Sri Lanka’s reform drive faces tariff risks

Sri Lanka’s fragile fiscal recovery could stall if pending U.S. tariffs erode tax revenue and unsettle investors. Trade uncertainty may delay tax hikes, stall subsidy reforms, and disrupt bond offerings—widening deficits and prompting higher risk premiums from lenders. Sri Lanka, still rebuilding its credit after default, now faces this predicament as even relatively favourable tariff terms could trim up to 162 million dollars from annual revenue

How effective are UN peacekeeping forces?

The United Nations Peacekeeping Forces were established to help reduce civilian suffering, prevent escalation, and support peace agreements in conflict zones. However, when one looks at prolonged conflicts such as the Israel-Palestine crisis—now spiraling further out of control—one must ask: are they truly effective?

Is Sri Lanka back-paddling on renewable energy surge?

In a year marked by both progress and disparity, the global renewable energy sector witnessed a record-breaking addition of 585 gigawatts (GW) to its capacity in 2024, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) latest statistics report released in March 2025. This milestone brought total installed renewable energy capacity of the world to 4,448 GW, a 15.1% increase from the previous year. Solar power led the charge,

SLMC in the spotlight Sudden changes to ERPM spark outrage

Following the controversial changes brought by the Sri Lanka Medical Council to the Examination process to register for Medicine Practice in Sri Lanka, a wave of concern is sweeping across Sri Lanka’s medical professionals.

Celebrating centenary, SLMC urges Medical Community to focus inwards

The Sri Lanka Medical Council, as the sole regulator of medical professionals in Sri Lanka, has played a vital role in shaping the nature, quality, and character of medical professionals and the medical profession for a century.

Regulating the media, the dream of every governing party

In parliament yesterday, out of the blue, so to speak, the Minister of Mass Media, Nalinda Jayatissa, announced that within a period of three months, a national media policy will be brought into effect.

Crack Down on Israel-Run Narcotic Rings in Tourist Zones

Recent reports of Israeli nationals engaging in narcotics peddling and unauthorised business operations in the Eastern Province raise grave concerns about the future of ethical tourism and national security in Sri Lanka.

Healthcare waste, a burden for residents in Anuradhapura

The healthcare waste management crisis at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital surfaced once again when media reports indicated massive piles of waste dumped in an adjacent land named ‘Paldoruwa’. Medical experts point out that the non-inclusion of a healthcare waste management system – which is an integral part of any national health system has been a major drawback in national planning policies. Environmentalists have cautioned the potential impact o

NPP’s about face on IMF a welcome turn

Nothing can take anyone by surprise twice, but it seems to happen given the repeated media reports and cartoons about the ironical relationship between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the National People’s Power (NPP) led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.

Peace in Gaza? US, Israel and Hamas talk in Washington and Doha

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire. He had also asked Hamas to do the same or face the consequences. But, as both parties have set tough conditions, Trump’s diplomatic skills and America’s coercive power will be on test at the meetings slated to be held in Washington and Doha this week. President Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu will be meeting in Washington, and delegations of the Israelis and th

No-Show Narcotics Consignees: A Gaping Loophole in Courier Screening

It was recently reported that narcotics worth over Rs. 60 million—shipped via international express courier services—are lying unclaimed at Colombo Cargo Express. These parcels, originating from countries like the USA, Canada, and Malaysia, were addressed to local recipients using fake identities and false addresses.

Jaffna MP Shritharan’s Insidious Campaign Against his own party ITAK

Retiring Supreme Court Judge Gamini Amarasekara made several important observations while addressing court recently.

What we hear from Chemmani… When the soil speaks for people’s justice

On the seventh day of the second phase of re-excavations at Chemmani in July 2025, I stood before a shallow grave where skeletal remains of a child were found, still carrying a UNICEF school bag, and within it, a tiny doll.

Beyond the Container Crisis: Rebuilding Trust in Colombo Port

The Port of Colombo boasts a remarkable two-millennia legacy, evolving from the ancient Kolomthota trading harbour to a premier international hub.

