Professor Harendra de Silva & Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge

Since the JVP uprising in 1971, Sri Lanka has faced the alarming issue of child soldiers, a situation that escalated notably during the 1988-1989 revolt. These young recruits, referred to as the “Rathu Gatv” or “Red Youth,” were employed in various roles, including intelligence gathering, transporting explosives, committing arson, and, in some instances, executing civilians (Jayatunge, 2011). The children were exposed to the brutal realities of violence and loss, with reports indicating that over 10,000 were recruited by the JVP during the 1988/89 period of unrest. Tragically, around 2,300 school children are estimated to have lost their lives amidst the chaos of the insurgency (Wickramarathna, 2019).   

Reports reveal that numerous child soldiers associated with the JVP during the uprisings of 1971 and 1988 were exposed to horrific events. Many of these young individuals were involved in violent acts, including murder, robbery, arson targeting buses and government buildings, as well as the destruction of transformers and the organization of school strikes. Those apprehended by security forces often faced severe torture and intense interrogation. 

In Embilipitiya, situated in the Ratnapura District of Sabaragamuwa Province in Sri Lanka, a group of schoolchildren went missing amid suspicions of their involvement in anti-government activities, such as orchestrating protests, setting fire to the local paper mill, and the murder of a Grama Niladari, or village officer.

In 1971, child soldiers involved in the uprising were placed in rehabilitation camps, yet these facilities lacked effective treatment systems and rehabilitation programs. Similarly, those who were detained in 1988/89 faced inadequate rehabilitation efforts, as mental health specialists were not present to provide necessary support. Reports from that time indicate that arrested child soldiers in both 1971 and 1988/89 experienced sexual abuse at the hands of prison guards, older inmates, and occasionally security personnel (Munasinghe, 2012). Many of these former child soldiers continue to grapple with their traumatic experiences, often remaining politically disengaged and attempting to conceal their painful reminiscences.

The situation escalated dramatically and alarmingly when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) initiated the recruitment of child soldiers, a move that sparked widespread outrage from international human rights organizations. This abhorrent practice involved not only the use of aggressive propaganda to lure children into their ranks but also the forcible abduction of minors, which further highlighted the LTTE’s disregard for human rights and the welfare of children.

The organized and systematic recruitment of child soldiers saw a marked increase after 1987. Following this period, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) began enlisting children for combat roles, and by the 1990s, these young recruits constituted a substantial part of their military strength. Reports from that time indicated that between 40% and 60% of those killed in combat were minors (Human Rights Watch, 2004). Despite the LTTE’s commitment to cease the recruitment of underage individuals in 2003, the practice persisted until 2009, with a significant rise in the number of child soldiers noted during the final phases of the civil conflict (Human Rights Watch 2008).

UNICEF has consistently highlighted the LTTE’s failure to fulfill several high-level commitments aimed at ceasing the recruitment of children. In 2004, the organization reported that the LTTE had enlisted 709 children in 2003, often while releasing smaller numbers to create a façade of compliance with international standards. Between 2002 and 2007, UNICEF documented approximately 6,903 cases of child recruitment attributed to the LTTE (UN News,2004). 

The LTTE employed ruthless methods to enlist child soldiers, frequently abducting them from their families or schools. Throughout the indoctrination process, placards, billboards, and monuments dedicated to martyrs were erected in various locations. In Kittu Memorial Children’s Park, the see-saws were equipped with AK-47 replicas, allowing children to engage in simulated combat with one another.   Initially, children were recruited into the “Baby Brigade”. By the 1990s, they were no longer just scouts or sentries but were integrated into combat roles. The LTTE exploited child soldiers to carry out attacks on Sinhala civilians in vulnerable villages, assault Army camps, and gather intelligence.  Children as young as 10 were reportedly used as assassins and suicide bombers by the LTTE (Amnesty International,2004).  

These children came from impoverished, vulnerable, and marginalized communities, particularly those identified as lower castes. A significant number hailed from the Eastern province, Wanni, and Mannar, areas characterized by economic hardship and social exclusion. One tactic employed to recruit children was the deliberate obstruction of their access to education, which fostered a sense of insecurity about their future.

After the defeat of the LTTE in May 2009, 594 child soldiers, comprising 364 males and 230 females, surrendered to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. Additionally, evaluations of LTTE combat fatalities during the 1990s indicated that between 40% and 60% of those killed in action were children under 18 years old (Human Rights Watch,2004).

The involvement of Sri Lankan child soldiers perpetuated a cycle of violence and trauma, as these young individuals were thrust into the harsh realities of war. Stripped of their childhood, they faced severe psychological and physical harm, enduring experiences that would leave lasting scars on their lives.

Socio-economic deprivation, characterized by poverty and limited access to education or vocational training, often led children to view joining militant groups as a viable escape from a dismal future. Additionally, many were driven by a desire for revenge after experiencing or witnessing abuses such as torture, unlawful detention, or the loss of family members at the hands of security forces. The allure of status and perceived glamour associated with militant life, fueled by propagandized events and public displays of military might, further attracted young individuals seeking recognition and heroism. 

Understanding the recruitment strategies employed by the JVP and the LTTE for enlisting children in their armed conflicts is crucial. These organizations utilized various methods to attract young individuals, often exploiting socio-economic vulnerabilities and political unrest. By appealing to a sense of identity, belonging, and purpose, they drew children into their ranks, significantly shaping the dynamics of their respective struggles. Both groups targeted children, often luring them with promises of adventure, belonging, and a sense of purpose in a society marked by turmoil.

The JVP primarily recruited school children who felt marginalized by the existing social hierarchy and faced limited economic prospects. In contrast, the LTTE focused on impoverished, low-caste Tamil families in the Northern and Eastern regions, highlighting the disparity where children from affluent backgrounds were often exempt from the front lines, leaving the underprivileged to bear the brunt of the conflict. The LTTE employed an advanced propaganda strategy, utilizing videos, school speeches, and public exhibitions of military artifacts to romanticize martyrdom and foster a “cult of heroes.” Both organizations sought to sever the ties between young individuals and their traditional family structures, undermining parental authority in the process.

The indoctrination of child soldiers by the JVP and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) involved a systematic process that exploited the vulnerabilities of youth in conflict-ridden environments. Once recruited, these young individuals underwent rigorous training that not only focused on military tactics but also included intense ideological conditioning. This indoctrination process was designed to instill a sense of loyalty and commitment to the cause, often using propaganda that painted the enemy as a dehumanized other. Psychological manipulation played a crucial role, as children were frequently exposed to violence and were made to witness or participate in brutal acts, which desensitized them to the horrors of the armed conflict.

The psychological effects of being a child soldier are profound and multifaceted, often leading to long-lasting trauma that can persist well into adulthood (Betancourt et al., 2010).  These young individuals are frequently exposed to extreme violence and forced to commit acts that are contrary to their moral beliefs, which can result in severe guilt, shame, and a distorted sense of self. The loss of childhood innocence is compounded by the disruption of familial and social bonds, as many child soldiers are separated from their families and communities, leading to feelings of isolation and abandonment. Additionally, the experience of combat and the constant threat of death can instill deep-seated anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), manifesting in flashbacks, nightmares, and hyper-vigilance (Wessells, 2006). 

The stigma associated with being a former child soldier can further alienate these individuals from society, making reintegration into their communities challenging and often exacerbating feelings of worthlessness and despair. Overall, the psychological impact of being a child soldier is a complex interplay of trauma, identity crisis, and social disconnection, necessitating comprehensive mental health support and rehabilitation to facilitate healing and reintegration (Sivarajah, 2021). 

The recruitment of children into armed conflicts represents a grave violation of their rights and constitutes a form of child abuse (de Silva et al., 2001). It undermines their right to education and development, perpetuating cycles of poverty and violence within communities. This practice preys on the innocence and vulnerability of young individuals, exposing them to severe violence and psychological trauma. By stripping away their childhood, these children are thrust into a world of conflict, often compelled to engage in acts of violence that they cannot fully understand. De Silva (2001) characterizes child soldiers as victims of adult exploitation and manipulation, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures through child welfare legislation.

The recruitment of child soldiers represents a profound collective trauma that reverberates through communities and nations, leaving indelible scars on both individuals and society as a whole (Somasundaram, 2002). This phenomenon not only strips children of their innocence and childhood but also disrupts familial structures and social cohesion, as families are torn apart and communities are left to grapple with the aftermath of violence and loss. Moreover, the normalization of violence and militarization within a society can perpetuate cycles of conflict, as these former child soldiers may struggle to reintegrate into civilian life, facing stigma and a lack of support. As a result, the collective trauma extends beyond the immediate victims, affecting future generations and hindering the prospects for peace and reconciliation in war-torn regions.

Rehabilitating child soldiers in Sri Lanka necessitates a thorough and multifaceted strategy that addresses their psychological, social, and educational requirements (Thoradeniya, 2017). Central to this effort is the provision of trauma-informed care that acknowledges the distinct experiences of these children, many of whom have been exposed to or involved in violence. This can be facilitated through counseling and therapeutic initiatives aimed at promoting emotional recovery and resilience. Furthermore, establishing safe and nurturing environments is vital, which involves reintegrating these children into their communities and ensuring they have access to familial support systems. De Silva, H. (2003) emphasizes the importance of a holistic, family-centred approach that prioritizes de-stigmatization, emotional healing, and the accountability of adult recruiters.

Educational initiatives play a vital role in rehabilitation, as they not only equip these children with essential skills for their future but also help restore a sense of normalcy and purpose (Jayatunge & Somasundaram, 2014). Vocational training programs can further empower them by providing practical skills that enhance their employability. Collaboration with local communities, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies is necessary to create a sustainable framework for rehabilitation, ensuring that these children are not only reintegrated but also supported in their journey towards a peaceful and productive life.

The rehabilitation of child soldiers in Sri Lanka holds significant importance for both the individuals involved and the broader society. These children, often forcibly recruited into armed conflict, endure profound psychological and physical trauma that can hinder their development and reintegration into civilian life. Effective rehabilitation programs are essential to address their unique needs, providing them with psychological support, education, and vocational training. By facilitating their healing and reintegration, society not only aids in restoring the lives of these young individuals but also contributes to long-term peace and stability in the region. Furthermore, successful rehabilitation can help break the cycle of violence, as these children, once rehabilitated, can become advocates for peace and reconciliation, fostering a more harmonious community. Thus, the importance of rehabilitating child soldiers extends beyond individual recovery; it is a crucial step towards building a more resilient and peaceful society in Sri Lanka.

References

Amnesty International. (2004, July 6). Sri Lanka: Tamil Tigers beating up families to recruit child soldiers [Press release]. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa37/002/2004/en/

Betancourt, T. S., Brennan, R. T., Rubin-Vaughan, J., Brugher, J., & Gilman, S. E. (2010). Traumatic experiences and mental health in former child soldiers: A longitudinal study in Sierra Leone. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 49(6), 606–615. doi.org

de Silva, H., Hobbs, C., & Hanks, H. (2001). Conscription of children in armed conflict—a form of child abuse. A study of 19 former child soldiers. Child Abuse Review, 10(2), 125–134. doi.org

De Silva, D. G. H. (2001). Children: The new face of terrorism [Conference presentation]. 24th International Congress of Paediatrics, Beijing, China.

De Silva, H. (2003). Power games in war and peace: The tragic impact of corruption, violence, and impunity on the Sri Lankan child.

De Silva, D. G. H. (2013). The use of child soldiers in war with special reference to Sri Lanka. Pediatrics and International Child Health, 33(4), 273–280. https://doi.org/10.1179/2046905513Y.0000000095

Human Rights Watch. (2004, November 10). Living in fear: Child soldiers and the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka. https://www.hrw.org/report/2004/11/10/living-fear/child-soldiers-and-tamil-tigers-sri-lanka

Human Rights Watch. (2008, December 3). Trapped and mistreated: LTTE abuses against civilians in the Vanni. hrw.org

Jayatunge, R. M. (2011). 71 Uprising. Agahas Publishers.

Jayatunge, R. M., & Somasundaram, D. (2014). Child soldiers. In S. O. Okpaku (Ed.), Essentials of Global Mental Health (pp. 245–253). Cambridge University Press. doi.org

Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka. (2020, May 17). Sri Lanka’s victory: LTTE turned children into child soldiers but Sri Lanka turned child soldiers into global citizens. https://www.defence.lk/Article/view_article/1546

Munasinghe, R. (2012). Eliyakanda torture camp (K. Point) (B. M. Jayatilaka, Trans.). Mary Martin Booksellers.

ReliefWeb. (2010, November 10). Sri Lanka: Former child soldiers struggle for a normal life. https://reliefweb.int/report/sri-lanka/sri-lanka-former-child-soldiers-struggle-normal-life

Sivarajah, N. (2021). The reintegration of child soldiers in Nepal and Sri Lanka [Doctoral dissertation, Australian National University]. ANU Open Research Repository. doi.org

Somasundaram, D. (2002). Child soldiers: Understanding the context. BMJ, 324(7348), 1268–1271. doi.org

Thoradeniya, K. (2017). War-affected children and psycho-social rehabilitation. Sri Lanka Journal of Social Sciences, 40(1), 17–28. doi.org

UN News. (2004, January 22). UNICEF urges Tamil Tigers to stop recruiting child soldiers in Sri Lanka. https://news.un.org/en/story/2004/01/91882

Wessells, M. G. (2006). Child soldiers: From violence to protection. Harvard University Press.

Wickramarathna, D. (2019).  Satanin-Satana. Sooriya Publishers. Sri Lanka

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Beyond Rail Tracks: How Britain Used the Elizabeth Line to Stimulate Industry and Employment — Can Sri Lanka Do the Same?”

Question 

Was the East–West London Elizabeth Line (formerly Crossrail) implemented   during Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government primarily as a transport improvement project, or was it also intended as a large-scale economic stimulus program to generate employment for contractors, engineers, consultants, and associated industries?

There are also claims and rumours that enormous sums were spent not only on construction but also on political public relations campaigns and spin doctors” to promote and defend the project despite escalating costs and delays.

Elaborate  on the political, economic, and social dimensions of the Elizabeth Line project and explain whether such megaprojects are often used by governments as tools for economic expansion and political influence in addition to public transport development?

Answer helped by AI 

The Elizabeth line — previously called Crossrail — was not started” by Tony Blair alone. The idea goes back to the 1970s and was formally studied in the late 1980s under Conservative governments. However, Blair’s Labour government revived and politically pushed the project during the 2000s, and the legal approval process accelerated under his administration.  

The project eventually became one of Europe’s biggest infrastructure schemes, linking East and West London through high-capacity underground tunnels. It officially opened in phases from 2022 as the Elizabeth Line.

A project like this had several objectives:

• Reduce congestion on the London Underground
• Increase productivity by cutting commuting times
• Regenerate poorer districts in East London
• Increase property values and business activity
• Create large-scale employment in engineering, tunnelling, signalling, construction, rail technology, and services

So your observation is correct: megaprojects are often not just transport schemes. They are also economic stimulus programs.

During construction, Crossrail employed tens of thousands of workers directly and indirectly — engineers, steel fabricators, tunnel specialists, electricians, software firms, logistics operators, architects, and suppliers. Governments often support such projects during economic slowdowns because they keep industries alive and create multiplier effects throughout the economy.  

However, the project also became controversial.

Initial estimates were around £15–16 billion, but the final cost rose significantly, approaching £19 billion with delays of several years. Critics accused the project management and political leadership of:

• weak oversight,
• optimistic budgeting,
• contractor inefficiencies,
• and poor governance.  

There were also scandals and allegations surrounding:

• political lobbying,
• construction blacklisting,
• and relationships between major contractors and government circles.  

Regarding the rumour” that money was used to spin doctors”:

The term spin doctor” in British politics refers to media strategists and political image managers. Blair’s government became famous for sophisticated public relations operations led by figures such as Alastair Campbell. Critics often accused the Blair era of aggressively selling policies and shaping media narratives.

But there is no verified evidence that Crossrail money itself was secretly diverted specifically to spin doctors.” What did happen was:

• massive public relations spending,
• heavy lobbying by business groups,
• strong promotion of the economic benefits,
• and political pressure to maintain public confidence despite delays and cost overruns.

Large infrastructure projects everywhere — including in the UK, China, India, and even proposed projects in Sri Lanka — often create an ecosystem of:

• consultants,
• lobbyists,
• PR agencies,
• legal firms,
• financial advisers,
• and politically connected contractors.

That is why some critics describe megaprojects as partly economic development and partly political theatre.

Interestingly, the success of the Elizabeth Line after opening changed public opinion dramatically. Passenger demand exceeded forecasts, property development accelerated, and the line became extremely popular despite the delays and cost overruns.  

There is also a lesson for Sri Lanka:
if projects such as Trincomalee Harbour development, offshore energy, shipbuilding, logistics corridors, or rail modernization are pursued intelligently, they can create entire ecosystems of skilled employment — not merely transport facilities. But success depends on:

• transparent governance,
• technical competence,
• long-term financing,
• and avoiding politically driven vanity spending.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Kandidat tekneecheski Nauk  1977

Kandidat tekneecheski Nauk  1977

Кандидат технических наук

History shows that overthrowing an old order is often easier than building a stable new one. After the 1917 Russian Revolution, the victorious Bolsheviks discovered that unity during struggle did not guarantee unity in government. The same lesson can be observed in many revolutionary or protest movements around the world, including debates now emerging in Sri Lanka regarding the future direction of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and the National People’s Power.

When the forces led by Vladimir Lenin defeated the anti-communist White Russians” during the Russian Civil War, the Bolsheviks emerged victorious but exhausted. Russia’s economy had collapsed, industries were paralyzed, agriculture was devastated, and famine spread across the country. Revolutionary slogans alone could not feed people or rebuild a nation.

The Bolshevik leadership itself soon became divided on fundamental questions.

Lenin vs Trotsky – Different Visions

Leon Trotsky, one of the principal architects of the Red Army, believed the revolution should spread internationally. He argued that socialism in Russia could not survive in isolation and needed global revolutionary momentum.

Others within the leadership, especially Joseph Stalin later argued for socialism in one country” — consolidating power internally before exporting revolutionary ideals abroad.

Even Vladimir Lenin himself became concerned about growing bureaucracy, concentration of power, and internal authoritarianism within the party. The revolution that promised workers’ freedom slowly evolved into a rigid state apparatus.

The result was internal purges, ideological conflicts, suppression of dissent, and eventually the sidelining and exile of Trotsky. Revolutionaries who once fought side by side became rivals over policy, power, and the future direction of the nation.

