St Benedict’s College expands pioneering STEM centre View(s):In a significant stride towards modernizing education, St Benedict’s College, Kotahena, inaugurated Chambers 2 and 3 of its state-of-the-art STEM Centre on January 9. The event, attended by alumni, educators, parents, and eager students, highlighted the college’s vision to integrate 21st-century learning methodologies across its curriculum. St Benedict’s College is setting a commendable example in translating national education reform goals into tangible, experiential learning environments that will nurture the scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers of tomorrow.”The original STEM Centre, launched in January 2025, revolutionised science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pedagogy for Grade 6 students. Ultimately, Chamber 3 is where technical skills converge with creative vision to prepare true innovators for the future. Rev Bro Niran Perera FSC, representing the college administration, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the project.

A scholarly study ennobled by a love for both Christianity and Buddhism View(s):Writing a preface for this book, Fr. Elizabeth is an academic, scholar in Buddhism, historian, writer, and promoter of understanding among religions, particularly between Buddhism and Christianity. Her visit to Sri Lanka in 1986 as a recipient of a World Council of Churches’ scholarship was to study Buddhism. After her initial exposure to Buddhist studies, Elizabeth continued in the same postgraduate institute as a doctoral researcher studying, under the guidance of Professor Y. Karunadasa and (the late) Dr Ananda W.P. (Elizabeth’s work was later published in Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism series, under the title, ‘Theravada Buddhism and the British Encounter’ (2006).

CFA Society Sri Lanka announces the opening of applications for the CFA Institute Programme Access Scholarships 2026 View(s):CFA Society Sri Lanka is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the August 2026 CFA Institute Programme Access Scholarships. The CFA Institute Access Scholarship Programme is a global initiative designed to make the prestigious CFA® Programme more accessible to individuals who may not be able to afford the full program fees, while adhering to the mission and values of the CFA Institute. The Access Scholarship provides substantial financial support by reducing enrollment and exam registration fees, enabling a broader range of aspiring professionals to pursue the CFA designation. Rashmi Peiris Paranavitane, CFA, President of CFA Society Sri Lanka, stated that the Access Scholarship continues to play a vital role in strengthening Sri Lanka’s future financial talent pool. Those interested in applying for the scholarship are encouraged to visit the official webpage of the CFA Institute Program Access Scholarship.

BYD records 4.6 m NEV Sales in 2025 View(s):BYD has retained its position as the world’s largest seller of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), recording total global sales of 4,602,436 units in 2025. The achievement marks another major milestone for the company and reinforces its leadership in the global transition towards sustainable mobility. In 2025, BYD also became the world’s largest seller of battery electric vehicles, reflecting sustained growth across its fully electric portfolio. For the first time, annual overseas sales surpassed one million units, reaching over 1.04 million vehicles across more than 110 countries. China remains BYD’s largest market, accounting for the majority of total NEV sales.

Backed by licensed and experienced adviser, the team provides in-depth guidance on study pathways, work opportunities, and immigration options, ensuring students are supported at every stage of their journey View(s):With expert knowledge and ethical advice, Eureka Consultants helps students confidently plan their future with an expert. From study to work and long-term migration planning, Eureka Consultants offers a structured, future-focused approach tailored to each student’s goals. Building on this legacy, Eureka Consultants has recently expanded its services to Galle, extending professional international education guidance to students in the Southern Province. From school leavers to working professionals seeking career progression through international education, the focus remains on sustainable and well-informed decisions. From school leavers to working professionals seeking career progression through international education, the focus remains on sustainable and well informed decisions.

A gangster’s-eye view of global power View(s):By Jayati Ghosh, PROJECT SYNDICATE, EXCLUSIVE TO THE SUNDAY TIMES IN SRI LANKANEW DELHI – There is a method behind the apparent madness of US President Donald Trump’s transactional, spheres-of-influence approach to geopolitics and the global economy. Can carving up the world among major powers deliver a more stable and dynamic capitalism at a time when the global economy appears increasingly volatile and rudderless? Relative stability, such as it was, rested on a combination of overwhelming military power and a framework of global rules and institutions designed to keep geopolitical rivalries in check. His proposed remedy is to rely on military dominance and residual economic power to secure direct control over resources and markets in regions he views as being within America’s exclusive sphere of influence. Disputes over access, borders, and control are therefore inevitable when one power attempts to assert dominance on every front, raising the likelihood of major wars.

SLPP, police in heated row over flags View(s):Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) supporters engaged in a heated argument with Thambuttegama police officers, including the officer in charge of the station, over the refusal to permit flags at a ceremony that was to be attended by the party’s National Organiser, Namal Rajapaksa. The SLPP supporters claimed that the police stopped them from putting up flags around the venue. SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam told the Sunday Times that the venue was about 50 metres away from the main road and that the OIC had no reason to object to the flags. “Our members asked the OIC why they could not display the flags when the police had no issue with commercial organisations doing so. He added that the law restricted the exhibition of political party flags only after an election was officially gazetted.

DDS BACK!!! The dashing left hander has been left out, meaning he will miss out on what would have been a home World Cup. In contrast, fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has been rested from the ODI series due to a groin injury. The bowling all-rounder has been brought in with an eye on the 50-over World Cup next year. However, Hasaranga, arguably Sri Lanka’s most potent match winner in white-ball cricket, is likely to be rested during the ODI series.

