The Palk Strait Imperative: Why Sri Lanka Must Rebuild the Bridge to IndiaOpinionBy Prof. Ravinda MeegamaFor millennia, the ocean has defined Sri Lanka’s destiny as an island nation. The Echoes of Rama SethuGeologically, Sri Lanka and India were one landmass until rising sea levels separated us around 5000 BC. By physically connecting to India, Sri Lanka can plug directly into this high-speed digital architecture. A physical land bridge between Sri Lanka and India would not merely move goods and tourists; it would unlock an entirely new cross-border sports economy, with Sri Lanka uniquely positioned to benefit. The author is a Senior Professor in Computer Science, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

Your Sunday Times highlights for this weekNewsRead this week's Sunday Times for your interesting articlesAmong tomorrow's articles are:- CEB tariff hike proposal linked to Rs. For those who said the ‘maalimaawa’ chaps will have to abandon government and go home in 2025, giving specific dates as to when this would occur, this didn’t happen. Both the ‘maalimaawa’ chaps and the opposition try to convince us that they won the election. The ‘maalimaawa’ chaps did win a vast majority of the local councils on offer, so the opposition’s claim is simply not true. Mother Lanka, you have certainly got the government you deserve.

A disappointing year View(s):My dear Mother Lanka,The year that just ended was one of ups and downs, one of great surprises, some notable achievements, but other equally significant disappointments. For those who wanted a Cabinet reshuffle, they did get one, but it didn’t amount to much which was disappointing. It is disappointing that they keep talking, losing votes for the ‘maalimaawa’ and not even Anura sahodaraya is able to stop them. As much as this gave us hope, the lack of a chief for auditing is equally disappointing. For those who wanted bigger changes and the main promises of the ‘maalimaawa’ manifesto being honoured, it was a disappointing year.

Light bill hike proposal linked to Rs. 11.5bn golden handshake View(s):By Kapila BandaraA ‘golden handshake’ worth Rs 11.554 billion for workers choosing voluntary early exit will be funded by raising electricity tariffs from January to March, the Ceylon Electricity Board has proposed to the regulator. It “has been converted to a 5-year loan’’ and instalments to March are Rs 874.23 million. The state electricity monopoly proposes to increase tariffs by an overall 11.57% to bridge an estimated Rs 13.094b financial deficit from January to March. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS

Riding nowhere: Tuk-tuk parable of protectionism View(s):Sri Lanka’s tourism boom in 2025 ended not with fireworks, but with a tuk-tuk turmoil. Organised groups of local tuk-tuk drivers were reported to have harassed tourists and clashed with drivers attached to ride-hailing platforms like PickMe and Uber. Among the general public, these local tuk-tuk gangs have earned the notorious label of the “three-wheeler mafia”. This means that out of our 8.2 million employed labour force, about 15 per cent are tuk-tuk drivers! Parable of protectionismLocal tuk-tuk drivers charge high fares, secure only a few rides, and spend much of the day idle.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.