Holistic and inclusive path to development – Book Review View(s):By Dr Minna ThaheerYhe idea of discussing a book by an economist acknowledged as a masterly scholar and practitioner by his peers is quite unnerving for a non-economist. Yet, the appealing promise of the title of the book, Development: Not by Economics Alone, Non-Economic Factors in Development, was a reassuring invitation. The civil conflict of the last three decades serves as a case in point, showing how the country endured debilitating economic development. His strong message here is unequivocal: “Peaceful conditions contribute to growth in several ways… Societal and attitudinal changes are fundamental to economic development. Dr Sanderatne, as such, offers learned, patient propositions that supply new answers to old questions.

The system Sri Lanka needs to prevent future disasters View(s):By Dr Muhammadhn KhalidCyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka with a scale of destruction that overwhelmed the country. What unfolded was the result of long-standing weaknesses in how Sri Lanka plans for, manages, and responds to floods and related hazards. What should Sri Lanka do now? Sri Lanka needs a holistic system grounded in science, law, and accountability. If Sri Lanka acts now, decisively and systematically, Cyclone Ditwah can become the moment we learned, adapted, and acted.

Northern railway line to be closed for two months for repairs View(s):By Rekha Tharangani FonsekaThe Northern railway line section from Mahawa to Omanthai is to be closed down for two months for repairs, Northern Provincial Chief Engineer R. F. Alexander said. Accordingly, five bridges on the northern railway line which have been severely damaged due to adverse weather conditions experienced will be rebuilt during the period. The northern line is set to be open by April in time to be used during Sinhala and Hindu New Year celebrations. The northern railway line renovation project was earlier done resulting the closure of the line for eight months and was reopened on October 28, 2024. This railway line which is 339 km long is the longest railway line in Sri Lanka and is also the highest revenue-generating route of the Department of Railways in the country.

Opposition gains financial muscle in NPP-controlled CMC View(s):In yet another example of just how unpredictable the situation at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) can be, the National People’s Power (NPP) on Wednesday failed to win control of the all-powerful Finance Committee, with all five positions that are chosen by election being won by the so-called ‘combined opposition’. Wednesday saw members being elected to 23 standing committees of the CMC. A total of 114 councillors were present and voted during the elections, with three others being absent on the day. There are six members on the CMC’s Finance Committee, with the Mayor being appointed as chairperson in an ex-officio capacity. Accordingly, a secret ballot was held among the 114 members who were present to elect members for the remaining five positions.

They believe that God performed a miracle through the skilled hands of Dr. Mugunthan. Serious trouble struck again with the repaired heart valves getting infected and ruptured, with an echo suggesting infective endocarditis. However, a subsequent severe infection of both the left and right AV valves placed the surgical team in a dilemma. “While the less-damaged right AV valve could be repaired, the left valve was irreparable. Shanaya is alive and passed her first birthday due to this exceptional innovation and surgical skill of Dr. Mugunthan.

Greens see off Blues to clinch Women’s NSL T20 title cricket View(s): View(s):Team Green emerged champion of the Women’s National Super League T20 Cricket Tournament after pulling off a comfortable 6-wicket win over Team Blues in the final played at the P. Sara Oval yesterday. Team Blues, despite a top knock of 51 coming from skipper Chamari Athapaththu, who gave the side a solid start of 55 runs with Sandali Weerasinghe, proved to be in vain as they lost wickets at regular intervals. And they lost the remaining nine wickets for the addition of 40 runs before being bowled out for 95. Team Green in their run chase, underwent some anxious moments after losing their top three wickets on 40 in the ninth over, before Nilakshika Silva came to their rescue. Result At P. Sara Oval: Team Green beat Team Blues by 6 wickets Team Blues 95 all out (18.1) (Chamari Athapaththu 51, Sandali Weerasinghe 16; Oshadi Ranasinghe 4/17) Team Green 98 for 4 (18.1) (Nilakshika Silva 36n.o., Oshadi Ranasinghe 16n.o.)

IOC and OCA draw firm line on delayed NOC elections nocsl View(s): View(s):The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) have finally drawn a firm line for Sri Lanka sport, insisting that long delayed elections at the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC) must be held by the end of April 2026, while categorically barring tainted officials from re-entering the system. The NOC elections have been overdue since December last year, largely due to an ongoing forensic audit into the organisation’s financial operations and internal management. Central to the IOC and OCA position is the unequivocal exclusion of individuals under investigation. At the same time, the IOC and OCA have opted for continuity to avoid administrative paralysis. Only months ago, the organisation was struggling to function after IOC and OCA funding was withheld due to governance concerns.

