Cabinet Approval for Female Night Work in Hospitality: A Critical Analysis of Safety, Legal Protection, and Implementation Challenges
A Significant Policy Shift for Sri Lanka’s Workforce The Sri Lankan Cabinet’s recent approval of amendments to the Shop and Office Employees Act No. 19 of 1954 marks a watershed moment for women’s employment rights in the country’s hospitality sector. The decision to permit female employees above 18 years to night work shifts between 6:00 […]
Sri Lankan “Digital Entrepreneur” Exposed! Running 128 AI-Powered Hate Pages That Made $300,000 from UK Division
A 16 November 2025 investigation by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) and The Times has revealed that a Sri Lankan operator ran a network of 128 Facebook pages with a combined 1.6 million followers that systematically pumped Islamophobic and anti-migrant content into British feeds for pure profit. The operation earned an estimated US$300,000 from […]
Is the New Bank Policy on Pledged Land Choking SMEs?
Small and medium enterprises form the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy. They account for more than 75% of all businesses and contribute significantly to employment, regional development, and post-crisis recovery. Yet, as the country struggles to regain economic stability, a new challenge is emerging one that is rarely discussed but deeply consequential. Banks have tightened […]
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 […]
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 […]
Nepal’s Political Upheaval and Lessons from Sri Lanka’s 2022 Crisis
Nepal is in turmoil. On 9-10 September 2025, youth-led anti-corruption protests escalated after a sweeping social media ban. At least 19 people were killed, a nationwide curfew was declared, and Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli resigned. Kathmandu airport shut down temporarily, forcing flight diversions, and the government rolled back the ban as it lost […]