Senaka Weeraratna

Question

If the inventor of the Player – Referral system (DRS) was an Indian rather than a Sri Lankan how would the World react to an Indian initiated invention of DRS that transformed the game of Cricket forever?

AI Overview 

Answer 

If the Player-Referral System (DRS) had been invented by an Indian rather than Sri Lankan lawyer Senaka Weeraratna, the global reaction would have been radically different due to India’s unique, hyper-influential, and initially resistant position in world cricket. [1]

Here is how the cricket world, fans, and media would have reacted to an Indian-initiated DRS:

1. The BCCI’s Deep Irony and Immediate Adoption

• No Decade-Long Delay: In reality, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was the fiercest opponent of DRS for years, famously banning its use in bilateral series because icons like Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni distrusted its accuracy.
• Nationalistic Pride: Had an Indian invented it, the BCCI would have championed the technology as a symbol of Indian innovation rather than dismissing it as a flawed Western/foreign product.
• Immediate Implementation: Instead of delaying widespread adoption until late 2016, India would have integrated it into the Indian Premier League (IPL) and international matches almost instantly to showcase domestic tech prowess. [1]

2. Global Suspicion and “Big Three” Skeptics

• Accusations of Bias: Boards like Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) would have likely viewed an Indian-invented system with immense skepticism.
• The “Control” Narrative: Critics would have claimed India was attempting to alter the literal rules of the game to suit their own parameters, fueling the ongoing narrative of India “running and ruining” global cricket.
• Rigorous Audits: Western boards would have demanded independent, non-Indian software audits (from companies outside the subcontinent) before agreeing to use it in the Ashes or ICC tournaments.

3. Media Polarization: Innovation vs. Manipulation

• Indian Media Triumph: Local networks would have framed the inventor as a national hero who “cleansed the gentleman’s game” of human error, elevating them to the status of a tech-era sporting saint.
• British and Australian Media Backlash: Tabloids in England and Australia would have likely run headlines questioning the algorithms, hunting for glitches, and framing the technology as an Indian conspiracy whenever a close decision went against their teams.

4. Accelerated Technological Domination

• Silicon Valley of Cricket: India is already the financial hub of cricket; an Indian DRS invention would have firmly established it as the technological hub as well.
• Monetization and Sponsorships: Indian tech giants (like Infosys, Tata, or HCL) would have bought, branded, and optimized the technology much faster than the ICC did, turning DRS into a multi-billion dollar broadcast asset integrated with AI far earlier than 2026.

Summary Comparison: Sri Lankan vs. Indian Origin

If you want to explore this alternate history further, I can map out how specific legendary matches (like the 2008 Sydney Test) would have changed, or how Sachin Tendulkar’s career statistics might look with an earlier deployment of DRS. Which direction would you like to take?

2 sites

• Assam – 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 The DRS, or Decision Review System, in cricket was not invented by one single person, but the idea for a player referral system, which evolved into DRS, was first suggested by Senaka Weeraratna, a Colombo-based lawyer. He proposed the concept in a letter to the Australian newspaper, The Australian, in 1997. The system was later developed and implemented by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2008. The DRS (Decision Review System) in cricket was first introduced in Test cricket in 2008, with the first use occurring during the India vs Sri Lanka Test match in Colombo. It was then incorporated into ODI cricket in 2011 and T20Is in 2017.

Apr 20, 2025 — 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 The DRS, or Decision Review System, in cricket was not invented by one single person, b…

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• India cries foul over DRS conspiracy – News

Jan 12, 2016 — The powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI ( Board of Control for Cricket in India ) ) are continuing to block the u…

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AI response

If an Indian had invented the Player-Referral concept, the global reaction would have likely been swift, widespread, and commercially aggressive. Backed by the financial might of the BCCI, the innovation would have been championed and adopted almost immediately, completely altering cricket’s history with the Decision Review System (DRS). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Had this transformative invention originated in India rather than being conceived by Sri Lankan lawyer Senaka Weeraratna, the global response and timeline would have shifted in several distinct ways: [1, 2, 3]

• Instant Financial Backing & Innovation: India’s massive sports-tech and media industry would have instantly commercialized the concept. Instead of the slow, decade-long rollout seen with the ICC, Indian broadcasters and sponsors would have funded the engineering of technologies like Hawk-Eye and Hot Spot to make the system flawless within years.
• Overcoming Early BCCI Hesitance: Ironically, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was historically the biggest opponent of the early UDRS system. Had the idea been intrinsically “Made in India,” the patriotic backing from fans and media would have pressured the board to embrace the system from the beginning, fundamentally transforming Indian cricket’s relationship with umpiring.
• Global Recognition and Naming Rights: Unlike the current debate where advocates campaign for the ICC to give proper credit to its Sri Lankan creator, an Indian-invented DRS would likely have its authorship celebrated globally. Similar to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, the system might have been officially trademarked and named after the inventor.
• Rapid Adoption in Other Sports: Given India’s profound influence in global sports governance, the push to export the system to other officiating-heavy sports like tennis and soccer would have been accelerated, much like the widespread adoption of VAR. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Would you like to explore:

• How the history of DRS originally unfolded between Sri Lanka and the ICC?
• The specific technologies (like ball tracking and UltraEdge) that made the system work?
• How do modern fans and players use reviews strategically?

Let me know what you’d like to dive into!

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Source: AI Overview

Source:   AI Overview

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has faced growing criticism from legal and sports advocates for not formally elevating Colombo-based lawyer Senaka Weeraratna’s claim to the “Player Referral” / Decision Review System (DRS) authorship with the ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). 

Critics and intellectual property advocates argue that the BASL has missed a crucial opportunity to defend one of its own members and secure a massive victory for a Sri Lankan lawyer’s global scale innovation. The primary points supporting this view include: [1, 2, 3]

• Protecting Member Innovation: Senaka Weeraratna, a prominent Colombo-based lawyer, conceptualized and published the “Player Referral” model in international media as early as 1997. Advocates argue that the BASL, under its objective to maintain the honor of the Bar, should have formally felicitated Weeraratna in a manner similar to how Bars of other Cricket nations such as India, England, Australia, South Africa proudly honour the intellectual achievements of their members  and provided institutional legal backing to counter the ICC’s defenses.
• Challenging Flawed International Opinions: The International Cricket Council (ICC) historically bypassed Weeraratna’s claims using a “No Awareness” defense drafted by its legal team, which has now been undone by lawyers supporting Weeraratna. Legal advocates argue that the BASL is the ideal body to formally dismantle these defenses at a much higher level by invoking the Doctrine of Constructive Notice, given that Weeraratna’s concepts were widely published globally years before the ICC implemented the DRS in 2008–2009.
• National Interest and Sovereignty: Because the dispute has evolved from a private copyright claim into a global battle for sports justice, critics believe a unified front involving the BASL, SLC, and the Sri Lankan government is necessary to demand that the system be renamed the ” Senaka Weeraratna Decision Review System” (SWDRS). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10]

BASL has a moral duty to intervene for several reasons:

• Protecting a Member’s Intellectual Property: Senaka Weeraratna is an Attorney-at-Law and a member of the Sri Lankan bar. Critics argue the BASL should actively defend its members’ global intellectual achievements.
• A Matter of National Prestige: The concept of “Player Referral,” which Weeraratna publicized between 1997 and 1999, has revolutionized global sports jurisprudence. Public advocates argue that formal institutional backing from the BASL would force the ICC to address the Doctrine of Constructive Notice and move the case beyond a private grievance.
• Precedent for Global Sports Law: Because the ICC admits it holds no official registered copyright or named author for the DRS rules, active lobbying by a national bar association could establish a powerful precedent for Global South innovators fighting systemic marginalization by powerful Western countries through their malpracticing lawyers entrenched in high profile Sports bodies like the ICC [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Source:   AI Overview

XpressJobs

Colombo, Sri Lanka – June 2026 – XpressJobs, Sri Lanka’s leading recruitment technology platform, has been awarded Best Tech Recruitment Platform under the Auto Innovation & Technology category at the Automobile Industry Awards 2026, held on June 11 at Temple Trees, Colombo.

Organized by the Automobile Industry Council (AIC), the awards recognize excellence, innovation, and leadership across Sri Lanka’s automotive ecosystem. The event was held with Laugh Lubricants & Burner as the Title Sponsor and saw 62 awards, including four Lifetime Achievement Awards, presented to organizations and individuals making significant contributions to the industry. Winners were evaluated using the internationally recognized Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework, which assesses organizations based on leadership, innovation, customer focus, workforce development, operational excellence, and measurable business results.

