Weekly Air Quality Update for Sri Lanka

Weekly Air Quality Update for Sri Lanka

18 – 24 August 2025

Summary

This is the weekly AQ social media text from 18 to 24 August 2025, Use this for social media distribution. 

During this week, winds blowing in from the Arabian Sea reached Sri Lanka, carrying some dust and pollutants. As a result, many areas across the country experienced moderate air pollution levels. The highest Air Quality Index (AQI) of 80 was recorded in Digana, while the lowest AQI of 43 was observed in Nuwara Eliya. The western coastal stations showed the least pollution, whereas the central region stations experienced moderately higher levels, likely due to local sources. This is not the worst scenario, as when wind comes from the North, pollution levels tend to be worse.  

Summaries for the stations from 18 – 24 August 2025


Air quality index was:        

  • Moderate (AQI 51 – 100): Akurana, Digana, Kurunegala, Mirihana, Battaramulla (Pelawatta), Ambalangoda, Ambalantota, Puttalam, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, and Battaramulla (CEA).

 

  • Good (AQI 0 – 50): Colombo and Nuwara Eliya.

The highest Air Quality Index (AQI) of 65 was recorded in  Ambalangoda, while the lowest AQI of 30 was observed in Nuwara Eliya.

 

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

The AQ variation at a fine temporal scale is shown in Colombo and Pelawatte for the last three days. The peak value in Colombo was about 150, and in Pelawatte was about 200.

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.