The Universal Problem of Revolutionary Movements

This pattern is not unique to Russia.

Movements formed in opposition often remain united because they share a common enemy. But once power is achieved, difficult questions arise:

• How should the economy be managed?
• Should ideology or pragmatism dominate?
• How much compromise is acceptable?
• Can revolutionary rhetoric coexist with democratic governance?
• How do leaders balance loyalty with competence?

These tensions are visible in many post-revolutionary societies.

A Sri Lankan Reflection

Sri Lanka today is not revolutionary Russia, and direct comparisons would be inaccurate and unfair. However, certain political dynamics invite reflection.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna historically emerged as a radical movement opposing inequality, corruption, and elite politics. Over decades, especially through the broader National People’s Power coalition, it has attempted to transform itself into a democratic political force appealing to professionals, youth, academics, workers, and civil society.

This transition from protest movement to governing responsibility inevitably creates internal tensions.

Some supporters expect ideological purity and rapid structural change. Others demand practical governance, foreign investment, economic stability, and international cooperation. The challenge becomes balancing revolutionary passion with administrative realism.

Russia’s experience demonstrates that:

• idealists and pragmatists eventually clash,
• intellectuals and grassroots activists often disagree,
• and governing a struggling economy is far harder than criticizing one.

Economic Reality Eventually Overrides Slogans

After the Russian Revolution, the Bolsheviks were forced to retreat from strict ideological economics and introduce the New Economic Policy” (NEP), allowing limited private enterprise because the economy was collapsing.

Even revolutionary governments eventually confront economic reality:

• industries need skilled workers,
• investors seek stability,
• agriculture needs efficiency,
• and ordinary citizens demand jobs rather than slogans.

Sri Lanka faces similar pressures today:

• debt restructuring,
• unemployment,
• brain drain,
• industrial decline,
• and the urgent need for technical and vocational skills.

No government — left, right, or centrist — can escape these realities.

The Danger of Internal Fragmentation

History also warns that revolutionary movements can weaken themselves through internal suspicion and factionalism.

The Bolsheviks initially spoke of collective leadership, but eventually internal rivalry created centralized authority and fear. Constructive criticism became dangerous. Loyalty began to outweigh competence.

For Sri Lanka, the lesson is important:
a successful political movement must tolerate debate, encourage expertise, and adapt to changing realities without treating every disagreement as betrayal.

The Most Important Lesson

Perhaps the greatest lesson from post-revolutionary Russia is this:

Destroying an old system does not automatically create a better one.

Building institutions, maintaining democracy, preserving freedom of expression, encouraging skilled industry, and managing the economy require patience, compromise, and technical competence.

Nations survive not merely through ideology, but through disciplined governance, productive citizens, and leaders willing to listen even to criticism from within their own ranks.

Sri Lanka’s future will depend not on whether a movement calls itself revolutionary, nationalist, socialist, or liberal — but on whether it can create jobs, maintain stability, develop industry, and unite a deeply divided society.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Sri Lanka must study history carefully before opening the doors widely for inbound labour migration without proper controls, registration, monitoring and sector-specific policies.

During the British colonial era, Indian Tamil estate workers were brought mainly from South India to work in plantations because local labour was either unavailable or unwilling to work under harsh estate conditions. Over time, these workers became an inseparable and valuable part of Sri Lanka’s plantation economy and society. Today the tea industry survives largely because of the descendants of those workers. That migration eventually benefited the country economically, although it also created decades of social and political complications.

But today’s situation is entirely different.

The present proposal to allow foreign labour into Sri Lanka raises serious questions:

• Which sectors genuinely require foreign workers?
• What skill categories are lacking locally?
• Who monitors visas and employment conditions?
• How many workers are already operating informally?
• Are security agencies properly screening entrants?
• What mechanisms exist to prevent cybercrime, illegal businesses or undocumented employment?

Recent reports about increasing numbers of foreign nationals working in restaurants, hotels, warehouses and other sectors have raised public concern. In many places, local residents themselves observe that some foreigners appear highly educated and technologically skilled, yet are officially categorized under low-skilled employment.

There are also increasing global concerns regarding cybercrime centres operating across parts of Asia using foreign labour networks. Sri Lanka must therefore be extremely cautious not to become a soft operational base due to weak enforcement or corruption.

At the same time, industries such as construction, agriculture, logistics and processing may genuinely face labour shortages because many Sri Lankans themselves migrate overseas seeking better salaries. Some employers argue that foreign workers are willing to perform difficult manual work which locals increasingly avoid. This economic reality cannot be ignored either.

Therefore the answer is not emotional politics or xenophobia. The answer is regulation, transparency and national planning.

Sri Lanka should consider:

• Strict work permit categories linked to verified industries
• Mandatory police registration and biometric monitoring
• Periodic employer audits
• Language and legal orientation requirements
• Limits on concentrations of workers in residential areas
• Strong cybercrime and immigration surveillance
• Priority employment for Sri Lankan workers where possible
• Sector-by-sector approval instead of open-ended migration

Countries like Singapore and the Gulf States allow foreign labour under highly controlled systems. Sri Lanka unfortunately has weak enforcement institutions, making uncontrolled inflows potentially risky both socially and economically.

A nation that cannot properly manage its own labour market should be very careful before experimenting with large-scale inbound migration policies.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Dilrook Kannangara

Without a doubt AKD is the most popular Sri Lankan leader ever in the north, east and Nuwara Eliya areas despite falling popularity elsewhere. However, this comes at a massive cost to the nation as billions of state funds are used to sustain his popularity in areas of low to no national economic worth.

In February 2013 yours truly predicted the impending bankruptcy of Sri Lanka in 2017 (five years from 2012). However, Sri Lanka managed to roll forward that date through more borrowings (5-year bonds) by another 5 years to 2022. In January 2022 Sri Lanka’s credit rating fell to default” status. On April 12, 2022 Sri Lanka declared its inability to repay loans after 3 months of undeclared economic bankruptcy. It was not the result of corruption or illicit fund transfers. Though they contributed, the impact was no worse than other nations that didn’t go bankrupt. The only reason for Sri Lanka’s economic collapse in 2022, as predicted in 2013, was the fact that the government spent large amount of money including borrowed money in the north and east that produces no worthy exports and pays no income tax. Without the government receiving a return for its massive investments in the north and east since 2009, and without additional export earnings in dollars, how could it have repaid loans including foreign loans! It’s economic suicide with meritorious intentions.

Due to its complexity and the lack of economics knowledge of the people, everything was blamed on corruption. Apart from petty charges, no large-scale corruption that could have had an economic impact has been unearthed. Billion-dollar corruption allegations remain confined to political bickering.

Unfortunately, AKD and his regime are following on the same footsteps of 2009 to 2014 when the foundation for economic bankruptcy was laid with good intentions. Construction of public libraries in the north and east, increasing the wage of tea plantation workers, overly generous disaster recovery donations particularly in Nuwara Eliya district and other similar wastage of public funds do not produce any additional dollars or state revenue. They lead to bankruptcy. When it happens, people will blame it on corruption on the part of the government. Economic realities are very harsh and rigid. Spend money on anything that does not directly produce a return for the investor, bankruptcy is what results. With a massive trade deficit and budget deficit, Sri Lanka has no funds for dud projects. From ancient times, very little was invested in the north and east by the rulers for good and sensible economic reasons. Go against this wisdom and pay a very heavy price.

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 that a university degree alone is no longer enough.

Recently, I spoke with a Sri Lankan engineer who once worked at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and is now employed in Qatar with  McDermott International, one of the world’s major offshore engineering and energy companies. Though academically qualified in Sri Lanka, he understood early that survival in the global oil and gas industry required far more than a framed degree certificate.

He acquired internationally recognised certifications in:

• Welding technology
• Non-destructive testing (NDT)
• Quality assurance systems
• Offshore safety procedures
• International fabrication standards

Those qualifications made him employable internationally.

He explained something Sri Lanka’s education planners still fail to understand: in the global industrial market, many employers hardly care about your BSc degree unless it is supported by practical industrial accreditation and hands-on competence.

The oil and gas industry, shipbuilding sector, offshore construction field, and advanced manufacturing industries demand certifications under globally recognised systems such as:

• ISO standards
• API standards
• ASME certification
• Lloyd’s Register
• DNV
• ABS

A graduate who possesses these qualifications immediately becomes more valuable than someone holding only academic credentials with no industrial exposure.

Sri Lanka’s tragic mistake is treating vocational training as education for weaker students while universities are reserved for the elite.” That outdated mentality has destroyed the country’s industrial competitiveness.

Germany, South Korea, Singapore, Norway, and even Middle Eastern countries have integrated vocational competence directly into higher education. Students graduate not merely with theoretical knowledge but with certified practical capability.

In Sri Lanka, however, many graduates leave university without ever touching industrial equipment, entering fabrication yards, participating in commissioning work, or understanding field realities.

An engineer who has never welded cannot properly supervise welding quality.

An engineer who has never entered a dry dock cannot fully understand ship repair.

A mechanical graduate who has never worked with industrial tolerances or non-destructive testing equipment becomes dependent entirely on technicians.

This is one reason foreign companies often prefer technicians from countries with strong vocational systems over academically qualified graduates from countries that focus only on theory.

During my own career in shipbuilding and marine engineering, we rarely looked first at age or university prestige. We looked for competence. We looked for people who could solve problems on site. We valued internationally recognised industrial accreditation, chartered qualifications, practical exposure, and the ability to work under pressure.

A young graduate with API welding inspection certification or ASME quality training can often outperform someone holding only academic distinctions.

Sri Lanka must urgently reform its entire higher education philosophy.

The University Grants Commission should make industrial vocational certification compulsory alongside university education. Engineering, science, and technical students should graduate with:

• Industrial safety certification
• Practical workshop exposure
• Quality assurance training
• Welding or fabrication knowledge
• International standards awareness
• Internship experience in real industries

Otherwise, we will continue producing graduates for unemployment queues while importing foreign expertise for our own infrastructure projects.

The country talks endlessly about development, ports, offshore energy, shipbuilding, LNG terminals, industrial zones, and manufacturing expansion. But who will do the work?

Development does not happen through PowerPoint presentations and university convocation speeches.

It is built by skilled hands, disciplined technicians, competent engineers, certified inspectors, and practical industrial knowledge.

Sri Lanka does not lack intelligence.

Sri Lanka lacks industrial readiness.

Until we combine academic education with internationally recognised vocational competence, our graduates will continue carrying certificates while other nations build the future.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Shenali D Waduge

Easter Sunday would not have occurred if national security had received consistent attention and if intelligence monitoring of known radical networks had not been disrupted. After the 2015 regime change, intelligence coordination was weakened, with focus shifting heavily toward corruption” and good governance”. This created operational gaps, delayed responses, and breakdowns in inter-agency information sharing.

ISIS threat known but neglected

As a result, radical elements were able to operate, recruit, and mobilise freely despite existing intelligence awareness and warrants. Even intelligence files forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department regarding Zaharan Hashim did not result in foreseeing the scope of the threat beyond the pages attached.

Thus, a locally organised extremist network led by Zaharan aligned to ISIS ideology-expanded its secret network during this period. Intelligence agencies were already aware of the global ISIS-risks and likely threats to Sri Lanka and had compiled numerous reports. The SIS also brought to the notice of the then governement reports of 32-38 Sri Lankan Muslims travelling to Syria to join ISIS, later acknowledged in Parliament. Zaharan himself had already attacked Sufi Muslims in Kattankudy and was subject to an arrest warrant in 2017.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/23/sri-lanka-bombings-first-burials-take-place-on-day-of-mourning

https://www.reuters.com/article/world/islamic-state-video-throws-spotlight-on-suspected-ringleader-of-sri-lanka-bombin-idUSKCN1S01A6

Terrorists in Sri Lanka swore allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

https://swarajyamag.com/insta/isis-leader-zahran-hashims-videos-speeches-being-used-by-jihadi-gang-to-radicalise-youths-in-tn-nia

Terrorists in Sri Lanka swore allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Politicizing intelligence & investigations

When intelligence and investigative functions become influenced by shifting political priorities, threat response is weakened.

Multiple official inquiries-including the Presidential Commission, Parliamentary Select Committee, and Supreme Court confirmed a critical point: across all findings. Intel was provided, warnings existed, but information sharing, discussing the threat, coordinating preventive action and the will do so did not follow in time.

Thus, Easter Sunday did not happen due to absence of intelligence, but due to failure of timely action on intelligence and warnings at hand.

Institutional Responsibility, Legal Accountability despite Political influence

Governments come and go.

But, public officers are bound by constitutional and statutory duties.

Sri Lankan law provides mechanisms for accountability where public functions are exercised negligently, arbitrarily, or in breach of duty, including judicial review, fundamental rights jurisdiction, and Penal Code provisions on misconduct in public office.

Politicians may escape legal scrutiny but public officials will eventually face the consequences of compromising their mandated duties.

Investigative and prosecutorial discretion cannot be shifted for political advantage. Any perception of political influence over investigations undermines institutional independence and raises questions of legality, abuse of authority, and procedural compliance with dire future consequences.

Confidentiality of Intelligence & Operational Risk

While accountability is essential, intelligence operations cannot be evaluated on the same benchmarks and depend on confidentiality and protection of sensitive methods and identities. International practice recognises that disclosure of operational details can endanger personnel and compromise national security.

Sri Lanka has previously seen the consequences of exposure of sensitive intelligence operations, including the 2002 Millennium City debacle, which severely impacted Sri Lanka’s national security after LTTE killed over 50 intel personnel following the disclosure of their names & identities.

Therefore, accountability must be balanced carefully with protection of operational integrity.

Investigations must not evolve into processes that weaken future intelligence operations or personnel.

Warnings, ISIS Claim, and Operational Reality

Sri Lanka endured 30 years of LTTE terrorism, where suicide attacks were not preceded by warnings. In contrast, alongside the locally compiled reports on Zaharan Hashim & his radical network, multiple foreign intelligence agencies issued repeated warnings prior to Easter Sunday, including reports as late as the morning of the attacks, identifying names and locations.

The discovery of arms caches and established links to Zaharan-including financial networks involving the Ibrahim family, 3 members of whom were among the suicide bombers-should have triggered urgent coordinated action and arrests.

ISIS itself claimed responsibility for the attacks and released visual confirmation of Zaharan’s group.

International intelligence agencies who conducted their own investigations did not indicate any internal state-directed operational control over the attackers.

The Hijaaz Case: State’s Investigative Model

Following Easter Sunday, the State through the AG’s department made arrests and pursued multiple cases, including that of Hejaaz Hizbullah under the PTA in 2020.

The case included:

• witness statements (including minors)
• speech-related allegations
• CID investigative material
• ideological and contextual claims
• alleged financial links involving around 115 statements

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2536173680009993

The State’s position demonstrated an internal multi-layered investigative model: ideology, networks, communication, and funding-investigation first, charges after.

However, after six years, the case against Hijaz remains unresolved without conviction or acquittal. He remains on bail.

This is not about guilt or innocence, but about procedural completion and justice through timely adjudication.

The importance of this case lies in the ability to prove the evidence being provided, which sets a reference and model framework for how radicalisation and network-based investigations are constructed & conducted.

Transition from Hijaaz to Sallay: Consistency under Question

Despite the prolonged and unresolved nature of the Hijaaz case, a new investigative narrative has emerged involving the sudden arrest of Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay.

Unlike earlier investigations grounded in multi-source internal material, the present allegations appear heavily reliant on claims originating from a single source, published through a foreign documentary and based on one complaint referencing this single source.

Suresh Sallay Named Easter Attack Mastermind In Court

This raises key questions:

• If the prosecution previously presented Hijaaz Hizbullah as the ideological theoretician” behind radicalisation, and now seeks to portray Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay as the mastermind” of the Easter attacks, what evidence establishes a connection between the two?
• What independently verified evidence exists beyond the claims via this foreign documentary?
• If there is new evidence, when did new evidence emerge, and why was it absent during prior multi-agency investigations?
• Why did foreign intelligence investigations, CID inquiries, and commissions not previously raise such allegations?
• The most important question – would this arrest have occurred without the documentary narrative and claims of its central witness?
• Another equally important question is – have the investigators independently verified the claims made by this single sole source against Maj. Gen. Sallays travel records, communications data, and location validation before arresting a top official?
• The bigger question is why the same prosecuting framework appears to rely on limited originating claims in the arrest of Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay in contrast to earlier PTA cases where extensive internal evidence preceded charges.

After more than seven years of investigations, commissions, intelligence reviews, court proceedings, and international attention, the public is entitled to expect that any new allegation rests not on narratives, assumptions, or uncorroborated claims, but on independently verifiable evidence capable of meeting the high threshold demanded by law.

In a case of this magnitude, the greater the allegation, the greater the burden of proof. That burden is owed not only to the Court, but also to the public, the victims, and the integrity of the justice system itself.

Contradictions in Narrative

A further inconsistency emerges: the same narrative creators simultaneously describe Sallay as both a mastermind” and an instrument of wider political objectives.

Both cannot stand together.

One narrative assign direct operational control; the other assigns secondary influence.

If he was mastermind – what was his objective is what the prosecution needs to establish beyond doubt.

If he was an instrument of a wider political objective – evidence to this must be provided beyond a single source.

Service Record and Contextual Gaps

It is also relevant that Sallay’s service timeline placed him outside active operational intelligence command during key periods, including diplomatic postings and training assignments between 2016 and 2019.

This further underscores the need for clear evidence rather than assumption-based attribution alongside social media sensationalism.

Eventually the court must decide and not social media adjudicators.

Core Crime Must Remain Central

Easter Sunday was executed by radicalised suicide attackers.

These attacks have historical & contemporary significance and links with the ideology followed.

That remains the central fact.

Most importantly, members of the radicalized group are still at large.

What has been done to neutralize their radicalism.

Any investigation must establish the full chain: radicalisation, recruitment, financing, facilitation, and execution.

New narratives must be tested within this framework-not replace or dilute it.

If focus shifts away from perpetrators toward unverified secondary theories, there is a risk of obscuring the original crime and enabling a future security threat.

We then return to the negligence factor that resulted in the attacks without learning lessons.

Closing Principle: Consistency & Evidence

This is not about selecting between individuals or competing narratives.

It is about consistency in the application of accepting & investigating evidence to the same national tragedy that occurred on Easter Sunday.

The victims & their families deserve closure.

The accused deserve due process.

The public deserves clarity grounded in evidence.

Investigative and prosecutorial authority is not absolute.