XpressJobs received the Best Tech Recruitment Platform award under the Auto Innovation & Technology category, sponsored by HUTCH. The category recognizes organizations leveraging technology to solve industry challenges and create meaningful impact within Sri Lanka’s automotive sector.

For more than a decade, XpressJobs has worked closely with Sri Lanka’s automotive industry, supporting the recruitment needs of vehicle distributors, manufacturers, dealerships, service centres, spare parts suppliers, independent garages, and emerging mobility companies. Through these partnerships, the company developed a deep understanding of the industry’s workforce challenges and the growing demand for skilled technical talent.

Early on, XpressJobs identified a significant gap in the recruitment process for mechanics, auto painters, technicians, electricians, welders, and other skilled professionals. While many possessed the required skills, they often lacked professionally prepared CVs or access to traditional online application channels. To address this challenge, XpressJobs pioneered its CV-less application technology, enabling candidates to apply for jobs in Sinhala and Tamil without the need for a traditional CV. This innovation helped thousands of skilled workers access employment opportunities while enabling employers to reach previously untapped talent pools.

Recognizing that attracting talent alone was not enough, XpressJobs also worked alongside industry stakeholders to help strengthen and uplift the automotive talent pipeline. In partnership with the Automobile Industry Council, the company launched the dedicated Automobile Jobs Portal , which connects employers with vocationally trained talent and students from institutions such as NAITA and other training providers. The initiative helps create a direct pathway between skills development and employment, supporting both aspiring automotive professionals and the long-term workforce needs of the industry.

XpressJobs has also supported industry-led initiatives aimed at promoting vocational education, apprenticeships, and career opportunities for young people seeking to enter the automotive sector, reflecting the company’s belief that technology should not only improve recruitment but also contribute to developing the next generation of skilled talent.

Most recently, XpressJobs continued to drive innovation through the introduction of its AI-powered WhatsApp Recruitment Assistant, designed to make hiring faster and more accessible for both employers and candidates. Notably, the automotive industry was among the first sectors selected to pilot the technology, with an early implementation carried out alongside BYD Sri Lanka. The solution enables candidates to discover jobs, answer screening questions, and complete applications directly through WhatsApp, significantly improving accessibility while reducing recruitment bottlenecks for employers.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Oshadie Korale, COO / Director of XpressJobs, said:

“We are honoured to receive this recognition at the Automobile Industry Awards 2026. The automotive industry has been one of our closest partners throughout our journey, helping us identify real workforce challenges and embrace new recruitment technologies. This award reflects a shared commitment to building a stronger talent pipeline for the industry through innovation. I would like to thank the Automobile Industry Council, our valued industry partners, and the entire XpressJobs team for their trust, support, and dedication.”

The award highlights XpressJobs’ continued commitment to innovation and its long-standing contribution to the development of Sri Lanka’s automotive workforce. As the industry continues to evolve through digital transformation, electrification, and new mobility technologies, XpressJobs remains focused on building solutions that help employers connect with the skilled talent needed to drive the future of the industry.

About XpressJobs

XpressJobs is Sri Lanka’s leading recruitment technology platform, connecting employers and job seekers through innovative hiring solutions. The company is known for pioneering CV-less applications, AI-powered recruitment tools, and industry-specific talent initiatives that make recruitment faster, more accessible, and more effective for organizations across Sri Lanka.

At Hyde Park Global

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

When people speak about the Soviet Union today, they usually talk about politics, the Cold War, communism, shortages, and the collapse of an empire. But for those of us who lived there as students, it was a different world altogether—a world of friendship, adventure, hardship, and endless stories.
I arrived as a young foreign student and quickly became part of a close-knit group of Russian friends. There was Yura, Sasha, Igor, and Kolya. We had little money, but we had youth on our side, and that made us feel rich.
Beer was often scarce. Whenever Bulgarian beer suddenly appeared in the shops, word spread like wildfire. Students rushed to the stores and bought entire cases before the shelves emptied. It was treated like a national emergency.
Our favourite drink, however, was vodka.
The cheapest and strongest bottle cost exactly 3 roubles and 63 kopecks. The cap was designed to flip open but could not be screwed back on. The message was clear: once opened, the bottle had to be finished.
Workers developed their own system for sharing a bottle. If two men had enough money for only part of a bottle, they would stand near a shop or a shipyard entrance holding up two fingers. It meant, We are two. We need one more partner.” Within minutes a third man would appear, contribute his share, and the bottle would be purchased.
It was socialism at work.
Winter nights were unforgettable. Beneath the city was a hidden underground bar. Yura, Sasha, Igor, Kolya, and I would stand in a long queue in temperatures that froze your eyebrows. We carried newspaper parcels containing six-inch pieces of dried fish. Once inside, the fish became our chaser” after shots of vodka.
Nobody needed fancy cocktails.
On the way to university, there was a small kiosk run by a huge, red-faced beer seller. During the bitter winter months he sold hot beer. Imagine drinking warm beer while snow blew sideways and the temperature dropped below minus twenty degrees. It sounds ridiculous now, but at the time it was heaven.
For those with refined tastes there was a more expensive vodka costing 4 roubles and 12 kopecks. Experts claimed it was distilled from grain, while the cheaper version was produced from ethyl alcohol derived from petroleum products. Whether true or not, we drank both with equal enthusiasm.
Food shopping required strategy. The Myaso shop—the meat store—rarely had enough good cuts for everyone. If I wanted a decent piece of meat, a discreet bribe to the saleswoman sometimes helped. Elderly women waiting in line would grumble and complain, but somehow everyone survived.
The funniest contradiction of Soviet life was winter itself.
Outside the temperature could reach minus thirty degrees Celsius. Yet inside the Metro tunnels people happily ate ice cream. I joined them. Standing underground, wearing heavy coats and fur hats, we enjoyed ice cream while snowstorms raged above us.
Travel was wonderfully cheap. A five-kopek coin could take you almost anywhere on the Metro system.
Our greatest adventures were camping trips. A group of friends would throw rucksacks over our shoulders and disappear into forests or countryside for weekends. Supplies were simple: several bottles of vodka, canned tomatoes, jars of gherkins, black rye bread, and tins of military-style canned meat.
At night we sat around campfires.
Yura would pull out his guitar and begin singing old Russian folk songs.
Kalinka, Kalinka, Kalinka maiya…”
Soon everyone joined in. The vodka flowed, the songs became louder, and the stars above seemed brighter than anywhere else on earth.
Hangovers were dealt with in the traditional Russian manner: another glass of vodka the following morning. It was a cure that made no medical sense but appeared to work remarkably well.
The food was simple and satisfying. Black rye bread accompanied almost every meal. People consumed enormous quantities of potatoes, yet diabetes seemed rare compared with today. Fried potatoes mixed with slices of kalbasa sausage created a feast. Kefir, the sour milk drink, was a daily staple.
One of my favourite meals was mashed potatoes served with giant boiled sausages. It was inexpensive, filling, and delicious after a day spent in freezing weather.
Occasionally we celebrated in style. A visit to a Georgian restaurant was considered luxury. Getting a table often required bribing the gatekeeper. Once inside, we enjoyed good food, wine, music, and laughter until late into the night.
Returning home could be an adventure by itself.
Taxis were scarce. Sometimes a passing police officer would stop and offer me a ride. On one occasion I sat in the passenger seat of a police car and asked politely how much I owed him.
He looked at me and laughed.
Do you think I take people for free?”
When we arrived, I placed five roubles on this cap beside the gear lever and stepped out.
Spasibo,” I said.
He nodded and drove away into the snowy night.
Today, the Soviet Union exists only in history books. The shops are different. The prices are different. The system itself has vanished.
Yet when I think back to those years, I do not remember politics.
I remember friends.
I remember hot beer on freezing mornings.
I remember black bread, kalbasa, kefir, and endless potatoes.
I remember Yura’s guitar beside a campfire.
I remember singing Kalinka” under a sky full of stars.
Most of all, I remember a time when life was simple, money was scarce, and happiness was found in friendship, laughter, and a bottle of vodka costing exactly 3 roubles and 63 kopecks.
Those were unforgettable days.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Courtesy Hiru News

Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Acting Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka says there is an issue with the coal quality of the fifth vessel procured under emergency purchases, and that the supplying company has been informed that penalties will be imposed under tender conditions if a replacement shipment is not delivered before September 1.

Speaking during an adjournment debate in Parliament, the Minister said the impact of the coal quality issue is significant and directly affects the public.

