The Sri Lankan government’s approval rating has fallen to 50%, while public confidence in the country’s economic outlook has weakened sharply, according to the latest “Mood of the Nation” poll conducted by Verité Research.
The July 2026 poll found that government approval had moderated from 65% recorded in the previous round conducted in February 2026. The latest figures show 49.83% approving of the way the government is working, while 31.40% disapprove.
Public perceptions of the economy also deteriorated significantly.
The proportion of respondents who believe the economy is “getting better” declined to 41.63%, or around 42%, from 64% in February. Meanwhile, 40.29% said the economy is “getting worse,” up sharply from around 15% in the previous round.
More than half of respondents also expressed a negative assessment of current economic conditions. The poll found that 55.59% rated the state of the economy as “poor,” while 38% described conditions as “good” or “excellent.”
As a result, Verité Research’s Economic Confidence Index fell to minus 8, returning to negative territory after having recorded +36 in February 2026. The index ranges from minus 100 to +100 and combines public assessments of the current state and future direction of the economy.
Verité Research said its Gallup-style “Mood of the Nation” poll was conducted with Vanguard Survey (Pvt) Ltd as the polling partner.
The latest findings mark a significant reversal from February, when the government recorded 65% approval and economic confidence reached its highest level in the poll’s four-year history. (Newswire)
