Trend in national rubber production is alarming
Trend in national rubber production is alarming By Emeritus Professor Asoka Nugawela FEATURE View(s): View(s):The national rubber production has declined from 98.6 to 69.2 thousand Metric tonnes(MT) from 2014 to 2024. Accordingly, natural rubber production and land extent have shown a negative growth of 7 per cent and 6.3 per cent per annum respectively during this 10-year period. It is also recorded that in 1970 Sri Lanka had produced 159.2 thousand MT of natural rubber. This article intends to identify and briefly discuss certain facts that may have contributed and also yet contributing to the decline in the natural rubber production in the country. These are major constraints for achieving high productivity levels in rubber established in the traditional rubber growing areas.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 17:02 UTC
GCF Research Awards in Economic Development
GCF Research Awards in Economic Development View(s):The Gamani Corea Foundation (GCF) was established by the visionary economist of Sri Lanka Dr Gamani Corea. Dr Corea saw development-related needs through a balanced interaction between the state, market and civil society. The research awards are aimed at addressing Sri Lanka’s and other developing country’s socio-economic challenges. They are meant to promote examination of the development interests of the Global South, The primary intent of the GCF is to generate knowledge for economic and human development. The GCF awards were a response to the numerous research proposals the Foundations received over the last months after its call for expression of interest (EOIs).
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 12:50 UTC
Alcohol Laws in the UAE: Consumption, Licensing, and Legal Realities
While the country has moved away from a blanket criminalization of alcohol consumption, the legal framework remains carefully controlled and uneven across emirates. Differences Across EmiratesAlcohol policy in the UAE is not uniform:Sharjah enforces total prohibition, banning the sale, possession, and consumption of alcohol. Legal Guidance and ComplianceDespite recent reforms, alcohol law in the UAE remains one of careful regulation rather than unrestricted access. FAQs:Is alcohol legal in the UAE? Depending on the offense, penalties may include large fines, imprisonment, confiscation of alcohol, closure of businesses, and deportation for non-citizens.
Source:The Nation
January 04, 2026 09:33 UTC
Ranil probe: AG requests extracts from CID team which travelled to UK
Ranil probe: AG requests extracts from CID team which travelled to UK View(s):By Ranjith PadmasiriThe Attorney General has informed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to submit extracts of further investigations conducted by a CID team which travelled to the UK as part of the probe into the alleged misappropriation of Rs. 16.6 million by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The AG has informed this in writing to the CID’s Director through a letter signed by Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera. The AG has requested the extracts to act in accordance with the order issued by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. The letter also notes that the CID team had travelled to London without obtaining an MLA from UK authorities.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 08:39 UTC
What will another new year bring – more bloated rhetoric and hocus-pocus?
What will another new year bring – more bloated rhetoric and hocus-pocus? View(s):I suppose it is traditional to wish your relatives and friends a happy and successful New Year. But what concerns me right now is the change in international geopolitics and where Sri Lanka will end up before long, for those changes have had an effect on Sri Lankan policymaking. It seems that even appointments confirmed by other friendly nations, which in times of war had served Sri Lanka well, are pushed into the back burner to accommodate Modi’s envoy, however belated he might be, even in a private jet. Later he was Deputy Chief of Mission in Bangkok and Deputy High Commissioner in London before returning to journalism.)
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
Service to mark Lasantha’s 17th death anniversary
Service to mark Lasantha’s 17th death anniversary View(s):On Thursday, 8 January, 9 am at Borella KanatteThe 17th anniversary of the assassination of The Sunday Leader founder Editor-in-Chief Lasantha Wickrematunge, which falls on 8 January, will be marked with a service at his graveside. Family, friends, former colleagues and others will gather at Borella Kanatte on Thursday, at 9 am to mark the anniversary and remember Lasantha. Assassinated on 8 January 2009, Lasantha was one of Sri Lanka’s leading journalists and an outspoken critic of the then Rajapaksa Government. He was attacked as he drove to work and later died of his injuries. Despite assurances by successive governments to ensure justice, the investigation into Lasantha’s murder has yielded no tangible results thus far and his killers still roam free, 17 years later.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
Crash deaths rising; police advocate driver discipline
Crash deaths rising; police advocate driver discipline View(s):By Kasun WarakapitiyaThe police are calling on drivers to maintain self-discipline rather than depending on enforcement and awareness programmes as the road accident death toll continues to rise. Deaths in 2025 due to road accidents increased by 317 compared with 2024. That’s why we have decided to charge motorists responsible for serious accidents under criminal law apart from traffic law. However, he said that in six months, the spot fine system would be interlinked with the demerit system. Moratuwa University Emeritus Professor Amal Kumarage said people should be taught about road safety as a cultural habit.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
Key study urges awareness-building as ‘cornerstone’ of cancer control
Colorectal cancer is among the five most common cancers in Sri Lanka, with an age-standardised incidence rate of 10.2 per 100,000 reported in 2019. When prompted with symptom-related statements, 365 (72.1%) also identified bleeding from the back passage as signs of colorectal cancer. With regard to ‘commonly recognised’ risk factors and awareness of risk factors, the study had found:Nearly half – 224 or 44.3% could not identify any colorectal risk factors unprompted. The study has suggested the integrating of colorectal cancer literacy into national Non-Communicable Disorders (NCD) programmes. Future policies should prioritise awareness-building as a ‘cornerstone’ of cancer control in resource-limited settings like Sri Lanka,” adds Prof. Wickramasinghe.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