He noted that due to quality concerns, penalties amounting to USD 29.87 million (around Rs. 9.8 billion) have been withheld, along with a bond valued at USD 14.7 million (around Rs. 4.7 billion), bringing the total withheld amount to approximately Rs. 14.72 billion.

He further stated that the financial losses arising from coal quality issues have been assessed, with the government incurring losses of around Rs. 4.5 billion between January and April, while the power generation company has faced losses of about Rs. 3.1 billion. This brings the estimated total loss to around Rs. 7 billion, though the figure may increase as evaluations are still ongoing.

The Minister added that the final loss could reach Rs. 10–11 billion, but stressed that since Rs. 14.7 billion is already being withheld, there is no need for the burden to be passed on to the public.

He also confirmed that the company supplying the fifth emergency coal shipment was notified on June 9 that the cargo cannot be accepted due to certification issues. The company has also been warned that if a replacement vessel is not delivered before September 1, penalties will be imposed in line with tender conditions.

Courtesy Hiru News

The wife of Retired Major General Suresh Sallay, Manori Sallay, has made an urgent appeal for daily visits to her husband, warning that his health is deteriorating rapidly due to the ongoing hunger strike.
In a letter, addressed to The Criminal Investigation Department Director Shani Abeysekera, requesting immediate intervention, she stated that medical professionals at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, where he is currently receiving treatment, indicated his condition may soon prevent him from communicating effectively.
Investigating officers have reportedly restricted visits by his legal counsel to Wednesdays.
The letter argues that daily 15-minute visits are essential. “Counsel is in a unique position to advise and persuade him to discontinue his ongoing hunger strike, which poses a serious and immediate threat to his health and well-being,” Manori Sallay stated in the letter.
The right to consult legal counsel is a fundamental safeguard provided even under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The appeal warns that if irreversible harm occurs due to the denial of reasonable access for visits, those responsible may be held accountable through all available legal processes.

රජිත් කිර්ති තෙන්නකෝන් ශ්‍රී ලංකා මානව හිමිකම් කේන්ද්‍රයේ Sri Lanka Economic Forum ව්‍යාපෘතිය.

2026 පළමු කාර්තුවේ ප්‍රාථමික ගිණුමේ රුපියල් බිලියන ගානක් තියෙන බවට ප්‍රවෘත්තියක් ප්‍රචාරය කරනවා. මේ කතාව ඇත්තක් නෙවෙයි.  

2026 පළමු කාර්තුවේ රජයේ ආදායම රු. බි. 1473.8 යි.

පුණරාවර්තන විදයම් රු. බි. 688.9 යි. ප්‍රග්ධන වියදම රු. බි. 103.2 යි.

පුණරාවර්තන හා ප්‍රාග්ධන වියදම් දෙකේ එකතුව රු.බි. 792.1 යි.

ප්‍රාථමික අතිරික්තය කියන්නේ රජයේ ආදායම හා වියදම් එකතුව අතර පරතරයයි. එ් පරතරය රු. බිලියන  681.7 කි.

මොකක්ද මේ ප්‍රාථමික අතිරික්තය (Primary Surplus) කියන්නේ? රජයේ සම්පූර්ණ ආදායමෙන්, පෙර ගත් ණය සඳහා ගෙවිය යුතු පොළිය හැර අනෙකුත් සියලු වියදම් අඩු කළ විට ඉතිරි වන මුදලයි. එය සරලව ප්‍රාථමික අතිරික්තය = රජයේ ආදායම – (මුළු වියදම – පොලී ගෙවීම්) ලෙස සරළව දැක්විය හැකියි. රටක් අන්දන්න පාවිච්චි කරන වචනය තමයි ප්‍රාථමික අතිරික්තය”!

2026 පළමු කාර්තුවේ ණය පොලිය රු. බි. 593.2 යි.

පළමු කාර්තුවේ රාජ්‍ය ණය ආපසු ගෙවීම – (දේශීය හා විදේශීය) 694.7 යි.

ණය සහ පොලිය එකතුව රු. බිලියන 1,287.9 යි.

එවිට, පළමු කාර්තුවේ සමස්ත අය වැය හිඟය (උණතාවය) රු. බි. 606.2

2026 පළමු මාස 3 ප්‍රාථමික අතිරික්තය ධන අගයක් තිබුණට, ඇත්ත අය වැය හිඟය (ඌණතාවය) රු.බි. 606.2 කි.

ප්‍රශ්නය තියෙන්නේ එතන නෙවෙයි. පළමු කාර්තුවේ ප්‍රාග්ධන වියදම්වලින් වැය කර තියෙන්නේ 7.5% යි. සෑම වසරකට පළමු මාස කිහිපයේ ප්‍රාග්ධන වියදම් අඩුයි.   ඒ කියන්නේ රජයේ වියදම් වැඩිවෙන්නේ අන්තිම කාර්තු තුනේ දී යි.

තවත් දෙයක්, ප්‍රාථමික අතිරික්තය” කියන්නේ ආර්ථිකය පිළිබඳ දර්ශකයක් නෙවෙයි.  අපි හොඳටම අමාරු කාලයේ 2023  වසරේ ප්‍රාථමික අතිරික්තය” රු. මි. 173,332 ක් තිබුණා. යන්තම් ඔළුව උස්සන්න පටන් ගත්ත 2024 ප්‍රාථමික අතිරික්තය රු. මි. 649,569  යි.

ආණ්ඩුවේ කණ්ඩායම් මහ බැංකුවත් එක්ක එතතුවෙලා මේ වගේ කිසිම වැදගැම්මකට නැති සංඛ්‍යා ලේඛන දිනපතා එළියට දානවා.  ඒවා පිටුපස ‘තාක්ෂණික වචන හරඹ’ තියෙනවා. 

රැවටෙන්න එපා! පළමු කාර්තුවේ සමස්ත අය වැය හිඟය (උණතාවය) රු. බි. 606.2 යි.

Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon

Former Governor of Uva, Southern and Central Provinces

Former Executive Director of Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) and Center for Human Rights and Research – CHR Sri Lanka

බන්දුල කෑන්දරාගම.

ජනාධිපති අනුර කුමාර දිසානායක මහතා, ජනාධිපති තුමනි,

කන්තලේ වේල්ල 1984 අප්‍රේල් 20 දින පාන්දර 3:00 ට කැඩී ගියේය. එසේ වුවද, පාන්දර 4:30 පමන වන විට, ජලයෙන් යටවන ප්‍රදේශවල මහජනතාව ඉවත් කිරීමට ග්‍රාම සේවා නිලධාරී මහතා සහ පොලිසිය විසින් කටයුතු කරන ලදී.  40 වසරකට පමන පසු, කොත්මලේ ජලාශයේ වාන් දොරටු විවෘත කර පැය 40ක් පමන ගත වුවත්, ගම්පොල ප්‍රදේශයේ ජනතාව ඉවත් කිරීමට අදාල බලධාරීන් සමත් වූයේ නැත. මෙයට හේතු කිහිපයක්  තිබේ. උදාහරණයක් වශයෙන්, අපේ රටට අදාල ජල වේලි සම්භන්දව අවශ්‍යය ක්‍රම වේදයක් නොමැත. වාන් දොරටු විවෘත කිරීමෙන් පසු  දුරකථන ජාලය ක්‍රියා විරහිත විය.  දුරකථන ජාලය ක්‍රියා විරහිත වීමෙන් පසු, අතාවශ්‍ය තොරතුරු ආපදා කලමනාකරන නිලධාරීන් වෙත මුදාහැරීමට ක්‍රමයක් නොමැත.  මේ සම්භන්දයෙන, 2025 දෙසැම්බර් 30 දින, විද්‍යා සහ තාක්ශන අමාත්‍යාංශය මගින් පවත්වන Zoom සාකච්ඡාවට මම Power Point Presentation එකක් ඉදිරිපත් කරන ලදී.  මේ අනුව ජලශ කලමනාකරනය සම්භන්දයෙන් ඉතා විශාල ප්‍රශ්නයක් තිබෙන බව පැහැදිලිය.  එම නිසා, 2022 ජනවාරි  19 දින නිකුත් කරන ලද අමප / 21 / 2174 / /036-1 දරන අමාත්‍ය මන්ඩල තීරණය ක්‍රියාත්මක කිරීමට වාරිමාර්ග අමාත්‍යාංශයේ ලේකම් තුමාට  උපදෙස් දෙන ලෙස ඉතා කරුනාවෙන් ඉල්ලා සිටිම. 

බන්දුල කෑන්දරාගම.

