FIT removal threatens RE companies
FIT removal threatens RE companies By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):The proposed National Electricity Policy raises concerns over the abolition of the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) for Renewable Energy Developers, potentially undermining investments, industry experts say. The Renewable Energy Developers Association (REDA) urged immediate government intervention and supportive policies to retain energy security. The proposed removal of the FIT system, which currently supports approximately 92 per cent of renewable projects under 10 MW, is seen as a threat to small- and medium-scale local entrepreneurs, a REDA Member told the Sunday Times Business. Competitive bidding is considered impractical for certain renewable energy technologies, such as rooftop solar, mini-hydro, and biomass. The removal of FIT, paired with mandatory time-of-use tariffs for rooftop solar and the potential for rupee-only contracts, renders significant financial risks to developers.
Source:Sunday Times
January 31, 2026 19:41 UTC
Colombo Uni, CCNU discuss collaboration
Colombo Uni, CCNU discuss collaboration View(s):The University of Colombo and a visiting delegation from Central China Normal University (CCNU), China, have discussed bilateral collaboration. Comprehensive discussions were held with Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, Vice Chancellor of the University, focusing on strengthening bilateral collaboration between the two universities, the university said. Key areas proposed for cooperation included establishing joint laboratories, offering postgraduate study opportunities, facilitating academic staff mobility, and conducting joint research projects. Dr Iroja Caldera, Director of the International Office, also participated in the discussions. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
January 31, 2026 19:37 UTC
Independence Day reflections
Independence Day reflections View(s):The coming Wednesday (February 4) marks the 78th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence from over 450 years of foreign rule, and yet, the country continues to be confronted with the challenges of modern nation-statehood in all its complexities. While Sri Lanka regained her Independence, her sovereignty, both internal and external, however, has been compromised in the process of nation-building and aspiring to be a pluralistic, economically and socially advanced democratic state. It was only in the early years after 1948 that Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) was on its own feet. It is only perpetuating the north-south divide, the very antithesis of ‘national unity’. The anti-Sri Lanka human rights campaigners at the UN Human Rights Council have already pounced on an earlier statement the President made in the north on “the politics of nationalism”.
Source:Sunday Times
January 31, 2026 19:37 UTC
National Audit Office undergoes major changes
National Audit Office undergoes major changes By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):The National Audit Office (NAO) is undergoing a major transformation with the enhancing of capacity in governance, audit planning, and specialised audits, the Auditor General’s Department announced. This programme is being implemented under the public financial management strengthening project, supported by the World Bank, European Union (EU), and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). The main objective of the project is to address the shortcomings in the management of public finance that caused the economic crisis. 1,050 million, he said, adding that the project will strengthen the NAO to deliver on its enhanced audit mandate. They are Risk Based Audit Methodology, Procurement Audit, Environment Audit, Citizen Participatory Audit and Performance AuditShare This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
January 31, 2026 19:35 UTC
Maligawa’s veteran servitors felicitated
Maligawa’s veteran servitors felicitated View(s):By L B SenaratneFor the first time in known history, those who have been serving the Sri Dalada Maligawa for more than fifteen years were given tokens of appreciation. 452 personnel, coming under four categories, were felicitated: those working in the inner shrine, the outer shrine, the dancers and those working in the offices of the Maligawa. He added that without the Maha Sangha, none of the rituals and ceremonial activities can be carried out, and therefore a token was also presented to all sangha. Ms. Madhawee Dela, the wife of the Diyawadana Nilame, was also present at the felicitation ceremony. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
January 31, 2026 19:35 UTC
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