It must operate within law, institutional mandate, and evidentiary integrity and notably outside satisfying political objectives.

Where actions are perceived as politically influenced or inconsistent, questions of legality, abuse of authority, and procedural fairness arise.

At the same time, not only must public officials function as per their statutory mandate without political influence they must also realize that misusing their powers to compromise intelligence and security mechanisms will risk a key tier that protects the nation & its people.

If the same political interference is diverting officials from neutralizing the radicalization taking place given the lack of attention to such, then Sri Lanka risks once again ignoring a likely future threat. We must learn from 30 years of LTTE terror and the blunders of negligence in taking preventive action when the clues and the warnings were placed before every individual that had the powers to take action.

Those who had prior knowledge of an impending attack and failed to act must be held accountable for that failure.

Questions may also arise regarding the role of individuals who had prior knowledge but only protected themselves.

The key question remains:

Are we still focused on fully resolving responsibility for Easter Sunday, while ensuring that all roaming radical elements are identified, monitored, and neutralised to prevent a similar attack in the future—or are we expanding inconsistent narratives to serve political objectives, thereby delaying closure, obscuring the original crime, and weakening preventive security action and intelligence coordination for national security?

Shenali D Waduge

e-Con e-News

blog: https://eesrilanka.wordpress.com

‘Before you study the economics, study the economists!’

e-Con e-News 17-23 May 2026

India & Japan are in a mighty, mighty hurry. A USA-inspired urgency. They are renewing pressure on Sri Lanka ‘to expedite industrial & trade integration’. And they have a plan – an economic caste system: Sri Lanka has to only produce ‘inputs’, India will capture ‘assembly margins’, and Japan shall capture ‘technology rents & FDI returns’ (see ee Focus).

*

‘An analysis of the bidding documents, amendments

& official clarifications exposes a procurement

structure that goes as a simple service contract but

sets up ‘a monopolistic trap’ for the government

at the end of the agreement’s tenure.’ – see ee Industry,

Proposed contract for e-passports…

So, what exactly do such ‘technology rents’ mean? An e-passport scam was exposed this week, involving a French & Finish contract with the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DIE)? DIE has been trapped, failing ‘to cap prices for post-contract software licence renewals’,. Thus DIE has granted ‘absolute pricing power’ to the USA’s Oracle, Microsoft (Windows) & antivirus providers, – they will have to be paid ‘to keep the base servers running…’ for now & through our next lives (see ee Random Notes).

*

The education system and the corporate media must share the blame for enabling such innumerate, industrial illiteracy. The media are bribed to amplify the incessant press releases proclaiming the ‘$Billions’ of aid by the IMF, World Bank, ADB, EU, etc. Our education doesn’t teach us that such ‘aid’ doesn’t mean we get the cash to spend on our own priorities. This ‘aid’ means we have to buy their overpriced industrial machineries, goods & services, and pay them back with under-priced primary (natural: human & no-human resources) and depreciating cash, forever. 

*

So, why are India & Japan in such a rush to make Sri Lanka submit to this economic caste system?

‘India & Japan both require an external fix

for their internal economic problems

– Sri Lanka is that fix!’

According to Shiran Illanperuma (see ee Focus) both Japan’s & India’s economies are not what they claim themselves to be. Japan is stuck: a declining power, it seeks salvation by playing the role of the USA’s police dog in East Asia (see how Japan’s PM bent down on her knees before Australia, to apologize for killing a few thousand white people there in World War II. She apparently can’t ever apologize to Sri Lanka, China, Korea, or Vietnam, wherein Japan’s Asian victims number in the millions….

     Meanwhile – in the land of opium-trading nabobs & maharajahs & nizams & jaghirdars & sahibs, usurious Parsi and Jain, Banias, Chettiar & Bohras, rentier Tatas, Adanis & Ambanis (all funders of the ruling BJP) – a service-sector-dominated India has to play the same obsequious role in our region.

*

This week saw the US Government dismissing fraud charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani (who has taken over Colombo Port). Adani is accused of bribing Indian officials and lying to US investors to obtain a solar energy project in India. Adani’s case was dropped by the US government after Adani appointed to his legal team Robert J Giuffra Jr, one of US President Trump’s personal attorneys. Perhaps Kapila Chandrasena, who the USA was hounding to target the Rajapakses, would still be alive if he had hired the ambulance-chasing shyster Giuffra. However, Adani also had to pledge a $10billion investment in the USA. The US government then announced a $275million settlement with Adani over alleged sanctions violations involving Iran.

*

Japan and India are all part of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy, which is rousing tensions & militarization to squeeze Asia. They all have a plan. But does Sri Lanka have a plan? No.

‘Colombo must have its own clearly defined objectives

& parameters before embarking on a readymade strategy

to fix someone else’s problems.’

Illanperuma examines the more dynamic models offered by modern Vietnam & China in the context of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam & President of Vietnam Tô Lâm’s recent visit to Colombo:

‘Vietnam did not conduct shock therapy or

wholesale privatisation – it instead conducted

a very deliberate process of selective FDI with

technology transfer, industrial clustering,

& development banking’

He reasserts:

‘Sri Lanka’s real problem is that it does not

have a plan for itself, even as regional &

global hegemons integrate us into their plans’

(see ee Focus)

*

• Trillions & billions and profits & assets galore greet every reader of any business news in Sri Lanka. The bankers lounge in ecstasies. Some of their employees, feeling perhaps left out of the fun, have sought to make a few under-the-table withdrawals by hook & by crook. Why not?  Criminals only have Sinhala village names in the media. Yet people are dying while the banks are making a killing. And how are banks doing it? By investing in real production?

‘In a functioning market, high bank profitability should

signal efficient intermediation, savings being channelled

productively into investment, employment, & growth’

No way. Welcome to the Octopus who squeezes you, the Leech who sucks you dry & the Snake who swallows up your very being.

‘In 2023 alone, over 1,750 properties belonging to SMEs

were auctioned under the law. These were not abstract

balance sheet entries. They were factories, workshops,

warehouses, family homes pledged as collateral,

& the accumulated savings of a lifetime.’

The International Monetary Fund drives this highway robbery:

The IMF has called for the reinstatement of

parate execution, warning that prolonged suspension hinders

banks’ ability to manage non-performing loans & price credit

risks, potentially destabilizing the financial system. The IMF’s

concern is legitimate in principle but perverse in practice.

So writes CA Saliya in his perplexing disclosures on how Sri Lanka’s banks are basking in a bubbly bacchanal, while the nation starves (see ee Focus). He does not blame ‘borrower profligacy’. He lays his sights on internal policies: high interest rates (Hullo Central Bank?)  and mechanisms that ‘destroy the very collateral value it claims to protect’.

*

‘Until World War 2 there were legal sanctions against

tea growing by Africans just as in Sri Lanka,

during the early years of the 20^th century, village headmen

were instructed to destroy rubber trees planted by the peasants.’

• The economic system of Sri Lanka, as framed by its ruling import-export plantation economy, is neither modern, nor industrial. This week’s ee Focus offers a complex & intricate excerpt of SBD de Silva’s classic The Political Economy of Underdevelopment, Chapter 10. SB counters the scholarly assertions about the management deficiency of peasants (which if there ever was, has been due to a lack of investment). He seeks to show:

‘That plantation crops could have been grown on smallholdings

as cheaply & effectively as on the plantations themselves, but

that the plantation interests together with the colonial state

actively impeded the development of smallholdings.’

*

Using the ‘monopolistic practices of traders’ and deploying ‘legal-institutional barriers’, colonialism discouraged smallholdings, fearing they would ‘divert labour from estates’. They also aimed to push peasants towards less-remunerative farming, even as Kenya’s smallholders have produced comparative yields. Whereas each tea estate in Sri Lanka likes to boast its own factory, Kenya also has large cooperative factories.

     SBD challenged the notion that these estate plantation crops in Sri Lanka could even be regarded as industrial activity. They have limited the use of estate machinery to processing rather than for increasing the skills & productivity of the much more numerous labor used for fieldwork. The greater efficiency of larger plantation holdings is & was a myth. SBD concludes: There has been ‘no compelling reason for combining cultivation & processing under the same management’. 

*

• Why is the USA so psychotically focused on strangling Cuba so as to grab it? The richest & most powerful country in the world seeks to undermine a proud nation 90 times smaller in size, with a population 30 times less. Socialist Cuba offers its people, better healthcare & education. Indeed, it can be reasserted, Cuba poses the threat of a good example. The USA have sought, by mass murder & bribery to prevent the rest of the Caribbean & the Americas from following Cuba’s example.

     This ee Focus concludes Prince Kapone’s response to such questions as: ‘Has socialism failed?’ He simply answers: ‘The first task… is not to answer the question. It is to reject it.’ Rather, the first tactical manoeuvre is to restore ‘scale, context & proportion’ to any discussion. His argument is that ‘the real question is whether it works’, and then to define what a ‘working’ socialist society actually means.

     Socialism’s record, in practice, comes from material life – ‘food, housing, education, healthcare, industrial capacity, life expectancy, literacy, social infrastructure’. This is undeniable. Kapone also points out: socialist countries arose not out of ‘a seminar hall’ but from ‘world war, civil war, economic collapse, & foreign invasion, counter-revolution, prolonged encirclement, blockade & subversion, wars against colonial & imperial armies, countering the crimes and deficiencies of capitalism. Compare the riches of Europe & their settler colonial states – to watch what is happening in Cuba, in Gaza, the frozen wars surrounding China, is to watch their newest re-enactments of an over 500-year-long history genocide & enslavement.  In truth, they are also rewinding Sri Lanka’s own history of invasion & destruction & continuing siege before our eyes…Viva Cuba! Jayaveyvaa Lanka!

*

As the USA strives to escalate wars of the world, the need for our countries to unite grows more pressing day by day. The US-commanded military clique has expanded into almost all of Eastern Europe since the 1990s, and fully colonized Western Europe – most evident in their genuflection at the USA’s terrorism against Russia & Iran, which has damaged Europe’s economy as well. Thus, ee Focus also continues the Tricontinental Institute (TI)’s intricate elaboration of ‘Hyper-Imperialism: a Dangerous Decadent New Stage’ (see ee Focus). TI lists the USA’s abandonment of nuclear arms-control treaties, as well as compares national war budgets (‘the USA controls… an astounding 74.3% of all military spending worldwide’) and overseas military bases, which directly threaten Asian, African & independent American countries – ‘especially… the darker nations of the world’.

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‘Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) said the country’s focus

should be on maintaining confidence, avoiding speculation &

supporting industries that generate foreign exchange’

– see ee Industry, JAAF says Rupee Depreciation

driven by global pressures, not economic decline

• So there it is: JAAF, one the foremost hoarders abroad of dollars, earned from sweating Sri Lankan labor, is stashed outside the country. The latest merchant media game is to blame only ‘external shock, not domestic excess’, whatever that means. ‘Domestic excess’ if any, is to be reserved for the Rajapakses, Sinhala Buddhists, and other ‘authoritarians’. The merchant media which has made an ‘industry’ out of wailing about corruption, is in fact, the most corrupt. They scream about retail corruption but in fact cover up the greatest wholesale swindles (which also include their owners & soap-sodden sponsors).

     The rag swindlers and tour operators and labor traffickers are only superseded by such multinational banks and corporations (MNCs) as Standard Chartered, Citibank, HSBC, Ceylon Tobacco (CC) & Unilever, with their transfer-pricing tricks. JAAF declares that conjuring optimism is what a supine media should be all about – ‘maintaining confidence’, avoiding ‘speculation’. We are sure they don’t mean avoiding speculation in real-estate (land)! They mean investing hope, sweat, and rupees in the import-export plantation fraud. These labor-intensive rag traders are also like the plantation traders & tourist shills. They are not industries. If the country was turned into one great garment workshop, one great estate, one great hotel, there would be no need for schools or universities. Because they’d only need seamstresses, tea-leaf pickers & rubber tappers & coconut grabbers & bedmakers, floor sweepers & tea pourers. Why are they so afraid of industrialization? It is simple. Why has much of North America & Europe de-industrialized? They fear the power of a national proletariat. Real industrial trade unions. This is why much of Sri Lanka’s & India’s workforce is atomized & fragmented & ’informalized’. The merchant fear of an organized working class has led to the enfeebling of nations. Hence, unless the current glooming wakes us up & unites us, we are doomed to continue failing to unite as a people with the countries that matter most in this world.

*

Read the main media in Sri Lanka and you will only learn of the great things merchants & moneylender are up to! The companies proclaim, and the master’s voices amplify their claims in ‘breaking news’ & bold headlines.  They are big on green this & that, renewables & saving elephants & rare creatures. But in truth, they fear the growth of an energy secure & self-sufficient Sri Lanka. Their pesticidal ‘green revolution’, which is more like a homicidal white revolution, only exists to postpone a worker & peasant-led red revolution…

*

As the moon unveils its naked shining at its fullest, we approach the birth of the Buddha who brought enlightenment to a world trammeled by brahmins & patricidal kings. The 2026 ‘Yala’ cultivation season has also begun. Paddy broad-casting is now in full sway. Those who promised to resurrect the great irrigation systems are yet to revive the solidarity these ancient hydraulic innovations once engendered. Now, only paddy prices have not been increased. With the state abdicating its primary role for food security, cultivators have to source fuel, fertilizers, pesticides, & tractors from private importer middlemen, who have also hiked transport charges, shipping costs, and packaging charges. The prices of food are being hiked. Will the wages of human labor also rise? Farm workers are sporadically employed due to the uneven nature of labor application in rice cultivation, and therefore need higher wages. These issues can only be resolved through rural industrialization. Such are the lessons, SBD de Silva tried to teach us. Such are the most vital lessons, yet to be learned by our leaders, even those who claim to be from the very villages they claim to represent…

*

________

Contents:

Japan & India Have Some Caste Lessons for Sri Lanka

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 rapidly, creating public outrage and embarrassment for the Buddhist community.

This raises an important question:
Why do Buddhist monks appear to face greater public exposure compared to clergy of some other religions?

Part of the answer lies in the unique nature of Buddhist monastic life in Sri Lanka.

Unlike many religious systems where clergy enter religious service as adults after years of personal choice and preparation, many Sri Lankan Buddhist monks are ordained at a very young age. Some enter temples as children or teenagers from rural villages, poor families, or deeply religious homes. The temple becomes both their school and their home.

These young monks are not born saints. They are human beings undergoing discipline, education, and spiritual training while living within society itself. Buddhism openly recognizes that ordinary human desires, emotions, and weaknesses do not disappear instantly merely through ordination. Spiritual development is understood as a gradual journey requiring discipline, mindfulness, sacrifice, and self-control.

In Buddhist teaching, higher spiritual stages such as Sotapanna, Sakurdagami, Anagami, and Arahant represent progressive liberation from worldly attachment. Until such spiritual maturity is genuinely achieved, human weakness may still exist.

This is not unique to Buddhism.

History shows that every major religious institution in the world has faced moral failures among some members of its clergy. The Christian world has witnessed major scandals involving priests and churches in various countries, including cases of abuse that remained hidden for years before whistleblowers and investigative journalists exposed them publicly. Similar controversies have affected religious leaders in many faiths and even secular institutions.

The difference is often not the existence of human weakness, but the level of public visibility.

Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka function as highly open community institutions. Monks interact daily with villagers, devotees, politicians, businessmen, schoolchildren, and the wider public. Their lives are visible and accessible. As a result, any misconduct — real or alleged — quickly becomes public discussion.

By contrast, some other religious systems operate within more closed institutional structures where internal disciplinary matters may remain less visible to society. This does not necessarily mean fewer problems exist. It may simply mean that the organizational structure controls information more tightly.

At the same time, modern social media thrives on controversy. A single accusation against a monk can generate thousands of shares within hours, while the silent service performed daily by thousands of dedicated monks receives little attention.

Across Sri Lanka, Buddhist monks continue to provide enormous social service — conducting schools, caring for temples, counseling families, preserving culture, helping the poor, supporting villages during disasters, and guiding people spiritually. Many live simple and disciplined lives with remarkable sacrifice and commitment.

Yet the public conversation often becomes dominated by the failures of a few.

This does not mean genuine misconduct should be ignored or hidden. Religious institutions, including Buddhist institutions, must uphold accountability and moral standards. Wrongdoing should never be protected merely to preserve reputation. Honest self-correction is essential for the health of any religion.

However, society must also be careful not to allow selective outrage, misinformation, or sensationalism to destroy respect for entire communities based on isolated incidents.

Sri Lanka’s religious harmony depends on mutual understanding and fairness. No religion gains by humiliating another. No faith community is strengthened through hatred or mockery. The moral struggle against human weakness is universal.

Perhaps the deeper lesson is this:

Religions are carried not by perfect human beings, but by imperfect people striving toward higher ideals.

The challenge for all faiths is not to pretend human weakness does not exist, but to cultivate honesty, discipline, compassion, and spiritual growth despite it.

In an age of viral judgment and social media outrage, wisdom, balance, and fairness have become more important than ever.

Regards,
Dr Sarath Obeysekera

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, heavy equipment operators, and industrial technicians.

Look at the massive North Field Expansion Project in Qatar undertaken by  McDermott Ltd 

 This is not a small construction site. It involves hundreds of miles of offshore pipelines, subsea cables, LNG infrastructure, fabrication yards, offshore platforms, and highly specialized engineering systems.  

Qatar is increasing LNG production from 77 million tonnes annually to over 126 million tonnes, and possibly 142 million tonnes with future phases.  

Ask a painful question:

Where are the Sri Lankan welders in these projects?
Where are our underwater fabricators?
Where are our LNG pipe fitters?
Where are our offshore electricians and heavy industrial technicians?

Instead, our vocational institutes continue producing low-paid labor for salons, kitchens, and housekeeping jobs overseas.

There is dignity in all work. Hairdressers, bakers, and hotel workers are important. But a nation cannot build an industrial future if the majority of vocational training is directed toward low-wage service sectors while the world is desperately searching for industrial manpower.

The Middle East, Australia, Southeast Asia, and Africa are investing billions in:

• Offshore energy
• LNG plants
• Shipbuilding
• Marine engineering
• Port infrastructure
• Renewable energy
• Heavy steel fabrication
• Robotics and industrial automation
• Underwater construction

Sri Lanka should be preparing its youth for these sectors NOW.

If the proposed industrial and energy developments in Trincomalee ever become reality, we will face a national embarrassment. Foreign companies will bring Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Bangladeshi skilled workers because Sri Lanka failed to train its own people.

We already see this happening quietly in many industries.

