Heavy Mineral Mining: Sri Lanka’s Untapped Economic Engine Must Be Developed Responsibly, Not Ignored

For decades, Sri Lanka has spoken about becoming a high-income economy while relying on tourism, apparel, tea and remittances. Yet beneath our feet and along our coastline lies one of the country’s most valuable but underutilised strategic assets—its world-class heavy mineral deposits.

Paddy marketing still an unaddressed issue

Sri Lanka’s recurring paddy marketing crisis is once again unfolding in full view, exposing not merely a seasonal imbalance between supply and demand, but a deeper structural failure in agricultural policy, market regulation, and state intervention. At harvest time, farmers find themselves unable to secure a proper price. They plead for a fair price for their produce. Yet, despite repeated assurances by successive governments, the cycle of distre

UN fails Palestinian children despite strong reports

To the children of Gaza, United Nations reports, however strongly worded, offer little hope. In recent weeks, a flurry of UN reports condemns Israeli practices and even accuses the Zionist state of committing genocide. But what use are these findings to Gaza’s children? Nearly 20,000 have been killed by Israeli bombs, about 44,000 are injured, and up to 4,000 have lost one or more limbs. And the figures continue to rise, despite a sham ceasefire.

More arrests would lead to do-or-die elections

The main Opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has to be vigilant about its members since three of its prominent members thus far have been accused of having links with the underworld in the recent past.

Do Not Extend the Retirement Age Beyond 60

With reference to Mr. Upali Weerasinghe’s letter of 30.06.2025 [DM], I must strongly oppose his suggestion to extend the retirement age of all government employees beyond 60 on the basis of “what is good for the gander is good for the goose”, citing the proposed extension for judges.

Using social media at your own risk

For more than two-thirds of the world’s population, social media is a basic part of everyday life. The 2026 DataReportal Digital Global Overview Report indicates that the number of social media users has reached 5.66 billion, which is equivalent to more than 68% of the world’s population. According to the report, the average active user spends 18 hours and 36 minutes per week on social media, or roughly two hours and 39 minutes every day. Compoun

The narrowing window: Small-state agency in an age of multipolar scenario

The international system is undergoing its deepest transformation since the Cold War; the U.S.-led unipolar moment has ended, replaced by a fragmented multipolar order marked by great-power rivalry, technological competition, and the rise of the Global South.

How far does the political-underworld nexus extend in Sri Lanka?

How far does the nexus between the underworld, and the political and bureaucratic establishment stretch out in Sri Lanka?

Politicians and the media - A love- hate relationship

It is with humour that I listened to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake deliver his almost monthly speech in Parliament last week stating that if the media does not come out of the garbage pile they are in, they would not survive.

Dengue: Prevention Cannot Be an Afterthought

Dengue cases are rising by the day. Hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of patients, and deaths are mounting alarmingly. Once again, Sri Lanka appears to be reacting to a crisis rather than preventing it.

Cruel irony in the former Granary of the East

The rice/paddy issue has again come to the fore with those TV channels connected to the Opposition unceasingly telecasting demonstrations by famers in various areas in the country making various demands.

Geopolitical significance of Bangladeshi PM’s visit to China

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s five-day visit to China last week was of considerable strategic significance not only for the two countries, but also for India.

A call to extend retirement age of public servants

It is reported that the Government is considering extending the retirement age of judges of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court by two years to continue benefiting from their knowledge and experience. This is a welcome proposal.

Detention Rights: Sri Lanka and the United States

A renewed debate over custodial treatment and due process has emerged in Sri Lanka following the detention of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Major General Suresh Sallay (Retd.) under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

Are our political parties really interested in fighting corruption?

Connections between powerful politicians and underworld figures involved in drug dealing abound in our country. We well remember how a one-time president helicoptered to the home of a regional politician in a show of support when that worthy’s home was being raided by law enforcement officials on drugs-related charges.

Clean the Blocked Canal Near Bandaranayakepura immediately!

Right next to Bandaranayakepura in Rajagiriya lies what can only be called a *”Dengue Farm.”

Economic growth is not the only measure of human development

The 2022 economic crisis in our country was epitomised by the declaring of bankruptcy. Its effects were the severe shortage of foreign exchange and the sovereign default on $51 billion of external debt. Dwindling reserves led to debilitating shortages of fuel, food, medicine, and electricity, sparking massive civic protests, skyrocketing inflation and shortages of all manner of basic goods in the open market.

Bridging Independence And Harmony: The Case For An MPCC

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) recent move to conduct a public survey on the 5% inflation target marks a watershed moment under the new Central Bank Act. For the first time, a legally autonomous technocratic institution is stepping out of the ivory tower to gauge the lived economic realities and inflation expectations of the public. However, this exercise has also exposed a profound systemic vulnerability. In an environment characterised

A Zebra Crossing At Last -- Thank You, CMC

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Mayoress of the Colombo Municipal Council, Ms. Vraie Cally Balthazaar, Commissioner Mr. Palitha Nanayakkara, and the Traffic Division Engineer for responding positively to my request to install a zebra crossing linking the Kollupitiya Jumu’ah Mosque with the CMC Pumping Station. My heartfelt thanks also go to the officers of the City Traffic Police, Pettah, and the Kollupitiya Police for granting t

Constitutional-inconsistencies-relating-to-franchise: A response

While appreciating the recent exposures in the press by Neville Ladduwahetty under the captioned subject,

Sri Lanka’s Sports Sector is in Free Fall

This is not merely a boxing crisis, it is a national disgrace that plagues virtually every sport in the country. Sports management bodies are not just ineffective; many are effectively dead, blind, or utterly defunct. They have failed athletes, failed the nation, and continue to operate with impunity. Recently, a Sri Lankan team heading to an Asian competition was shamelessly told to find their own funds. These determined athletes and their famil

Iran’s high‑octane goalkeeping at Hormuz: How real is US-Israel rift

It is like walking through a minefield. The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed on June 17 by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump, is surviving on a diplomatic shoestring despite a still‑unbridged trust deficit between the belligerents and sinister efforts by Israel to torpedo it. Israel is not going to give up its efforts to sabotage the deal anytime soon. It knows well that the emerging security architecture

What is needed is economic growth, not publicity stunts

Three years after Sri Lanka plunged into its worst economic crisis since independence, the country’s economy has regained a measure of stability. Foreign reserves have improved, inflation has eased, tourism is recovering, and the immediate threat of sovereign default has receded. Yet stability is not growth. It is merely the foundation upon which growth must be built. The government today appears increasingly preoccupied with managing perceptions

The fear of becoming the victim…

The spate of crimes being reported on a daily basis is a worrying sign about society. Certain mainstream news bulletins dedicate more air time to report on crimes committed within a single day, despite the fact that people are overwhelmed with such news items. There are both the pros and cons about reporting on crimes and the nature in which these incidents are being reported.

Chemmani still holds our attention

Excavations of over a year at the Chemmani mass grave at the entrance of Jaffna city have unearthed over 400 skeletal remains, many belonging to children. Some reports put the number at 412 by Monday, with the exhumation of 13 more skeletal remains on that day.

Fire Exit Audit Needed for Old High-Rise Apartments

The recent Lucknow inferno is a wake-up call for Sri Lanka. It has exposed how vulnerable our old high-rise apartment blocks are to fire disasters.

Sri Lanka’s public transportation needs urgent revolution

Daily commuters in Colombo face overcrowded buses and long queues, while the price of a litre of petrol has soared past Rs. 400. As private bus operators reduce services by 50% due to unsustainable fuel costs, Sri Lanka’s transportation sector needs a lifeline for the sake of millions of commuters who are experiencing a crisis. Yet, from the ashes of this crisis emerges an opportunity for a long-overdue revolution.

British Prime Minister’s resignation Sri Lanka’s choice: One-party rule, or Internal Party democracy of political opposition

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday, finally bowing to an internal party mutiny.

Cruelty to women/children, sale of workers, and Lanka’s shame

Yesterday’s edition of the Daily Mirror highlighted a case of stark cruelty to a nine-month-old infant. The child and his/her mother was apparently left in the care of a carer, while the father went in search of employment. The child was tied to a chair, as the court heard, and was mercilessly thrashed by the carer for crying!

Not at the public’s inconvenience

We are aware that there is a serious narcotics menace and the police are doing their best to deal with it. The area that I live in the city of Colombo (namely Colombo 08) has unfortunately become a meeting area for drug traffickers and addicts, and frequent checks are on in this sector at night and sometimes even during the day.