Weekly Air Quality Update for Sri Lanka
21 – 27 July 2025
Summary
During this week, strong westerly winds continued to flow from the Arabian Sea toward Sri Lanka. This resulted in moderate air pollution levels across most air quality monitoring stations in the country and specially in the western coastal station. The highest Air Quality Index (AQI) of 90 was recorded in Ambalangoda, while the lowest AQI of 27 was observed in Nuwara Eliya.
Summaries for the stations from 21 July to 27 July 2025
Air quality index was:
- Moderate (AQI 51 – 100): Chilaw, Digana, Kurunegala, Mirihana, Ambalangoda, Puttalama, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Gampaha, and Battaramulla.
- Good (AQI 0 – 50): Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, and Ambalantota.
Weekly Average AQI for selected cities
Ambalangoda recorded the highest weekly average AQI of 90. Nuwara Eliya recorded the lowest weekly AQI of 27.
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 105, and in Pelawatte was about 175.
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.