Balcony talk
Balcony talk View(s):My dear Uncle Ranil,I am writing to you because you are in the headlines again, appearing in court because of a trip you undertook to England a few years ago. The Greens and the ‘telephone’ chaps have been talking for months now, with nothing to show for it except a few photos and social media posts. Interestingly, Sajith himself represents the ‘telephone’ chaps but you have sent your ‘A’ team. The Greens and the ‘telephone’ chaps joining forces makes sense. Knowing you and your cunning tricks, that is not impossible, but I do hope that is not the case, Uncle Ranil.
Source:Sunday Times
January 31, 2026 19:35 UTC
Indian Republic Day commemorated in Sri Lanka
Indian Republic Day commemorated in Sri Lanka View(s):India’s 77th Republic Day was commemorated in Colombo on Monday, January 26 with official and cultural events hosted by the High Commission of India. The main ceremony was held at India House, where High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha hoisted the Indian national flag and inspected a Guard of Honour. He also read excerpts from the Republic Day address of the President of India. Two Indian Coast Guard ships, Varaha and Atulya, also arrived in Sri Lanka and are scheduled to visit Colombo and Galle from January 24 to 27. Republic Day was also observed by Indian diplomatic missions in Hambantota, Jaffna and Kandy through separate events.
Source:Sunday Times
January 31, 2026 19:34 UTC
On presidential pronouncements regarding ‘racism’
But even so, there is much to be learnt about Singapore’s ‘disciplined governance’ that should not be scoffed at. Take one example; the implementation of language rights. In contrast, language race and religion have long been employed as toxic political weapons in Sri Lanka. Hundreds of complaints filed to bodies tasked with rectifying these gaps, even to (Tamil) Ministers holding the portfolios of language rights, have been to no avail. Members of the opposition Rajapaksa-led Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP), unashamed purveyors of communalism and proponents of religious and racial hatred, vented on national television regarding the President’s remarks.
Source:Sunday Times
January 31, 2026 19:34 UTC
How Ceylon won her Freedom Hour thanks to Gandhi’s nonviolent power
He made the winds of freedom blow across the Palk Strait and release Ceylon from the captive cage of the British. Thenceforth the Sinhala Kingdom, or rather what was left of it, went mobile to survive the exigencies of that deciding hour. From the descending southbound step to the Kingdom of Kotte, the Sinhala Kingdom took flight from the siege laid on Kotte and sought refuge in the hills: in the Sinhala stronghold of Senkadagala. Dusk had set in much earlier over the Sinhala Kingdom. The Sinhala Kingdom had entered the twilight zone; and the Sinhala Kings ruled from their fast-dwindling twilight realms.
Source:Sunday Times
January 31, 2026 19:34 UTC
The purpose of education should be to provide the country with a productive, intelligent workforce
The purpose of education should be to provide the country with a productive, intelligent workforce View(s):By Ananda AmarawansaFree education in Sri Lanka, initiated by Mr C.W.W. Native language education and deficienciesThere is nothing wrong with providing education in the mother tongue. Although the above programme extended to providing primary and secondary education as well as tertiary university education in the vernacular, there was no clarity on vocational education. Higher vocational education in the country is currently open through English and computer knowledge. Especially if the public sector is developed with a managerial orientation, it can provide the necessary educated workforce at various levels.
Source:Sunday Times
January 31, 2026 19:34 UTC
Apparel industry studying India EU FTA
Apparel industry studying India EU FTA By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka’s apparel industry believes that the newly signed trade agreement between India and the European Union could threaten the local competitiveness globally. Currently Sri Lanka purchases fabrics from China and India with the latter’s fabrics being provided duty free access to the EU since it is a regional state within the SAARC countries. He noted that this trade agreement between India and the EU could have challenges for Sri Lanka but the details of the Free Trade Agreement need to be looked at. With this agreement, India would become a competitive state for Sri Lanka when trading to the EU. If Indian suppliers improve cost competitiveness due to the FTA and also meet compliance requirements, they may take share from Sri Lankan exporters.
Source:Sunday Times
January 31, 2026 19:34 UTC
Prasanna’s ‘Paradise’ received Kerala State Film Awards
Prasanna’s ‘Paradise’ received Kerala State Film Awards View(s):By Susitha R. FernandoRenowned Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage brought international recognition to Sri Lankan cinema after receiving the Best Story Award for his film ‘Paradise’ at the 55th ‘Kerala State Film Awards’, held last Sunday in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Presented by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy to honour excellence in Malayalam cinema, the awards also recognised Paradise in multiple categories. ‘Paradise’, presented by Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies and produced by Newton Cinema, is an Indo–Sri Lankan co-production and was further recognised with four nominations at the Asian Film Awards, including Best Film. The film has enjoyed a strong international festival run, winning the Audience Jury Award at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival in Spain and the Kim Jiseok Award for Best Film at the Busan International Film Festival. Darshana Rajendran also won Best Actress at India’s Critics’ Choice Awards, while Mahendra Perera received a Best Supporting Actor nomination.
Source:Sunday Times
January 31, 2026 19:34 UTC
Central Bank purchased $2 bn from the market in 2025
Central Bank purchased $2 bn from the market in 2025NewsThe Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CB) purchased a total of US$2 billion through the money market last year, contributing to the gross official reserves reaching $6.8 billion by end 2025, the highest level recorded in the post- economic crisis period. Sri Lanka suffered an economic collapse in 2021-2022 exacerbated by an acute shortage of foreign exchange due to mismanagement. It said the Sri Lanka rupee recorded a modest depreciation against the US dollar over the year 2025. During the second half of 2025, the Sri Lanka rupee depreciated by 3.1 per cent against the US dollar compared to 2.5 per cent depreciation recorded in the first half of 2025. Accordingly, throughout the year, the Sri Lanka rupee depreciated by 5.6 per cent against the US dollar from Rs.
