Sasanka De Silva (Makumbura) To: The Commissioner General of Motor Traffic Subject: Addressing the Chronic Delay in Official Number Plate Issuance To the Department of Motor Traffic, The current state of our roads reveals a glaring administrative failure: a significant percentage of newly registered vehicles are forced to operate using temporary or non-standard plates. While […]

Sasanka De Silva Makumbura  In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Ceylon Shipping Corporation (CSC) was a symbol of national pride and economic independence. At its peak, the corporation operated a diverse fleet of 17 vessels, including eight conventional liners, eight container ships, and one oil tanker. Today, after decades of decline and the […]

Sasanka De Silva Makumbura. The fuel QR code and weekly quota system are currently in operation. Some users find it difficult to manage the week within their allocation, while others find the quota exceeds their requirements. Unfortunately, any remaining balance cannot be carried forward to the following week or collected in containers, a restriction largely based […]

Sasanka De Silva Makumbura. For three decades, I worked overseas, sending hard-earned foreign exchange home during some of this country’s darkest hours.  Those remittances weren’t just personal savings; they were a lifeline for a nation embroiled in a civil war, a war we eventually won decisively. Now in retirement, I haven’t sat back.  We’ve taken […]

Sasanka De Silva Rating: ⭐☆☆☆☆ I am writing this to alert the traveling public about the unprofessional and, in my view, premeditated “delay tactics” employed by the management at North Gate Jaffna—specifically a manager named Manoj. The Incident On February 28, 2026, I contacted the hotel via telephone and WhatsApp at 18:22 local time to […]

Sasanka De Silva Makumbura. When the new regime announced the cancellation of pension payments for parliamentarians, the public reaction was electric. The majority went “Gaga,” seeing it as a righteous strike against a privileged class. It is a populistically brilliant move, cutting costs and punishing an unpopular elite. However, while the public cheers, few pause […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya. Last Thursday, I had two experiences that starkly illustrated the fundamental differences in responsiveness and accountability between Sri Lanka’s private and public sectors. The contrast was so pronounced, it solidified my long-held belief that the private sector is the true engine keeping this country afloat, while the public sector often feels […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya. For centuries, the heart of Sri Lanka has pulsed with the spirit of dana, of selfless giving. During sacred times like Vesak, our streets transform into vibrant avenues of generosity, where overflowing stalls offer everything from steaming rice and crispy roti to sweet ice cream and refreshing drinks, freely shared with […]

By Sasanka De Silva (Pannipitiya) Sri Lanka’s public road transport has long been a menace on the roads. For decades, citizens have endured the daily trauma of riding in filthy, overcrowded, and dangerously maintained buses, often driven by men who appear to treat roads like racetracks. Public transport, instead of being a symbol of convenience […]

Sasanka De Silva, Pannipitiya Many people shy away from discussing politics. It’s seen as messy, divisive, or even dangerous. But whether we like it or not, nearly everything in life — our pensions, healthcare, cost of living, security, and dignity — eventually boils down to politics. And politics, when stripped of its rhetoric and drama, […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya Sri Lanka stands at a critical economic crossroads. After weathering a historic financial crisis, the country is showing robust signs of recovery, with GDP growth outpacing expectations and a rebound driven by strong performances in industry and services. Yet, beneath this recovery lies a persistent challenge: a significant portion of the […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya My recent visit to Maduwanwela Walawwa, a site purportedly steeped in Sri Lankan history, left me with a profound sense of disappointment and concern.  While the historical significance of the location is undeniable, its current state of disrepair and the restrictive policies in place raise serious questions about the commitment to preserving […]

Sasanka De Silva. Pannipitiya As the world progresses, the voice of senior citizens has become increasingly pivotal, particularly in shaping the future of our communities and countries. An impressive 12% of a nation’s population is composed of seniors—an influential demographic that, when mobilized, can wield significant power at the ballot box. Yet, the question remains: […]

