Weekly Air Quality Update for Sri Lanka
22 - 28 December 2025
Summary
Ambalangoda on 23 December, as well as Chilaw (CEA) and Trincomalee on 28 December, recorded Unhealthy AQI values. Except for Kurunegala and Digana, which recorded only Moderate daily AQI values, other areas recorded Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI levels on several days of the week. These areas include Akurana (AV-Outdoor), Colombo (Gregory’s Road), Mirihana, Battaramulla (CEA), Chilaw (CEA), Puttalam, Trincomalee, Jaffna, and Anuradhapura.
This pollution episode was influenced by polluted air masses transported from the northern parts of India via the Bay of Bengal.
Ambalangoda recorded an Unhealthy weekly average AQI value. Colombo (Gregory’s Road), Mirihana, Battaramulla (CEA), Chilaw (CEA), Jaffna, and Anuradhapura recorded Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups weekly average AQI values. Other areas recorded Moderate weekly average AQI values.
Weekly Air Quality Index (AQI) Levels:
Moderate (AQI 51–100): Akurana (AV-Outdoor), Digana, Kurunegala, Negombo, Ambalanthota, Puttalam, Trincomalee
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (AQI 101–150): Colombo (Gregory’s Road), Mirihana, Battaramulla (CEA), Chilaw (CEA), Jaffna, Anuradhapura
Unhealthy (AQI 151–200): Ambalangoda
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.