Source:Sunday Times
January 31, 2026 04:33 UTC
‘Achieving Profitability through Sustainable Tourism’ at Amba Yaalu Kandalama
‘Achieving Profitability through Sustainable Tourism’ at Amba Yaalu KandalamaBusinessBy Sanath WeerasuriyaAs Sri Lanka prepares for a new wave of global travellers for 2026, sustainability has moved from being an option to an obligation. Sustainable tourism is designed to minimise adverse impacts while enhancing positive outcomes for local environments, cultures and economies. Set against the Kandalama Weva as backdrop, sustainability took centre stage at ‘Achieving Profitability through Sustainable Tourism’, the latest symposium organised by the Sustainable Tourism Association of Sri Lanka (STASL) at Amba Yaalu on January 25. Amba Yaalu Kandalama Marks One Year of Redefining Women-Led Hospitality in Sri Lanka Amba Yaalu Kandalama, Sri Lanka’s first women-led hotel, proudly marks its first anniversary, celebrating a year of empowerment, inclusion, and purposeful hospitality. Amba Yaalu Kandalama was conceived in response to a pressing gap within Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Source:Sunday Times
January 30, 2026 07:32 UTC
NDB strengthens long-term strategic tie up with IFC
NDB strengthens long-term strategic tie up with IFCBusinessAbove: NDB’s Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Kelum Edirisinghe (left) and IFC’s Regional Director, Financial Institutions Group, Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Allen Forlemu exchanging the agreements between NDB and IFC. The second agreement comprises a trade finance facility under IFC’s Global Trade Finance Programme(GTFP). Through this engagement, NDB will collaborate with IFC’s trade finance experts and benefit from IFC’s strong credit standing and deep technical expertise in the said subject matter. With support under the Global SME Finance Facility (GSMEF), IFC will provide technical assistance to NDB to modernise the bank’s Transaction Banking (TB) and Supply Chain Finance (SCF) business. NDB is currently on a strong growth momentum, having just embarked on its new strategic roadmap and charting its course towards an ambitious 2030.
Source:Sunday Times
January 29, 2026 10:39 UTC
Second visit by IMF team due in coming weeks
Second visit by IMF team due in coming weeksNewsThe International Monetary Fund (IMF) plans to send another mission in coming weeks to Sri Lanka to resume discussions on economic policies for the next review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). “We reaffirm our solidarity with Sri Lanka and readiness to support the country in its efforts to safeguard macroeconomic stability and promote resilience and sustainable growth,” IMF said in a statement issued on Wednesday at the end of the mission visit. The mission also met with representatives from the private sector, civil society organizations, and development partners. During the mission, the team engaged with authorities and relevant stakeholders to understand the economic and social impact of the cyclone, including the damage to infrastructure and loss of livelihoods. They are determined to continue strengthening social safety nets to protect the poor and vulnerable, who are disproportionately affected by the cyclone,” the statement said.
Source:Sunday Times
January 29, 2026 05:34 UTC
US cricketer suspended over anti-corruption allegation
US cricketer suspended over anti-corruption allegationSportAmerican batter Aaron Jones has been suspended from playing all cricket with immediate effect after being charged with five alleged breaches of the anti-corruption codes of Cricket West Indies and the ICC. On Wednesday, the ICC confirmed that Jones had been provisionally suspended from all cricket with immediate effect. He has 14 days to respond to the charges.Three of the charges relate to the Barbados-based Bim10 tournament in 2023/24, while the other two relate to international matches. He was expected to serve as the team’s vice-captain. You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
January 29, 2026 05:31 UTC
Central Bank says policy interest rates unchanged
Central Bank says policy interest rates unchangedNewsThe Central Bank’s Monetary Policy Board, at its meeting held on Tuesday, decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at the current level of 7.75 per cent. The OPR is a signal to the market and yesterday’s decision means interest rates across commercial banks will remain unchanged. The Board was of the view that the current monetary policy stance will support steering inflation towards the target of 5 per cent. The external current account is estimated to have recorded a sizeable surplus in 2025, despite the widening of the trade deficit. This was mainly supported by the net foreign exchange purchases by the Central Bank and inflows from multilateral agencies.
Source:Sunday Times
January 28, 2026 04:41 UTC
Probe launched after discovery of pistol, grenade and ammunition
Probe launched after discovery of pistol, grenade and ammunitionNewsInvestigations are underway after the Police Special Task Force (STF) recovered a foreign-made pistol, a live hand grenade and three live rounds of T56 ammunition from a wooded area in the Kirineliyakanda area in Dikwella. A team of officers from the STF base in Tangalle recovered the items yesterday (26) following a tip-off. No information had been unearthed so far on any suspects responsible for hiding items at the location and further investigations are ongoing. You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
January 27, 2026 13:50 UTC
Two 16-year-olds killed in separate motorbike accidents
Two 16-year-olds killed in separate motorbike accidentsNewsTwo 16-year-old boys have been killed in separate motorcycle accidents yesterday (26). In one accident that occurred in Bingiriya, a motorbike traveling towards Bowatta on the Bowatta-Kuliyapitiya Road crashed when the motorcyclist lost control of the motorbike. The deceased was identified as a 16-year-old resident of Dummalasooriya. The motorcyclist and pillion rider who were injured in the accident were admitted to the Gangodagama Hospital, where the motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries,. The victim was identified by police as a 16-year-old resident of Mahagedarawatta, Hakmana.
Source:Sunday Times
January 27, 2026 13:50 UTC