Why Sri Lanka Must Embrace Sustainable Energy: Opportunities, Risks, and the Path to Responsible Investment in 2026
A Critical Juncture for Sri Lanka’s Energy Future Sri Lanka stands at a decisive moment in its development journey. The country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels has left its economy vulnerable to global price shocks, foreign exchange shortages, and environmental degradation. At the same time, climate change is intensifying floods, droughts, and cyclones, placing immense […]
World Bank’s $120 Million Emergency Support: What It Means for Sri Lanka’s Recovery and Public Confidence
A Timely Lifeline for a Country in Crisis On December 15, 2025, the World Bank confirmed up to USD $120 million in emergency support to Sri Lanka, repurposed from ongoing projects. This announcement comes in direct response to the Government’s request following Cyclone Ditwah, the worst natural disaster to hit the country in two decades. […]
Sri Lanka’s Kithul Tapping Wins UNESCO Recognition: How This Ancient Practice Will Transform Rural Livelihoods
A Historic Moment for Rural Sri Lanka On December 11, 2025, Sri Lanka achieved a remarkable milestone when Kithul Madeema, the centuries-old practice of tapping the Kithul palm tree, was officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee in New Delhi, India. […]
Sri Lanka’s Main Railway and the Limits of a Colonial Alignment
Sri Lanka’s repeated railway disruptions following extreme weather events have renewed scrutiny of a long-standing structural issue: the continued reliance on a railway corridor designed in the 19th century for a colonial economy, rather than a modern, climate-resilient transport system. Cyclone Ditwah did not introduce a new failure into the system. Instead, it highlighted vulnerabilities […]
Sri Lanka Cannot Grow by Looking Inwards: Why an Export-Driven, Green Investment Brand Is No Longer Optional
Sri Lanka stands at a familiar crossroads. The country has emerged from its most severe economic crisis in decades with macro-stability slowly returning, yet the deeper structural question remains unresolved: what kind of economy does Sri Lanka want to be? Speaking at the Sri Lanka Economic Summit, International Finance Corporation (IFC) South Asia Regional Director […]
Climate Change Is No Longer a “Future Threat” for Countries Like Sri Lanka
Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern. For countries like Sri Lanka, it has become an immediate development, economic, and humanitarian challenge. Extreme weather events that were once considered rare are now occurring with alarming frequency, placing immense pressure on Governments, communities, and already‑strained public resources. Recent warnings from the United Nations following […]
Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban: Lessons for Sri Lanka on Digital Policy and Youth Protection
On December 10, 2025, Australia became the first country in the world to enforce a nationwide ban on social media use for children under 16. Platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, and Threads are now legally required to block accounts belonging to minors. Companies face fines of up to A$49.5 million (USD […]
Social Media and Digital Communication: Transforming Disaster Relief in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has faced devastating natural disasters over the past two decades. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami claimed over 35,000 lives, while Cyclone Ditwah and subsequent floods in late 2025 left hundreds dead, thousands missing, and millions displaced. Though both events caused immense suffering, the way ordinary citizens accessed help has changed dramatically. The defining […]
Central Bank of Sri Lanka Issues Relief Measures for Cyclone and Flood-Affected Borrowers
In the aftermath of the devastating cyclonic and flood disasters that struck Sri Lanka in late 2025, thousands of individuals and businesses have been left struggling to recover. Recognizing the urgent need for financial relief, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issued Circular No. 04 of 2025 on December 5, 2025, directing all licensed […]
Wetlands and Flooding in Sri Lanka’s Western Province: A Call for Awareness and Action
Wetlands are often misunderstood in Sri Lanka. Many see them as wastelands, but in reality they are life-saving ecosystems. They absorb excess rainwater, filter waste, and release clean water into rivers and the sea. In the Western Province, wetlands such as Muthurajawela, Diyawanna Oya, and Bellanwila-Attidiya have historically protected Colombo and surrounding cities from floods. […]