Even local shipyards and factories struggle to find certified welders, CNC machinists, industrial electricians, marine mechanics, and coded pipe welders. Yet every town has beauty culture academies and quick diploma” centers.

Sri Lanka needs a complete revolution in vocational education.

We must establish modern technical academies linked directly to future industries:

• LNG and offshore energy training centers
• Marine and shipbuilding institutes
• Underwater welding schools
• Industrial robotics labs
• Heavy fabrication yards
• Port equipment maintenance academies
• Renewable energy technician schools
• Subsea engineering support programs

Countries like Qatar do not become rich by accident. They invest in skills aligned with national economic strategy. Their projects are executed in-country” using local fabrication yards and trained manpower.  

Sri Lanka still behaves as if vocational training is merely social welfare.

It should instead become a national economic weapon.

A young Sri Lankan industrial welder working in LNG, offshore fabrication, or subsea construction can earn several times more than many white-collar office workers. Skilled technicians today are globally valuable assets.

Parents also must change their mindset. Not every child should be pushed toward weak university degrees with no employment value. A highly trained industrial technician may have a stronger future than many graduates carrying certificates with no market demand.

The tragedy is that Sri Lanka actually has the raw talent.

Our workers built ships in Colombo docks. Our divers repaired vessels underwater. Our craftsmen worked across the Middle East for decades. But successive governments failed to modernize vocational training for the industries of the future.

If Trincomalee becomes an energy and industrial hub one day, Sri Lanka has two choices:

Either we create a generation of highly paid skilled industrial workers…

Or we stand outside the gates watching foreign workers build our future for us.

300 miles

pipelines

140 miles

33kV subsea cables

2022

awarded

77 to 126 MTPA

increase annual LNG output (1/3 of global production)

Scope

Fabrication & Installation

Location

Offshore Qatar

300 miles

pipelines

140 miles

33kV subsea cables

2022

awarded

77 to 126 MTPA

increase annual LNG output (1/3 of global production)

Scope

Fabrication & Installation

Location

Offshore Qatar

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

– සිලෝන් වොච් සමූහය වෙනුවෙන් පාලිත ආරියරත්න

කර්නල් අශෝක අලස් මහතාගේ අභාවය අප රටට සිදුවූ විශාල පාඩුවකි අභාවය අප රටට සිදුවූ විශාල පාඩුවකි. රට ආරක්ෂා කිරීමේදී මෙන්ම, නීතිය සහ සත්‍යය වෙනුවෙන් එතුමා පෙන්වූ අප්‍රහිත ධෛර්යය සදාකාලිකවම මතකයේ රැඳෙනු ඇත. එතුමා විසින් රචනා කරන ලද විශාල ලේඛන සංඛ්‍යාව සහ පවත්වන ලද 150කට අධික දේශානුරාගී සංවාද මාලාව, අපේ උරුමය සහ සත්‍යය සුරැකීමට එතුළ තිබූ කැපවීමට කදිම සාක්ෂියකි.

මාතර, අකුරැස්ස ‘මල්ලව නිවස’ අසලින් බැස මඳ දුරක් ගියවිට හමුවන එතුමාගේ නිවසේ දේහය දැනට තැන්පත් කර ඇත. අවසන් භූමදාන කටයුතු එළඹෙන සඳුදා අකුරැස්සේදී සිදු කෙරේ.

එතුමාට උතුම් වූ නිර්වාණ සුවය ප්‍රාර්ථනා කරමු!

– සිලෝන් වොච් සමූහය වෙනුවෙන් පාලිත ආරියරත්න

සිලෝන් වොච් සමූහය වෙනුවෙන්, දේශාභිමානී සූර්ය වංශ රත්න විභූෂණ පාලිත ආරියරත්න විසින්.

යුධ ස්වේච්ඡා හමුදාවේ හිටපු ලුතිනන් කර්නල් විජේසුන්දර මුදලිගේ අශෝක මහතාගේ සමුගැනීම මුළු මහත් ශ්‍රී ලංකා ද්වීපයටම දරාගත නොහැකි, පිරවිය නොහැකි ජාතික පාඩුවකි. එතුමාගේ ජීවන චරිතය යනු යුධ හමුදාමය විනය, පිරිපුන් ප්‍රඥාව, බුද්ධිමය ගැඹුර මෙන්ම අභිමානවත් සංස්කෘතික උරුමයේ රැකවලෙකුගේ භූමිකාවන් සුසංයෝගයෙන් එකට මුසු වූ දුර්ලභ ගණයේ උදාර ආදර්ශයකි. මාතෘ භූමිය වෙනුවෙන් ඉටුකළ අමිල මෙහෙවර උදෙසා එතුමා දේශමාන්‍ය සහ දේශබන්ධු යන උතුම්ම ජාතික සම්මානවලින් මෙන්ම, විශිෂ්ට යුධ හමුදා සේවය වෙනුවෙන් පිරිනමනු ලබන රණවිරු සම්මානයන්ගෙන්ද පිදුම් ලැබූ සැබෑ දේශීය ප්‍රණාමයට ලක්වූ උදාර පුත්‍රයෙකි.

හෙළ බසෙහි සහ ඓතිහාසික දැනුමෙහිලා එතුමා දිවංගත අරිසෙන් අහුබුදු සූරීන් වැනි මහා ප්‍රාඥයන් හා කරට කර සිටි, අසදෘශ ඥාන සම්භාරයකින් හෙබි යුග පුරුෂයෙකි. බුද්ධ ශාසනය සහ නීතිය පිළිබඳව සුවිශේෂී හසළ බුද්ධියක් මෙන්ම මනා පරිණතභාවයක් එතුමා සතුව පැවතියේය. ව්‍යාජ ඉතිහාසයන් මවමින්, බොරු බෙගල් ඇදබාන බොරුකාරයන් අදටත් එතුමාගේ සත්‍යවාදී සහ තර්කානුකූල පැහැදිලි කිරීම් හමුවේ නිරුත්තරව, පසුබැස සිටින්නේ එතුමා සතු වූ ඒ මහා ශාස්ත්‍රීය ඥානය නිසාමය. ශ්‍රී ලංකා මාතෘ භූමිය වෙනුවෙන් අභීතව පෙරමුණ ගත් ලුතිනන් කර්නල් විජේසුන්දර මුදලිගේ අසෝක මහතා, පක්ෂපාතීත්වය, පරිත්‍යාගය සහ නොසැලෙන විනයෙහි ඉහළම වටිනාකම් තමාගේම ජීවිතයෙන් පෙන්වා දුන් වීරවරයෙකි. එතුමා තුළ තිබූ ඒ අප්‍රහිත ධෛර්යය සදාකාලිකවම ජාතියේ ඉතිහාස පොතේ රන් අකුරින් රැඳෙනු ඇත. සෙබලෙකු ලෙස දේශයේ දේශසීමා ආරක්ෂා කරන අතරම, නීතිය සහ සත්‍යය වෙනුවෙන් පෙනී සිටීමට එතුමා කිසිවිටෙකත් පසුබට වූයේ නැත.

රණබිමෙන් ඔබ්බට ගිය විශිෂ්ට ලේඛකයෙකු සහ පර්යේෂකයෙකු වූ එතුමා, නීතිය, ජාතික ආරක්ෂාව සහ සිංහල සංස්කෘතික අනන්‍යතාවය විග්‍රහ කරමින් ප්‍රධාන කෘතීන් හා ශාස්ත්‍රීය ලේඛන 36කට අධික විශාල සංඛ්‍යාවක් දේශයට දායාද කළේය. එතුමා අද අප අතරින් සමුගෙන ගියද, එතුමා මතුකර දුන් ඒ අකලංක සත්‍යය අදටත් හෙටටත් මේ පින්බිමේ සිංහල බෞද්ධයන්ගේ ආරක්ෂාව උදෙසා ඕනෑම අවස්ථාවක, ඕනෑම රාජකාරියකදී නොබියව ඉදිරිපත් කළ හැකි සර්වප්‍රකාරයෙන්ම ප්‍රමාණවත් ලිඛිත සාක්ෂි සමුදායකි. සිලෝන් වොච් සමූහය හා අත්වැල් බැඳගනිමින්, ලුතිනන් කර්නල් විජේසුන්දර මුදලිගේ අසෝක මහතා ජාතික ආරක්ෂාව සහ දේශානුරාගය තේමා කරගත් හරබර දේශන සහ සංවාද 150කට අධික ප්‍රමාණයක් පවත්වමින් ජන මනස අවදි කළේය. රටේ ස්වෛරීභාවය සුරැකීමටත්, අපේ සැබෑ උරුමයන් ආරක්ෂා කිරීමටත්, ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාවෙන් තහවුරු කර ඇති බෞද්ධ සාරධර්ම රැකගැනීමටත් එතුමාසිංහ නාද කරමින් සමාජය ධෛර්යමත් කළේය.

එතුමා 1815 උඩරට ගිවිසුම, 1972 ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාවේ 6 වැනි වගන්තිය මෙන්ම 1978 ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාවේ 9 වැනි වගන්තිය වැනි රටේ වැදගත්ම සන්ධිස්ථාන පිළිබඳව ගැඹුරු පර්යේෂණයන් සිදු කළේය. ජාතික ආරක්ෂාව සහ සංස්කෘතික උරුමයන් රැකගැනීම යනු රටක පැවැත්ම තීරණය කරන වෙන් කළ නොහැකි ප්‍රධාන කුළුණු දෙක බව එතුමා නිරන්තරයෙන් ලෝකයට අවධාරණය කළේය. ලුතිනන් කර්නල් විජේසුන්දර මුදලිගේ අසෝක මහතාගේ දේහය මාතර, අකුරැස්ස මල්ලව නිවස අසල පිහිටි එතුමාගේ පෞද්ගලික නිවසේ මේ වනවිට තැන්පත් කර ඇත. පවුලේ ඥාතීන්, සහෝදර හමුදා නිලධාරීන් සහ ලක්වැසි ජනතාවගේ ගෞරව බහුමාන මධ්‍යයේ අවසන් භූමදාන කටයුතු එළඹෙන සඳුදා අකුරැස්සේදී සිදු කිරීමට නියමිතය.

විශිෂ්ට සෙබලෙකු, ප්‍රඥාවන්ත විද්වතෙකු සහ අසහාය දේශප්‍රේමියෙකු ලෙස ලුතිනන් කර්නල් විජේසුන්දර මුදලිගේ අසෝක මහතාගේ නාමය ඉතිහාසයට එක්වී හමාරය. එතුමාගේ පෑනෙන් ලියැවුණු ලේඛන සහ මුවින් පිටවූ 150කට අධික දේශන මාලාව ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ අනාගත පරපුරට සදාකාලික ආලෝකයක් වනු නිසැකය. දේශයක් රැකගත යුත්තේ අවියෙන් පමණක් නොව, සත්‍යය, නීතිය සහ උරුමය තුළින් බව එතුමා අපගේ හදවත්වල පැලපදියම් කළේය. එතුමාගේ අභාවය වෙනුවෙන් බලවත් ශෝකය ප්‍රකාශ කර සිටින අප, මෙලොව හැරගිය ඒ උදාර මිනිසාට උතුම් වූ නිර්වාණ සුවය සර්වප්‍රකාරයෙන්ම ප්‍රාර්ථනා කරමු.

හෙළ බසේ ඉතිහාසයේ පඬිරුවනක්‌ වූ උදාර
අහුබුදු සූරීන් ලෙසින් පෑ දස්කම් නොමින
බොරු ඉතිහාස මවන්නන් නිරුත්තර කළ ගැඹුර
ප්‍රඥාවේ පහන් ටැඹයි අප හැරගිය මේ වීර

දේශමාන්‍ය දේශබන්ධු ජාතික බහුමාන ලැබූ
රණවිරු සම්මාන මැදින් දේශය නිදහස්‌ තැබූ
නීතිය බුදු සසුන රැක මහ මෙහෙවරකින් බැබළූ
ලුතිනන් කර්නල් අසෝක වීරයාණෙනි ගුණ පිරූ

පන්හිඳ අතට ගෙන දේශයේ සැබෑ තොරතුරු
ලොවටම කියා දුන් පතපොත ලියා විසිතුරු
මතු පරපුරට ආලෝකය සදන පහන්තරු
ඔබෙ නම ඉතිහාස පිටුවක රැඳේ රන් අකුරු

දේශයේ ආරක්ෂාව තේමා කරන් හැමවිට
සිංහ නාද පෑවේ ඔබ සැබෑ හදවතට
දේශානුරාගී ඒ උදාර දේශන වලට
සදා ණයගැතියි ලක්වැසි ජන සමාජයම ඔබට

සමස්ත ලක්වැසි ජනතාවගේ ගෞරවය මැද
සැමගේ හදින් නැඟෙනා උතුම් පැතුම ලෙද
දේශය රැකගත් වීරයාණෙනි නොබියව හැම දවස
පැතූ උතුම් නිර්වාණ සුවය අත්වේවා හැම කලක

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මීට,
සිලෝන් වොච් සමූහය වෙනුවෙන්,
දේශාභිමානී සූර්ය වංශ රත්න විභූෂණ පාලිත ආරියරත්න විසින්.

KAMALIKA PIERIS

In September 2024, for the first time, a rural lad was voted into the highest position in the land, a position which snobs thought should be filled only by a Colombo based ‘kalu sudda’. Anura Kumara Dissanayake ‘s appointment   as President, made the non-snobs   very happy. We had   a   ‘Tanamalvila kollek ‘ on our television screen some time ago, now we have a ‘Tambuttegama kollek’  as our President, they said.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake came into politics through the JVP.   We must, therefore, look first at the JVP.  JVP is associated with two brutal movements, of the 1970s and 1980s, which killed many people and paralyzed the country. The government suppressed both insurgencies very successfully.

Contrary to what was expected, JVP did not disappear after that. Instead JVP   quietly transformed itself from an insurgent movement into a main stream political party.   We were determined to rebuild the party at the earliest opportunity, said Tilvin Silva. between 1990 and 1994, we were unable to regroup without risking arrest.  The political situation changed by 1994.  We decided it was time to re-enter popular politics and we began to regroup.

JVP did not have any difficulty in re-entering the    political   mainstream, observed analysts. JVP won one seat in 1994 Parliament election, 10 in 2000 and 16 in 2001. Also a number of seats in local government.

JVP entered into coalition with the major political parties, who welcomed   the JVP, probably because of the vote bank they controlled. JVP entered into coalitions with PA, SLFP, UNP and contested Parliament elections with them. JVP astutely linked with the winning political party at several general elections. The first was with President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s People’s Alliance (PA) in September, 2001.  JVP had 10 members in that Parliament. Anura Kumara Dissanayake was one of them.

JVP contested the 2004 April Parliamentary election in coalition with PA/SLFP. 36 JVP candidates were elected. Some candidates polled the best results in their electoral districts. JVP also had a lot of preferential votes at this election. 

JVP was entitled to four ministerial portfolios in 2004.  Kurunegala District MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake became the Agriculture, Lands and Irrigation Minister. Bimal Rathnayake was named AKD’s deputy. Vijitha Herath, Gampaha District was given the Cultural Affairs portfolio with Badulla district MP Samantha Vidyaratne as deputy. Anuradhapura district MP Lal Kantha received the Rural Economy portfolio with Sunil Handunetti as deputy. Fisheries and Aquatic resources portfolio went to Galle District MP Chandrasena Wijesinghe. 

At the 2005 presidential election, the JVP threw its weight behind Mahinda Rajapaksa. If not for the JVP’s support, Mahinda Rajapaksa would not have won, said Shamindra Ferdinando. In 2010, JVP joined the Democratic National Alliance   that contested the 2010 parliamentary election. Dissanayake was a National List MP of the DNA.  From 2015 to 2019 the JVP joined the UNP.

In 2019 the JVP decided to go it alone, led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake. JVP has always had a strong presence in the state university system. Universities provided the JVP with a large number of energetic young activists. They included Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Anura Kumara Dissanayake had been in JVP politics from his university days. He helped to establish pro-JVP students’ unions in   the universities. Anura Kumara  was on  the Central Committee of the JVP in 1997. In February 2014,  Anura Kumara became the   leader of the JVP  succeeding  Somawansa Amarasinghe.

 Anura Kumara entered Parliament in 2000. He   was in the 2001  and 2004 Parliaments and served as Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation from 2004 to 2005.  In 2008, he was appointed the leader of the JVP in Parliament. in 2010 He entered Parliament through the national list. In 2015 He  was elected to Parliament from the Colombo District . He served as Chief Opposition Whip from 2015 to 2018 .NPP put forward Dissanayake   as Presidential Candidate in 2019. Dissanayake came third with 3% of the vote, receiving 418,553 votes.

In 2019,  JVP set up   a  new  political alliance, National People’s Power (NPP), also known as Jathika  Jana Balavegaya,  led by the JVP. It contained 20 other groups, which were a mix of political parties, worker unions, women’s rights groups, youth organizations, trade unions and civil society organizations.

Critics observed, however, that while the NPP calls itself a dynamic political movement comprising 21 diverse groups, the only notable political force within the alliance, is the same JVP founded by Wijeweera. This JVP, remains the main decision maker, said analysts.JVP leader Dissanayake was elected as NPP leader as well.There hasn’t been a previous instance of the same person heading two recognized political parties, observed Shamindra Ferdinando.

JVP  has decided to rebrand and presented itself as a new political avatar as the National People’s Power (NPP) n 2019,  critics  said .This is the first step by the JVP to acquire an image that would appeal to all classes, ethnicities and religious groups .JVP has also distanced itself, at least publicly, from the bloody politics of its leader Wijeweera and come out as a force that is willing to adapt to changing times, they observed.

 President Dissanayake has publicly apologized for the JVP violence of the past and vowed that there would be no return to the days when just hearing the party’s name was enough to make people run indoors and bolt the locks of their homes.

JVP is now a party with a split identity with those within its inner circle remaining committed to revolutionary ideals, analysts observed. The JVP’s six-member, all-male politburo remains the main decision-making body, with its decisions shrouded in secrecy. The General Secretary of the JVP, Tilvin Silva, though holding no official position in the Malimawa government, remains the powerful figure behind the movement, one of the few remaining links to the JVP of Wijeweera.

 There is now some doubt as to whether the  last two  election victories, 2024 and 2025  are truly JVP victories. There is extremely weak JVP voter alliance to NPP, said Nirmal Devasiri. JVP has only a tiny fraction of the massive voter attraction that the NPP enjoyed in the two recent elections.