Sri Lanka Expo 2026 to boost exports and investment By Kevin De Alwis View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka’s ambition to strengthen its position as a regional trade and investment hub received renewed momentum with the official launch of Sri Lanka Expo 2026, an international exhibition aimed at showcasing the country’s export capabilities and investment potential to global markets. Announced by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) on January 9, the Expo is scheduled to be held from June 18 to 21, 2026, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). Addressing the gathering, Minister Handunnetti described Sri Lanka Expo 2026 as a strategic initiative aligned with national economic priorities. “Sri Lanka Expo 2026 is not just an event, it is a platform where our policies, our products and our people come together to create real business opportunities in international markets,” he said. Sri Lanka Expo 2026 will feature a comprehensive range of sectors across industrial exports, agricultural exports and export services.

SLT, Fintelex empower farmers with ‘Yaya Agro’ App View(s):SLT‑MOBITEL Mobile, in collaboration with Fintelex (Pvt) Ltd, has launched ‘Yaya Agro’, an all‑in‑one smart agriculture app designed to empower Sri Lankan farmers with the tools they need to grow smarter, safer, and more sustainably. Yaya Agro represents a new era of digital farming in Sri Lanka combining technology, expert knowledge, and community empowerment to provide farmers the confidence to make smarter decisions, improve productivity, and build a sustainable future, the telecom company said in a media release. Functioning as a comprehensive digital companion, Yaya Agro is positioned as a digital farming companion, bringing precision agriculture, real‑time support, and market access to the fingertips of every Sri Lankan farmer. Yaya Agro offers farmers daily crop information with expert tips on management, pest control, and best practices, all validated by the University of Colombo. The app also delivers life‑saving first aid tutorials and safety information verified by the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, ensuring farmers are prepared for emergencies.

SLIIT and global partners combine to strengthen NetZero Skills in Sri Lanka View(s):The Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), together with a consortium of leading Sri Lankan and international partners, have officially launched the Empowering Net Zero Skills for Sri Lanka’s Sustainable and Resilient Future (ENSURE) project. The Sri Lankan consortium partners include the University of Jaffna, University of Peradeniya, University of Ruhuna, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association (SLEMA), and the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC). Positioned as a strategic education and skills development response to Sri Lanka’s accelerating sustainability priorities, ENSURE focuses on strengthening the national talent pipeline required for a credible and inclusive transition to a low-carbon economy. ENSURE is designed to strengthen Sri Lanka’s higher education and vocational training systems by expanding access to industry-relevant learning pathways and modernising how sustainability-linked skills are developed and delivered. Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Kumara Jayawickrama, Project Coordinator, said: “Sri Lanka’s Net Zero ambition requires an equally strong investment in skills and capability.

Need to restructure university education in Sri Lanka By Prof. J.A. Karunaratne FEATURE View(s): View(s):The university education system in Sri Lanka has traditionally played a central role in producing batches of civil servants and other professionals, including clusters of lawyers and medical professionals. The need to restructure university education in Sri Lanka arises primarily from issues of access, relevance, quality, governance, and alignment with national development goals. ConclusionsThe need to restructure university education in Sri Lanka is both urgent and unavoidable. This should also help Sri Lanka maintain structural harmony with other nations of the global community.

Geotechnical body wants building activity in high-risk areas halted View(s):By Nidarshani WickramasingheThe National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has recommended that all construction projects be cleared from high-risk areas demarcated through boundary demarcation maps developed using satellite images following the landslides triggered by cyclone Ditwah in November. Sentinel-2 satellite images were used. The demarcation maps created from these satellite images have now been provided to national universities, the Disaster Management Centre, NBRO and relevant institutions. Once risk areas and high-risk areas are identified, corresponding actions are taken, Dr Senadeera said. The institute said that the number of landslides and natural disasters viewed through satellite data exceeds the numbers reported in the media.

IQBAL ATHAS – Standing tall through it all View(s):As the Sunday Times bids goodbye to our stalwart Consultant Editor/Defence Correspondent/Political Editor, we look back on an exceptional career of investigative reporting, war reporting, astute political commentary and mentoring a generation of journalists. Iqbal Athas, who dominated these Op-Ed pages for 30 years, first as a Defence Correspondent and later as Political Editor of the Sunday Times, is no more. These incidents were symptomatic of the widespread criminal impunity in Sri Lanka at the time. At home, he was the first recipient of the coveted Journalist of the Year Award presented by The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was handing over the Movement’s chair to Cuba.

Legal dispute over Sheraton Colombo property, premises By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):The Sheraton Colombo hotel premises and its properties are to be sold by public auction following a default in making payments on loans obtained from two commercial banks. Lanka Hotels and Residencies Chairman Gamini Gunaratne speaking with the Sunday Times Business said that currently “we are negotiating with the banks”. He noted that the public announcement is part of the legal procedures that the banks have to adhere to. The management of the Sheraton Colombo is given under a contract to the global Sheraton Hotels franchise. The total due to the NDB as stated in the notification is the sum of Rs.2.2 billion and US$23 million.