Single tax reform aims to unlock SL’s gem wealth
Single tax reform aims to unlock SL’s gem wealth By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry is set to enter a decisive new phase as the Government moves forward with a landmark tax reform designed to simplify trade, curb illegal exports and revive a sector with vast unrealised economic potential. At the heart of this policy shift is a proposed single tax per parcel on gemstones imported into the country for value addition, an initiative policymakers believe could restore confidence, transparency and growth across the industry. This has prompted the government to proposed a “single tax per parcel” to curb illicit activities and boost legitimate exports, though challenges with smuggling and inconsistent policies persist, Industry Minister Sunil Handunnetti disclosed. It has lead to industry concerns, though efforts are underway for simplification, including a proposed single tax for value addition and tourist refunds (TVRS) to boost competitiveness. The aim of the new taxation is value addition, moving from raw exports to finished products, with a new “single tax per parcel” approved for imported rough gems to encourage processing.
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:59 UTC
Sri Lanka U19s looking for maiden CWC title
Sri Lanka U19s looking for maiden CWC title cricket View(s): View(s):Led by Vimath Dinsara of Royal College, the Sri Lanka Under-19 team took wings to the African continent to test their chances of becoming the ICC Men’s U-19 Cricket World Cup champions, which will be held from January 15 to February 6 in Namibia and Zimbabwe. Out of the lot, Gamage, Chamuditha, Sigera and Heenatigala come in handy as useful all-rounders. Sri Lanka has been drafted into Group ‘A’ alongside Australia, Ireland and Japan, and will play all their group games in Windhoek, Namibia. Their opening game will be against Japan on January 17, followed by the game against Ireland on January 19. The coaching staff include Chamara Silva as Head Coach, Omesh Wijesiriwardena as Fast Bowling Coach, Dilruwan Perera as Spin Bowling Coach, Gangatharan as Fielding Coach and Ranjith Madurasinghe as the Manager.
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:59 UTC
Rebuilding, reconstruction and recovery in the year ahead
Rebuilding, reconstruction and recovery in the year ahead View(s):The new year that has just dawned is one of formidable challenges to recover, reconstruct and rebuild the country after the devastating Cyclone Ditwah in November last year. Foreign assistanceThe task of reconstruction and rebuilding is of such magnitude that it cannot be accomplished by the efforts of the country alone. The rebuilding of the country requires substantial international assistance and relief from our debt repayment. As the UNDP Resident Representative said in no uncertain terms, the country requires international financial assistance to stabilise the economy. The reconstruction, rebuilding and recovery of the devastated country and economy cannot be achieved by the efforts of the country alone.
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:59 UTC
APPRECIATIONS
APPRECIATIONS View(s):A pioneer linking engineering, ecology, and human habitatsD. L. O. MendisEng. While the nation looked toward the project for rapid modernization, he cautioned that ‘accelerated’ engineering often bypassed ‘deliberate’ ecological wisdom. The creation of the Ceylon Engineering Service (CES), now the Sri Lanka Engineering Service (SLES), on October 1, 1971, was a landmark achievement for which Eng. Mendis was the primary architect behind the establishment of the National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERDC) of Sri Lanka. When a proposed multinational mining project threatened to destroy the ecological and social fabric of the North Central Province, Eng.
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:59 UTC
Harini’s New Year for Lanka’s seed and blossom
Harini’s New Year for Lanka’s seed and blossom View(s):Oh dear! This follows the discovery of a link to an ‘inappropriate website’ in the newly printed English module for Grade 6 kids. He said, ‘The government is now getting ready with teachers and textbooks to teach sex education to children from Grade Six. They have given money to the government, money to the education ministry to print the necessary textbooks to send our country’s children astray. These lessons are going to be taught in our schools from January next year, from grade 6 children onwards.
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:59 UTC
Grade 6 module controversy: Need for consultation, oversight and quality control in education reforms
Grade 6 module controversy: Need for consultation, oversight and quality control in education reforms View(s):In the final weeks of 2025, as Sri Lankan households prepared for the dawn of a new year, a website URL ignited a firestorm that threatens to derail the NPP Government’s efforts at Educational Reforms. The discovery of an “objectionable” link within a Grade 6 English language module, prepared under the government’s new education reforms, has transcended a mere clerical error. Beyond the moral panic: the need for consensusThe “rush to reform” has bypassed the essential checkpoints of cultural sensitivity, stakeholder consultation, and basic quality control. The path forwardIf the government wishes to save its education reforms from being swallowed by this controversy, it must pivot toward radical transparency. Publish a comprehensive white paper: The public deserves to see the full scope of the reforms beyond Grade 1 and Grade 6.
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:59 UTC
Centralised ERP for all state agencies
Centralised ERP for all state agencies By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):A common enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform, such as a centralised marketplace for all state entities, is being developed by the Digital Ministry. Deputy Minister Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratna told the Sunday Times Business that his ministry is working on integrating all systems in government departments into one common platform. “We are in the final phase of getting the cabinet approval for a common marketplace solution, such as an ERP platform for all state entities. All ministries and authorities are in alliance with the Ministry of Digital Economy for guidance on their digitalisation efforts. In a bid to encourage more entrepreneurship, he said that the government will allow and cheer local start-ups to bid for state procurement.
