Weekly Air Quality Update for Sri Lanka
06 – 12 April 2026
Summary
During the past week, daily AQI levels ranged from ‘Good’ to ‘Unhealthy’. Digana recorded poor AQI values continuously from 6th to 11th April, including an ‘Unhealthy’ daily average AQI value of 156 on 8th April. Nuwara Eliya recorded ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ daily average AQI values on 7th and 8th April, while Chilaw recorded the same on 6th April and Trincomalee on 7th April. ‘Moderate’ daily average AQI values were recorded in the majority of monitored areas.
Polluted air mainly entered Sri Lanka from the western direction via the Arabian Sea.
When considering weekly averages, Digana and Nuwara Eliya recorded ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ weekly average AQI values, while other areas recorded ‘Moderate’ weekly average AQI values.
Weekly Air Quality Index (AQI) Levels:
- Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups(AQI 101-150): Digana, Nuwara Eliya
- Moderate (AQI 51-100): Kurunegala, Colombo, Mirihana, Negombo, Battaramulla, Chilaw, Kalawana, Ambalanthota, Mannar, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Anuradhapura
Read more about AQ color scale and real-time air quality stations operated by FECT https://fect.lk/air-quality/
Observed fine particulate measurements by the minute for last days
Air Quality impact on human health
Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) are generally 2.5 microns and smaller in size. Such particles are inhalable and easily lodges inside the lungs reducing capacity. PM2.5 is a concern for people’s health when levels in the air are high. The levels of risk are shown in the dial shown against the US EPA air quality standards. AQ has a scale that run from 0-500, that tells you how clean or polluted your air is. Each level on the scale corresponds to a different level of health concern.