Sasanka De Silva. Pannipitiya Sri Lanka is facing a significant demographic shift as its population ages rapidly. Currently, about 12.3% to 12.4% of the population is over 60 years old, but this figure is projected to rise dramatically to 22% by 2037 and potentially reach 25% by 2041. This rapid ageing poses substantial economic, healthcare, […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya A recent island-wide power outage that lasted for several hours has sparked concerns over the country’s national security and the reliability of its power grid. The incident, which was initially attributed to a lone monkey invading a substation in the Panadura area, has raised more questions than answers. The Ceylon Electricity […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya The issue surrounding the cancellation of duty-free vehicle permits for members of parliament (MPs) has resurfaced in the political discourse, igniting a heated debate. Initially introduced by former President Gotabaya Rajapakse, the policy came under scrutiny during election rallies, particularly by the National People’s Power (NPP), who promised to abolish these […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya Sri Lanka’s ambitious “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative has sparked excitement and hope among citizens, yet recent developments have raised questions about its effectiveness and the bureaucratic hurdles that threaten its success.While the aim is admirable—to foster a cleaner, greener, and more responsible environment for all—there are glaring gaps in implementation that […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya The recent tragedy involving a train collision that killed three elephants and derailed carriages along the Batticaloa-bound night train has sparked an intense outcry on social media. In response, the railway authority’s decision to run trains on that line only during the day appears to be more reactive than strategic. While […]

Sasanka De Silva, Pannipitiya The recent appointment of a former Sri Lanka Air Force chief as the Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, the state-run airport management company, has been the subject of much debate. While it may seem like a newsworthy event, in reality, it follows a long-established pattern of […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya. In a world where negative experiences often dominate social media feeds, it’s refreshing to come across a positive encounter. My visit to the Kottawa post office this morning was one such pleasant surprise. The gentleman I encountered there not only provided excellent service but also offered a valuable suggestion that saved […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya Sri Lanka’s current Prime Minister, who holds a PhD in Anthropology, has sparked conversations on social media, where many are hailing her as the most academically qualified leader in the nation’s history. Indeed, the fact is irrefutable, but it raises a broader, more nuanced question: Is there a direct correlation between […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya The simple act of paying a bus fare in Sri Lanka has become a perplexing puzzle. For a minimum fare of Rs 28, handing over a Rs 100 note results in a Rs 70 return. Where does the remaining Rs 2 disappear to? It’s a question that has puzzled commuters and […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya. The recent performance of the Sri Lankan cricket team at the T20 World Cup in the USA has sparked widespread disappointment and debate among fans and critics alike. Many argue that the players have become complacent and corrupted by the high salaries they receive, despite their lacklustre performances. This raises an […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya. As the upcoming Presidential election approaches, there’s a growing narrative in highly manipulated social media platforms that only two are viable presidential candidates. This perspective is not only premature but also undermines the democratic process. It is crucial to wait for all parties to announce their candidates and engage in a […]

Sasanka De Silva, Pannipitiya. The Editor, Lanka Web, Sri Lanka. Dear Sir, We have a 3 kW rooftop solar installation that supplies electricity directly to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) grid. Recently, we’ve noticed some troubling issues. First, not all the energy generated by our unit is being absorbed by the grid. When we approached […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya. Children’s Day is around the corner, and celebrating it in a non-conventional way can be a fun and memorable experience for kids. Here are some ideas to consider perhaps for 2024.Outdoor Adventure Day: Organize an outdoor adventure day where kids can explore nature, learn survival skills, and have fun in the […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya. Hedging and boosting are two strategies commonly used in academic writing to convey certainty or uncertainty about information, support claims, and maintain a balanced and persuasive tone. They are important because they help writers engage with their readers by providing a nuanced understanding of the research and arguments presented. Here’s a […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya Most Get-rich-quick scams often prey on people’s desires, for quick and easy wealth, promising substantial returns with minimal effort. While the tactics used by scammers can vary, here are some telltale signs to watch out for: Unrealistic Promises: Scammers often promise unbelievably high returns in an unrealistically short period. If an […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya. Analog forestry is a sustainable land management approach that draws inspiration from natural forests to design and manage diverse and productive ecosystems. The concept was developed by the Mesoamerican Forests in Peril project (known by its Spanish acronym, MAAP) in the 1980s. Analog forestry seeks to mimic the structure, composition, and function […]

Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya A binary option contract is a type of financial derivative that offers two possible outcomes: a fixed payout or nothing at all. It is called a “binary” option because there are only two possible outcomes. Traders or investors speculate on whether an underlying asset’s price will be above or below a predetermined strike […]