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:58 UTC
A vow to serve people
A vow to serve people View(s):Following a New Year tradition, public servants took a pledge on January 1, vowing to serve the people and the nation to the best of their abilities. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, embroiled in a textbook controversy, is seen here taking her oath, while the inset shows Deputy Media Minister Dr Kaushalya Ariyaratne and the staff of the Government Information Department doing the same. Pic by Darshana KarunarathnaShare This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:58 UTC
Russel’s hosts festive Christmas decorations competition at head office
Russel’s hosts festive Christmas decorations competition at head office View(s):Russel’s successfully hosted its annual Christmas Decorations Competition among its divisions at the Russel’s Head Office in Punchi Borella, bringing together employees to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas through creativity, unity and festive cheer. Employees from various divisions enthusiastically took part in decorating their respective sections, showcasing originality, teamwork, and the joyful essence of the season. In appreciation of the efforts and enthusiasm shown by all participants, consolation prizes were presented to everyone who took part in the competition, reinforcing Russel’s commitment to recognising teamwork and participation. Adding to the festive atmosphere, the celebration also featured singing and dancing competitions, which were enthusiastically enjoyed by staff members and guests alike. The event concluded on a high note, reflecting Russel’s strong workplace culture and dedication to fostering unity, creativity, and celebration among its employees during the festive season.
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:58 UTC
Climate adaptation more than covers its cost
Climate adaptation more than covers its cost View(s):By Mekala Krishnan, Annabel Farr, and Kanmani Chockalingam, PROJECT SYNDICATE, EXCLUSIVE TO THE SUNDAY TIMES IN SRI LANKABOSTON – Humanity has long learnt to live with extreme weather. Much of the Netherlands would be under water were it not for centuries of ingenious adaptation to the constant threat of flooding. That may sound expensive, but the benefits of that adaptation would exceed the cost by roughly seven times. The good news is that many households can implement some adaptation measures on their own, particularly for heat. And they can deploy targeted subsidies or procurement programmes to make adaptation more affordable for households and small firms.
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:58 UTC
Rajitha’s ‘Will They Burn Our House Down’ returns to the Lionel Wendt
Rajitha’s ‘Will They Burn Our House Down’ returns to the Lionel Wendt View(s):‘Ape Gedara Gini Thiyaida’ (Will They Burn Our House Down), a contemporary Sinhala stage play produced by renowned playwright Rajitha Dissanayake, will return to the Lionel Wendt Theatre on January 8 at 7.00pm, following a successful maiden run that played to full houses and drew strong critical acclaim. Dissanayake is regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s foremost playwrights of the past three decades. His writing consistently engages with urgent socio-political questions while remaining grounded in sharp characterisation and compelling dramatic situations. Music is composed by Mahira Dissanayake; set design by Anuradha Mallawarachchi; lighting by Ranga Samarakoon; makeup by Priyantha Dissanayake; costumes by Ama Wijesekara and Sureni Lenora; with stage management by Sureni Lenora and team. Tickets are available at the Lionel Wendt ticket desk and online at mytickets.lkShare This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:58 UTC
Global Marine Investments enhances partnership with Rotary’s One Million Trees Project
Global Marine Investments enhances partnership with Rotary’s One Million Trees Project View(s):Global Marine Investments, a part of the Global Marine Group, contributed Rs 100,000 to Rotary Sri Lanka’s One Million Trees Project to enhance the Group’s partnership with Rotary Sri Lanka to grow the country’s forest cover. The agreement highlights Global Marine Services’ commitment to environmental stewardship and marked the beginning of their ambitious corporate social responsibility initiative. “The Rotary One Million Trees Project is a testament to what can be accomplished when communities and corporations come together. We are proud to partner with Global Marine Services in this endeavour.”The trees sponsored by the Global Marine Group are planted at Somerset Estate, Talawakelle Tea Estates Limited. Global Marines Services is the latest member of the corporate sector to partner with Rotary’s One Million Trees project.
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:58 UTC
Taavi tops world rankings in U-11 category
Taavi tops world rankings in U-11 category table tennis View(s): View(s):Up-and-coming table tennis prodigy Taavi Samaraweera has let his commitment to the sport speak for itself, rising to the No.1 position in the latest World Table Tennis (WTT) Under-11 Boys’ Singles Rankings. The 10-year-old, a promising student of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, had been placed in the lower reaches of the world rankings in his age group not too long ago. Taavi is now the only Sri Lankan paddler in any age category to top the world rankings and the first Sri Lankan to achieve a world number one ranking in table tennis, and possibly in any sport. He is also currently ranked 11th in the WTT Under-13 Boys’ Singles Rankings. At just 10 years of age, Taavi Samaraweera has already reached the summit of world table tennis in his age group, with his journey only just beginning.
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:58 UTC
Gay website for Grade-Sixers: A textbook case of government under fire
The fallout of the grade six textbook fiasco has hit the Prime Minister the hardest, with calls from some quarters for her to resign as Education Minister. “There’s no point in the Education Ministry complaining about this to the CID. He added that the Education Ministry Secretary, as the senior-most education official, also cannot escape blame for the fiasco. Deputy Education Minister Madura Seneviratne says the government takes the matter “very seriously” and alleges that there is an organised attempt to undermine the education system in the country. They warned of trade union action if the Education Ministry implemented the school hour extension.
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:58 UTC
From his home in Kandy comes an artistic canvas of exactitude
From his home in Kandy comes an artistic canvas of exactitude View(s):Dennis Candy, down in Colombo from his home in the hills of Kandy, looks much younger than his fourscore years. “I couldn’t draw what I wanted to, so I stopped drawing when I was 17 or 18,” he says. It’s a meticulous process, whence the title of the exhibition at Paradise Road – Exactitude… “I take great care, and it takes hours and hours,” he says. His eyrie is at the edge of the Hantane range and he loves the city with its palpable aura of history. often living history, though the traffic and pollution, he says, sometimes does invade…Exactitude will be on at the Paradise Road Gallery Café from January 8 till February 5; gallery hours- 10 a.m. till midnight.
Source:Sunday Times
January 03, 2026 18:58 UTC