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 […]
Overhauling Sri Lanka’s Outdated Statistics Law: A Blueprint for Credible Data and Modern Governance
Sri Lanka’s official statistics still rest on the Statistics Ordinance of 1957. That law was written for a world of paper surveys and manual tabulation. In 2025 it no longer supports the country’s need for accurate, timely and trusted data. An overhaul of the national statistics law is overdue. Why the 1957 Law Fails The […]
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 […]
Sri Lanka Bolsters Anti-Corruption Arsenal with World Bank Backing
World Bank is backing Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). Sri Lanka has taken a decisive step forward in combating corruption. Justice Neil Iddawala, Chairman of CIABOC, held high-level talks with World Bank representatives at the UN Secretariat in Vienna. The meeting occurred during the Second Resumed Sixteenth Session of the […]
Sri Lanka’s Public Transport Upgrade: Long Overdue, Still Possible
The Daily Struggle of Sri Lanka’s Public Transport Sri Lanka’s Public Transport | For millions of Sri Lankans, buses and trains are not a choice—they are the only way to get to work, school, or home. Yet anyone who has squeezed into a packed bus or waited endlessly for a delayed train knows how broken […]
Decentralisation vs. Centralisation: Sri Lanka’s Ongoing Debate on Devolution
Decentralisation vs. Centralisation: Sri Lanka’s Ongoing Debate on Devolution | The balance between central power and local autonomy has shaped Sri Lanka’s politics for decades. From the establishment of Provincial Councils under the 13th Amendment in 1987 to today’s renewed debates on governance reform, questions remain: should Sri Lanka strengthen decentralisation, or return to a […]
AI and Policy: Sri Lanka at the Crossroads of Innovation
AI and Policy in Sri Lanka | AI or Artificial Intelligence, has become the buzzword of the decade. From voice assistants on smartphones to complex algorithms that power global financial markets, AI is shaping the way the world works. For Sri Lanka, a nation balancing economic recovery with ambitions of becoming a modern hub in […]
Tax Digitisation in Sri Lanka: Progress or Pitfall?
Tax Digitisation in Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka is entering a crucial phase in its economic reform journey. Among the many measures rolled out to increase state revenue, the digitisation of the tax system is one of the most ambitious. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has pushed forward with online filing, e-payments, and digital platforms […]
Balancing Development and Conservation: The Future of Sri Lanka’s Coastal Ecosystems
Sri Lanka’s 1,340 km coastline is both a source of immense economic potential and a delicate ecological treasure. From pristine beaches and mangroves to coral reefs and estuaries, these ecosystems sustain fisheries, tourism, and coastal livelihoods(Coastal Ecosystems). At the same time, they provide vital natural defences against erosion, storm surges, and climate change impacts. However, […]
Still Searching for Greener Pastures: Why Sri Lankans Are Continuing to Leave Home
Even as Sri Lanka begins to recover from its worst economic crisis in decades, thousands of Sri Lankans continue to seek opportunities abroad. What’s fueling this persistent wave of migration, and what does it mean for the country’s future? A Nation in Motion In the aftermath of the 2022 economic crisis, the sight of long […]