Taxi owners in Nuwara Eliya went on strike to protest against the operation of the ride-hailing app Pick Me in their city.
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World's Largest Purple Star Sapphire Unveiled in Colombo
In Colombo, the natural purple star sapphire 'Star of Pure Land' weighing 3,536 carats was officially unveiled — the largest documented stone of its type, certified by the GIA.
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Average Tourist Spending in Sri Lanka Falls to $148 per Day
Average tourist spending in Sri Lanka fell from $181 in 2018 to $148 per day, prompting authorities to plan development of the premium tourism segment.
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Sri Lanka Named Cheapest Place to Live in Asia
International Living ranked Sri Lanka first globally for cheapest places to live in 2026, citing a beachside villa with a pool available for $385 per month.
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Sri Lanka Rupee Falls to 313 per US Dollar
The Sri Lankan rupee exchange rate against the US dollar has fallen to 313 rupees per dollar.
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Rupee Falls to 309.5 per Dollar
The rupee fell to 309.5 per dollar and the stock market dropped 0.52% — the IMF previously stated it would review the 2026 budget before approving the next loan tranche.
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Outdated Tourism Revenue Counting System
It has emerged that Sri Lanka's average tourist spend was calculated not from objective data but from airport surveys, casting doubt on the reliability of tourism statistics.
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IMF revises Sri Lanka's 2026 growth forecast to 3.1%
The IMF revised Sri Lanka's 2026 growth forecast to 3.1%, noting the country's strong post-crisis recovery supported by the fund's reform program.
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Old Sri Lankan rupees from 2005–2006: do you like them?
The author shows 2005–2006 rupees and invites readers to vote on whether the old or new banknotes are better.
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Sri Lanka second most expensive in South Asia
According to SAARC, the average cost of living per person in Sri Lanka is $506 per month, the second highest in the region after the Maldives.
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New 2000-rupee banknote in circulation
The author asks readers whether they have already come across the new 2000-rupee Sri Lankan banknote.
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Russian Ambassador: Sanctions Hinder Tourism and Trade with Sri Lanka
The Russian ambassador to Sri Lanka stated that US sanctions block electronic transactions and limit the full potential of bilateral relations.
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More Indian Tourists, Fewer Russians in August 2025
SLTDA August 2025 report: India up 40% year-on-year, Russia down 3.3%, China down 3.7%, Bangladesh broke into the top 10 with 56% growth.
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Sri Lanka Lowered Its 2025 Tourist Arrival Forecast
SLTDA revised its 2025 tourist arrival forecast from 3 million to 2.6 million, but this figure would still be a historic record.
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S&P Upgraded Sri Lanka's Credit Rating to CCC+
S&P upgraded Sri Lanka's credit rating to CCC+/C, noting political stability after the NPP's constitutional majority in the 2024 elections.
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Sri Lanka GDP Grew 4.9% in Q2 2025
Sri Lanka's economy grew 4.9% in Q2 2025, marking positive growth for seven consecutive quarters.
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Central Bank of Sri Lanka Issues New 2000-Rupee Banknote
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka issued 50 million new banknotes of 2,000 rupees denomination.
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Mattala Airport Seeks New Investors
A new tender has been announced for the development of the loss-making Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport after a deal with a Russian-Indian consortium collapsed due to US sanctions.
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Tourism in Sri Lanka: Paradise for Sale
An article from Hi!! magazine examines the flip side of Sri Lanka's tourism boom, where a weak rupee attracts budget travelers but deepens social exclusion and erodes local communities.
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VAT Refund Service Launched for Tourists at Colombo Airport
A VAT refund service for foreign tourists was officially launched at Bandaranaike International Airport to improve the visitor experience and boost economic growth.
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Sri Lanka Customs Denies New Tax on Small Parcels
Sri Lanka Customs denied rumors of a new tax on small parcels, clarifying that the changes only ensure correct application of existing duties.
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AliExpress Ceases Operations in Sri Lanka
A brief announcement that AliExpress is ceasing operations in Sri Lanka.
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Sri Lanka Risks Losing the Russian Tea and Tourism Market
Jagath Chandrawansa warned that without a national strategy Sri Lanka risks losing the Russian tea market ($122M in 2023) and Russian tourists (13.6% of arrivals).
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Russia Ranked Only 10th for Tourism Arrivals to Sri Lanka in May
SLTDA data for May 2025 shows Russia ranked 10th with a 2.5% share of 132,919 tourist arrivals, compared to 3rd place in May 2022.