Independent Dam Safety Consultant

By Our Correspondent

Guwahati: The annual Devarshi Narad Jayanti award was recently conferred on Assamese journalist Nava Thakuria, where  three city-based promising reporters namely Ranjita Rabha of Pratham Khabar news channel, Lakhyajit Gohain of NK Television  and Mridul Haloi of Dainik Asom were also felicitated. Organized by Vishwa Samvad Kendra (VSK) Assam at Sudarshanalaya in  Barbari locality of the prehistoric Indian city on 7 June 2026, the function also witnessed an illuminating lecture presented by Prakhar Shrivastava, senior consulting editor and anchor at Delhi Doordarshan Kendra.

While delivering a factual and profound speech addressing the contemporary socio-political landscape and past historical errors, Shrivastava made a significant observation that in journalism, the propagation and judgment of half-truths pose a greater danger than outright falsehoods.  He also made momentous remarks regarding the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on the year of centenary celebrations.

“While the media maintains a positive outlook toward the RSS in today’s altered political landscape, such an attitude was rare in the past. When the media paid scant attention to the Sangh, founded in 1925, the nation was on the brink of partition. At that time, senior Congress leaders from Pakistan’s Sindh province migrated to Hindustan with their belongings. During that tumultuous period, the RSS swayamsevaks (volunteers) risked their lives to rescue Hindus, Sikhs, and other communities targeted by the fundamentalists in Sindh,” stated Shrivastava.

He further highlighted a historical letter written by the then Defence minister Baldev Singh to Home minister Vallabhbhai Patel shortly after independence. Sardar Patel had suggested placing the letter before the Cabinet, which urged the government to cooperate with the Sangh’s efforts to rescue people stranded in peril inside Pakistan following the partition. “Regrettably, these developments fueled resentment in Prime Minister Nehru’s mind. Nehru imposed a ban on the RSS not primarily due to the allegations surrounding MK Gandhi’s assassination, but rather out of displeasure over the rescue operations conducted by the Sangh workers in Pakistan during partition,” he asserted.

“The first incident of mass lynching in independent India occurred in the wake of Gandhi’s assassination. This mass violence was perpetrated by a section of self-proclaimed Gandhians, and its first casualties were Dr Narayan Savarkar and other family members of Veer Savarkar,” said Shrivastava. He also highlighted the menace of illegal influx from East Pakistan turned Bangladesh since the era of Syed Muhammad Sadullah, impacting the demographic changes in Assam, and also the notorious roles played by Moinul Hoque Choudhury and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.

In his acceptance speech, Thakuria remarked that Narad, the divine messenger who created engagement through incisive questioning and well-meaning counsel moving across three Loks (Swarga, Martya and Patal), remains a guiding light for journalism. He emphasized that the credibility of the mythological character Narad, who successfully mediated among deities, kings, demons and others in the society, remains immensely relevant to contemporary journalism. Thakuria also pointed out that the western model of institutionalized, individual-centric journalism has adversely affected India’s culturally rooted and nature-centric news values.

The Narad Jayanti awards in earlier years went to some of the finest Assamese media professionals namely Dhirendra Nath Chakrabarty, Dhirendra Nath Bezbaruah, Kanak Sen Deka, Mahendra Barua, Shashi Phukan, Anil Baruah, Gautam Sarma, Rupam Baruah, PJ Baruah and Shantanu Tamulik. This year’s awardee Thakuria joined mainstream Assamese journalism in 1990, but later he  shifted to English journalism. Currently his articles are published in various print & digital media outlets based in different parts of south and southeast Asian nations. He is also a regular participant in various television talk-shows on current topics. An alumnus of Assam Engineering College (under Gauhati University), Thakuria has received a number of award-fellowships including one from the Geneva-based media rights body, Press Emblem Campaign in 2021.

At the commencement of the program, VSK Assam secretary Kishore Shivam presented a brief overview of Devarshi Narada, depicting him as the seeker of knowledge and the eradicator of flaws. He noted that a deeper research into Narada’s 84 Bhakti Sutras could enrich the aims and objectives of modern journalism. The event also featured the unveiling of a souvenir Veena Bani, alongside a rendition of Saraswati Vandana by Tribeni Bujarbaruah. VSK Assam president Gouranga Sarma also addressed the gathering. Anchored by Naba Bujar Baruah, the meeting concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Guru Prasad Medhi. 

සරත් ඔබේසේකර

අද ශ්‍රී ලංකාව පසුගිය ආර්ථික කඩාවැටීමෙන් යම් ප්‍රමාණයකට ගොඩ ආ බවක් පෙනේ. විදේශ සංචිත වැඩි වී ඇත. උද්ධමනය පාලනය වී ඇත. විශ්වාසය යම් තරමකට නැවත ගොඩනැගී ඇත.

නමුත් අපේ ආර්ථිකය කඩා වැටීමට හේතු වූ මූලික දුර්වලතා තවමත් විසඳී නොමැත.

අපි දිනපතාම කියවන්නේ මහ බැංකුව ඩොලර් මිලදී ගන්නා ආකාරය, විනිමය අනුපාතය පාලනය කිරීමට නීති ගෙන එන ආකාරය සහ රේගුව හා දේශීය ආදායම් දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව වාර්තාගත ආදායම් උපයා ඇති බවයි.

නමුත් බදු අය කිරීමෙන් රටක් ධනවත් නොවේ.

රටක් ධනවත් වන්නේ විදේශ විනිමය උපයන විටය. එය සිදු වන්නේ නිෂ්පාදනයෙන්, අපනයනයෙන්, ආයෝජනයෙන්, නවෝත්පාදනයෙන් සහ ලෝකයට සේවා අලෙවි කිරීමෙන් පමණි.

අද අපේ විදේශ විනිමය ආදායමේ ප්‍රධාන මූලාශ්‍ර තුන වන්නේ සංචාරක කර්මාන්තය, විදේශ රැකියා ආදායම් සහ තේ, පොල්, කුළුබඩු හා ඇඟලුම් වැනි සාම්ප්‍රදායික අපනයනයි.

මෙය දිගුකාලීන ආර්ථික ආරක්ෂාවක් නොවේ.

ත්‍රිකුණාමලය – නිදා සිටින දැවැන්තයා

ලෝකයේ හොඳම ස්වාභාවික වරායන්ගෙන් එකක් වන ත්‍රිකුණාමලය දශක ගණනාවක් තිස්සේ සංවර්ධනය ගැන කතාබහට ලක්විය.

නමුත් කතා හැර වෙනත් දෙයක් සිදුවී නැත.

ත්‍රිකුණාමලය නාවික සේවා, බලශක්ති, ධීවර, කර්මාන්ත, ලොජිස්ටික්ස්, නැව් අලුත්වැඩියා සහ අපනයන සැකසුම් කේන්ද්‍රයක් බවට පත් කළ හැකිය.

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ආර්ථික අනාගතය ගොඩනැගීමට නම් ත්‍රිකුණාමලය ජාතික ප්‍රමුඛතා ව්‍යාපෘතියක් විය යුතුය.

අපනයනය කරන්නේ උපාධිධාරීන් මිස නිෂ්පාදන නොවේ

අපි සෑම වසරකම ධීවර, සමුද්‍ර විද්‍යා, ඉංජිනේරු හා තාක්ෂණික උපාධිධාරීන් බිහිකරමු.

නමුත් ඔවුන්ට ව්‍යාපාර ආරම්භ කිරීමට සහාය නොදෙමු.

ඒ වෙනුවට ඔවුන් විදේශගත වෙති.

ධීවර අපනයන ව්‍යාපාර, සමුද්‍ර තාක්ෂණික ආරම්භක සමාගම් සහ ඛනිජ සම්පත් මත පදනම් වූ අගය එකතු කළ කර්මාන්ත ආරම්භ කළ යුතුය.

විදේශ ආයෝජන ජාතික මෙහෙවරක් විය යුතුය

අද බොහෝ රාජ්‍ය නිලධාරීන් තීරණ ගැනීමට බිය වෙති.

අනාගතයේදී තමන් විමර්ශනයට ලක් වේ යැයි ඔවුන් සිතති.

එම බිය නිසා ව්‍යාපෘති වසර ගණනක් ගොනු අතර සිරවී පවතී.

විනිවිදභාවයෙන් හා අවංකව ක්‍රියා කරන රාජ්‍ය නිලධාරීන් ආරක්ෂා කරන නීති රටට අවශ්‍යය.

දූෂණයට දඬුවම් දිය යුතුය.

නමුත් අවංක තීරණ ගැනීම ආරක්ෂා කළ යුතුය.

