By Dr  Sarath Obeysekera Sri Lanka continues to produce thousands of graduates every year. Universities proudly hand over degrees in engineering, management, science, and technology. Parents celebrate. Politicians boast about literacy and education statistics. Yet many of these young graduates enter the real industrial world completely unprepared for modern global employment. The uncomfortable truth is […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera In recent years, social media platforms such as Facebook, Messenger, YouTube, TikTok, and other online networks have become powerful tools for spreading news, opinions, and unfortunately, rumors and sensational stories. In Sri Lanka, Buddhist monks often become subjects of intense public scrutiny whenever allegations of misconduct arise. Videos, photographs, and accusations spread […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera While the world is building trillion-dollar energy infrastructure, Sri Lanka is still proudly producing certificate holders” in cake decorating, beauty culture, and basic hotel service. We are training thousands for low-income survival jobs while countries like Qatar are building a global industrial empire with welders, pipe fitters, offshore fabricators, subsea cable specialists, […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera For centuries, Sri Lankans have repeated the legend of Kuweni and Prince Vijaya.According to folklore, when Vijaya abandoned Kuweni after using her help to establish his kingdom, the betrayed queen cursed the land and its rulers before her death. Many believe that the suffering and turmoil faced by Sri Lanka through the […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera This is a tribute to a famous diver from Galle who passed away  Underwater welding and commercial diving are among the most dangerous professions in the maritime industry. Yet, they are also among the least understood by the public. The recent sudden death of a prominent diving expert has once again drawn […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Gig workers” are people who work on short-term, flexible jobs instead of permanent full-time employment. The term comes from the gig economy,” where workers are paid per task, delivery, ride, project, or assignment. Common examples include: Characteristics of gig work: In many countries, governments are debating: In the Sri Lankan context, people […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera British estate worker migration took place with very little control, although in the long run it benefited Sri Lanka. Today, our tea industry survives largely because of workers of South Indian origin. Now the Government is planning to allow inbound foreign labour migration. But under what categories will these workers be permitted? […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera 200-year-old UK institution  Famous Kings College to open Ho Chi Minh City campus King’s College School (KCS) Wimbledon is expanding its Southeast Asian footprint with the announcement of a new campus in Ho Chi Minh City. The new campus, which marks the institution’s second regional site following its initial expansion into Bangkok […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera The article about Singapore’s Tuas Megaport is a remarkable example of how a small island nation is using maritime infrastructure, automation, and land reclamation to strengthen its position as a global logistics hub. The project revolves around Tuas Port, which is planned to become the world’s largest fully automated container terminal.   […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera On one side lies democratic freedom safeguarded by constitutional checks and balances; on the other lies the harsh reality of a nation still recovering from decades of war, economic collapse, organized crime, corruption, narcotics, and political instability and recovery from Ditwa  The concerns raised by Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon regarding the politicization of […]

By Sarath Obeysekera Sri Lanka is once again at a crossroads. One road leads towards disciplined economic recovery. The other leads towards highways crowded with imported luxury vehicles, fuel queues, foreign debt, and another collapse of the rupee. For decades, politicians treated motor vehicle imports as if they were distributing sweets during an election campaign. […]

By Sarath Obeysekera Every evening, Sri Lankan television channels carry scenes of university students marching on roads, shouting slogans, demanding hostel facilities, allowances, subsidies, and various concessions from the State. As I watched these young faces on television recently, I could not help but think about their parents — mothers and fathers in villages and […]

By Dr Sarath Obeysekera Recent American involvement in Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations, combined with increasing pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, once again raises a serious geopolitical question: Are global interventions truly driven by democracy and security concerns — or by long-term strategic interests of powerful nations like US ? Nigeria today occupies enormous strategic importance. […]

By Dr Sarath Obeysekera Sri Lanka is rapidly attracting thousands of young foreign travelers searching for freedom, nightlife, adventure, surfing, and cheap living. Beaches such as Arugam Bay, Unawatuna, and Kalpitiya have become internationally promoted destinations for youth tourism. While tourism is essential for the economy, an uncomfortable question must be asked: Are some travel […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera https://www.gossiplankanews.com/2026/05/foreign-nationals-caught-in-rajagiri-are-found-to-have-hacked-bank-accounts-of-02-countries.html?m=1 Sri Lanka stands today at a dangerous intersection. On one side, we proudly market ourselves as a paradise for tourism, investment, port development, and international trade. On the other, a darker shadow is slowly creeping across the nation — cybercrime syndicates, drug traffickers, financial scammers, illegal operators, and organised international criminal […]

