Harnessing the Sun: Why Sri Lanka Should Embrace Solar Power, Government Support or Not
Why Sri Lanka Should Embrace Solar Power? – In the sweltering heat of the tropics, where the sun beats down relentlessly year-round, Sri Lanka sits on a goldmine of untapped renewable energy. With average solar irradiance levels exceeding 5 kWh/m² per day among the highest in South Asia the island nation has the potential to […]
Sri Lanka’s Railway Delays: Why the System Is Slowing Down and What Must Change
Sri Lanka’s railway network, once a proud symbol of affordable connectivity and scenic travel, is now increasingly defined by delays, derailments, and disrepair. A recent audit revealed that nearly half of all train journeys in 2024 were delayed, with over 5,000 cancellations and 660 derailments recorded between 2020 and 2024. For passengers across the country, […]
Sri Lanka’s Plastic Bag Levy: A Promising Start to Curbing Single-Use Waste
In a nation long plagued by the scourge of plastic pollution where beaches once pristine are now littered with discarded “sili-sili” bags Sri Lanka has taken a decisive step forward. Effective November 1, 2025, the government has banned the free distribution of plastic shopping bags in retail outlets, introducing a modest levy to discourage their […]
School Hours Extension Proposal Sparks Controversy: Teachers Threaten Strike Action
The Sri Lankan government’s proposal to extend school hours has ignited a heated debate across the education sector, with teachers’ unions threatening strike action and parents expressing concerns about the practical implications of keeping children in school longer. What’s Being Proposed? The government has announced plans to extend the school day for primary students, with […]
Aadhaar Data Breach: Why India’s Digital ID Dream Turned Nightmare and What Sri Lanka Must Avoid
Imagine a single 12-digit number that promises to unlock welfare, banking, and voting for 1.4 billion people. That was Aadhaar in 2009. Sixteen years later, the world’s largest biometric database is a cautionary tale of over-promised efficiency, under-delivered security, and millions left behind. As Sri Lanka races toward its own SL-UDI rollout in 2026, India’s […]
Sri Lanka’s Lifeline Abroad: Rethinking Migration and Remittance Policy
For decades the outflow of Sri Lankan workers and the inflow of their remittances have been crucial to the country’s external stability. Today this reality merits a deeper policy overhaul: the flows are large, evolving, and carry both economic benefits and social costs. The Economic Importance Workers’ remittances into Sri Lanka remain a major source […]
Sri Lanka’s Proposed Smartphone Ban for Minors: Intervention or a Misguided Move?
In a move that has stirred both applause and concern, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Women and Child Affairs recently proposed a nationwide ban on smartphone use for children under the age of 12. The rationale is clear: protect young minds from the adverse effects of screen addiction, online exploitation, and developmental delays. But as the […]
Proposed CEB Tariff Hike: Smart Reform or Unnecessary Shock?
Sri Lanka’s electricity pricing debate heats up again. Here’s what the 6.8% proposal means for households, the grid, and the economy. In October 2025, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) proposed a 6.8% increase in electricity tariffs for the final quarter of the year, citing rising operational costs, debt burdens, and the need for cost-reflective pricing. […]
Youth in Sri Lanka and Governance: Why the 18–35 Generation Matters for Policy Reform
In every democracy, youth form both the promise and the paradox of reform. They are educated, connected, and restless for change yet in Sri Lanka, the 18–35 generation remains a “silent majority,” visible in numbers but often invisible in influence. As the country rebuilds from years of crisis, their role in shaping governance has become […]
Sri Lanka’s Digital Economy: The Next Frontier of Inclusive Growth
Sri Lanka’s digital transformation is quietly rewriting the rules of its economy. What began as a survival mechanism during the COVID-19 pandemic has now evolved into a structural shift reshaping how citizens consume, work, and interact with markets. According to the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) State of the Economy 2025 report, the island’s digital […]