The public on the other hand eagerly embraced the new political party and its platitude uttering leader. Anura Kumara Dissanayake won the Presidential election of 2024 with 574,179 votes. This was followed by a sweeping win for the NPP at the general election of 2025. The public elected an untested party with a landslide.

in 2025, NPP ran a high-gloss, foreign-funded, election campaign to market its policies as a ‘new dawn’, critics observed. JVP had not lost its supreme organizational ability. These skills were widely instrumental in helping to carry Anura Kumara Dissanayake to the presidency last year, propelling the party from virtual obscurity to high visibility. NPP was leaps and bounds ahead of the rest, said observers.

 Party cadres told us how they had been organizing at village level months before the date of the presidential election was announced. During the election campaign, party members went canvassing house-to-house in the same neighborhood several times. This was so that they would be able to talk to inmates of houses who may not have been present when they had gone earlier. By this method, they made sure to cover every home. It was old-fashioned campaigning perfected to a fine art, apart from the glitzy mass rallies that attracted media coverage.

Another facet of this organizational ability was the party’s communication strategy, which was also far ahead of the others. Social media, in particular, was used expertly to advance its narrative. Official statements from the party leadership in response to various matters were also mostly fast, clear and to the point.

Voting in Jaffna showed a phenomenal spike in the NPP’s popularity. From a mere 7% during the presidential election, it shot up to 25%. NPP had set up a permanent party office there. Bimal Ratnayake and Ramalingam Chandrasekaran, former JVP activist from the plantation sector had taken up residence in Jaffna and carried out the NPP campaign.

At the General election of 2025, NPP set an all-time record by securing 159 member seats in Parliament. This was a significant win. NPP drew near-unanimous support from the public servants, as indicated by the very high percentage of postal votes polled.

The support for NPP came from across the country as shown by the spread of their victorious candidates, noted commentators.  The south was openly in support of the JVP/NPP and  victory there was expected.  But NPP also bagged the entire Christian Belt. Wattala, Ja-Ela, Katana, Negombo, Wennappuwa, Naththandiya and Chilaw. In addition, electorates with a significant Christian population including Moratuwa, Dehiwala and Colombo West also voted for NPP.

NPP obtained a sizeable number of votes in North and East.  NPP won two seats in the Vanni district and got around 20.37% votes. They bagged three seats in Jaffna with 24.85%.They won two seats in Trincomalee, getting around 42.48% of the votes in the district. In the Nuwara Eliya district, the NPP obtained 105,057 votes (22.175%), while in the Batticaloa district, they polled 38,832 (12.19%), and in the Trincomalee district, their tally was 49,886 (20.83%).

But these two electoral wins are not as rosy as they look. Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s    victory as President was not an impressive win. He failed to get 51% of the main vote in the first count. He    was declared President only after the preferential votes were   counted.  This was the first time that preferential vote was included in a Sri Lanka election, and it was a novel experience for Sri Lanka, observed the media.

The wave of popular support Dissanayake claimed to have was not as huge as it was made out to be. The voter turnout was a high 79% and AKD polled 42.31%.   In some districts Sajith Premadasa (SJB) and    Ranil Wickremesinghe (UNP) between them, polled more votes than Dissanayake.  Premadasa retained the Nuwara-Eliya, Jaffna, Vanni, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, and Digamadulla seats    which he won in 2019 and also secured Badulla district which he lost in 2019.

The media said that Anura Kumara Dissanayake   got 55% of the votes in the Presidential election in September 2024. That calculation is based only on the total votes cast, not the total votes registered. There was a large gap between the total registered vote and the actual votes cast. 

The Commissioner General of Elections said that out of the 17.1 million voters, approximately 3.5 million (21.54 %) had not used their votes at the 2024 Presidential Election.    The total registered electors at the election were 17,140,354. Total votes polled: 13,619,916 (79.46% turnout). Total valid votes: 13,319,616. Rejected votes: 300,300 (2.2%).

The General Election of November 2024 was no better. The result was: Total registered electors 17,140,354. Total Polled: 11,815,246 (68.93% voter turnout). Valid Votes: 11,148,006. Rejected Votes: 667,240. This means that out of 17.1 million registered voters, Jathika Jana Balawegaya only got 6,863,136 votes. That is less than 50%, it is certainly not 68%. The 68% was calculated from the votes cast, not the total registered vote.

NPP’s support is much more unstable than its two-thirds parliamentary majority suggests,said analysts. Support came mainly from anger about the economic crisis rather than positive support for NPP policies. It is a weak support based.

The columnist Ryp Van Winkle   also thought so. He said: My Dear Anura Kumara sahodaraya, It is a remarkable turnaround. Just a few years ago, you and your rathu sahodarayas were being ridiculed by your opponents as the ‘three percent’ party. That was after you polled just over three per cent at the last presidential poll and only a little more than that at the last general election

So, Anura Kumara sahodaraya, it looks as if most people who are disappointed and disgusted with decades of rule by these parties and the people in them looked around and thought that they should give your sahodarayas a chance. At least, they seem to think, you are not tainted with corruption.That would explain what is being described as the ‘rella’

The ‘rella’ that you are experiencing right now appears to be founded on similar reasons. Most people are disappointed with most parties, so they want to vote for you. It would be better if they are voting for you because of what you have to offer instead of voting for you just because you are not corrupt.

In terms of your policies, many wish to know what your exact position is about key issues such as the economy and the devolution of power. Will you work with the private sector or try to stifle them.

You have transitioned from the JVP and its ‘seenuwa’ symbol to the Jathika Jana Balawegaya and its ‘maalimawa’. Is this a clever attempt to re-brand the JVP and sell the same product under a different label, because the JVP brings back old memories,  asked Ryp Van Winkle. (continued)

REFERENCES

Dilrook Kannangara https://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2024/10/07/why-the-npp-won-the-entire-christian-belt/

 Editorial 23.9.24 https://island.lk/passing-grade-for-akd/#google_vignette

 Javid Yusuf https://www.sundaytimes.lk/240929/columns/two-plus-two-does-not-always-make-four-at-an-election-572802.html

Nirmal Dewasiri, Polity  2025  vol 13 issue 1 p 14 ,15

For a New Dawn, Sri Lanka must Pivot to the BRICS: De-dollarize to De-colonize after Elections

https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2025/11/16/opinion/66893/tilvin-silva-on-rebuilding-the-jvp-the-common-cause-and-public-service

https://www.sundaytimes.lk/250518/columns/battle-intensifies-over-control-of-local-councils-598467.html

KAMALIKA PIERIS

 Sri Lanka elected a brand-new political party, Jathika Jana Balavegaya, (Malimawa) to power at the 2025   general election and treated it to a landslide win. There was a sharp swing away from   known politicians to the totally unknown. It was a huge protest vote against the mainstream parties.   Voters   were fed up and wanted to take a gamble. They hoped the new government will deliver.

 Voters were attracted to this new Party because of its lovely promises, which the gullible section of the electorate readily fell for. NPP promised to deliver everything the way the voters wanted. They said that they would bring down prices, make essential goods readily available and anything else the voters wanted to hear. For instance, they promised a 30 percent decrease in electricity tariffs as soon as they came to power.

NPP presented itself as a clean, pure, political party engaged in a high cause. Malimawa said We have undertaken a very serious mission, not merely to run a government, but to transform society as outlined in our manifesto, A thriving nation, a beautiful life.” These are not just words. They carry a profound meaning.

Our vision is for economic development that involves the entire population, ensuring that the benefits of growth are shared fairly, not concentrated in the hands of a few. We aspire to a society where everyone can live happily, children can enjoy their childhood and receive a good education, and people can lead healthy lives with fewer illnesses. A society free from communal or racial conflict, where fairness and justice are guaranteed to all, concluded Malimawa.

NPP’s election strategy of blaming all economic problems on corruption worked politically but created dangerously unrealistic expectations, said analysts. NPP suggested that complex economic problems had simple solutions, with corruption as the cause, not poor management. They promised that everything would be perfect” once corruption ended.

The public believed this and voted. The people have voted for a complete overhaul of the political order in Sri Lanka, hoping to usher in a corruption free administration based on a level playing field, transparency and meritocracy, said analysts.

 The country could look forward to a clean slate of new parliamentarians, said one commentator. The NPP will assuredly field a slate of new candidates who have never been in parliament. Hopefully, their list will include candidates with a range of educational qualifications and life experiences, and will scrupulously exclude family members and individuals with a criminal record, he concluded.

The level of expectation of the voters was extremely high. With a commanding Parliamentary majority and control of Local Councils, expectations were immense.  

Malimawa started well. They created a small Cabinet which was not packed with family members.  The  MPs included many graduates. They had no experience of government or politics, but had the gift of the gab and heaps of confidence.

NPP had the most graduates in Parliament. Here are the figures.Sixteen of the 20 doctors were NPP. Of the 14 arts graduates, 13 were NPP.  Of the 20 science graduates 15 were NPP. 16 out of the 27 accountants and lawyers were from NPP. There was one MP with a dental degree and one MP with a veterinary degree. Both were NPP. There were 11 MPs with PhDs, eight were from NPP.

It soon became clear that Malimawa had no intention of keeping its promises.  The disappointed electorate condemned the government. They called it aseemitha boru kiyapu, vada karanna bari, vada bari anduwak”. Its leaders were labelled conceited.   NPP’s claim to political purity and ethical high ground   was rejected.  

Discerning voters had known all along, that the NPP was making promises they could not keep. NPP gave the impression that the country’s political and economic issues had swift, straightforward solutions, hiding the fact that they were actually very complex issues which could not be solved easily. This audience had pointed out that past governments had some achievements and were not the total failures that the NPP said they were. This group did not vote   for the NPP.  

Critics observed that NPP seemed to have no economic vision at all. The NPP manifesto, ‘For a beautiful life’, sets out in 30 pages what the NPP will do, observed Lalith de Mel. They will carry out something like 1,800 programs, to create the beautiful life they have promised. But there is something missing in the manifesto.  There is no overall economic vision. Further, the document has been written by people who have never executed any project in their lives. Executing a project is a long and difficult process.

The angry, disappointed electorate got another chance of   showing their distress when the local government elections were held in May 2026. The public’s simmering frustration showed in the election results. Malimawa got just 4,503,930 votes.

This showed that the government’s popularity had nose dived just six months after its sweeping win in the parliamentary election. The approval rating also dropped significantly. Further, the election results showed that if SJB and the UNP had got together, they would have had the majority in many councils.

Malimawa had worked hard to win this election. The President himself spearheaded the election effort, leading from the front, just as he did during the presidential and parliamentary races. 

Malimawa did emerge as the overall winner in the LG polls, but there was a decline in its total vote. It found itself precariously positioned in a number of Municipal Councils, where it won razor-thin majorities. Also, it lost dozens of hung councils to the Opposition although it secured pluralities in them.

NPP refused to accept defeat. There is a hugely feigned surprise that the NPP vote dropped to 43.76% in the local government election, said Rajan Phillips. It was argued that a clear majority of voters still chose to back the NPP, as shown by the number of councils the NPP won and the members it had elected.

President Dissanayake insisted that the NPP would form the administration of every single council it won. He also publicly scoffed at claims that the result of the election showed his party had suffered a drastic drop in popularity within six months and rattled off a series of victories the party had achieved at the polls, reported Sunday Times.

We haven’t lost a single Pradeshiya Sabha in the Southern Province. Except for three Pradeshiya Sabhas in the Kalutara District, we have won every other Pradeshiya Sabha in the Western Province. In the Sabaragamuwa Province, we have won all Pradeshiya Sabhas in the Kegalle and Ratnapura districts. In the Wayamba (North-Western) Province, we have won everywhere except in Kalpitiya, though there too, the numbers are tied 10:10.

 In Nuwara Eliya, we have won 10 out of 12, with numbers being tied in the other two. We won all local authorities in the North-Central Province. The NPP won the largest number of votes in the Vanni District, made up of Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya. We have the highest number of votes in Ampara and Trincomalee districts, while our vote in Batticaloa is the same percentage we received during the parliamentary election. We came second in the Kilinochchi and Jaffna districts, and we had 93 members elected in Jaffna. We got 10 members elected in the Jaffna Municipal Council. Where have we lost?” asked President Dissanayake.

Malimawa supporters agreed with the President. While the NPP has underperformed, the results are not indicative of a wholesale rejection or widespread disillusionment, Malimawa said. They gave explanations for the defeat, which are most entertaining and worth recording.

 One explanation is that there was voter fatigue. This was the third election in nine months. NPP supporters did not see this election as worth their time. They skipped the election as they thought that NPP would win the local government election easily.   Actually, the voter turnout did not fall greatly. It fell from 69% in the General election to 62% in the LG election.

 Results of a local council election cannot be compared to presidential and parliamentary elections, another group said.  At a local government election people are not thinking of political parties. They are simply picking the best person to fix potholes and manage garbage collection. They vote for known people in the area and take into account caste ties and petty village rivalries (continued)

REFERENCES

 K.K.S Perera . https://www.dailynews.lk/2025/09/25/featured/863506/akds-first-year-politics-of-transformation/#google_vignette

Lalith de Mel.18.5.25 https://island.lk/what-will-the-npp-do-in-the-future/

Nirmal devasiri, Polity  2025  vol 13 issue 1 

Pradeep Peiris Polity  2025  vol 13 issue 1 

Rajan philips https://island.lk/president-anura-kumara-dissanayakes-historic-win-and-his-promising-start/

 Rathidra Kuruwita. https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2025/05/11/opinion/51902/local-govt-elections-a-wakeup-call-for-all-parties/

 Sakuna m Gamage.  https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/01/04/news-features/69228/2026-at-the-edge-of-the-landslide/

 HB Dassanayake and  Rajni Gamage.Polity  2025  vol 13 issue 1

Derana news 20.11 25

https://dailynews.lk/2024/11/18/business/673208/chambers-and-business-community-hail-historic-victory-of-npp

 https://island.lk/the-npp-keeps-winning-india-and-pakistan-keep-fighting/11.5.25  rajan philips

https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2025/11/16/opinion/66893/tilvin-silva-on-rebuilding-the-jvp-the-common-cause-and-public-service

https://www.sundaytimes.lk/250511/columns/local-council-polls-will-the-govt-heed-the-warning-in-the-voters-verdict-597787.html

https://www.sundaytimes.lk/250518/columns/battle-intensifies-over-control-of-local-councils-598467.html

Source: AI Overview

South African Lawyer David Becker ‘s flawed legal opinion on authorship of Player – Referral (DRS) which was misconceived in law (overlooked legal principle of Constructive Notice) has not only embarrassed the ICC but also has led to a crisis and tension between Sri Lanka and ICC

South African lawyer David Becker

The Dispute

• The Creator: Colombo-based lawyer Senaka Weeraratna publicly proposed the “Player Referral” concept in mainstream media starting in 1997. This idea—which gives dissatisfied players the ability to request a limited number of reviews routed to a third umpire—laid the foundation for the DRS.
• The ICC: The ICC developed the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) and began using it in 2009. Weeraratna requested formal recognition, alleging a violation of his intellectual and moral copyright.

The ongoing dispute regarding the authorship of the Umpire Decision Review System (DRS)—originally proposed as the “Player Referral” concept—centers on a highly publicized intellectual property battle between Sri Lankan lawyer Senaka Weeraratna and the International Cricket Council (ICC). [1, 2]

The crux of the legal argument against the ICC’s stance, specifically involving its former Head of Legal, South African lawyer David Becker, relies on a foundational legal principle that Weeraratna’s camp claims was entirely overlooked. [1, 2]

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1. The Core of the Legal Dispute

• The Sri Lankan Claim: Senaka Weeraratna established that he conceptualized and published the “Player Referral” system as early as March 25, 1997, in an article for The Australian. This occurred nine years before the ICC introduced its version in 2006.
• The ICC’s Defense: Spearheaded historically by its legal department under David Becker, the ICC maintained that its cricket committees conceived the technology and application independently, claiming total ignorance of Weeraratna’s earlier global publications. [1, 2]

2. Misconception of Law: The Doctrine of Constructive Notice

Legal analysts and Weeraratna’s supporters argue that David Becker’s legal positioning was profoundly flawed because it ignored the Doctrine of Constructive Notice. [1]

• Definition of Constructive Notice: A legal principle dictating that a party is legally presumed to have knowledge of a fact or document if it has been made a matter of public record or widely disseminated in mainstream public domains, regardless of whether they have actual, subjectively verified knowledge of it.
• The Application: Because the Player Referral concept was widely publicized across prominent international sports media beginning in 1997, the ICC—as the global governing body of cricket—is legally presumed to have been aware of the concept.
• The Flaw: Denying knowledge of the concept does not absolve the ICC of copyright or moral attribution claims under this doctrine, making a defense based on pure “unawareness” legally weak and highly embarrassing on an international level. [1, 2]

3. Diplomatic and Institutional Fallout

The strict refusal to grant moral or economic authorship to the Sri Lankan inventor has triggered ongoing friction between cricket authorities: [1, 2]

• Institutional Tension: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials have historically backed Weeraratna’s claims, asserting that the system is a Sri Lankan “brainchild”.
• Diplomatic Crisis: The refusal of an international body like the ICC to credit a Global South innovator, relying on defensive legal technicalities that ignore basic IP doctrines, has turned a standard copyright dispute into a point of national pride and systemic tension between Sri Lankan sports governance and the ICC establishment. [1, 2, 3]

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If you are researching this specific case further, I can provide a breakdown of how the ICC defines independent creation or the specific moral versus economic copyright laws that govern international sports innovations. Let me know how you would like to proceed. [1]

https://share.google/aimode/DhKCMD7r4P1hClAEC

Source: AI Overview

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 centuries are linked to that ancient curse.

Whether myth or metaphor, the story continues to haunt the national conscience.

Sri Lanka has endured repeated waves of tragedy and conflict. Ethnic riots between communities, the long civil war and Tamil militancy, two violent JVP insurrections, the arrival of the Indian Peace Keeping Force, extremist terrorism culminating in the Easter Sunday attacks, political instability, economic collapse, droughts, floods,Tsunami,0 and devastating natural disasters have tested the nation repeatedly.

Yet despite all this, Sri Lanka survives.

That is perhaps the greater story.

Few countries of this size have endured such continuous cycles of upheaval while preserving democratic traditions, cultural diversity, religious coexistence, and social resilience. Farmers return to flooded paddy fields. Fishermen rebuild after storms. Families recover after terrorism and war. Children continue schooling amid crisis. The nation bends, but does not break.

