Category: Opinion
Priorities in Focus: Will Budget 2025 Address Sri Lanka’s Agricultural Challenges?
By Dr Manoj Thibbotuwawa and Dr Lakmini Fernando Public expenditure on agriculture as a share of total government spending has decreased from 6.4% to 2% between 2014 and 2023. The irrigation subsector receives most of the agricultural spending (41%), with subsidies accounting for a high 26%. Change to funding priorities necessary to address critical concerns. […]
Opinion: Who fact-checks the fact-checkers? The Controversy Surrounding a Sri Lankan Presidential Post
By Sandun Arosha Fernando In the fast-paced world of digital misinformation, fact-checkers play a crucial role in ensuring accuracy. But what happens when a fact-checking organization itself is accused of getting the facts wrong? A recent controversy surrounding Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s official Tamil Facebook page has sparked serious concerns about the credibility […]
‘s Stock Market Surges to Historic High – Analyzing the Path Forward
By Uddeepa Peiris The Colombo Stock Exchange’s All Share Price Index (ASPI) has reached an unprecedented milestone, surpassing the 17,000-point mark for the first time in history. This remarkable ascent reflects growing investor confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic trajectory, underpinned by recent governmental policies, good governance initiatives, and strategic international partnerships. Economic Recovery and Growth […]
Balancing Borders: How Should Sri Lanka Manage the Rohingya Influx?
Bilesha Weeraratne, PhD. While the bedrocks of migration in Sri Lanka – foreign employment and remittances – are settling, other aspects are unsettling in 2025. The year 2024 closed with estimates of over 311,000 departures for foreign employment and over USD 6.5 billion in remittances. In December 2024, 115 Rohingya people, including 78 adults and […]
David Pieris Group Launches Northern Entrepreneur Seed Fund
By Jekhan Aruliah I first met Mr David Pieris in 2021. David came for tea at my place in Jaffna on one of his business visits to the North. The David Pieris Motor Company (DPMC) has operated in the North for decades including throughout the Sri Lanka civil war. David told me of his vision […]
Sri Lanka’s Economy, Hare or Tortoise?
By Jekhan Aruliah I was listening to a very eloquent speaker on YouTube. He commented, as our public speakers often do, that we in Sri Lanka are a blessed nation. Blessed with abundant natural assets, our forests and beaches etc, and copious human talents. And yet this blessed nation is chronically poor and in 2022 […]
‘s Trade Winds – Navigating the Currents of Climate Change
By Imesha Dissanayake Introduction Sri Lanka known for its biodiversity and strategic location, is increasingly challenged by the global climate crisis. With rising temperatures, extreme weather, and sea-level rise, the country faces disruptions across key economic sectors, particularly agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. This article explores how trade policies can integrate climate action to transform vulnerabilities […]
Opinion: From Tea to Tech – Can Sri Lanka Break Free from the Consumption Trap?
By Jithendra Antonio Sri Lanka’s economy feels like it’s stuck in a time loop. For decades, the same cycle has repeated—export raw materials, import finished goods, rely on tourism, and hope domestic spending plugs the gaps. But here’s the hard truth: this model is running on fumes. With $8 billion trade deficits, soaring inflation, and […]
Opinion: Sri Lanka’s Maritime Revolution – A Must-Do Strategy to Unlock Global Trade Power
By Jithendra Antonio Navigating a New Era in Global Trade Sri Lanka, an island that has stood as a strategic maritime crossroads for millennia, now finds itself at the cusp of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the chance to once again redefine its role in global commerce. With its perfect position at the heart of international sea […]
Opinion: Women’s Empowerment Through Livelihood Development – A Sri Lankan Perspective
By Nirmala Jayasundara When Lakshmi, a fictional character representing the many women in Sri Lanka, began selling vegetables from her home garden at the local market, she didn’t just supplement her family’s income, she sparked a transformation. This illustrative example reflects the broader trend of how women across Sri Lanka are taking charge of their […]
Opinion: Untold Lessons – Economic Insights from History for Sri Lanka’s Crisis
by M. Rizwan Muzzammil With a new government in power, Sri Lanka finds itself grappling with immense economic challenges. The burden of enormous debts continues to weigh heavily on a fragile economy, necessitating robust growth to overcome these hardships. However, achieving such growth is complicated by a governmental predisposition toward centralised economic control, rooted in […]
Opinion: Breaking Free from Tradition – How Sri Lanka Can Forge an Innovative Future in Education
By Jithendra Antonio In a rapidly evolving landscape marked by relentless technological advancement, the education system of Sri Lanka faces a pivotal moment of transformation. The traditional academic model, long established as the cornerstone of the country’s education framework, is struggling to keep pace with the dynamic needs of modern society. But the way forward […]