Hitting the poor and sparing the wealthy IMF Engineered Dispossession as Social Stability

The 2020s has become a decade of distress in the Global South. Half the developing countries are now in debt trouble, with the situation having deteriorated considerably since 2010.

Government’s “Big Kuchchan” and people’s “Bing Chun”

Members of the opposition political parties, both minority and majority, have been making fun out a mispronunciation of two English words by a prominent Cabinet Member of a NPP government.

Bank staff clueless about Blue Bonds

A leading local development bank recently announced the launch of its much-publicised Blue Bond, proudly claiming to be the first Sri Lankan bank to issue one.

Mass Expulsion of Northern Muslims in 1990: Why did the LTTE do it?

October 1990 was the month in which the Tamil-speaking Muslims of the Northern province were forcibly expelled en masse by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), 35 years ago.

Pros and cons of social media Is criminal defamation to come again in disguise?

Unlike leaders of other political parties in the country, the National People’s Power (NPP) leaders have been lodging complaints with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on defamation against them, especially in social media, for over a year.

Port Access Elevated Highway -- snail’s speed development

Recent revelation that the construction of the Port Access Elevated Highway (PAEH) -- much needed 5.3 km road connection built on posts expected to connect the Harbour to New Kelani Bridge, entrance and thence to the country’s expressway -- might get delayed for another two years is a clear reflection on Sri Lanka’s snail-speed development.

Think Pink — A Simple, Cost-Effective Way to Show You Care

Every year, October is observed globally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Sri Lanka too, has joined this noble cause.

Wind, solar or nuclear: speedy action needed

When the economy collapsed in 2022, one of the hardest lessons was that energy insecurity can cripple the entire system. Power cuts, fuel queues, and import shortages didn’t just darken homes but also the country’s economic prospects. Two years later, the government has stabilised the energy supply, but the underlying vulnerability remains. Sri Lanka still imports nearly all its fuel, spends billions in foreign exchange on petroleum and coal, and

The Palestinian story outshines flattery and triumphalism

What a sham at Sharm el-Sheikh! A spectacle choreographed to satiate one man’s thirst for glory. The same performance was on display in West Jerusalem just hours before the so-called world leaders’ summit at the Egyptian resort town on Monday.

The End of Socialist Politics in Sri Lanka

The President’s recent remark that “the Government cannot do business” has driven the final nail into socialist politics in Sri Lanka. This marks a watershed moment—a long-overdue recognition that economic progress depends on private sector–led growth, not state control. For the first time in decades, a consensus appears to be emerging across the

Daily wage of plantation workers still hangs in the balance

When the New Vithanakande Tea Factory recently broke the Guinness World Record for their premium Ceylon Black Tea sold at the highest price of 125,000 Yen or USD 835 per kilogram at a Japanese tea auction, it didn’t come in as a surprise for many. Ceylon Tea has earned global recognition for its distinct flavours and rich aroma and is a beverage celebrated the world over.

Beyond Compliance: Sustainability as a Driver of Competitiveness

Sustainability is increasingly becoming non-negotiable in international trade and supply chains. Companies and countries are integrating sustainable practices into their policies and mandates. For smaller developing countries like Sri Lanka, the shift poses both a challenge and an opportunity. The primary challenge is higher compliance costs, which can restrict market access, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Don’t Leave Without Your Receipt – It Could Cost You!

Recently, I had an unforgettable experience (on my way home!) at a leading supermarket close to my residence, which I believe is worth sharing for the benefit of other customers.

Learning the Art of Negotiation

For years I mistook people pleasing for diplomacy. It took time, training and humility to realise that negotiation is not conflict but connection.

Sri Lanka’s future does not revolve around the UNHRC

Another session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which concerned Sri Lanka, concluded last week, this time thankfully without making a spectacle at home.

Rural women and their contribution to the economy

Women in rural areas make a huge contribution to the economy, but their contributions often go unnoticed. Hence, since today (October 15) is ‘International Day of Rural Women’, let’s focus on rural women and their work.

Gullies sans Covers: Deadly Hazards in Armour Street Flat

Several uncovered gullies along Sri Sumanatissa Mawatha, Armour Street, Colombo 12, have become serious death traps for pedestrians and motorists alike.

For better for worse, whose decision was worse

In our history we have innumerable instances of politicians making pre-election promises which they have never kept after coming into power. Perhaps they never intended to keep those promises or were forced into the realisation that implementation of the same would be detrimental to the good of the country.

Parliamentary protection laws now tools for abuse

The Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act 1953 was designed to protect lawmakers from political intimidation and ensure legislative freedom. However, this is increasingly being used as a blanket privilege by MPs to slander their spouses and children, spread false statements about Government officials, to leak ongoing investigations and misinformation about business tycoons without consequence.

The politics of Nobel Laureate Maria Machado Will take Venezuela to the US camp if elected President

Maria Corina Machado (58), who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this year, got it for her indefatigable fight for democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. This South American country, like many others in the Global South, has had elected leaders who turned out to be dictators, including the current President, Nicolas Maduro.

LGBTQIA+ Deserves Empathy, Not Judgment

Following last week’s discussion on India’s LGBTQA+ tourism, I wanted to explore the deeper question many readers raised: what does science tell us about sexual orientation itself?

VIP security should not be politicised

Public security Minister Ananda Wijepala has stated that former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena have requested the bullet-proof vehicles they had returned to the state following the passage of the Presidents’ Entitlement Bill on September 10.

Lies and Damn lies!

With reference to Mr. A. Ratnayake’s letter to the Editor, I wish to set the record straight. His assertions are baseless, misleading, and far removed from the truth.

“Black October”: Mass Expulsion of Northern Muslims by the LTTE in 1990

October 1990 is a cruel and unforgettable month in the history of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province Muslims. It was in October 1990 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) forcibly expelled the Tamil-speaking Muslim people from the Northern Province in an atrocious act amounting to ethnic cleansing.

An Opposition detached from the people

Despite the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) having 40 seats in Parliament, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) with only three seats seems to be the main Opposition for the past few weeks, due to the latter being in confrontation with the government than the former.

Lanka is aging fast with little care for the aged

On the first of this month, the world commemorated the International Day of the elderly (those who are 60 years and above). The number of people aged 60 years or more worldwide has more than doubled, from around 541 million in 1995 to 1.2 billion in 2025. This figure is expected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050.

Why remove the BMICH police station?

The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) holds significant importance to Sri Lanka, serving as a symbol of the country’s diplomatic relations and cultural heritage.

Taxing plastic bags won’t untax the environment

The recently issued extraordinary gazette mandates that retailers can no longer distribute plastic shopping bags for free from November 1, 2025, which is a welcome move in principle, due to the serious harm posed by the bags to the environment. 

Israel-Hamas truce: Trump’s peace push-dividends or deception?

In wars, there are no victors—only victims. The truth of this statement becomes vivid only when war is viewed through a humanitarian lens. It does not matter whether Israel wins or loses, whether Hamas does, or who outfoxed whom. What matters most are the lives of the war-battered—the hapless and helpless people of Gaza and the Israeli hostages. The side that wages peace wins. As the late Pope Francis once said, “To make peace, one needs courage

Government at Odds with Itself

In what appears to be an instance that shows policy incoherence and administrative disarray, the government found itself entangled in controversy over its handling of an LGBTQ+ project. What began as an official endorsement of a tourism project based on LGBTQ+ rights turns into a hasty denial, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and others making counter remarks after meeting with the members of the clergy, who protested the move over its imp