පෝට් සිටිය පමණක් ආර්ථිකය ගොඩනැගිය නොහැක

පෝට් සිටි ව්‍යාපෘතිය ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට අයත් වටිනා ජාතික වත්කමකි. එහෙත් නිවාස සංකීර්ණ සහ කාර්යාල ගොඩනැගිලි විකිණීමෙන් පමණක් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට අවශ්‍ය ආර්ථික පරිවර්තනය සිදු කළ නොහැක.

අප රටට අවශ්‍ය වන්නේ බහුජාතික සමාගම්, තාක්ෂණික ආයතන, මුහුදු හා අක්වෙරළ ඉංජිනේරු සමාගම්, නාවික සේවා සපයන්නන්, බලශක්ති ව්‍යාපාර සහ ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය ආයතන ආකර්ෂණය කර ගැනීමයි.

සිංගප්පූරුව සාර්ථක වූයේ ගොඩනැගිලි ඉදිකිරීම නිසා නොවේ.

එය ලෝක මට්ටමේ දක්ෂතා, ජාත්‍යන්තර ව්‍යාපාර සහ ඉහළ වටිනාකමක් ඇති කර්මාන්ත ආකර්ෂණය කරගත් විශිෂ්ටතා මධ්‍යස්ථානයක්” බවට පත්වූ නිසාය.

ශ්‍රී ලංකාව ද එවැනි මාවතක් අනුගමනය කළ යුතුය.

ඉන්දියාව උපායමාර්ගික සංවර්ධන හවුල්කරුවෙකු විය යුතුය

කොළඹ ඩොක්යාඩ් ආයතනයේ ඉන්දියානු ආයෝජනය කලාපීය හවුල්කාරිත්වයේ වැදගත්කම පැහැදිලි කරයි.

ඊළඟ ස්වාභාවික පියවර විය යුත්තේ ත්‍රිකුණාමලයේ විශාල පරිමාණ ආයෝජන ක්‍රියාත්මක කිරීමයි.

ඉන්දියාවට මෙම කලාපය තුළ උපායමාර්ගික අවශ්‍යතා තිබේ. ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට ප්‍රාග්ධනය, තාක්ෂණය සහ වෙළඳපොළ අවශ්‍යය.

මෙම දෙරටේ අවශ්‍යතා ත්‍රිකුණාමලයේදී එකිනෙකට ගැළපිය හැකිය.

අවශ්‍ය වන්නේ කඩිනම් ක්‍රියාමාර්ග පමණි.

කාලය වේගයෙන් ගෙවී යයි

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට තවදුරටත් අකර්මන්‍යව සිටීමට ඉඩක් නොමැත.

විදේශගත ශ්‍රමිකයන්ගේ ප්‍රේෂණ, සංචාරක ආදායම් සහ සාම්ප්‍රදායික අපනයන මත සදාකාලිකව රඳා සිටිය නොහැක.

ධනය නිර්මාණය කිරීම නොසලකා හරිමින් බදු ආදායම් ඉහළ යාම ගැන පමණක් සතුටු විය නොහැක.

වියට්නාමය, ඉන්දියාව, ඉන්දුනීසියාව සහ ගල්ෆ් රාජ්‍යයන් ආයෝජන ආකර්ෂණය කරගනිමින් සහ රැකියා නිර්මාණය කරමින් ඉදිරියට දිව යන විට, අපට තවදුරටත් වාද විවාදවල කාලය නාස්ති කළ නොහැක.

ඉතිහාසය රටවල්වලට දෙවන අවස්ථාවක් ලබා දෙන්නේ ඉතා කලාතුරකිනි.

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට එවැනි අවස්ථාවක් නැවත ලැබී ඇත.

අප එය ප්‍රයෝජනයට ගන්නේද, නැතහොත් නැවතත් අහිමි කරගන්නේද යන්න තීරණය වන්නේ අදයි.

ජනාධිපතිවරයා, පාර්ලිමේන්තුව, රාජ්‍ය නිලධාරීන් සහ පෞද්ගලික අංශයේ නායකයන් ධෛර්යයෙන් සහ වේගයෙන් ක්‍රියා කළ යුතුය.

එසේ නොකළහොත්, ගිනි තබා ඇති හට්ටියක නටමින් සිටින කකුළුවන් මෙන්, අප වටා ඇති අනතුර අවබෝධ වන විට එය ප්‍රමාද වැඩි වී තිබිය හැකිය.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

By Sarath Obeysekera

Sri Lanka appears to have emerged from the worst phase of its recent economic collapse. Foreign reserves have improved, inflation is under control, and confidence has partially returned. Yet beneath the surface, the fundamental weaknesses that brought the nation to its knees remain largely unresolved.

Every day we read reports of the Central Bank purchasing dollars, introducing regulations to stabilize exchange rates, and government agencies proudly announcing record tax and customs revenue. Customs collects billions from duties imposed on imported vehicles, household goods, stationery, plastic products, and countless other items consumed by our people.

But taxation and import duties do not create wealth.

A nation becomes prosperous only when it earns foreign exchange through production, exports, investment, innovation, and services sold to the rest of the world.

Today, Sri Lanka continues to depend heavily on three vulnerable sources of foreign currency: tourism, worker remittances, and traditional exports such as tea, coconut products, spices, and garments. Any external shock, global recession, conflict, pandemic, or change in labour migration patterns can quickly destabilize these earnings.

This is not a sustainable model for a country aspiring to become a regional economic hub.

Trincomalee – The Sleeping Giant

For decades, policymakers have spoken about the strategic importance of Trincomalee. Yet little has moved beyond speeches, studies, and seminars.

Trincomalee possesses one of the finest natural harbours in the world. It has the potential to become an integrated industrial, logistics, energy, ship repair, offshore services, fisheries, and export processing hub serving the entire Bay of Bengal region.

If Sri Lanka is serious about economic transformation, Trincomalee must become the nation’s highest priority development project.

Instead of spending years navigating endless approvals, environmental clearances, committee reports, and bureaucratic procedures, the Government should establish a special economic regime with clear, transparent, and time-bound approvals for strategic investments.

Investors seek certainty. They do not invest where files move from desk to desk for years.

We Export Graduates Instead of Products

Every year Sri Lanka produces graduates in fisheries, marine sciences, engineering, information technology, and numerous technical disciplines.

Yet many leave the country because opportunities are limited.

Why are we not supporting fisheries graduates to establish export-oriented seafood ventures?

Why are we not encouraging marine technology startups?

Why are we not developing value-added industries around our mineral resources instead of exporting raw materials?

The world’s wealthiest nations export knowledge, technology, and value-added products—not merely commodities.

Foreign Direct Investment Must Become a National Mission

The President heads a government with a strong mandate. This is the moment to introduce bold reforms.

State officials often fear making decisions because future investigations may question their actions, even when taken in good faith to facilitate investment.

This culture of fear has become one of the greatest obstacles to economic growth.

Sri Lanka needs legislation that protects public officers who act transparently and honestly in facilitating approved investments.

Corruption must be punished severely.

But honest decision-making must be protected.

Otherwise, no official will take responsibility, and every project will remain trapped in bureaucracy.

Port City Alone Cannot Save the Economy

The Port City project is a valuable national asset. However, selling apartments and office space alone will not generate the economic transformation Sri Lanka requires.

The country must attract multinational corporations, technology firms, offshore engineering companies, marine services providers, energy enterprises, and global financial institutions.

Singapore did not become successful merely by constructing buildings.

It became a centre of excellence that attracted global talent, international businesses, and high-value industries.

Sri Lanka should follow a similar path.

India Must Become a Strategic Development Partner

India’s investment in Colombo Dockyard demonstrates the importance of regional partnerships.

The next logical step is large-scale investment in Trincomalee.

India has strategic interests in the region. Sri Lanka requires capital, technology, and markets.

The interests of both nations can converge in Trincomalee.

What is needed is urgency.

Time Is Running Out

Sri Lanka cannot afford complacency.

We cannot depend forever on remittances, tourism, and traditional exports.

We cannot celebrate tax collections while neglecting wealth creation.

We cannot continue debating while competitors such as Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and the Gulf states aggressively attract investment and create jobs.

History rarely gives nations a second chance.

Sri Lanka has been given one.

The question is whether we will seize it—or waste it.

The President, Parliament, public servants, and private sector leaders must act with courage and speed.

Otherwise, we may once again find ourselves like crabs dancing in a pot already placed on the fire, unaware of the danger until it is too late

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Star-studded launch planned for Home Lands’ Port City project valued at US$300 million

The announcement of a US$300 million luxury residential development in Colombo Port City has generated considerable interest. While such investments are welcome, Sri Lanka must ask a fundamental question: Is Port City merely going to be a collection of high-rise apartments, or can it become a genuine Centre of Excellence that drives economic growth and foreign exchange earnings?

