Uncategorized
View all(18)### 🏛️ Restoring National History: A Strategic Investment for Sri Lanka
• Core Policy Proposal Policymakers and educators are urged to restore history to a central role in the education sector. The move aims to counter a perceived weakening of national consciousness and patriotism among the younger generation, viewing historical awareness as a "strategic national investment" rather than just an academic subject. • Economic & Social Implications A nation’s future is defined not only by its ICT/BPM progress or economic policies but by its collective memory. The data suggests that historical ignorance leads to fragmentation and vulnerability to external manipulation, which can undermine long-term national stability and sovereign development. • Key Historical Pillars Hydraulic Civilization: Lessons from King Parakramabahu’s water management highlight ancient "sustainable development" and ecological intelligence. Governance & Justice: Historical figures like King Elara and King Dutugemunu serve as models for the rule of law and ethical leadership. Ethical Foundations: The arrival of Buddhism is credited with shaping the nation's approach to social harmony and conflict resolution. • Global & Modern Context International Benchmarks: Success stories from Germany, Japan, and India show how national identity drives economic and scientific progress. Modern Resilience: Teaching recent history, including the defeat of terrorism and the 2004 Tsunami response, is vital for building a socially responsible and resilient citizenry. • Current Status Based on the published commentary, there is a "dire need" for curriculum reform to ensure the next generation understands that independence and freedoms were hard-won achievements, essential for preserving Sri Lanka's value systems against "erosion and corrosion."
📈 9th Edition of Colomboscope Opens with ‘Rhythm Alliances’
Sri Lanka’s premier contemporary arts festival, Colomboscope, has launched its 2026 edition, positioning the island as a growing hub for art tourism and the creative economy. The 9th edition, titled ‘Rhythm Alliances’, brings together over 50 artists to explore sound as a tool for cultural expression and social resistance. • Scale & Reach: Featuring 50+ musicians, filmmakers, and choreographers. The festival includes 35 newly commissioned projects, emphasizing the role of the ICT/BPM and creative sectors in high-value cultural exports. • Economic Context: While the creative economy remains largely untapped in Sri Lanka, events like Colomboscope drive urban footfall and support local hospitality and retail sectors through interdisciplinary public programs. • Sector Highlights: • Traditional Arts: Focus on ritualistic drumming and healing rites as enduring forms of knowledge. • Sustainability: Venues like Soul Studio highlight the intersection of sustainable manufacturing and contemporary design. • Tourism: Positioning Colombo as a regional arts destination alongside global peers like the Sharjah Biennial to attract high-spending cultural travelers. • Key Venues: Programs are spread across 8 city locations, including Barefoot Gallery, BMICH, and Scope Cinemas, facilitating broad public access and community engagement. _Note: Based on inaugural reporting; economic impact figures typically follow post-festival assessments._
OBITUARY: Media Professional Marian Candappa Passes Away 🕊️
• Industry Impact: Marian J. Rodrigo Candappa, a veteran of the Sri Lankan media landscape, has passed away. Her professional career was notably spent with major publishing houses Virakesari and Wijeya Newspapers, contributing to the country's Information & Media sector. • Community & Social Roles: Beyond her professional life, she was a prominent figure in civil society, holding active memberships in the Lions Club, the Colombo Chetty Association, and the Parish of Kotahena. • Final Rites: • The remains will lie at Lanka Florists, Punchi Borella, today (Feb 3) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. • Cremation is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the Old Crematorium, General Cemetery Kanatte. • Legacy: As the relict of the late Modestus Candappa, her passing marks the loss of a figure connected to the long-standing traditions of the Sri Lankan newspaper and printing industry.
48th Navam Maha Perahera Bolsters Colombo’s Tourism Activity 📈
The 48th Annual Navam Maha Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple concluded yesterday in Colombo, serving as a significant driver for the capital's cultural tourism and activity economy. The two-day procession (Jan 31 – Feb 1) drew massive crowds, including high-profile state officials and foreign visitors, highlighting its role in the national tourism calendar. • Overall Impact: The event acts as a critical "growth lever" for Colombo’s urban economy during the first quarter, traditionally a high-traffic period for international arrivals. With Sri Lanka targeting 3 million tourists and US$ 4.30 Bn in revenue for 2026, such large-scale cultural events are vital for reaching these milestones. • Sector Highlights: • Tourism & Hospitality: Attracted thousands of foreign spectators, boosting occupancy for Colombo-based hotels and informal accommodation sectors. • Handicrafts & Traditional Arts: Provided a commercial platform for hundreds of traditional dancers, drummers, and artisans, supporting rural livelihoods through cultural preservation. • Transport & Services: High domestic and international footfall stimulated local transport and retail activity in the Western Province, the nation's primary economic hub. • Patronage: The event saw bipartisan attendance, including Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and former Presidents, signaling strong institutional support for the creative economy and religious heritage.
