Public-Private Partnerships: Catalyzing Sri Lanka’s National Growth and Export Industries in 2026
As Sri Lanka advances its economic goals in 2026, public-private partnerships (PPPs) offer a collaborative approach to enhance industries, boost exports, and create widespread opportunities. For ordinary citizens, small exporters navigating global markets, workers seeking stable roles, or families benefiting from economic activity PPPs represent a practical way to combine state oversight with private innovation. […]
Silver Prices Soar to Record Highs in Early 2026: Implications for Daily Life and Economy in Sri Lanka
In January 2026, silver prices have made global headlines by surging above $87 per ounce for the first time ever, marking a remarkable +210% increase over the past 13 months. This rapid rise, highlighted in financial commentary and AI analyses, reflects strong underlying drivers in the global market. For ordinary Sri Lankans families planning weddings, […]
Deepfakes Crisis on X: UK Threatens Ban Amid Global Outcry Over AI-Generated Misuse in 2026
In January 2026, deepfake technology has sparked international outrage, with the UK government openly considering a ban on the X platform (formerly Twitter) due to its AI tool Grok enabling widespread creation of non-consensual explicit images. This controversy, involving deepfakes of women, celebrities, and disturbingly children, has led to threats of blocking access in the […]
Sri Lanka’s Digital Economy in 2026: Building Public Trust Amid Rapid Growth and Everyday Risks
As Sri Lanka embraces a digital economy in 2026, ordinary citizens are increasingly relying on mobile wallets, QR payments, online banking, and platform-based commerce for daily transactions. These tools offer convenience, from quick transfers to cashless shopping, but they also expose people to new vulnerabilities. Recent discussions at the 2nd National Data Protection Symposium highlight […]
Electricity Tariff Revision Proposal for Q1 2026: Potential Effects on Household Finances and Energy Use in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s electricity sector enters 2026 with a proposed tariff adjustment from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), submitted to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) on December 24, 2025. The proposal outlines an overall 11.57% increase to address a projected revenue deficit of Rs. 13,094 million for January to March 2026. Based on […]
Sri Lankan Rupee Holds at Around 309-310 per USD in Early 2026: Persistent Challenges for Everyday Costs and Food Affordability
As 2026 begins, the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) has maintained relative stability against the US Dollar (USD), trading in a narrow range around 309.5-309.7 LKR per USD in the first three days of January. Data aligned with Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) indicative rates show the spot rate hovering near 309.6 on January 1, […]
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. […]
Corruption: Patterns, Signals, and Systemic Dynamics
Corruption rarely distributes evenly across a public sector. It clusters where discretion, value, and opacity intersect. That triad explains why certain interfaces carry outsized risk compared with routine services. It also explains why public perception often diverges from the locations of greatest fiscal harm. Citizens notice corruption where they stand in queues or meet officers. […]
CEB Restructuring: A Turning Point for Sri Lanka’s Power Sector
Sri Lanka has embarked on a significant reform journey to restructure the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). The intention is clear: to transform electricity generation, transmission, and distribution into a system that is efficient, financially sustainable, and capable of supporting the country’s renewable energy ambitions. What is Being Proposed Unbundling of functionsThe CEB will be divided […]
Sri Lanka’s SOEs: Restructure or Risk Recovery
Sri Lanka’s loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are a persistent drain on public finances and a major obstacle to fiscal stability. Their continued losses add to national debt, crowd out spending on health, education and infrastructure, and slow the country’s economic recovery. Scale of the Losses Government and IMF data show that in 2024 the fifty-two […]