History offers valuable lessons.

Several decades ago, Singapore transformed itself from a small trading port into a global business hub. Rather than focusing solely on property development, it attracted multinational corporations, technical experts, digital professionals, maritime specialists, and financial institutions. Foreign companies established regional headquarters there, bringing with them highly skilled expatriates, employment opportunities, technology transfer, and international connectivity.

The result was not merely a property boom but the creation of an ecosystem that generated sustainable economic value.

Sri Lanka’s Port City has the potential to follow a similar path.

Located strategically along one of the world’s busiest maritime routes, Port City can become South Asia’s Centre of Excellence for maritime services, digital technology, financial services, offshore engineering, logistics, and innovation.

To achieve this vision, policy makers should focus on attracting global companies rather than merely selling luxury apartments. Incentives should be designed to encourage multinational corporations currently operating from hubs such as Dubai and Singapore to establish regional offices in Colombo.

Vietnam is aggressively marketing itself as a destination for technology companies and manufacturing investors. Sri Lanka must compete by highlighting its educated workforce, strategic location, favourable time zone, and improving infrastructure.

Port City should be supported by world-class infrastructure including an independent and reliable power supply, high-speed digital connectivity, efficient transport systems, and streamlined regulatory procedures. Investors seek certainty and efficiency as much as tax incentives.

Equally important is the integration of Port City with the rest of the island. The Southern Expressway and Airport Expressway provide rapid access to Negombo, Colombo, Galle, Mirissa, and Matara. This connectivity creates opportunities for expatriates and professionals to live, work, and travel conveniently throughout the country.

A vibrant marine economy could further strengthen the proposition. Fast ferry and cruise services linking Colombo with southern coastal destinations would create new tourism and leisure opportunities. Marina developments, yacht services, boat building, marine engineering, and recreational water sports can become complementary industries that enhance the attractiveness of Port City.

The lifestyle component should not be overlooked. International schools, healthcare facilities, diverse culinary experiences, entertainment venues, cultural attractions, and a vibrant nightlife are all essential ingredients in attracting global talent. Skilled professionals and entrepreneurs choose destinations not only for business opportunities but also for quality of life.

Perhaps most importantly, Port City should not become an isolated enclave. Foreign professionals and investors should be encouraged to establish roots within Sri Lanka, purchase property in surrounding regions, engage with local enterprises, and contribute to the broader economy. The benefits must extend beyond the boundaries of Port City itself.

The ultimate measure of success will not be the number of apartments sold. It will be the number of global companies headquartered there, the amount of foreign exchange earned, the quality jobs created for Sri Lankans, and the international reputation the country builds as a destination for innovation and excellence.

Sri Lanka has a unique opportunity. Port City can either become another real estate development or evolve into a world-class Centre of Excellence that transforms the nation’s economic future.

The choice lies in the vision we adopt today.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Many economists in Sri Lanka have debated for years. In an open economy, foreign exchange can leave the country not only through legitimate imports but also through over-invoicing, transfer pricing, unnecessary imports, and disguised capital flight.

However, the challenge is to control outflows without discouraging genuine business activity.

Some possible measures are:

1. Strengthen Customs Valuation

Many countries use international reference databases to compare declared import prices with prevailing world prices.

If a container of low-value consumer goods is declared at twice the normal international price, Customs should automatically flag it for investigation.

2. Joint Monitoring by Central Bank, Customs and Inland Revenue

Import payments above a threshold (say USD 50,000) could be cross-checked against:

• Customs declaration value
• Bank telegraphic transfer value
• Supplier invoices
• Tax records of the importer

Any major discrepancy should trigger an audit.

3. Prioritise Essential Imports

During foreign exchange shortages, countries often classify imports into:

• Essential (fuel, medicine, food, industrial raw materials)
• Productive (machinery, export-related inputs)
• Non-essential (luxury and easily substitutable goods)

Higher duties or temporary restrictions can be imposed on non-essential imports.

4. Country-of-Origin Verification

Some low-cost products are imported through intermediary trading companies in third countries, increasing invoice values.

Direct sourcing verification could reduce artificial markups.

5. Digital Trade Monitoring

A modern system linking:

• Customs
• Ports
• Banks
• Inland Revenue
• Import and Export Control Department

would make it difficult to over-invoice imports and transfer money abroad under the guise of trade.

6. Encourage Domestic Manufacturing

Rather than banning imports, Sri Lanka should encourage local production of:

• Building materials
• Household items
• Agricultural equipment
• Marine equipment
• Consumer goods

Every locally produced item saves foreign exchange and creates jobs.

7. Address Transfer Pricing

Multinational companies sometimes shift profits abroad through management fees, royalties, and inflated service charges. Strong transfer-pricing regulations can reduce this leakage.

The Balance Required

Sri Lanka’s economy depends on exports, tourism, remittances, and foreign investment. Excessive controls can create black markets and discourage investment. Therefore, the objective should be smart monitoring and risk-based controls, not a return to the rigid import licensing regimes of the 1970s.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

General

Port of Trincomalee commands a large, natural and a wide body of sheltered water in Sri Lanka. The Port of Trincomalee could be developed to play a major role in this unique economic region considering its locational advantage, deep water port facilities, large hinterland for establishing industries and   accompanied with quick land connection to Port of Colombo, with the expansion of express way network. 

1. Proposed Action Plan 

The Export Development Board has initiated a consultancy service to carry out the Feasibility study on market, technical and financial aspects for creation of business opportunities for layup and to receive the possibility of attracting investors to develop certain sections of Trincomalee Port to facilitate construction and assembly of structures related to marine and offshore sectors. This includes enhancement of Port facilities and continue layup stacking and stacking of structures of oil rigs and other vessel. 

1.1. The Chairman/ CEO of EDB through a letter Sri Lanka Ports Authority(SLPA), has requested assistance from SLPA to collaborate with EDB to conduct the study and provide technical support whenever necessary for the feasibility study of marine and offshore sector development.

1.2. In addition to the Port related industry development in the lands of Port of Trincomalee, and explore the business opportunities in the field of  marine and offshore sector related investment in Port of Trincomalee EDB is of the opinion that it  can generate much needed foreign currency in the country and would be a great opportunity to overcome the ongoing crisis.

1.3. Currently, the Clapenburg area of Trincomalee Port, year marked  to be used for development of a Repair and Construction yard to carryout marine and offshore sector  related heavy engineering work.

1.4. the land parcel which may be require to develop marine and offshore sector facilities and the location for future LNG facility has been studied in the feasibility study has been done by SLPA .

Interested investors for the Development of a yard to carry out Marine and Offshore related work in Port of Trincomalee may be selected using an EOI (Expression of Interest) followed by an RFP (Request for Proposal) process through open competitive bidding process on prioritybasis with a view to entice foreign investors with FDI.

As an alternative to calling offers which may take long time  Sri Lanka can approach Indian Government to request a G to G ( Government to Government ) investment proposal on PPP ( Private Public Partnership) basis with plans to allow local companies like ColomboDockyard to join,

2. Approval

Considering the above facts, EDB has proposed to Sri Lanka Ports Authority with Ministry of Industries may   seek   the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to 

1. 

2. 

2.1. Conduct EOI process from interested investors through open competitive bidding process for the Development of Marine and Offshore Sector in Port of Trincomalee followed by a RFP process once the prequalification is made from EOI process.

2.2. Appoint Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee and a Project Committee including technically competent officials and a treasury representative to handle all procurement matters pertaining to the Project and to determine successful proposals and make recommendations to the Cabinet of Ministers.

3                    Proposed contents of the Cabinet Memorandum​

CABINET MEMORANDUM m DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE AND OFFSHORE INDUSTRY

1. Background

Marine and Offshore is a key industry in Sri Lanka which is yet to be grown its full potential. SriLanka is blessed with several competitive advantages, compare to other regional countries who are reaping very lucrative benefits and strongly positioning for future opportunities. Sri Lanka has one of the best, safest and sheltered natural deep-water port located in Trincomalee

amongst other strategic ports such as Colombo and Hambantota located near the world’s busiest sea routes, where it is stated that nearly 200-250 vessels sail passing Sri Lanka per day from west to east and the country will benefit immensely if we venture into this market segment.