Sri Lanka's Economic Resilience: The Case for Comprehensive Sex Education 📈
The recent focus on systemic gaps in Sri Lanka's education highlights a critical need for Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) to safeguard social and economic stability. Addressing these gaps is framed as a long-term investment in human capital. • Systemic Gaps & Productivity: Taboos surrounding reproductive health contribute to school absenteeism (up to 50% in certain regions due to period poverty) and poor health outcomes, directly impacting future workforce participation. • Legal & Social Literacy: Education on consent and legal boundaries is vital to navigate power dynamics in Sri Lanka’s hierarchical society, aiming to reduce the rising cases of child abuse and youth HIV infections (104 cases in 2023). • Sector Impact: • Healthcare: Improved literacy reduces the economic burden of reproductive disorders and unplanned pregnancies. • Labour Force: Empowering the youth (approx. 5.2 Mn by 2032) with informed decision-making skills is essential for national development. • Provisional Data Highlights: • Only 0.4% of surveyed adolescents demonstrate satisfactory reproductive health knowledge. • 50% of households face period poverty, affecting female education and economic mobility. • CSE is recognized as a "cost-effective" intervention by the UNFPA to bridge the 30–35% stagnation in female labour force participation.
📈 Sri Lanka: Addressing the Growing Crisis of Sexual Violence
A recent judicial decision dismissing an appeal by a man convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl has brought renewed focus to the rising incidence of sexual violence in Sri Lanka. The case highlights a systemic crisis where social silence often empowers offenders. • Overall Trends: Reports of sexual violence continue to rise across the country, with a high concentration of cases involving minors. A 2026 UN report highlights that a legacy of impunity and the failure to address harmful attitudes have led to a "climate of fear," with many cases remaining unreported due to social stigma. • Sector & Social Factors: • Education & Awareness: Lack of proper education on consent and gender equality is cited as a primary driver for dangerous misconceptions. • Social Influences: Factors compounding the crisis include substance abuse and exposure to violent content. • Impact on Human Capital: Trauma from survivors significantly hinders national employment and education outcomes, as victims face lifelong mental and emotional health challenges. • Global Comparison & Legal Gaps: • Singapore: Utilizes strict laws including long prison sentences, strokes of the cane, and professional reassessment of offenders before release. • Sri Lanka: Faces urgent calls for faster legal processes and stronger enforcement. Current legal obstacles include a 20-year statute of limitations and the lack of legal recognition for the rape of men (based on UN monitoring data). • Provisional Outlook: While the dismissal of recent appeals sends a message of zero tolerance, experts emphasize that prevention through community and religious leadership, along with parent-led education on boundaries, is essential for a sustainable solution.
Headline: Heritage Tourism & The Ravana Legacy: A Multi-Billion Rupee Opportunity 📈
The Colombo Institute for Human Sciences (CIHS) recently explored the evolving role of Ravana, highlighting its transition from myth to a strategic asset in Sri Lanka’s cultural tourism and political landscape. • Overall Figures & Economic Impact • Sri Lanka welcomed a record 2.36 Mn tourists in 2025 (up 15.1% YoY), surpassing the 2018 peak. • Tourism earnings exceeded US$ 3.2 Bn for 2025, driven by a surge in high-value experiential travel. • The "Sri Ramayan Trails" project targets millions of pilgrims, leveraging AI and AR to monetize 50+ historical sites. • Sector & Market Breakdown • Top Market: India remains the undisputed leader with 531,511 arrivals in 2025 (22.5% share), growing by 27% YoY. • Heritage Tourism: A key growth driver; global markets are projected to reach US$ 641.64 Bn in 2025. • Tourism Diversification: Local narratives in Kandy and the Knuckles range are being "repackaged" as a consumable brand for the ICT/BPM and digital nomad segments. • Strategic Outlook • Scholars warn of "hegemonic" North Indian versions eclipsing local traditions, affecting how sites like Seetha Eliya are marketed. • The commercialization of the "Ravana" brand is seen as a stabilizing force for national sovereignty and foreign exchange recovery. _Summary based on 2025 SLTDA provisional data and CIHS academic proceedings._
🇻🇦 Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican
• Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, held an official meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Friday, January 23, 2026. • The meeting was formally documented in the Holy See News Bulletin, marking a significant engagement between the Sri Lankan Catholic hierarchy and the global papacy. • Accompanying the Cardinal was Fr. Derinton Subasinghe, Secretary to Cardinal Ranjith. • While specific discussion points were not detailed in the provisional bulletin, such high-level meetings typically address ecclesiastical matters and the current socio-economic landscape of Sri Lanka.