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Sri Lanka Considers Hotel Discounts for Russian Tourists
Sri Lanka's Deputy Foreign Minister said talks are underway on reducing hotel prices for Russian tourists during the upcoming winter season.
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Russian Tourists Spend More Than Others in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's Deputy Foreign Minister stated that Russian tourists spend an average of $200 per day, exceeding the average of $180.
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Electricity tariffs raised by 15%
Sri Lanka's electricity tariffs have reportedly been raised by 15%.
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Sri Lanka breaks record for tourist arrivals in a year
Sri Lanka reached 1 million tourist arrivals faster than ever before, as part of its plan to attract 3 million tourists in 2025.
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Adventure tourism to grow to $2.1 billion by 2035
Sri Lanka's adventure tourism market is forecast to grow from $780 million in 2025 to $2.1 billion by 2035 at a 10.5% annual growth rate.
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Ceylon Electricity Board considers 25–35% tariff hike
The Ceylon Electricity Board is considering raising electricity tariffs by 25–35%, according to the Sunday Times.
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Sri Lanka tourism in 2024: 2.05 million tourists
Sri Lanka welcomed 2.05 million tourists in 2024 — India leads, while Russia loses market share despite a slight increase in absolute numbers.
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Sri Lanka tourism: April figures still below 2018 peak
Despite a 17% year-on-year increase, April tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka are still 4% below the 2018 record — the author analyses official SLTDA data.
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Sri Lanka must find its own path in tourism
The SLTDA chairman stated that Sri Lanka should not compete with Thailand and Malaysia in mass tourism but instead build a unique national brand.
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Tourist flow drops: operators say Sri Lanka overpriced itself
A tourism operator representative said Sri Lanka overpriced itself and lost tourists to other destinations — 'greed leads to poverty'.
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Fuel queues gone, situation back to normal
Fuel queues have disappeared and the situation is back to normal — peaceful island life can resume.
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Queues at fuel stations: no shortage declared, but supplies running low
The fuel distributors' association stopped ordering new supplies, causing queues at stations in the South and Colombo, though the government denies a shortage.
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Sri Lanka's 2025 budget highlights foreign investors
President Dissanayake presented the 2025 budget in parliament, with specific provisions highlighted for foreign investors and entrepreneurs.
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January 2025 tourism record: 252,000 visitors
In January 2025, Sri Lanka welcomed 252,761 foreign tourists — 21% more than a year earlier; the top source countries were India, Russia, and the UK.
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Gazprombank warns of UnionPay card issues abroad
From 21 November, Gazprombank's UnionPay cards may stop working abroad — the bank recommends carrying cash.
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Do Gazprombank cards work in Sri Lanka?
A subscriber asks about the usability of Gazprombank cards in Sri Lanka — a relevant question for Russian residents.
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SriLankan Airlines cancels eight flights due to technical issues
SriLankan Airlines cancelled 8 flights due to technical problems and aircraft shortages, sparking passenger outrage.
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SLMExchange sponsors the Island photo contest
Currency exchange service SLMExchange sponsored the contest, offering the winner commission-free currency exchange at the best rate for one week.
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Warning about exchange rates in Sri Lanka
A brief warning for tourists: do not count on a good exchange rate when changing money at the airport or with informal exchangers.
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Sri Lanka refuses to hand Mattala airport to Indian-Russian company
Sri Lanka's authorities refused to issue a licence for the management of Mattala airport to an Indian-Russian consortium due to legal obstacles.
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SLT Cuts Fiber Prices Amid Starlink Competition Threat
Sri Lanka Telecom cut the price of 50 Mbps fiber internet to $26/month, fearing competition from the expected Starlink launch.
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Volkswagen opens largest car assembly plant in South Asia
Sri Lanka's president inaugurated the Volkswagen plant in Kuliapitiya, the largest in South Asia, producing 25 vehicles daily and creating 2,000 jobs.
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Starlink Licensed to Operate in Sri Lanka
Starlink has received an official license to operate in Sri Lanka.
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Rosselkhozbank hints at restrictions
A short post hinting at restrictions or changes in Rosselkhozbank's operations.
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Ceypetco fuel prices cut from midnight
Ceypetco cut petrol and diesel prices; the author also reports fuel shortage at gas stations on that day.
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Rains Destroyed Crops: Vegetable Prices Spike Sharply
Due to prolonged rains, farmers have raised vegetable prices — limes up to 1,800 rupees, green chilli to 400 rupees and so on.
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