Weekly Air Quality Update for Sri Lanka

Weekly Air Quality Update for Sri Lanka

28 April – 04 May 2025

Summary

Sri Lanka experienced good air quality at most stations, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging between 26 and 69. This was due to clean air brought in by southwest winds from the pristine southern region.

Summaries for the stations from 28 April – 04 May 2025
 
Air Quality was:

  • Moderate (AQI 51 – 100): Akurana, Digana, Battaramulla, Gampaha, and Puttalam
  • Good (AQI 0 – 50):  Nuwara Eliya, Kurunegala, Colombo, Negombo, Ambalantota, Ttrincomalee, Jaffna and Dambulla
     

Weekly Average AQI for selected cities

FECT_AQ_Scale_05_05_2025_V1

Digana recorded the highest weekly average AQI of 69. Ambalanthota recorded the lowest weekly AQI of 26.

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 last three days. The peak value in Colombo was about 140 and Pelawatte was about 155.

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.