🎓 Fulbright Scholarship Opportunities for Sri Lankan Citizens (2027-2028)
The US-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission (US-SLFC) has announced its awards competition for the 2027-2028 academic year. These programs focus on human capital development, education, and professional capacity building to strengthen bilateral ties. • Academic & Professional Fellowships Master’s Fellowships: For outstanding graduates with a 4-year degree and 1 year of work experience. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Visiting Scholar Awards: For post-doctoral research or professional projects. Priority is given to fields benefiting Sri Lanka's national context. Deadline: October 1, 2026. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship: A 10-month non-degree program for mid-career leaders committed to public service. Deadline: June 30, 2026. • Teaching & Institutional Support Teaching Excellence (TEA): Six-week exchange for secondary-level teachers with 5+ years of experience. Deadline: March 31, 2026. Specialist Awards: Enables Sri Lankan higher education, government, and NGO institutions to host U.S. experts for 2-6 weeks. Rolling Deadline. • Impact & Heritage Established in 1952, the US-SLFC has facilitated exchanges for over 2,000 Sri Lankans and Americans over 73 years. Programs aim to build institutional planning and workforce development through collaborative linkages with U.S. entities.
India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Ties: Sacred Relics Veneration in Colombo 📈
• Event Overview: The sacred corporeal relics of the Buddha, discovered in Gujarat, India, will be brought to Sri Lanka for public veneration at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple from 4 to 11 February. • Diplomatic Context: This historic event follows discussions between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks the first time these specific relics have ever been moved outside of India. • Logistics & Governance: Preliminary arrangements are being coordinated by the Presidential Secretariat, involving the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Buddhasasana. The relics arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport on 4 February. • Economic & Social Impact: • Expectation of a vast influx of devotees to Colombo, necessitating extensive state and private sector patronage for crowd management and facilities. • Viewed as a significant milestone for the tourism (religious/cultural) and services sectors, fostering a local Buddhist revival and strengthening bilateral cultural diplomacy. • Key Officials: The initiative involves the Tri-Forces, Police, and the Colombo Municipal Council to ensure public safety and logistical efficiency during the seven-day period.
Sri Lanka Reaffirms Solidarity with Palestine at Book Launch 📈
• Event Overview: Former Minister Imthiaz Bakeer Markar launched his latest publication, _‘The Heritage of the Homeland Trampled by a Superpower’_, at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, Colombo. The book compiles decades of speeches and reflections advocating for Palestinian self-determination and human rights. • Diplomatic Context: The event underscored Sri Lanka’s consistent historical alignment with the Palestinian cause. Palestinian Ambassador Ihab M. Khalil and high-ranking local officials, including the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, emphasized that the issue is a principled defense of humanity rather than religious advocacy. • Key Humanitarian Data: • Casualties: Over 72,000 civilians killed since October 7, 2025. • Displacement: Hundreds of thousands remain displaced despite a current ceasefire. • Status: The humanitarian crisis is reported as critical with no signs of immediate easing. • National Policy Reflections: Speakers, including former diplomats and legal experts, highlighted that foreign policy reflects national values. Notable concern was raised regarding the consistency of Sri Lanka’s historical stance, specifically criticizing recent decisions such as sending local journalists to Israel for training. • Conclusion: The publication serves as a historical record of Sri Lanka-Palestine relations and a call for international institutions to uphold international law and protect civilian lives in conflict zones. 🇱🇰
NIE Officials Disciplined Over Grade 6 English Module Scandal 📈
The Ministry of Education has taken stern disciplinary action following the controversy surrounding an inappropriate web reference in the new Grade 6 English module. • Compulsory Leave & Suspensions: NIE Deputy Director General Darshana Samaraweera has been sent on compulsory leave. Additionally, two other officials have been interdicted (suspended) as investigations into alleged irregularities intensify. • Status of Reforms: The Cabinet has decided to postpone the implementation of the Grade 6 education reforms to 2027. Distribution of the printed modules remains suspended following the discovery of a link to an adult-content website. • Financial Impact: The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) estimates that nearly Rs. 1 Billion has already been spent on these reforms. Concerns have been raised regarding the recovery of these taxpayer funds and the additional costs required for content revision. • Ongoing Probes: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and an internal NIE committee are conducting parallel inquiries. The Director General of the NIE, Prof. Manjula Vithanapathirana, previously stepped down to facilitate these probes. _Note: Action is based on provisional findings from internal and CID investigations._