Envoy nominee hearings show US, Sri Lanka on same wavelength on shared interests
Envoy nominee hearings show US, Sri Lanka on same wavelength on shared interests View(s):By Kapila BandaraSri Lanka has expressed interest in working closer with the United States, a veteran career diplomat nominated as the next ambassador to Colombo told Senate hearings, while promising he will protect US strategic interests. The Senate exchanges reflect Sri Lanka’s importance to big powers whose geo-strategic interests converge and even collide in the Indo-Pacific. Foreign Relations Chairman James E. Risch, Ranking Member, recognised Sri Lanka’s progress on economic reforms and noted that “if Sri Lanka continues down this path the country will be well positioned for US private sector investment and diplomatic relations’’. Yet, he expressed concern over China’s influence over Sri Lanka’s critical infrastructure, military and energy sectors. “I understand Sri Lanka is learning their lesson.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
No signs of China Exim Bank loan for Central Expressway despite talks
No signs of China Exim Bank loan for Central Expressway despite talks View(s):By Namini WijedasaA loan sought by the Sri Lankan government from the Exim Bank of China as part-funding for Stage 1 of the Central Expressway Project (CEP 1) has still not come through despite protracted negotiations, official sources said. The Sri Lanka Government and the EXIM Bank of China first entered into a preferential buyer’s credit agreement to finance CEP 1 as early as March 2019. The change in loan currency from US dollars to RMB was at the request of China Exim. The original EXIM Bank concessional loan was US$989 mn, of which just US$51.5 mn was disbursed before its suspension. While the remainder is US$938 mn, EXIM, post-debt restructuring, has now only committed to lending US$500 mn in RMB.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
SPAR Group provides Rs. 35 m to Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund
SPAR Group provides Rs. 35 m to Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund View(s):SPAR Group, South Africa has pledged Rs. 35 million to the Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund with the contribution officially handed over by the Chairman of SPAR Sri Lanka, Rob Philipson. In addition to the financial contribution, SPAR Sri Lanka— a collaboration between Ceylon Biscuits Ltd (CBL) and The SPAR Group South Africa—mobilised its retail and supply chain network to ensure continued access to essential food and household necessities. Commenting on the initiative, Kumar De Silva, CEO of SPAR Supermarkets Sri Lanka, stated: “This contribution reflects SPAR’s commitment to standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka as the country rebuilds”Through this contribution and its ongoing community-focused initiatives, SPAR Sri Lanka reaffirms its commitment to social responsibility, food security, the resilience of retail entrepreneurs, and long-term community wellbeing across the island.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
NDB contributes Rs. 50 m to Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund
NDB contributes Rs. 50 m to Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund View(s):National Development Bank PLC (NDB Bank) has extended its support with a Rs. 50-million contribution to the Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund. Representing NDB Bank at the handover were K.V.Vinoj – Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Sanjaya Perera – Senior Vice President, Personal Banking & Customer Experience and Lasantha Dasanayaka – Vice President, Human Resources/Head of Corporate Sustainability, the bank said in a media release. Aligned with its broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework, NDB Bank continues to integrate purposeful action into its business philosophy.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
A New Year awash with colour and hope
A New Year awash with colour and hope View(s):By Dilushi WijesingheAs the clock struck midnight, bursts of colour lit up the skyline as Sri Lanka stepped into 2026 with a blend of devotion and celebration in the wake of recent hardships caused by Cyclone Ditwah. While some welcomed the New Year with music and fireworks, thousands marked the transition with religious observances. Buddhist temples saw devotees offering flowers, lighting oil lamps, chants echoing softly through the shrine rooms. Pilgrims at Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) marked the New Year with religious observances along the sacred trail. Having lost homes to floods, residents came together for religious observances, created intricate rice art, and prepared pongal rice.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
Sri Lanka’s LNG strategy brings US Gas firm into focus
Sri Lanka’s LNG strategy brings US Gas firm into focus By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka is currently facing a transitional period in the energy field, using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for a changeover, aiming for a target of 70 per cent of renewable-based power by the year 2030. Due to the lack of progress and new government tenders with other companies, the US-based firm, New Fortress Energy‘s (NFE’s) plan to develop an LNG terminal and supply gas appears to have been on the back-burner. The resuscitated NFE agreement, including other schemes in the energy/trade domain, represents Sri Lanka’s strategies to ‘deepen economic engagement’ with the US, covering the whole gamut from tariff talks to full-fledged trade arrangements. Moreover, a MoU was signed in August 2024 for the supply of LNG to power plants with Indian Petronet LNG. Sri Lanka has a major, ongoing plan involving since 2021 to import LNG, with NFE set to develop an offshore LNG terminal to supply power plants.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
Public talk on Highland Biodiversity
Public talk on Highland Biodiversity View(s):A lecture on ‘Highland Biodiversity – Biodiversity of the upcountry Wet Zone’ will be delivered by naturalist, researcher and conservation biologist Rajika Gamage on January 8 (Thursday) at 6 pm at the Biology Lecture Theatre (BLT), Department of Zoology, University of Colombo. The lecture organised by the Sri Lanka Natural History Society (SLNHS) will focus on the upcountry Wet Zone in the Central Highlands, a globally-recognised biodiversity hotspot. The region, even after being assailed by large-scale deforestation in the coffee and tea plantation periods, still supports diverse ecosystems. It provides vital habitats for endemic plants, migratory and resident birds, insects, amphibians and iconic mammals such as the leopard and sambhur. Well-known naturalist, Rajika, is a specialist in butterflies and birds.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC