Floods, films, athletes and tasty dishes: Sri Lanka produced some ‘influencing moments and people’ in 2025

India permitting Pakistan to use its airspace and bring aid to a battered Sri Lanka underscores the power that adversity has to make opposing forces forget differences and work towards a common goal

The Sri Lankan film industry recorded a high in 2025 in terms of revenue and the quality of the films produced. The film Rani was one of those films 

When Sri Lanka has just stepped into a brand new year, it’s time to reflect on the year bygone and reminisce the events and individuals who influenced the islanders’ minds.  History gives us reminders about how the tsunami in 2004 compelled Sri Lankans to stand united. But a bigger catastrophe was experienced 21 years later when floods and landslides caused havoc in the island. Hats off to those individuals who gave away whatever they could,  and stepped into the threatening waters to save lives. 

We also cannot forget those who did yeoman service in the  mountains and rescued those buried under the rubble and mud. The chaos that stretched to the cold month of December made us remember that Jesus Christ was also born in similar circumstances as a homeless infant. Many religious people opine that if the tsunami didn’t change us Sri Lankans,  the catastrophe in November-December (2025) made Sri Lankans a better united nation. 

At least one president in the past before Anura Kumara Dissanayake staged a war against narcotics. But this time,  the campaign is stronger to rid the nation of drugs with the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme.  In a country in which we hear Buddhist sermons, church hymns and the voice of the Mullah during Friday prayers over the public address system frequently, we also observe the presence of crime and drug trafficking. The state’s effort to rid the country of the influence of the ‘Black State’ must be lauded. 

As readers read this column, this writer takes a moment to remind everyone that notable influencing moments are penned here in an order of importance and the magnitude in which they influenced people. During the recent catastrophe, India permitted its airspace to be used by Pakistan to facilitate the movement of flights that brought aid to Sri Lanka. This underscores the power that adversity has to make opposing forces forget differences and work for the betterment of humanity. Both India and Pakistan  closed their airspaces since tensions escalated in April (2025) in the wake of an attack in India occupied Kashmir, Pahalgam that killed 26 people. 

In Sri Lanka we often witness the animosity in which projects commenced by past regimes are ridiculed and scrapped by regimes that assume power. But this government must be commended for continuing with the ‘Suva Seriya’ free ambulance service. What came as good news was when the health minister himself made a public statement that there would be no change to the colour of the ambulances, and the nature of service that Suva Seriya provides despite the government change. We must take this opportunity to remember the efforts of Dr. Harsha de Silva who was instrumental in establishing Suva Seriya in 2016. 

Film industry on a high

The Sri Lankan film industry recorded a high in 2025 in terms of revenue,  and the quality of the films produced. Films like Valampuri; Seven And a Half Dreams, Rani, Clarence; Rhythm of the Guitar and Devi Kusumasana brought back patrons to watch movies at the theatre itself, not forgetting the revenue that was generated by these films. This boom in the Sri Lanka silver screen prompted the Sri Lankan president to state: “the cinema contributes to spiritual and cultural development of the country”. 

There is a sporting achievement that needs special mention. Men’s javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga was named as the best athlete at the 4th South Asian Games last year. Thus he qualified for the World Championships finals and finished seventh. Tharanga is an Aircraftsman at the Sri Lanka Air Force. What’s interesting about this athlete is that he traded the cricket bat and ball to take up the javelin and found astounding success.  

In the culinary scene, there was an event that boosted Sri Lanka’s recognition. According to ‘Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards’ 2025, Sri Lanka’s food was rated seventh in comparison to cuisine from other parts of the world. Sri Lankan dishes are packed with a thrilling blend of spice colours and lots of coconut. Sri Lanka’s dishes were rated behind those coming from Thailand, Italy, Japan, Vietnam, Spain and New Zealand. 

Sri Lanka’s tourist industry buzzed with excitement due to the arrival of the two millionth visitor late last year. Despite Sri Lanka showing potential for tourism in most areas of the island, what’s sad is that this industry hasn’t received the desired backing from the government. But this handicap seems to have somewhat addressed, thanks to the positive thinking of the present regime. The good news is that the government has decided to gazette Negombo as a ‘tourist hub’ in the near future. These are influential factors that can boost the tourist industry that generates foreign revenue and offers employment to scores of locals. 

Rugby misstep

The next two influencing factors are yet again from the sports scene. Late last year, there was an inspiring moment that came from the domestic rugby scene. The high-riding Kandy Sports Club rugby team was robbed of victory in their match against CH&FC when referee Gihan Yatawara disallowed a certain try that was scored by Kandy SC’s prop forward Milan Weerasinghe. Thus the match ended in a draw. Amazingly the vocal Kandy rugby fans stomached disappointment with grace. The only little incident that took place was when a member of the CH&FC support staff abused a spectator. 

Our last influencing personality was Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya ‘oldgirl’ Chanithma Sinaly. We have to rate her last because there are both positives and negatives associated with the manner in which she conducted herself at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya Colours Awards 23/24. The positive factor is that she stood up in the face of discrimination and protested against a deserving award meant for her being given to another student. The award was for sports. 

The incident grabbed space in the social media platforms where Sinaly is praised more than being criticised. Social media critiques stood for Sinaly and highlighted the fact that she belonged to a group called ‘Gen Z’. They harped on the fact that Sinaly belonged to a generation that thought differently and not to mess with her. Till then,  we heard that those who belonged to the group called ‘World War II Veterans’ made up the world’s greatest generation. This was even endorsed by that renowned American judge Frank Caprio during a court case. But we also know that despite the fame,  these World War II Veterans received and the loyalty they showed for the causes they undertook, they were also noted for experiencing self-destruction, behaviour irregularities and being hyper vigilant. 

Sinaly didn’t receive the award, but stole the show with her fiery speech. Many far thinking people opine that she is going to regret her conduct one day when she matures into an accomplished and experienced lady.