Inland Revenue and Tax Collection Going Digital in Sri Lanka: Promise, Progress, and Pitfalls
Sri Lanka’s government has long recognised that its tax system needs modernisation. Against the backdrop of fiscal crises, IMF-supported reform programmes, and an urgent need to increase revenue, digitalising tax collection has become a national priority. This article explores the country’s push to take the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) digital: what’s been done, what it […]
Unemployment in Sri Lanka: A Closer Look at 2025
Unemployment is more than a statistic. It’s a deeply personal struggle for families, a challenge for policymakers, and a signal of broader economic health. As Sri Lanka works to recover from crisis, understanding its unemployment problem is critical. Current Unemployment Levels As of early 2025, the Department of Census and Statistics estimates Sri Lanka’s national […]
Introducing a Game-Changer for Sri Lankan Tourism: The New Tourism Act
Sri Lanka stands on the cusp of a transformative leap in tourism. On June 28, 2025, the Cabinet approved a proposal to replace the existing Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 with a far more responsive, modern, and growth‑oriented legal framework.(Sri Lankan Tourism) With this progressive overhaul, Sri Lanka can unlock untapped potential—and here’s how this […]
Sri Lanka’s Planned Electricity Bill Faces Pushback from Aid Agencies
Sri Lanka’s government is pushing forward with a new Electricity Bill designed to overhaul the country’s power sector. Officials argue the bill is essential to modernize outdated laws, improve efficiency, and attract private investment in renewable energy. But major aid agencies, civil society groups, and even some trade unions have voiced strong opposition. They warn […]
Sri Lanka’s Green Energy Moment: Why Now Is the Time to Embrace Renewable Power
Introduction Sri Lanka is at a crossroads. While grappling with economic recovery, climate risks, and energy insecurity, the nation faces an urgent question — how can we build a resilient future without repeating the mistakes of the past? The answer may lie in something as natural as the sun, wind, and water: renewable energy.(Renewable Power) […]
Ripple Effects: How the Middle East Crisis Impacts Foreign Remittances to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has long depended on the financial lifeline provided by its migrant workers—especially those employed in the Middle East(Middle East Crisis). Over a million Sri Lankans work abroad, and a significant portion of them are employed in Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. For decades, the […]
Why Clean Energy Is the Future Sri Lanka Needs
Sri Lanka is a country rich in natural beauty, surrounded by oceans, kissed by the sun, and brushed by steady winds. Yet, our power grid still runs heavily on imported fossil fuels. These fuels are expensive, polluting, and often unstable in supply. As the world moves toward greener and more sustainable energy solutions, the question […]
Sri Lanka’s Wake-Up Call: Why We Must Never Forget the Economic Downfall
When a nation faces collapse, the lessons often come too late. But for Sri Lanka, the opportunity to learn—and act—is still within reach. As outgoing Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana steps down after steering the economy through its worst crisis in decades, his reflections offer a sobering reminder of how easily things can unravel when warnings […]
Sri Lanka’s Debt Repayment Challenge: Navigating 2025 and Beyond
IntroductionSri Lanka enters 2025 with a delicate balance between economic recovery and looming debt obligations. The nation’s public debts—reshaped through debt restructuring and IMF support—will require substantial repayments (Debt Repayment). How Sri Lanka handles this repayment burden over the next several years will determine whether the economy sustains growth or falters under fiscal strain. 1. […]
Sri Lanka’s Remarkable Economic Rebound: A Blueprint for Global Resilience
Introduction In June 2025, Sri Lanka received global recognition from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a shining example of economic resilience and policy reform.(Economic Rebound) Once grappling with its worst financial crisis in modern history, the island nation is now being hailed as a global model for recovery through disciplined debt restructuring, fiscal accountability, […]