Perhaps the curse of Kuweni” is not a supernatural punishment at all. Perhaps it symbolizes the consequences of betrayal, disunity, injustice, and failure to learn from history. Nations suffer when communities distrust one another, when power is abused, and when short-term politics overtakes long-term vision.

But there is another side to the legend.

If Sri Lanka carries a curse, it also carries an extraordinary endurance.

The island has repeatedly produced people capable of rebuilding from ashes — entrepreneurs, workers, farmers, religious leaders, doctors, engineers, soldiers, and ordinary citizens who refuse to surrender to despair.

The lesson may be that history and legends should not divide us further. Instead, they should remind us that survival alone is not enough. Sri Lanka must move beyond cycles of anger and revenge toward reconciliation, discipline, development, and national unity.

Kuweni’s curse may remain a powerful legend.
But the future of Sri Lanka will ultimately depend not on curses from the past, but on the wisdom and actions of those living today.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Courtesy : AI Overview

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has several distinct non-litigious, institutional, and symbolic options to resolve the ongoing intellectual property and authorship dispute with Sri Lankan lawyer Senaka Weeraratna. [1, 2]

Weeraratna’s legal representatives—including Sydney-based law firm Carroll and O’Dea—maintain that he pioneered the modern four-pillar framework of the Decision Review System (DRS) through his 1997 “Player Referral” concept published in The Australian. Conversely, the ICC’s historical legal stance is that Weeraratna waived confidentiality by publishing his idea openly without a patent, and that the modern DRS evolved progressively via committee refinements. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

To resolve this impasse outside of standard court litigation, the ICC has the following procedural and reparative options:

1. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

• Independent Third-Party Arbitration: The ICC can agree to Weeraratna’s request to submit the dispute to an independent body, such as the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, which specializes in international intellectual property and sports-related ownership contentions.
• Joint Commission of Inquiry: The ICC Board can appoint an independent appraisal committee to formally review the 1997–1999 published records and determine if the governing body had “constructive notice” of his blueprint before implementing the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) in 2008. [1, 2, 3, 4]

2. Restorative Justice and Symbolic Recognition

Because Weeraratna’s camp frequently emphasizes moral copyright and recognition over purely financial windfalls, the ICC can employ symbolic gestures: [, 2]

• Official Nomenclature Rebranding: The ICC could rename the framework to the “Weeraratna Decision Review System” (WDRS). This mirrors how the ICC officially recognized statisticians Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis by naming the rain-delay framework the Duckworth-Lewis (now DLS) method.
• Formal Authorial Attribution: The ICC can modify its official documentation, digital media, and cricket rulebooks to formally credit Weeraratna as the “intellectual architect” or creator of the player-led review concept.
• Hall of Fame or Special Commendation: Honoring Weeraratna with a lifetime contribution award or permanent plaque at the ICC headquarters for his “Cricket Reformation” ideas that protected the integrity of the game. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

3. Diplomatic and Institutional Settlement

• Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Mediation: The ICC can settle the matter through a tripartite negotiation involving Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Sri Lankan sports ministry. A structured settlement could grant institutional credit to Sri Lanka as the birthplace of the player-referral concept.
• Ex-Gratia Token Compensation: While an outright copyright royalty structure remains legally complex due to the “idea-expression dichotomy” in IP law, the ICC could offer a one-time, non-adversarial ex-gratia settlement or funding for grassroots cricket infrastructure in Sri Lanka in Weeraratna’s honor. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

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Courtesy : AI Overview

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 attention to the hidden risks faced daily by divers working beneath the sea.

For many years, divers have been regarded as fearless professionals capable of carrying out underwater ship repairs, salvage work, offshore construction, pipeline maintenance, and military operations under extreme conditions. However, behind the courage and technical expertise lies a profession that places enormous strain on the human body.

Many people associate diving deaths only with decompression sickness — commonly known as the bends” — caused by nitrogen bubbles forming in the bloodstream during rapid ascent. But experienced doctors and diving specialists know that the reality is far more complex.

My wife, a medical doctor, once mentioned that several divers under her care died from unexplained complications despite receiving treatment. In our own shipyard, two divers passed away under mysterious circumstances while working in only about ten feet of water. Similar unexplained incidents have occurred among professional scuba divers in the Maldives and elsewhere.

This raises an important question: are we fully aware of the long-term physiological and neurological impacts of commercial diving?

Scientific studies suggest that prolonged exposure to pressure changes may affect the heart, lungs, brain, and nervous system. Tiny gas embolisms, repeated decompression stress, toxic exposure from underwater welding fumes, contaminated water, fatigue, and psychological stress may collectively contribute to long-term health deterioration.

Underwater welders face even greater risks. In addition to pressure-related illnesses, they work with electricity in wet environments, often in poor visibility and dangerous currents. Exposure to toxic metals, hydrogen gas pockets, and electric shock hazards make underwater welding one of the most hazardous occupations in the world.

Despite these risks, countries with advanced maritime industries continue to train divers because the work is essential for ports, shipyards, offshore energy, and marine infrastructure. The key difference is that these countries invest heavily in safety systems, hyperbaric facilities, medical screening, training standards, and emergency preparedness.

Sri Lanka is now exploring opportunities in marine engineering, ship repair, offshore services, and blue economy development. Therefore, introducing underwater welding and commercial diving training cannot be avoided if the nation wants to build a competitive maritime sector.

However, such training should never be approached merely as a commercial course. It must be developed with strict international standards, proper medical supervision, psychological evaluation, emergency response systems, decompression chambers, and continuous health monitoring.

Perhaps the question is not whether we should establish underwater welding courses, but whether we are prepared to do so responsibly.

The sea offers opportunity, but it also demands respect. Behind every successful underwater repair lies a diver who risks his life in silence beneath the waves. Sri Lanka must recognize both the economic value and the human cost of this profession before moving forward.

SLSI and Labour department should have  control over certification of welders 

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

By Rohana R. Wasala

Continued from Friday, May 8th 2026

Let me start the final part of my personal commentary on the spectrum of active interventions in national politics in Sri Lanka by external and internal actors from 2009 to date (2026). The range of deliberately planned actions that I am commenting on may be identified as an evolving continuum of forced regime change through a so-called ‘colour revolution’ misleadingly named Aragalaya or Struggle (March to November 2022). I referred to this conspiracy towards the end of Part IV:  ‘Lingering apparitions of those  ancient demonic powers are forming a coalition of destabilizing fifth columnists in the form of racist Tamil separatists and Christian and Islamic religio-political extremists arrayed against the  island state……’. Readers will remember that I stressed that these three kinds of extremists are only a handful within each of the peace loving mainstream minority communities. I hope that they will also agree that the particular conspiracy that ousted the honest, idealistic, and patriotic (nationalist) President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa should be subsumed under that broader ‘internationally sponsored regime change (conspiracy that) made a mockery of democracy in Sri Lanka’.  

The alert reader need not be told that the allusion here is to the subtitle of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s 2024 book THE CONSPIRACY to oust me from the Presidency”. But it must be stated that my negative view of the Aragalaya was formed while it was taking place in Colombo in 2022, based on internet news researched through academic and public digital archives. Talking about the ‘Composition of the aragalaya’ on pages 89 to 92, GR outlines his opinion of why he was perceived as inimical to their interests by the minority communities. According to him, each had a motivating factor to take part in the so-called aragalaya: he was seen as anti-Tamil after the military defeat of the separatists; the Tamil diaspora supported the idea of a united Sri Lanka instead of a unitary state. Problems including the cremation issue during the Covid-19 pandemic (which, as he mentions elsewhere in the book, he tried to resolve mainly by leaving it to the science-based recommendations of a duly appointed competent authority, but also adopting alternative means to accommodate Muslim wishes, still within the parameters set by scientific consultants), caused him to be regarded as anti-Muslim. 

Then I went on to explain that Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese Buddhist majority community (though a negligible global minority)  is not totally free from its own type of extremists: for example, agitating monk activists like Bhikkhus Balangoda Kassapa and Galagoda-aththe Gnanasara have criticised or paid left-handed compliments to the recently concluded Walk for Peace (April 21 to 28, 2026) from Anuradhapura to Colombo led by Vietnamese American Bhikkhu Pannakara. The two Sri Lankan monks mentioned seem to  have misunderstood the true purpose behind the Peace Walk (which is promoting non-violence, compassion, and unity among people  in the world including Sri Lanka through mindfulness meditation focused on inducing inner peace, and this has nothing to do with religion or politics). Gnanasara and Kassapa theros’ apparent failure to recognize this is regrettable. Even outside that context, they are doing a great disservice to the genuine national causes that they are themselves trying to champion within Sri Lanka; the noisy brash approach that they habitually adopt contradicts the typical serene image of Buddhist monks. Their kind of extremism, though nonviolent except for the lack of verbal restraint, proves as harmful to the beleaguered Sri Lankan state as the extremism of the antinational forces that have sought its demise especially since the end of the armed conflict in 2009. These monks are among a few dozens of genuine Theravada Buddhist monks out of the estimated 40,000 in Sri Lanka, who are trying to raise public awareness about the very real existential threat that the oldest sovereign Buddhist majority unitary state is currently facing. Unfortunately their cries for help have been reduced to just voices in the wilderness for lack of a unifying and empowering leadership.

Both of these monks are genuine whistleblowers, though. The younger Kassapa thera recently got into trouble with the police while trying to stop the forceful removal of a Buddha statue from a lawfully permitted makeshift shrine room by a politically motivated police officer allegedly acting on the orders of a local politician at Trincomalee adjacent to the sanctified spot on the shore where the Siamese monks arrived bringing the hallowed Higher Ordination tradition to Sri Lanka in 1753. The government of  Ranil Wickremasinghe, the constitutionally appointed 8th president who succeeded the ousted Gotabaya Rajapaksa, quite casually ignored the commemoration of that historic event in 2023 at that same place. The older Gnanasara thera  brought to the notice of the authorities what he perceived as growing extremist Islamist activity as early as 2012 or even earlier, and tried to raise public awareness regarding the danger. But he had to face constant harassment and even litigation instead on various agitation-related charges. In August 2018, he was handed down a sentence of a surprising 19 years of rigorous imprisonment (later commuted to be served within a span of 6 years) by the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka after being found guilty on four counts of contempt of court. 

As reported in the media before the appeal was heard, these charges had originated at the Magistrate’s Court of Homagama in 2016, where the monk was accused of intimidating a witness and committing hate speech in the court premises itself, which amounted to severe cases of contempt of court. But Gnanasara thera had to serve only a few months of his prison term as he was given a presidential pardon in May 2019 by the then president Maithripala Sirisena. Ironically, the person who had been ‘deafeningly whistleblowing’ (if the phrase be permitted), at the risk of his life, based on independently researched investigable evidence, about the probability of a massive islamist attack that he sincerely wanted to prevent, was in prison when that attack was actually carried out in the form of the April 21, 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings by local IS jihadists led by Zaharan Hashim. Gnanasara thera could only cry when he heard about it while still in prison, as he said on his release on May 23, 2019.

But Gnanasara Thera was accused of having contributed to the radicalisation of Muslim youth including Zaharan Hashim, leader of Jamiyathul Millatu Ibrahimi Fi Seylani (JMI) and his followers through his (Gnanasara’s) anti Islamist activism as mentioned in professor Rohan Gunaratna’s book Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday Massacre: Lessons for the International Community” (2023, Penguin Books). Gnanasara Thera has been in JMI’s death list for years. Gunaratna says the (Wahhabist) JMI members also planned to assassinate Sri Lankan Shia Muslims, although these threats, apparently, were not carried out (pp. 176-177). 

The JMI members arrested after the bombings were introduced to a rehabilitation programme focused on deradicalising their brutalised mindset filled with resentment, anger and hatred. However further plans to introduce critical thinking, mathematics, philosophy and religious knowledge classes were reportedly disrupted by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith who allegedly opposed rehabilitation over punishment.” Gunaratna also mentions the ambivalent behaviour of the Cardinal. Although he was praised for having prevented possible retaliatory attacks on ordinary Muslims by the enraged members of the victim community (Catholics) after the Easter Sunday attacks, it was said his belief in a conspiracy theory and seeming lack of a far-reaching leadership to implement rehabilitation reportedly disappointed many, including some of his hitherto admirers” (pp. 192-193). 

There was another piece of irony of contextual relevance in this case. After the monk had done  what he later realised was a legal offence, he sincerely apologised to the court, but this was ignored (as he was heard saying several times in his later media briefings as the chief of his well known organisation). The Homagama magistrate at the time was Ranga Dissanayake, the present Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). There are a number of Opposition claims against him, though, such as that he served as the legal officer for the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the leading partner of the ruling JVP/NPP coalition, that he used improper means to have his child admitted to a prestigious Colombo school, and that his wife worked under former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran (himself accused of a massive treasury bond scam committed on February 27, 2015, and a fugitive from justice), which could cause a conflict of interest that might affect Dissanayake-led CIABOC’s investigations, according to Opposition politicians. But Ranga Dissanayake has rejected all these allegations. Former Supreme Court judge C.V. Wigneswaran’s post-retirement chauvinist politics subjected the judgements he delivered among litigants in the Sinhalese majority South where he spent almost all his professional life to a tinge of suspected insincerity. Ranga Dissanayake is not retired yet. Retired law professor and Opposition politician G.L. Peiris recently criticised Ranga Dissanayake for trying to override the authority of the three commissioners who head the CIABOC.

Shani Abeysekera, presently the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), appointed to that post on an unprecedented contract basis after retirement by the JVP/NPP government, soon to be promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), and  his current boss Ravi Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, who accepted responsibility for his failure to prevent a road accident in 2023 through his lawyers at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court on May 8, 2026, and is waiting to be sentenced, are in a less defensible position in the face of Opposition allegations against them in this regard. Both of them confessed their political affiliation to the JVP/NPP in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court (according to Opposition claims); more importantly, Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekera were respectively the Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID),and  the Director of the CID (under the Maithripala Sirisena – Ranil Wickremasinghe yahapalanaya regime) at the time of the Easter Sunday suicide bombings. They both failed to prevent the jihadist atrocity even though they had precise prior information about it. Ironically, Opposition politicians maintain that it was Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith the Catholic prelate himself, apparently not unaware of their past, who insisted on Shani and Ravi being appointed to their current posts in order to probe the Easter Sunday bombings in a transparent way acceptable to him! .

To be concluded

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:

• Taxi and delivery app drivers such as Uber, PickMe, or food delivery riders
• Freelance graphic designers, programmers, writers, or translators
• Temporary construction or hotel workers hired per project
• Online workers on platforms like  Fiverr or  Upwork

Characteristics of gig work:

• Flexible working hours
• Usually no permanent employer
• Workers are often paid per job/task
• Limited job security and benefits such as EPF, ETF, pensions, or medical insurance

In many countries, governments are debating:

• Whether gig workers should receive labour protections
• Minimum wages and insurance
• Taxation and regulation of foreign gig workers

In the Sri Lankan context, people may also use the term for:

• App-based drivers and delivery riders
• Casual tourism and restaurant staff
• Online freelance workers earning foreign income
• Contract labour brought from abroad for specific industries

The phrase gig workers” is increasingly important because digital platforms are changing traditional employment systems worldwide.

*India’s Gig Economy* is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the world. Our gig workers are 10 million ie. One Crore today and projected to rise to 2.35 Crore or 23.5 million by 2029–30. Gig workers are defined to be independent contractors working for Platform based service /goods market operators. While they make our lives better their own lives are difficult and this Podcast is raising the issues faced by them and PPP based solutions for the same. If you too sympathise with their cause then do forward it to your friends and help their upliftment become a National priority.

 Your link to podcast is https://youtu.be/sFhBT68iD2c 

State vocational training institutes should update and upgrade training and help youths to be GIG worker and feed the family and get away  from

Tax – net and yet contribute to the falling economy 

In UK they have  Checked a Trade

In Sri Lanka we have Honda Bas ( හොඳ බාස් ? 

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

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?

We have already allowed hundreds of Chinese and Vietnamese nationals into Sri Lanka, many reportedly employed as hotel and restaurant workers, while Indian workers are engaged in rice mills and shipbuilding activities.

At the same time, many European countries are now facing the consequences of uncontrolled migration and are taking the brunt of the social and economic pressures created by it.

https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Govt-to-introduce-inbound-labour-migration-policy-amid-rising-demand-for-foreign-workers/44-792222

Personal experience has also raised concerns for me. A neighbour had rented out a large house to about six or seven young Chinese men and women who appeared educated and professionally trained. One day I noticed large quantities of food waste and garbage being dumped onto my land. After informing the police, I learned that they stayed indoors most of the day cooking and working online during the night, apparently engaged in cyber-related activities.

Communication itself reflected how rapidly technology is changing. When I attempted to speak in English, one of them used a mobile phone application that instantly translated our conversation into Chinese. While technology itself is not the issue, such experiences raise legitimate questions about monitoring, registration and the nature of activities being carried out by some foreign residents.

Similarly, allowing uncontrolled foreign labour migration could create long-term social, economic and security challenges. There are reports that some large-scale businesses and rice mill owners are employing significant numbers of foreign workers for labour-intensive work that many local workers are unwilling to undertake.

