US Doubles Aid for Cyclone Ditwah Recovery to US$ 4 Mn 📈
The U.S. Embassy has announced an additional US$ 2 million in humanitarian assistance to support Sri Lanka’s recovery from Cyclone Ditwah. This follows an initial US$ 2 million grant released in December 2025, bringing total U.S. disaster aid to US$ 4 million. • Key Highlights: • Total Assistance: US$ 4.0 Mn (Doubled from initial commitment). • Impact Area: Targeted relief for Ampara, Badulla, Gampaha, Kegalle, Puttalam, Ratnapura, and Central Province estate communities. • Economic Recovery: Focus on restoring basic infrastructure, small-scale irrigation, and reviving local food production to stabilize rural livelihoods. • Sector Breakdown: • Food Security: Emergency nutrition for mothers/children and essential food items via the World Food Programme (WFP). • Livelihoods: Support for families to resume economic activity and local production. • Infrastructure: Improving drainage and flood-mitigation (e.g., polysacks for sandbagging) to protect SMEs and housing. • Context: The assistance aims to mitigate the disruption caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which impacted all 25 districts and estimated total damages at US$ 4.1 billion (approx. 4% of GDP). The aid is being implemented through trusted partners like World Vision and the WFP to ensure accountability.
📈 Concerns Rise Over SL-Israel Diplomatic and Labour Expansion
A group of 100 activists, including academics and clergy, has formally condemned the National People’s Power (NPP) government for expanding ties with Israel. They describe the move as a "moral failure" and a reversal of the administration's prior stance on Palestinian rights. • Labour & Employment Highlights • A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 22 December 2025 by Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra to facilitate recruitment in the service sector (Protocol 'G'). • This follows existing agreements for agriculture, construction, and caregiving jobs, intended to replace Palestinian labour. • Data shows 6,092 workers secured jobs in Israel's construction sector by March 2025, with 1,018 departures recorded early that year. • Tourism & Diplomacy • Activists criticized the visa fee waiver for Israeli tourists, which includes IDF soldiers on vacation. • The government defended these "readily available economic incentives" as part of a strategy to reach 3 Mn visitors and US$ 5.00 Bn in revenue for 2025. • The delegation's refusal to meet Palestinian Authority representatives in the West Bank was cited as a shift from Sri Lanka's historic non-alignment policy. • Economic Context • The shift is driven by the need for foreign exchange and remittances following the 2022-2023 crisis. • While total foreign employment departures saw a marginal decline in 2025, Israel remains a growing niche market for Sri Lankan labour. _Summary based on activists' letter and provisional 2025/2026 economic data._
Bangladesh Bans IPL Broadcast Amid Growing Tensions 📈
The Bangladesh Government has indefinitely banned the broadcast and streaming of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The move marks a significant escalation in diplomatic and sporting friction between the two South Asian neighbors. • Core Dispute: The ban was triggered by the BCCI directing the Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman. Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information described the "unceremonious" removal as a move that "defied logic" and "aggrieved" the public. • Economic Impact: • Experts estimate the broadcasting ban will have a negligible impact on the IPL's core revenue (less than 2%), as media rights are contractually locked through 2027. • Local Bangladeshi broadcasters and ad agencies face the sharpest losses due to the sudden removal of regional ad inventory. • Major advertisers like Mahindra, Flipkart, and Godrej may see reduced regional reach, though most FMCG giants have already streamlined operations. • T20 World Cup Standoff: • The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has refused to travel to India for next month’s T20 World Cup, citing "safety and security" concerns. • The BCB formally requested the ICC to relocate its matches to Sri Lanka, the tournament's co-host. • Provisional Update: Reports indicate the ICC has rejected the relocation request, informing Bangladesh they must play in India or risk forfeiting points.