Is Washington heading towards UN’s exit door? So, will the United Nations, which has come under heavy fire, be far behind? That possibility is strengthened by the critical views of the UN, both by President Trump and senior US officials. “Many of the impacted international institutions were built through the blood, sweat and tears of Americans. In an interview with Breitbart News, U.S. Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz said, “A quarter of everything the UN does, the United States pays for.

KALA 2026: A shared South Asian canvas in Colombo View(s):KALA 2026 takes off this weekend with an exciting programme of workshops, exhibitions, performances, curated walkthroughs and conversations setting the stage to position Colombo as a vital site for regional artistic exchange. KALA 2026 is presented in collaboration with Take On Art Magazine in India bringing together leading artists, curators, scholars, and cultural practitioners from across South Asia. At the heart of KALA 2026 is ‘Shared Ground: South Asia in Conversation’, an exhibition that approaches South Asia as a lived, material and relational space rather than a fixed identity. KALA 2026 reflects a shared commitment by TAKE on Art and KALA South Asia to long-term regional dialogue, critical exchange, and sustainable artistic platforms. Some events require pre – registration: Please see: www.kalasouthasia.comShare This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS

Solicitor General takes over Ranil’s UK-visit case View(s):By Ranjith PadmasiriThe probe into allegations that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe misused Rs. 16.6 million in state funds during a visit to the UK to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton has been placed under the direct supervision of Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne. To supervise the investigation, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe has appointed Mr Dayaratne, who is the head of the Criminal Division of the Attorney General’s Department. Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris is currently directing the investigation into Mr Wickremesinghe’s case. The Sunday Times also learns that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is yet to submit to the AG’s Department extracts from the investigation conducted by the CID team that visited the UK as part of the probe.

A gift from the People’s Republic of China View(s):China donated 11.484 million meters of fabric, valued at Rs 5.6 billion, to meet the needs of 4.4 million students in Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewe, and senior officials were present at the official handover. Pic by Indika HanduwalaHitAd.lk is the best and biggest mobile phone market in Sri Lanka, and we guarantee you will find what you need here from our extensive listing of mobile phones for sale in Sri Lanka. Whether it’s a budget-priced smartphone for communication, or higher end features with advanced connectivity, there are many different options from which to choose from on our site!

Kaliova inspires Cops to take down Soldiers RUGBY View(s): View(s):Fiji centre Kaliova Mocetadra made a lasting impact in Police Sports Club’s wobbly yet impressive 30-10 win against Army Sports Club in their SLR-Maliban Club Rugby League 2025/26 fixture played at Police Park yesterday. Army SC, who had the same number of wins as their opponents coming into the game, ended the day with their fifth defeat after being restricted to two unconverted tries, one in each half. Just as Dikkumbura was about to rejoin the field, Police lost Kaliova to a yellow card for a high tackle. Holding a comfortable 17-5 lead at the break, the Cops came under pressure as the Soldiers altered their pattern of play to frustrate their opponents. That, however, was as far as Army SC could go.

Growth that lasts, not just rebuilds View(s):Sri Lanka recorded a historic milestone in 2025: foreign remittances from migrant workers reached US$8 billion, the highest in 40 years of overseas employment. Sri Lanka is one of them among a few such countries in South and Southeast Asia. Yet, in the absence of credible export-led economic growth, Sri Lanka remains dependent on such makeshift sources of foreign exchange. Growth from recoveryAlthough the IMF and World Bank have not yet revised their growth forecast of around 3 per cent for Sri Lanka, the Central Bank projects 4–5 per cent, while the government’s 2026 Budget—before the cyclone—had ambitiously targeted 7 per cent medium-term growth. This means, though the country is able to achieve a moderately higher economic growth, we should know that a significant portion of that growth is due to recovery and reconstruction – nothing new.

CSE drama: Who cooked the system? This event raised concerns over market vulnerabilities, with explanations ranging from “human error” to deliberate market manipulation. An official statement by the SEC said that the said stockbrokers have misused the system. Officials assured that the CSE surveillance system is intact. The CSE has compiled a comprehensive report on this, which intends to scrutinise all the risk management practises and procedures.

Education reforms: Mistake or policy? The furore took precedence over any policy direction the reforms were taking. Such concepts that have found new life in Western countries have been recognised from time immemorial in Eastern ethno-religious cultures but never promoted or made into an issue as state policy. Ramachandran and his co-star Jayalalitha, they have each vied to espouse the cause of the Sri Lankan Tamils, stirring the communal pot in Sri Lanka. For now, however, he is only “profoundly” concerned about the welfare of their “kin” in Sri Lanka.