Indian claims to Katchatheevu and undisclosed defence co-operation MOUs

India’s Minister of External Affairs -- the ever charming, confident and pleasant Dr. Jaishankar -- is not so polite whenever the Modi regime is at the receiving end of criticism regarding, Indian rights to Sri Lankan fishing grounds.

What’s the solution to treat ailing jumbos?

It is a known fact that many jumbos have sustained gunshot injuries as a result of the ongoing human-elephant conflict.

Towards a robust ‘Representative Democracy’

The original Proportional Representation (PR) system of 1978, is despised by sections of the general public and academia due to the notion created by its political critics that it was brought in to sustain the then govt. in power which has since been proved wrong.

UNHRC slackens its stance on Sri Lanka

The visit by the current United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, to Sri Lanka last week failed to evoke as much enthusiasm or interest as the visits by his predecessors, Navanethem Pillay and Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein had done.

No tears for the troika as JVP pivots to fiscal discipline

Lanka is at a disastrous crossroads. The ruling NPP government promised big while in the Opposition. But now caught up in the reality of ruling a country, has had to come to grips with the realities of our stressed-out economy. We have not as yet paid back our international debts.

A call to end the unbearable delays in arguments at the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka

The Supreme Court is the Apex court that is deemed to deliver justice to long-suffering litigants (it takes an average of 20 years to reach the Supreme Court with our cases) by concluding the arguments component of their appeal cases.

Children falling prey to consumerism

Beautiful small children running on the roads and attempting to sell food is now a thing of the past. No longer would you also see small children appearing on television advertisements promoting food items. The reason is because the Government of Sri Lanka has got cracking on banning the exploitation of children for financial gains.

Gaza Genocide: Who stands for justice-and who stands in the way?

What kind of world do we live in—one where justice and humanity have fled to brutish beasts, and world leaders, particularly those of the Western world, seem to have lost all reason? With hundreds of starving Palestinian civilians bombed daily in Gaza as they sleep and gunned down when hunger drives them towards death traps camouflaged by Israel and the United States as food aid centres, humanity is divided into three categories: those who commit

Bureaucratic inefficiency slows down NPP Govt’s targets: Samantha Vidyaratna

Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyaratna, in an interview with Daily Mirror, shares views on challenging confronting the National People’s Power (NPP) government and development plans in the pipeline. Excerpts:

Tourism – boom or bane?

Thank you for publishing this much needed article (‘Downside of Tourism: No support for local tourists’ -- Daily Mirror June 30th) which presents the most salient points relating to this issue in a cogent and rational manner, with an analysis of its root causes which is spot on.

If you must fear anything, fear the law and nothing else!

Sri Lanka is an island which has one main law and several customised ‘laws’ or regulations to suit certain communities and religions. The latter are unofficial, l but have clout in their respective societies.

Krishanthi Kumaraswamy case and Chemmani mass grave : A landmark case and a prosecutor’s call for accountability

Ongoing excavations at the Chemmani mass grave reveal harrowing atrocities committed during the war. But this mass grave site would have been a secret buried under Lankan soil if not for a statement made by a death row convict. The convict, who is the main accused in the Krishanthi Kumaraswamy case, revealed the Chemmani mass grave in 1998 upon being sentenced to death. Recently, the Supreme Court rejected a petition filed by this convict and oth

Meritocracy and competency: Lessons for Sri Lanka from Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore

Sri Lanka, a nation blessed with abundant natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, and a resilient populace, stands at a critical juncture in its development trajectory. As it navigates the complexities of economic recovery, social cohesion, and sustained growth, the quality of its

Could overconfident political behaviour hurt Lanka’s democracy?

Industries Minister Sunil Handunnetthi’s recent speech at the World Economic Forum created much hype on social media. While many blamed him for his proficiency of English, social media users were also concerned about whether he actually understood the questions. Perhaps the same thoughts may have crossed the minds of a considerable section of society who knew about the context of this global event.

appeal to the minister

Ministry of Urban Development, Constructions and Housing Battaramulla Dear Sir,

STRONG GOVERNANCE GIVES CONFIDENCE TO INVESTORS - ITC CHAIRMAN

Sanjiv Puri, the immediate past President of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Chairman and managing Director of ITC Ltd is in Sri Lanka leading a delegation of a dozen Indian business leaders for high level engagements.