By Dr Sarath Obeysekera I recently watched a BBC documentary discussing the growing immigration debate in Sweden and the tightening of immigration policies across Scandinavia. It brought back vivid memories of my own working years in Norway during the 1980s. At that time, Scandinavia was one of the calmest and most orderly regions in the […]

By Sarath Obeysekera Last night, I watched a remarkable scene unfold on national television. The President of Sri Lanka openly challenged senior railway officials who were reluctant to permit donor-funded repairs to damaged homes due to Ditwa belonging to poor families occupying railway reservations. The officials spoke the language of files, regulations, and procedures. The […]

Sarath Obeysekera India’s decision to introduce massive incentives for shipbuilding component manufacturing is not merely an industrial policy. It is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s long-term maritime vision to transform India into one of the world’s leading naval and shipbuilding powers by 2047. Recent reports in The Economic Times reveal that the Indian government is preparing […]

Sarath Obeysekera  Sri Lanka’s Richard in the Day, Daniel in the Night” Immigration Comedy Sri Lanka proudly announces record tourist arrivals every month. Ministers smile, airports are busy, and hotels celebrate. But somewhere between the arrivals terminal and the Port City construction sites, something unusual seems to be happening. A man arrives with a visa […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera The rise and fall of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar remains one of the darkest chapters in modern criminal history. Escobar did not merely run a drug empire — he built a parallel power structure through fear, intimidation, bribery, and murder. Judges were assassinated. Journalists were silenced. Police chiefs were targeted. Politicians […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Colombo Dockyard PLC which is a subsidiary of Mazagon Shipyard of India and Sri Lankan marine engineering companies could benefit substantially from India’s planned shipbuilding component manufacturing expansion — but only if they reposition quickly from traditional repair-oriented activities into integrated regional supply-chain participation. The Indian strategy is not merely about building ships. […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera  The proposed India–Sri Lanka land bridge must be viewed not merely as an infrastructure project, but as a long-term strategic and geopolitical decision with deep political, social, demographic, and security implications for Sri Lanka. At a time when Tamil Nadu politics is becoming increasingly assertive, Sri Lanka must proceed with extreme caution. […]

By Sarath Obeysekera The renewed call by India’s High Commissioner to fast-track a land bridge between Sri Lanka and India has reignited an important national debate.  There are serious concerns inside Sri Lanka, even hinted in public reactions and past debates: 1. Sovereignty & security concerns 2. Economic imbalance 3. Social & political resistance The […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Since I joined Colombo Dockyard as CEO, the Deputy Finance Minister of Norway came to me requesting us to build UFAC, known as Ultra Fast Patrol Craft, similar to several aluminium crafts built for the Sri Lanka Navy. He wanted us to finance the project, either through financing from Sri Lanka, and […]

By Sarath Obeysekera The recent visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to Sri Lanka and his discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake mark an important step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two Indian Ocean neighbours. The signing of multiple agreements reflects goodwill, mutual respect, and a shared desire for cooperation. However, at a time […]

By Sarath Obeysekera Sri Lanka today stands at a decisive moment in its economic journey. While recent engagements with India have strengthened infrastructure and energy cooperation, the next phase of growth must come from industrialisation and export-led development. In this context, the recent agreements with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the anticipated visit of […]

Submitted by: Sarath Obeysekera (In view of the State Visit of the President of Maldives – 04–05 May 2026) 1. Introduction The forthcoming State Visit of the President of the Maldives presents a timely opportunity to enhance bilateral economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Maldives, particularly in sectors where both countries possess complementary strengths. Sri […]

By Sarath Obeysekera Today 2nd May 2026 , I watched a programme on television where a young Tamil girl won Rs. 7.5 million in a contest. Beyond the excitement of the moment and the magnitude of the prize, what struck me most was the deeper message this carries for our country—especially for our younger generation. […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera 1. Develop Galle as a Boutique Luxury Marina Hub  not as mass port—focus on high-value, low-volume tourism Key components: 2. Policy & Regulatory Reforms (Critical – currently missing) Without this, the marina will fail. Competing hubs like Maldives already offer smoother entry. 3. Integrate with National Trade & Logistics Strategy This is […]

By Dr Sarath Obeysekera In many parts of the world, May Day is marked by loud demonstrations, political rallies, and street protests. However, in Norway, the observance of May 1st—known as International Workers’ Day—takes on a more measured and disciplined character, reflecting the country’s unique social and economic philosophy. Norway does in fact recognize May […]