At the same time, Sri Lanka must also address its own labour culture and productivity issues. Thousands of able-bodied young people remain trapped in low-income informal activities with limited skills development. The country should seriously consider vocational training, disciplined national service programmes, agricultural and industrial apprenticeships, and structured employment initiatives to channel youth into productive sectors that support national development 

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Courtesy: AI Overview

By failing to officially credit Sri Lankan lawyer Senaka Weeraratna as the true architect of the “Player-Referral” concept that underpins the Decision Review System (DRS), the International Cricket Council (ICC) faces significant criticism regarding its moral authority, sportsmanship, and institutional integrity. Advocates argue that the ICC’s stance violates the “Spirit of Cricket”—a core tenet that demands absolute fairness and ethical conduct both on and off the field. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Loss of Institutional Integrity and Fairness [1]

• Erosion of Moral Authority: The ICC positions itself as the custodian of fair play. Failing to recognize the composer of the game’s most revolutionary officiating concept undermines its moral authority.
• Double Standards in Credit: Critics highlight an unfair disparity. The ICC openly named and celebrated the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method for its inventors, yet leaves the authorship of the DRS uncredited.
• The “Composer vs. Song” Paradox: The cricket world widely celebrates the DRS for increasing umpiring accuracy by roughly 7%. However, by ignoring Weeraratna’s published 1997 framework, the ICC enjoys the “song” while refusing to acknowledge its composer. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Undermining the “Spirit of Cricket”

• A Violation of Natural Justice: Weeraratna originally modeled his player-referral idea on legal jurisprudence, arguing that an on-field umpire’s absolute power violated natural justice. By utilizing a legal technicality—claiming Weeraratna “waived confidentiality” by publishing his idea openly in newspapers like The Australian—the ICC chooses rigid bureaucratic posturing over sportsmanship.
• Damaged Trust with Smaller Nations: Analysts note that ignoring a lone voice from Sri Lanka reinforces the perception of a geopolitical bias within cricket’s governing structures. [1, 2, 3]

Broader Cross-Sport Precedent

Cricket was the pioneer of the player-led review system. Weeraratna’s core concept has since transformed global sports, directly influencing VAR in football, the Television Match Official (TMO) in rugby, and challenges in tennis. By acting unjustly, the ICC misses an opportunity to position itself as a progressive champion of intellectual honesty across the wider sporting landscape. [1, 2, 3]

Impact on Sports Law Curricula and Institutional Reputation

As a sports law case study, this dispute offers valuable lessons regarding institutional power asymmetries.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐

│                 THE WEERARATNA VS. ICC NEXUS                │

└──────────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────┘

                               │

            ┌──────────────────┴──────────────────┐

            ▼                                     ▼

┌───────────────────────┐             ┌───────────────────────┐

│  IP & CREATIVE RIGHTS │             │ SPORTS GOVERNANCE &   │

│  IN GLOBAL SPORT      │             │ REPUTATIONAL IMPACT   │

├───────────────────────┤             ├───────────────────────┤

│ • Analyzes conceptual │             │ • Highlights power    │

│   "Player-Referral"   │             │   asymmetries between │

│   ownership (1997).   │             │   governing bodies &  │

│ • Explores legal limits│            │   lone innovators.    │

│   of copyright in     │             │ • Fuels criticism over│

│   sporting rules and  │             │   lack of transparency│

│   system designs.     │             │   and recognition.    │

└───────────────────────┘             └───────────────────────┘

• Intellectual Property Boundaries: The study evaluates whether an abstract concept for a sporting rule change can receive formal copyright protections or if sports federations can absorb public ideas without accountability.
• Governance Critiques: Analyzing this case forces students and legal scholars to scrutinize how international federations manage grassroots and third-party innovations. Failing to acknowledge outside creators can damage the body’s reputation among athletes and legal minds

             This image of David v Goliath says it all

Courtesy: AI Overview

Hiru News

The selling price of a US dollar reached Rs. 354.03 today (21), according to the daily exchange rates of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

The buying price of the dollar stood at Rs. 342.63.

Yesterday the selling rate was recorded as 342.70 rupees.

Shenali D Waduge

WHO ARE THESE CIVILIANS”?

1. LTTE combatants, including child soldiers, who engaged in hostilities while in civilian clothing
2. LTTE civilian armed force operating in combat while in civilian clothing
3. Civilians forced to engage in combat/hostilities under coercion
4. Civilians who had no role in hostilities/combat

Only the 4th type retains full civilian protection under International Humanitarian Law.

WHAT WERE CIVILIANS DOING INSIDE A WAR ZONE?

• LTTE took civilians as hostages
• LTTE used civilians as human shields
• LTTE forced recruitment of civilians including children
• LTTE trained civilians in combat and used forced labour
• LTTE prevented civilians leaving the conflict zone
• LTTE shot at civilians attempting to escape to Govt controlled areas
• LTTE placed military assets among civilians
• LTTE fired at the Armed Forces from within civilian concentrations
• LTTE operated media channels from war zone & inflated situation
• LTTE used suicide bombers among civilians who attacked refugee centres killing both civilians and military personnel

LTTE RESPONSIBILITY

LTTE stands guilty of all above and by their own actions is the cause of civilian casualties.

In taking civilians and keeping civilians with LTTE, LTTE showed no concern for Tamil civilians (men, women, elderly, pregnant, sick, children).

LTTE should have faced its enemy directly instead of using the very people they claimed to represent.

WHAT THE ABOVE CLEARLY SHOWS

1. The LTTE exercised physical control over civilian movement – LTTE held the sole decision to allow civilians to escape to safety or not
2. The LTTE deliberately increased civilian exposure to combat – LTTE compromised the lives of its own people
3. The LTTE used civilians as a tactical protective layer – LTTE betrayed its own people
4. The LTTE actively prevented civilian evacuation to safe areas

LTTE placed civilians in a vulnerable situation.
LTTE compromised civilian lives.
LTTE’s conduct is directly responsible for civilian casualties.
LTTE fired from civilian areas and expected the Armed Forces not to respond.

The LTTE deliberately destroyed the civilian–combatant distinction by removing separation between armed cadres and civilian population

Let it also be noted that the close to 12,000 LTTE combatants who surrendered were all in civilian clothing

UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

• Civilians are protected unless and for such time as they take direct part in hostilities
• The presence of civilians does not prohibit attacks on legitimate military objectives
• The use of human shields is a serious violation of IHL by the party employing them

LEGAL CONTEXT

Where:
• Civilians are forcibly retained in combat zones
• Combatants are embedded within civilian populations
• Civilians are used as shields against military attack

Then:
Civilian casualties occurring in such conditions cannot be interpreted as deliberate targeting by the opposing force.

• The LTTE systematically embedded civilians within its military operations
• Civilian harm resulted from this deployment strategy
• LTTE deliberately dismantled the separation between civilians and combatants
• The Armed Forces operated in a context where civilian-combatant separation had already been destroyed by LTTE actions
• An attack directed at a legitimate military objective does not become deliberate targeting of civilians” simply because civilians are present or harmed in the vicinity
• Where one party unlawfully creates conditions that place civilians in harm’s way, responsibility for resulting civilian risk exposure must be assessed in light of those actions

This invalidates the allegation of deliberate targeting of civilians by the Armed Forces”, as LTTE used civilians as shields, hostages, and operational cover.

If civilians are intermingled with combatants
If civilians are forcibly retained in combat zones
If military positions are embedded within civilian structures
If LTTE fires from these positions

Then civilian casualties cannot automatically be interpreted as deliberate targeting.

Shenali D Waduge

by Major General (Dr) H. Lakshman David and Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge

Sri Lanka’s retired soldiers face a difficult transition from military service to civilian life. Their challenges are not limited to financial concerns; they also include psychological trauma, identity crises, social isolation, and limited career opportunities. While the country often celebrates military victory, far less attention has been given to the long-term reintegration of those who fought the war.

Globally, countries that successfully managed post-conflict transitions treated former combatants not as burdens, but as national assets. Nations such as Singapore, Israel, Rwanda, South Korea, and even post-war Germany invested heavily in structured veteran reintegration, skills conversion, entrepreneurship, and psychological rehabilitation. Sri Lanka can learn valuable lessons from these experiences and adopt more practical, measurable, and sustainable approaches.

If properly managed, retired combatants can become a disciplined and productive workforce capable of contributing significantly to national development, social stability, and economic modernization.

Retirement: More Than Leaving Uniform Behind

The transition from military life to retirement is not simply an administrative process. It is a complete transformation of identity, routine, purpose, and social belonging.

For many Sri Lankan combatants, military service defined their existence for decades. The armed forces provided a clear chain of command, mission-driven objectives, financial security, and strong social bonds. Once retired, many veterans suddenly face uncertainty, unemployment, and emotional disconnection.

Countries like South Korea and Singapore address this challenge years before retirement by introducing pre-retirement transition programs” while personnel are still serving. These programs include financial literacy, civilian career planning, psychological counseling, and technical certification pathways. Sri Lanka can implement a similar mandatory transition preparation program at least 3–5 years before retirement.

Such an approach would prevent retired soldiers from entering civilian life unprepared and dependent.

Identity Loss: From War Hero” to Social Invisibility

During the conflict years, Sri Lankan soldiers were widely recognized as protectors of the nation. However, after retirement, many veterans experience a sudden loss of recognition and purpose.

This identity vacuum creates frustration, emotional distress, and alienation. Many former combatants struggle to redefine themselves outside military culture. In several countries, this issue has been addressed through structured veteran identity programs.

For example, Israel integrates veterans into public leadership, emergency response systems, technology sectors, and community service networks. Veterans continue to feel socially relevant and nationally respected.

Sri Lanka can adopt a more progressive and inclusive reintegration model by establishing a National Veteran Service Corps that enables retired soldiers to continue serving the nation in meaningful civilian capacities. Former combatants can be actively engaged in disaster management operations, environmental conservation projects, rural infrastructure development, and emergency response initiatives, where their discipline and operational experience can be effectively utilized. In addition, veterans can play a valuable role in youth leadership programs, technical and vocational training, and community mentorship initiatives, helping to transfer knowledge, resilience, and leadership skills to younger generations. Rather than limiting recognition of veterans to ceremonial remembrance events, the country should promote continuous civic engagement that keeps former soldiers connected to national development and community service. Such an approach would ensure that retirement does not become a form of social abandonment, but instead a transition into another phase of purposeful national contribution.

Loss of Structure and Direction

Military life operates on discipline, schedules, hierarchy, and collective purpose. Civilian life, in contrast, is often unstructured and highly competitive.

Without preparation, many ex-combatants experience confusion, anxiety, and social withdrawal. The absence of daily purpose can lead to alcoholism, depression, family breakdowns, and anti-social behavior.

Rwanda’s post-conflict reintegration model addressed this issue by establishing community-based reintegration centers where former fighters received mentorship, counseling, and structured daily activities before full societal integration.

Sri Lanka could introduce a comprehensive reintegration framework that includes Regional Veteran Transition Centers designed to assist former combatants in adapting gradually to civilian life through career guidance, psychological support, and social rehabilitation services. Community integration hubs can further strengthen this process by creating spaces where veterans engage with local communities, participate in development activities, and rebuild social connections. Equally important is the establishment of professional counseling services and peer support systems that allow retired soldiers to openly address emotional and mental health challenges with individuals who understand their experiences. Structured volunteer programs in areas such as disaster response, education, environmental conservation, and public service can provide veterans with renewed purpose and societal relevance. In addition, sports and wellness networks specifically designed for veterans can promote physical health, mental resilience, teamwork, and social interaction. Together, these initiatives would create a gradual and supportive transition process, which is far more effective and sustainable than forcing combatants into an abrupt and often isolating retirement.

Skills Mismatch: The Credential Gap”

One of the biggest practical challenges for Sri Lankan veterans is the inability to convert military experience into recognized civilian qualifications.

A combat engineer may possess logistics, project management, machinery handling, and leadership skills, yet still lack formal civilian certification. As a result, many veterans are forced into low-paying or temporary jobs despite years of experience.

Countries such as Germany and Canada solved this issue through Military Skills Translation Systems,” where military competencies are directly mapped to civilian qualifications.

Sri Lanka urgently requires a structured national mechanism to bridge the gap between military experience and civilian employment by establishing a National Military-to-Civilian Certification Authority that formally recognizes the professional competencies gained through military service. This system should incorporate Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) frameworks, fast-track vocational accreditation pathways, partnerships between the armed forces and universities, and technical equivalency certification programs that convert military expertise into nationally recognized civilian qualifications. For instance, military drivers could receive commercial transport certification, signal corps personnel could obtain credentials in information technology and telecommunications, engineering corps members could qualify for construction and infrastructure licenses, while logistics officers could transition into certified supply chain and operations management roles. Such a framework would not only significantly improve the employability of former combatants but also restore their professional dignity by acknowledging the value of their skills, leadership, and years of national service.

Employment Barriers and Private Sector Hesitation

Many private sector employers remain uncertain about hiring former combatants due to stereotypes, lack of awareness, or assumptions regarding adaptability.

However, international experience demonstrates the opposite. Veterans are often highly disciplined, punctual, resilient, and capable of operating under pressure.

Countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have successfully encouraged private sector recruitment of veterans by introducing practical incentives including tax concessions, corporate diversity recognition programs, government-supported training subsidies, and veteran employment quotas in public projects. Drawing from these international models, Sri Lanka can implement similar measures by offering tax incentives to companies that recruit former combatants, introducing a nationally recognized Veteran Friendly Employer” certification, establishing public-private employment partnerships, and creating government-backed internship and apprenticeship schemes specifically designed for retired military personnel. In addition, reserved employment percentages for veterans in infrastructure, disaster management, logistics, and security-related sectors could provide stable pathways into civilian careers. Such forward-looking policies would not only reduce unemployment among former combatants but also transform veterans from passive welfare recipients into productive economic contributors capable of supporting national development and social stability.

Psychological and Social Reintegration

Mental health remains one of the least discussed but most critical issues among former combatants. Many veterans silently struggle with trauma, anxiety, survivor’s guilt, and emotional instability.

Unfortunately, psychological support in Sri Lanka remains limited and heavily stigmatized.

Countries such as Australia and Canada have successfully normalized veteran mental health support by integrating family counseling services, trauma recovery programs, confidential therapy systems, peer support groups, and community rehabilitation initiatives into their national veteran care frameworks. These approaches recognize that psychological recovery is essential for successful reintegration and long-term social stability. Sri Lanka similarly requires a dedicated National Veteran Mental Wellness Framework that provides confidential counseling access, mobile mental health clinics for rural and underserved areas, family support services, suicide prevention programs, and trained community reintegration specialists who can assist veterans in rebuilding civilian lives with dignity and confidence. By adopting a holistic and compassionate approach, Sri Lanka can reduce stigma surrounding mental health while ensuring that former combatants receive the emotional and psychological support they deserve. Mental rehabilitation must be understood not as a sign of weakness, but as an essential process of national healing and post-conflict recovery.

Vocational Training: Aligning Veterans with Future Economies

Traditional vocational programs alone are insufficient in today’s rapidly changing economy. Sri Lanka must prepare veterans not only for manual labor but also for modern industries.

Countries such as Singapore and South Korea continuously align vocational training with future labor market demands.

Sri Lanka should prioritize vocational and technical training programs that align with emerging global industries and future economic demands, enabling former combatants to transition into sustainable and competitive careers. Special emphasis should be placed on sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture technology, logistics and supply chain management, cybersecurity, construction technology, tourism and hospitality, disaster management, artificial intelligence support services, and maritime industries, all of which possess strong growth potential both locally and internationally. In addition to technical expertise, training programs must also incorporate essential soft skills including English language development, digital literacy, financial management, entrepreneurship, and professional communication skills to improve adaptability within modern workplaces. Most importantly, these vocational initiatives should move beyond simply issuing certificates and instead establish direct employment pipelines through partnerships with private sector companies, government agencies, and international industries, ensuring that veterans gain immediate access to meaningful and stable employment opportunities after training.

Peer Mentorship and Community Support

Former combatants often trust individuals who have experienced similar journeys more than institutional systems.

Peer mentorship programs used in Canada and the UK have shown remarkable success in reducing isolation and improving mental resilience among retired military personnel.

Sri Lanka can strengthen the long-term reintegration of former combatants by establishing structured support systems such as veteran mentorship networks, retired officer advisory platforms, community veteran councils, family integration workshops, and digital support communities that encourage continuous engagement and mutual assistance. These initiatives would allow retired soldiers to share experiences, provide guidance to newly retired personnel, and maintain meaningful social connections beyond military service. Family integration workshops can further help spouses and children better understand the emotional and social adjustments associated with military retirement, while digital platforms can ensure ongoing access to counseling, employment information, and peer interaction regardless of geographic location. Collectively, these mechanisms would foster a lasting sense of social belonging, reduce isolation, and narrow the emotional divide that often exists between military and civilian society.

Entrepreneurship: Turning Veterans into Job Creators

One of the most effective long-term solutions is entrepreneurship development.

Veterans possess leadership, discipline, risk management, and operational planning capabilities that naturally align with business management. However, many lack access to capital, mentorship, and market exposure.

Countries such as Rwanda and Israel have demonstrated how entrepreneurship can become a powerful tool for veteran reintegration by supporting former combatants through low-interest business loans, veteran startup incubators, agricultural cooperatives, technical business mentorship, and preferential government procurement opportunities. Drawing from these successful models, Sri Lanka can establish a dedicated Veteran Entrepreneurship Development Authority to coordinate financial assistance, business training, and market access for retired military personnel. This framework could include specialized microfinance schemes, startup grants for retired soldiers, procurement quotas for veteran-owned businesses, and cooperative farming, transport, and logistics enterprises that create sustainable income opportunities. Particular attention should be directed toward rural veterans, who often face higher levels of unemployment, financial insecurity, and limited access to economic resources. By promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment, Sri Lanka can empower former combatants to become job creators, community leaders, and active contributors to national economic growth rather than remaining dependent on welfare or unstable employment.

A National Reintegration Policy: The Missing Link

Sri Lanka currently lacks a fully integrated national reintegration framework for former combatants. Existing efforts are fragmented, reactive, and limited in scale.

A successful veteran reintegration model in Sri Lanka requires strong coordination among multiple stakeholders, including the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Education, private sector institutions, mental health organizations, and international development partners. Reintegration cannot be treated as an isolated military responsibility; rather, it must function as a comprehensive national development initiative supported by coordinated policy implementation and long-term planning. To achieve this, Sri Lanka should introduce a comprehensive National Veteran Reintegration Policy” with clearly defined and measurable targets related to employment rates, mental health outcomes, business creation statistics, housing stability, vocational certification levels, and community integration indicators. Regular monitoring, transparent evaluation mechanisms, and inter-agency collaboration would ensure accountability and sustained progress. Without such institutional coordination and measurable objectives, reintegration efforts are likely to remain fragmented, symbolic, and short-term rather than producing meaningful and transformational outcomes for former combatants and society as a whole.

Concluding Thoughts

Reintegration is not charity. It is a strategic national investment.

A country that neglects its former combatants risks social instability, economic waste, and intergenerational trauma. Conversely, a nation that successfully reintegrates veterans gains a disciplined workforce, stronger communities, and long-term social cohesion.

Sri Lanka possesses thousands of former soldiers with operational experience, resilience, leadership qualities, and commitment to national service. The challenge is not whether these individuals can contribute to society—it is whether the country is willing to create systems that allow them to do so.

The global evidence is clear: nations that combine psychological rehabilitation, vocational modernization, entrepreneurship, community support, and policy coordination achieve far better reintegration outcomes.

Sri Lanka now has an opportunity to move beyond ceremonial appreciation and adopt practical, future-oriented, and foolproof solutions that transform former combatants into drivers of national progress.

KAMALIKA PIERIS

Sirancee Gunawardena, the author of ‘Palm leaf manuscripts of Sri Lanka ‘(1977) met J. Pannila of Artigala south, Hanwella when she was researching palm leaf manuscripts.   He was then a village elder and was the descendant of   a long line of palm leaf manuscript writers.

