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, […]
Rebuilding After the Cyclone: Why Recovery Must Start With People, Not Projects
When a cyclone tears through a country, the immediate images are always the same; fallen trees, flooded homes, damaged roads, boats pushed inland, families sheltering in schools. But long after the water recedes and the news cycle shifts, the real recovery quietly begins in kitchens, shops, fields, classrooms, and tea stalls. It is a slow, […]
International Day for Universal Access to Information: Why Sri Lanka Must Lead on Environmental Transparency
Universal access to information is not symbolic. It is the operational backbone of accountability, climate resilience, and investment certainty. A new global statement issued in Manila on 29–30 September 2025 places environmental information at the centre of the right to know. It urges governments to proactively publish data, strengthen oversight, and remove barriers to timely […]
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 […]
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 […]