 Pannila had told Sirancee how the palm leaf is prepared as writing material and she has reproduced the information in her book.  It is possible to infer from the knowledge shown by     Pannila that palm leaf manuscripts writers were also trained in preparing the palm leaf, and in preserving the manuscript as well as writing on it.  I think there may have been others who lacked the skill of writing, but who knew to prepare the item and to preserve it.

In   Sri Lanka palm leaf manuscripts were made out of the young fronds of  the Talipot palm. Talipot  was able to resist the tropical climate of Sri Lanka.  Pannila said, before the leaf bud opens, rings of bamboo are put 18 inches apart round the main leaf (sic).  After 21 days, the branch is cut and brought down carefully, from the crown of the tree which is usually about 60 feet above ground. The mid rib of each leaf is cut off and the leaves become flexible strips.

The leaves are wound up into rolls. These are put into a large clay pot, with layers of pineapple leaves in between.  Pot is filled with water and Kappetiya branches are placed on top, the vessels is sealed with a cloth and heated over a fire.  The palm leaves were considered sufficiently boiled when the leaves of the Kappetiya fell off.  The rolls were then taken out and washed.

The leaves were polished by rubbing them against a rounded pole of Walla wood, till the strips became flat. They were hung on a coir rope, like a clothes line, and kept outdoors for a week or so, get a fine polished texture. They were now ready for writing. The leaf strip was placed on a piece of soft wood and held in the left hand for writing with the right hand.

Writing was done with the Panhinda. This stylus had a steel tipped quill. The end of the quill was like that of an arrow, both sides were sharp and the edge was pointed to obtain sharp outlines. There were different sized quills.  Some broader than others. Sharp, small size stylus was used for drawings. Sirancee owned two stylus, one long stylus with an ornate fan shaped top and another with two decorative metal globules.

The ordinary stylus was traditionally hand made by the village blacksmith. But there were elaborate ones with ornate gold, metal, ivory or carved wooden handles. The gold stylus was made of pure gold except for the stylus which was of steel. The gold stylus was a symbol of prestige.  The Ananda Coomaraswamy collection has a golden stylus with royal ensign ‘SrI’. It is said to have been originally given by King Narendrasinha to Alagaboda Nilame.

  The stylus was treated with respect.Sirancee pointed out that the Maha Lekammitiya and stylus were carried in the Dalada temple procession in the Esala perahera.  The Matale Mahadivase Kadainmpota    said Niharepola Alahakoon Mohottala was appointed lekam of Tunkorale and received the ran Panhinda and flag”.

 Inscribing a palm leaf was a skilled task. A scribe had to go through a long period of training before he was allowed to write   on ola. Only very experienced writers were allowed to inscribe a major work. The handwriting in a manuscript therefore was very beautiful and were works of art, said Sirancee. Letters were uniform and evenly spaced.  Palm leaf drawings were fine line drawings, which required great skill.  Circles and shapes were drawn free hand.

 The manuscript usually starts with the auspicious word ‘Svasti’, with the latter ‘ka’ below it.  The text commenced with traditional salute to the Buddha and ended with a colophon which gave the name of the author and promoter and some times the scribe and the date.  But most authors were anonymous.

Palm leaf manuscripts were numbered starting from the Sinhala letter Ka according to the Sinhala alphabet.  words were written from left to right. There are no punctuation marks and no spaces between words. There were margins and a symbol to demarcate paragraphs.  Most manuscripts   only had text, but there were many with illustrations.

The words scratched on the ola had to be made visible. Inking was a special art.  The process was called Kalumadima. The palm leaf was rubbed with a soft cloth dipped in Dummala oil and powdered charcoal obtained from the Godama tree. The surface of the leaf was then cleaned with rice bran (Dahaiyya).

The dummala used was a resin derived from a fossilized root of a plant called Hal ((vateria acuminata).  It was dug out from paddy fields and river beds, on the two auspicious days, Wednesdays and Saturday. The dummala was distilled in an earthen pot with the outside coated in cow dung and clay. The distilling was done between 6 pm and 2 am in the garden. Ten pounds of Dummala produced about 2 bottles of oil.

When palm leaves were gathered together to form a single text, they resembled books. The manuscripts seen by Sirancee averaged 60-65 folios, but there were many which were larger. One manuscript had 311 folios.   

  Creating this ‘book’ was also a special process. The leaves were cut into the required size, usually two inches wide and between 8 and 18 inches in length. The inscribed leaves were placed one under the other.  Holes were punched with a hot rod, and a cord passed through. The punching of holes was done according to   rules given as verse. Fold the leaf into three then into four and make the holes in between the creases at the two ends. One manuscript seen by Sirancee   was stitched together and opened like an accordion. 

Folios were placed between two covers known as Kamba. Most manuscripts had wooden covers, of ebony, jak, milla, calamander and other hard woods.  The covers were decorated in lac with   flower designs, such as Jasmin, kadupul, lotus, liya wela,creepers,. Some were decorated with geometric designs, or rope design. Some had ivory inlay, others had contrasting wood in marquetry, tortoise shell was also used. One manuscript   had ebony cover inlaid with ivory. the button was of tortoise shell.  At Katarangala in Halloluwa  they found a  pirit pota with covers in dainty design.

 Highly venerated manuscripts such as those on Buddhism had covers of ivory or silver, and were decorated with gem stones. These are kept safely. Malwatte temple had a palm leaf manuscript on Abhidamma written in Sinhala, with ivory covers, a border of rubies and blue sapphires and a design of flowers set in gold.  Malwatte had another manuscript, with cover in silver and gold and a floral design richly encrusted with white sapphires and zircons.  Hanguranketa temple had a manuscript with gem studded covers. Pelmadulla Raja maha vihara also had a manuscript with carved ivory cover. Several other manuscripts   had gem studded covers. National Museum library had a manuscript on Abhidamma with an ornamented cover in brass. SWRD Bandaranaikecollection had a manuscript with silver cover and gems. 

The formula for making oil for preserving manuscripts is a heavily guarded secret, said Sirancee. Pannila had a secret formula which was handed down generation to generation and was known only to a few families.   Pannila gave Sirancee the formula in appreciation of her interest in the subject. Sirancee has gven the formula and method, with   photographs, in her book on pages 38-40. 

Pannila  had been commissioned by the National Museum library to apply his secret oil to the palm leaf manuscripts which needed preserving. He was also invited to temple libraries and to the Institute of Indigenous medicine at Rajagiriya to clean and restore their manuscripts.

 Sirancee stated that palm leaf manuscripts stored on wooden shelves   did not deteriorate despite the humid climate. Manuscripts kept in pettagama tended to disintegrate, she said. But Nagolle Raja Maha vihara was a well-known exception. The olas stored in its pettagama remain well preserved.

The National Library of Sri Lanka has   a Preservation and Conservation Centre (PAC) which pays special attention to palm leaf manuscripts. The IFLA PAC Centre was inaugurated on 5^th August 2015.  The Centre produces Panhida Herbal Oilfor the conservation of palm leaf manuscripts.

Udaya Cabral, who heads the PAC, with M Ravikumar, and T Ramanan presented a paper titled Developing a strategicprogram for safeguarding palm-leaf manuscripts in Sri Lanka at IFLA Conference, 2018.In 2021 the National Library issued a report on best practices for the conservation of Palm-Leaf Manuscripts, prepared by Udaya Cabral and R.M Nadeeka Rathnabahu.

Cabraal and Ratnabahu said that a palm leaf manuscript around 200 years old   located in National Library of Sri Lanka, regularly treated by Dummala herbal oil was examined under microscope. They found that the traditional oil was not completely  effective, some fungus still remained. PAC recommended that after treatment with Dummala oil, the manuscripts be kept in a specially designed ‘fume   cupboard ‘made out of neem wood, with a cube of Thymol placed at the bottom.

In my view, it is only in recent times, that ola manuscripts are treated as archival material, to be preserved somehow.  My guess is that in ancient times, the original manuscript was kept as long as possible but a copy was made when it was clear that the original was going to perish. This was repeated over and over again. That is how the Mahavamsa came  to us. ( continued)

REFERENCES

Sirancee Gunawardana Palm leaf manuscripts of Sri Lanka.  1977 p    14–, 33-. 132, 134, 248-251, 254, 257

https://www.ifla.org/news/pac-sri-lanka-publishes-a-new-report-on-best-practices-for-the-conservation-of-palm-leaf-manuscripts

http://library.ifla.org/2266/1/124-cabral-en.pdf

https://www.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/files/assets/pac/Documents/pac_sri_lanka_report_best_practices_for_conservation_of_palm-leaf_manuscripts_.pdf

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 in 2020, is slated to open in August 2027, serving students from kindergarten through high school – ages 2 to 18.

Representatives confirmed at a launch event on Saturday that King’s College Wimbledon Ho Chi Minh City will be governed and quality-assured directly by KCS Wimbledon to ensure an authentic King’s education, covering everything from curriculum design to teacher recruitment.

https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/200-year-old-uk-institution-to-open-ho-chi-minh-city-campus-vnepre-5071922.html#vn_source=Detail&vn_campaign=Box-Readmore&vn_medium=Item-3&vn_term=Mobile&vn_aid=5075085

Proposal: Sri Lanka International Education Hub Initiative”

1. Invite prestigious global schools and universities
   • Offer long-term land leases in Colombo, Kandy, Galle, or Port City.
   • Encourage partnerships with local institutions.
2. Create Special Education Zones
   • Similar to free trade zones.
   • Fast-track approvals, visas, and infrastructure.
3. Link education with emerging sectors
   • Marine engineering and offshore studies
   • Port logistics and maritime law
   • Artificial intelligence and digital technology
   • Hospitality and tourism management
4. Attract foreign students
   • Students from South Asia, East Africa, and the Maldives could study in Sri Lanka at lower cost than Singapore or Europe.
5. Generate foreign exchange
   • International schools and universities bring recurring dollar income through tuition, accommodation, and services.
6. Retain Sri Lankan talent
   • Many parents currently send children abroad due to limited premium educational pathways locally.

Strategic Lesson from Vietnam

Vietnam did not wait to become fully developed before inviting global institutions. It created confidence through policy consistency, infrastructure, and openness to international partnerships.

Sri Lanka can do the same — especially if education development is connected with:

• Colombo Port City
• Port of Colombo
• Trincomalee industrial and maritime expansion
• Offshore and marine sector development

Education can become a major export industry for Sri Lanka, just as important as tourism or ports.

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Singapore builds the largest megaport on the planet with 448 underwater concrete blocks weighing 15,000 tons, creates 681 hectares of land in the sea, and prepares an automated terminal capable of handling 65 million containers per year with AI and 450-meter mega ships.

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.  

Key highlights include:

• 448 giant underwater concrete caissons, each weighing about 15,000 tons
• 681 hectares of reclaimed land created from the sea
• 66 berths across 26 km of deep-water waterfront
• Planned annual handling capacity of 65 million TEUs
• AI-controlled cranes, autonomous vehicles, and private 5G logistics systems
• Full consolidation of Singapore’s container operations into one mega terminal by the 2040s  

This project demonstrates how Singapore treats maritime logistics not merely as transport infrastructure but as a strategic national survival policy.

For Sri Lanka, especially with opportunities around Port of Colombo, Trincomalee Harbour, and the offshore and marine engineering sector, there are several lessons:

1. Long-term port vision

    Singapore planned Tuas decades ahead. Sri Lanka often changes policy with governments, delaying strategic maritime development

• offshore fabrication yards
• shipbuilding
• floating dock facilities
• marine industrial parks
• renewable ocean-energy zones
• Port + industry integration

    Singapore connects the port to industrial districts and innovation zones. Sri Lanka still treats ports separately from manufacturing and marine industries

Automation and AI

    Future ports will employ fewer manual workers but more:

robotics technicians

• marine software engineers
• logistics analysts
• autonomous vessel operators

This creates demand for vocational maritime training institutions.

Maritime geopolitical strategy

    Singapore survives because global trade depends on it. Sri Lanka sits beside one of the busiest east-west shipping lanes but has not yet fully leveraged that advantage.

Yet the scale of execution is extraordinary for a country with limited natural land resources.

For Sri Lanka, the strategic takeaway is clear:

A nation located on major shipping routes can become wealthy not only by exporting goods, but by controlling maritime logistics, ship services, offshore engineering, bunkering, marine technology, and transshipment ecosystems.

Constructive Proposal to the Government

Sri Lanka is located beside one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, yet we have not fully transformed this geographical advantage into a national economic engine. Singapore, despite having limited land and no natural resources, has built the world’s largest automated megaport through long-term planning, technology, and maritime-focused national policy.

The development of Singapore’s Tuas Megaport offers several important lessons for Sri Lanka.

Key Lessons

1. Ports must be linked to industry

    A port alone does not create wealth. Singapore integrated ports with logistics, manufacturing, ship repair, marine engineering, bunkering, and technology services.

1. Long-term planning beyond politics

    Singapore planned its maritime future over decades. Sri Lanka requires a bipartisan national maritime strategy extending beyond election cycles   

Automation and skills development

    Future ports depend on AI, robotics, and smart logistics. Sri Lanka must urgently modernize vocational and technical education in marine and port technology sectors

Marine economy as a national priority

    The ocean should not be viewed only for tourism and fisheries. It is an economic corridor capable of generating exports, employment, and foreign exchange.

Proposal to the Hon. Ministers

We respectfully propose the following national initiatives:

1. Establish a National Maritime and Offshore Development Council

A high-level coordinating body involving:

• Ports Authority
• BOI
• Navy
• Marine industries
• Universities and technical institutes
• Private investors

Develop a Marine Industrial Zone

Possible locations:

• Trincomalee
• Hambantota
• Colombo North Port expansion areas

 Introduce Maritime Technology Training Programs

Partner with local and international institutions to train:

• crane automation technicians
• marine welders
• underwater engineers
• port AI systems operators
• offshore safety personnel

Encourage Public–Private Partnerships

Create investment-friendly policies for:

• floating docks
• dry docks
• bunkering
• marine renewable energy
• coastal logistics infrastructure

Launch a Blue Economy Sri Lanka 2040” Strategy

Sri Lanka’s location is a gift of geography. If combined with vision, discipline, and technology-driven planning, our island can emerge as a major maritime and logistics hub in the Indian Ocean region.

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Source: AI Overview

Establish a centralized National Sports Innovation Museum in Colombo. Position it as a premier diplomatic and tourist attraction that showcases Sri Lankan revolutionary sporting breakthroughs, such as the invention of the Decision Review System (DRS), Muralitharan’s Doosra, and Malinga’s sling-action yorker. [1, 2]

Museum Blueprint & Thematic Zones

• Zone 1: The Hall of Global Innovations: Highlight technical and strategic contributions made by Sri Lankans, including Senaka Weeraratna’s role in initiating DRS, Talavou Alailima’s transformation of sports nutrition, and unique tactical adaptations in Sevens Rugby.
• Zone 2: Cricket Supremacy: Showcase the country’s pinnacle triumphs through interactive displays. Dedicated halls for the 1996 Cricket World Cup, 2014 T20 World Cup, and Asia Cup victories.
• Zone 3: Olympic & Sinhalese Folk Heritage: Trace the evolution of Sri Lankan sports from historical Sinhalese folk games to international Olympic and Asian Games triumphs, featuring medals and memorabilia from icons like Duncan White and Susanthika Jayasinghe. [1, 2, 3]
• Indigenous Sports & Martial Arts Pavilion
• Angampora Heritage: Showcasing the ancient scientific principles, training equipment, and physical philosophy of Sri Lanka’s traditional martial art.
• Elle & Traditional Games: Documenting the history and physics of local games, linking them to modern field sports. [1] 

Sports Diplomacy & Tourism Integration

• Global Collaborations: Partner with bodies like the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and international sporting boards to host temporary exhibits.
• Diplomatic Outreach: Establish the museum as a key stop for visiting foreign dignitaries, diplomats, and international touring squads, following the precedent of international women’s teams visiting local sports heritage sites.
• Economic Boost: Align with the Tourism Ministry’s ongoing efforts to promote sports tourism by linking the museum with events like marathons, surfing competitions, and high-profile international cricket tours. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Implementation & Location

• Location: Position the museum at a high-profile cultural node in Colombo, such as the Independence Square precinct—building upon previous government initiatives to house the national sports collection.
• Current Precedent: Utilize existing facilities, like the operational Sri Lanka Cricket Museum, to serve as a foundational anchor for this broader, multisport national initiative. [1, 2, 3, 4]

https://share.google/aimode/btceKwB869V1LcaLZ

Source: AI Overview

RANJITH SOYSA

The terrorist war, which was launched in the 1970s to create a separate state, was ruthless and created political and economic instability. Sri Lankan governments during this period were pushed and sometimes forced by internal and external forces to talk ‘peace’ with the terrorist faction. The terrorists made use of the peace initiatives and strengthened their forces by procuring arms, recruiting personnel and exploding bombs in the city centres and massacring civilians

But Sri Lankan forces who were determined to defeat the terrorist group continued to exert pressure on the enemy with unparalleled heroism in 90s and in the beginning of the 21^st century. Sri Lankan political leadership of Mahinda Rajapaksa too was determined to get rid of the ferocious enemy and with the then Secretary of Defence, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, senior officers of the Army. the Navy and the Airforce planned a full-scale operation to wipe out the enemy. From Mavil Aru to the Northwest and thrust to the East and final surge to the North was planned systematically while the men in the uniform marched ahead despite some of their fighting comrades were fatally wounded or injured by the bullets fired by the terrorists

While the LTTE killed many Tamil political leaders, they also took with them more than 25,000 Tamil civilians by force as cannon fodder when they were marching towards the East. They were finally liberated by the Sri Lankan armed forces after the last remaining terrorists were vanquished. Many thousands of Tamil children were recruited as child soldiers depriving them of their innocent childhood. Some were trained as suicide bombers. Many of them were killed in the battles while the remaining ones were rehabilitated by the Sri Lanka government.

When the situation changed for the better after 18^th May 2006 one of the darkest chapters of Sri Lankan history was ended by the war heroes of the Army. the Navy and the Air Force of Sri Lanka who were assisted by the Police, and the members of the civil defence force.

Finally, around 7000 members of the armed forces sacrificed their lives while nearly 30.000 members were injured. The nation should be ever grateful to these war heroes who survived and liberated the land and others who were killed and also injured  fighting for the land. Let us all salute our heroes.

RANJITH SOYSA