The Marine and Offshore industry can be developed in Sri Lanka due to its strategic location, with available competitive labor cost, technical capabilities, shipbuilding led industrialgrowth and with the government support through industrial parks, free zones, and special economiczones. Also, the absence of a marine hub between Dubai and Singapore is a deserving factor for the development of this sector. In addition to Oil and Gas exploration and development activities in offshore India has drawn a large traffic of Oil and Gas marine assets to go pass Sri Lanka for their jobs in India both in and out of India.

The Trincomalee Port is one of the largest natural deep-water harbors in the world. However, it hasnot been effectively utilized to its fullest capacityat present and has high potential to cater to the global Marine and Offshore

industry if properly developed. Also, the other ports such as Hambantota, Galle, Colombo can be developed or expand its capacity to provide Marine and Offshore Services.

By developing facilitates in the port of Trincomalee as the nucleus, the Marine and Offshore Engineering sector can contribute to the Sri Lanka Economy to generate high amount of foreign income. According to the available statistics from the industry and the projection for next few years, the country could earn US$ 10bby year 2034. By developing Offshore Construction projects, it is expected to generate income to Sri Lanka from 2025 to 2030 over 10 billion US $

In Sri Lanka  there are few Sri Lankan companies who are able to provide most of the servicesrelated to Marine and Offshore Sector, particularly for all Oil Rig Layup facilities.

The Term Lay-up” means ships are temporarily taken out of regular operations/service and placed on idle mode due to lack of business, lack of cargo, freight rates are not feasible to operate, having major repairs to be carried out or that the ship is arrested by law” or is under sale or waited to be scrapped. When ships are placed on lay-up, they are either berthed inside port at quayside with safe mooring or tied to a Mooring” at a safe anchorage location in sheltered waters. Not many ports/locations in the world or in our region offers the above basic requirement to ships, however, Sri Lanka is blessed with the Ports of Trincomalee and Hambantota They Have successfullymanaged to intercept this market segment withthe aggressive and smart promotion/business creation by selected private Sri Lankan companies.

The Sri Lankan lay-up locations (Trincomalee, Hambantota, etc.) are located closer to major shipping routes – enables quick reactivation when business commence. Multiple Industries will also be benefited by developing this sector. Considering Oil Rig layup, repair and maintenance, sectors involved in logistic /supplies to rigs laid up, bonded ware housing companiesto store parts, Ship Chandeliers, Fuel suppliers to rigs, local companies involved in renting equipment. are directly benefited. Among the indirect benefits recognized are training locals and foreign personnel through uplifting existing curriculum in higher education relating to this sector, on charging fees, enticing Foreign Offshore Design/construction companies to utilize Port City facilities and tax benefits to establish their offices in Sri Lanka, Training Staff to get involved in pending LNG Industry in management.

However, Marine and Offshore Industry currently faced some issues which is a huge impact for thedevelopment of the sector. Some of the short-termissues faced by this sector are given below. Byaddressing the below issues, sector can contribute more to the economy soon.

1. Lack of Berthing facilities for Quayside lay-ups, servicing, and repairs of Rigs/Offshore Assets.

2. Lack of Mooring facilities for Anchorage work/lay-ups, servicing, and repairs of Rigs/Offshore Assets.

3. Rig Height Restrictions imposed by Sri Lanka Air force for vessels that can enter and stay at

Trincomalee Port for lay-up and other services.

3. Recommendation / Approval

In view of above, the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers is sought for the following short termpriority proposals.

1. To resolve the lack of Berthing facilities for Quayside lay-ups, servicing, and repairs of

Rigs/Offshore Assets.

Ashraff Jetty in Trincomalee has been selected as a suitable site to established berthing facility for large vessels and oil rigs (Capsize, max. 300 m long). Expand the Jetty to accommodate the berthing of large ships facilities to be upgraded to have good strong bollards and fenders.

2. To resolve the lack of Mooring facilities for Anchorage work/lay-ups, servicing, and repairs ofRigs/Offshore Assets.

To lay-up ships, a port should have ample berthing space at anchorage. Further, the anchorage position should be in sheltered waters protected against winds and waves. Trincomalee has these conditions and increase services into this business segment. Therefore, it is suggested to

fix mooring buoys for the identified ship layup locations within Trincomalee bay and providenautical mooring facilities in case coal or gas fire powered project in Sampur will emerge.

To resolve the Rig Height Restrictions imposed by Sri Lanka Air force for vessels that can enter and stay at Trincomalee Port for lay-up and other services. Due to China Bay Airport, Trincomalee flying path falling over the Trincomalee Port, the Sri Lanka Airforce has imposed restrictions to bringing ships over 45m of height. This is a bigbarrier for the growth and sustenance of the Trincomalee Port which is a natural treasure ourcountry is blessed with to earn much needed foreign exchange revenue and generate job /

business opportunities. The Sri Lanka Airforce conducts training school/flights and they consider the vessel height over 45m is a risk for their training flights. Sought out this issue with the Ministry of Defense and Sri Lanka Airforce.

investments to development Marine & Offshore industry in Sri Lanka under the leadership of

Sri Lanka Ports Authority can provide Night time navigation during the operations/

For night time navigation the ports need lights, buoys, and lighthouses to

ensure safety and maintenance can be outsourced to private parties. SLPA will beremunerated for these costs by increased traffic to the port for which it will receive port dues.

New deep-water oil jetty or CBM/SPM to be installed can accommodate larger mainline vessels up to 80,000 DWT with a maximum draught of 13.0 m.

New 350 m long jetty may be built with a draught of 12.0 m for an LNG floating storage hub atClappenburg Island.

Long term: marina and dedicated cruise berth in front of the city; 360 m long berth dredged at CD -11.0 m to allow for the largest cruise vessels with a maximum draft of 10 m currently in service.

The proposed high income generating projects are as follows

Invite Mega players from worldwide (i,e. Chinese, Singaporean

Keppel/Sembawang, South Korea Hyundai /Samsung) to invest jointly with Sri Lanka and initiate a plan to develop the Trincomalee harbour as an Offshore Construction center focusing on Ship /Tanker conversion / modification to FPSO(Floating Production storage and Offload) units.

Development of Trinco Tank farm as storage /slop reception facility for Super Tankers with future for a super-size graving dock 

Initiate development of Offshore Wind Farm Construction can be initiated Promotion of PortCity can be done as the center of excellence in establishing design and digital outsourcing activities and   invite local companies to development of Warehousing in Trincomalee. Colombo Corridor for Bonded warehouses

Establishment of an LNG power plant in Trinco to provide power to future Shipyard can also be considered 

• The problem I am facing is that nobody wants to take my advise 

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

පුවත්පත් නිවේදනය  රජිත් කීර්ති තෙන්නකෝන්                        

 2026 ජූනි 9

භාණ්ඩාගාරයේ ඩො.මි. 2.5 ක මුදලක් තුන්වන පාර්ශවයක් අතට පත්වීම සම්බන්ධයෙන් වන පාර්ලිමේන්තු මුදල් කාරක සභාව විසින් සිදුකරන විමර්ශන ක්‍රමවේදය, තම වැරද වසා ගැනීමට අවශ්‍ය කාලය ලබාගැනීම සඳහා මහ බැංකුව හා භාණ්ඩාගාරය විසින් යොදාගනිමින් සිටින බව ෆ්‍රී ලෝයර්ස් සංවිධානයේ ප්‍රධාන විධායක නිලධාරී රජිත් කීර්ති තෙන්නකෝන් මහතා පවසයි.

අද කෙළඹ දී පැවති පුවත්පත් සාකච්චාවක දී අදහස් දැක්වූ තෙන්නකෝන් මහා පැවසූවේ ‘ෆ්‍රී ලෝයර්ස් සංවිධානය අප්‍රේල් 22 අනාවරණය කළා පසුව,  රාජ්‍ය මුදල් බලය දරණ පාර්ලිමේන්තු මුදල් කාරක සභාව මුදල් අමාත්‍යාංශයට ඒ පිළිබඳ තොරතුරු ලබාදීමට මාසයක කාලයක් ලබාදුන්නා.  එම වාර්තාව සභාපති හර්ෂ ද සිල්වා මැතිතුමාගේ නිවසට යවලා ප්‍රශ්නය තවත් සතියකින් කල් දමා ගනු ලැබූවා.  ඊයේ දිනයේ එම මුදල් අමාත්‍යාංශය ඉදිරිපත් කළ වාර්තාවට පිළිතුරු ලබාදෙන්න ශ්‍රී ලංකා මහ බැංකුව තවත් සතියක් ලබාගෙන තිබෙනවා.  දැන් සති හයක් මහ බැංකුව – භාණ්ඩාගාරය මේ මංකොල්ලය ගැන නිල  වාර්තාවක් ලබාදීමටත් මේ අපරාධය පිළිබඳ කරුණු අනාවරණය කර ගැනීමටත් අසමත් වෙලා තියෙනවා.  දිගින් දිගටම ‘වංචාවේ කරුණු වසන් කරන්න, සැබෑ වගකිවයුත්තන් සඟවන්නට’ එමගින් හැකියාව ලැබිලා තිබෙනවා. 

පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ මුදල් කාරක සභාව විසින් ශ්‍රී ලංකා මහ බැංකුව මුදල් විශුද්ධිකරණ පනත හා

මුදල් ගනුදෙනු වාර්තා කිරීමේ පනත ට අනුව කටයුතු කර තිබේදැයි පැහැදිලි නිගමනයකට පැමිණිය යුතුයි. පැහැදිලි ලෙසම ඔවුන් මේ පනත් මගින් තමන්ට පැවරී ඇති වගකීම පැහැර හැර තිබෙනවා. මේ පිළිබඳ කිසිම නෛතික වගකීමක් නැති බව පවසමින් මහ බැංකුව අත පිහිදා ගන්නට උත්සහ දරනවා.

අනෙක් අතට මහා භාණ්ඩාගාරය රජයේ මුදල් රෙගුලාසි, ආයතන සංග්‍රහය, රජ්‍ය මුදල් පනත, රාජ්‍ය ණය කලමනාකරණ පනත මගින් තමන්ට පැවරුණු වගකීම් හා කාර්ය පටිපාටිය අනුගමනය කර තිබේදැයි මුදල් කමිටුව නිගමනය කළ යුතුයි. දිගින් දිගටම ලේඛන ලබාදීම මගහරිමින් කටයුතු කිරීම තුල තම වගකීම ඉටු කිරීමට මුදල් කාරක සභාවට හැකියාවක් ලැබී නෑ.  

ඔ්ස්ට්‍රෙිලියාවට ගෙවිය යුතු මේ මුදල් අදාල බැංකු ගිණුමට නොලැබී සති ගිහියක් තැන තැන හුවමාරු වෙමින් තිබූ බව මේ වන විට අනාවරණය වී තිබේ.  සමාන්‍යයෙන්  මේ මුදල් නියමිත ගිණුමකට යන්නේ නැතුව තැන තැන හුවමාරුවෙමින් තිබිලා තියෙනවා. AML එකක් (මුදල් විශුද්ධිකරණය පිළිබඳ සැකයක් මතුවූ විට මහ බැංකුවේ මුල්‍ය බුද්ධි අංශය FIU එ් පිළිබඳ මැදිහත් විය යුතුයි. ඔවුන් එසේ මැදිහත් නොවුණේ ඇයි ද? යන්න හෙළි කර ගැනීම මේ විමර්ශනයේ ඉතාමත් වැදගත් සාක්ෂියකි.

මියගිය රංග රාජපක්ෂ මහතාට හෝ පරිගණක හා ෆයර් වෝල් ආරක්ෂණ යාන්ත්‍රණයට වරද පැටවීමේ උත්සාහයක් පවතින බව ඉතා පැහැදිලියි.  එමගින්, මහා භාණ්ඩාගාරයේ පරිපාලන හා කලමනාකරණ දුබලතාවයන් වසා ගන්නට ඔවුන් උත්සහ දරනවා.  ශ්‍රී ලංකා මහ බැංකුවට ලබාදී ඇති ස්වාධීනත්වය ඔවුන් කිසිදු වගවීමකින් තොරව බුක්ති විදිමින් සිටිනවා.  මෙය අවසනාවන්ත තත්වයක්.

ඇ.ඩො. මිලියන 2.5 ප්‍රශ්නයේ දී ශ්‍රී ලංකා මහ බැංකුවවත්, ණ්ඩාගාරවත් දැන් පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ මුදල් කාරක සභාවවත් තම වගකීම නිසි පරිදි මේ දක්වා නම් ඉටු කර නෑ.

රජිත් කීර්ති තෙන්නකෝන්                               2026 ජූනි 9

Abroad of Air

Religious freedom varies widely across the world in 2026. While Buddhism is practiced peacefully in many nations, there are countries where legal systems, state policies, or strong social pressures make it difficult for Buddhists to openly practice their faith. In this video, we explore 10 countries where Buddhists face legal or social restrictions, based on public laws, government structures, and internationally documented religious freedom conditions. ⚠️ This video is for educational and awareness purposes only. It does not promote hate or target any religion or country. The focus is on legal frameworks and social realities affecting minority religious communities. 📌 In this video, you’ll discover: ✔ Countries with strict religious governance ✔ Places where public Buddhist worship is limited ✔ Nations with heavy state control over religion ✔ Social pressures facing minority faith groups ✔ The difference between legal bans and social restrictions Understanding these realities helps promote awareness, dialogue, and global respect. 👉 Watch till the end for the full list. 👍 Like, 💬 Comment respectfully, and 🔔 Subscribe for more global insight videos.

By Sarath Obeysekera

A recent newspaper report highlighted concerns raised by a policy think tank regarding the quality of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in Sri Lanka. While the report correctly points out deficiencies in some EIA studies, it stops short of addressing a more fundamental question: Have EIAs become an instrument of environmental protection, or have they evolved into bureaucratic obstacles that unnecessarily delay development projects?

As an engineer who has been involved in planning and implementing infrastructure projects for several decades, I have observed both the strengths and weaknesses of the EIA process. Environmental protection is essential. No responsible developer would advocate the destruction of ecosystems, pollution of waterways, or displacement of communities without due consideration. However, the current EIA system often fails to achieve these objectives efficiently.

One of the biggest criticisms of EIAs is the quality of the reports themselves. In many cases, consultants are paid substantial sums to prepare voluminous documents running into hundreds of pages. Yet, a closer examination sometimes reveals that these reports are little more than cut-and-paste” compilations from previous studies.

A friend who sought an EIA for a proposed mini-hydropower project paid a considerable amount for the assessment. Upon reviewing the document, he discovered that portions of the report still contained the name of another client from an earlier project. The consultant had apparently forgotten to replace all references from the original document. Such incidents raise serious questions about the integrity and value of some EIA studies.

The irony is that these reports are often treated as authoritative documents by approving agencies. Lengthy reviews, requests for clarifications, public hearings, and committee deliberations can stretch over months or even years. During this period, project costs escalate, investors lose confidence, and opportunities for economic growth are delayed.

In many instances, the environmental impacts identified in EIAs are obvious from the outset. A road project will generate dust and noise during construction. A power project will affect land use. A harbour development may influence coastal processes. Experienced engineers and environmental scientists can often identify these impacts and propose mitigation measures without producing hundreds of pages of repetitive documentation.

The problem is not environmental regulation itself but the manner in which it is implemented. Too often, the EIA process becomes a procedural exercise focused on paperwork rather than outcomes. Consultants are rewarded for producing thicker reports rather than better analyses. Regulators are compelled to review extensive documents rather than concentrating on critical environmental risks.

There is also the question of accountability. If an EIA contains misleading, inaccurate, or copied information, there should be consequences. Consultants who submit substandard reports should face professional sanctions, and approving agencies should maintain a register of performance standards. The credibility of the entire system depends on ensuring that assessments are based on sound science and independent analysis.

A more practical approach would be to adopt a risk-based framework. Projects with limited environmental impacts should undergo a simplified and expedited review process. Comprehensive EIAs should be reserved for projects with significant ecological, social, or public health implications. This would reduce delays while allowing regulators to focus their resources where they are most needed.

Sri Lanka urgently requires investment in energy, transportation, water resources, housing, and industrial development. Environmental protection and economic development should not be viewed as opposing objectives. A well-designed EIA process can balance both. However, when assessments become little more than bureaucratic rituals or copy-and-paste exercises, they undermine public confidence and discourage investment.

The objective should not be to produce more reports. The objective should be to make better decisions.

An Environmental Impact Assessment should be a tool for informed development, not a mechanism that delays projects indefinitely while generating paperwork of questionable value.

Only then can EIAs serve the public interest, protect the environment, and support the nation’s economic progress simultaneously.

Sarath Obeysekera
Marine Engineer and Former Chairman, Sri Lanka Ports Authority

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

by  Kalavai Venkat

Whenever the Islamic siege of Europe, including the UK, or the US is brought up, some insular Hindus react by arguing that Britain colonized India and now it’s payback time. Yes, Britain colonized India, looted $ 45 trillion worth of its wealth, and committed a massive genocide of Indians. As the researches of Dylan Sullivan have shown, this resulted in the genocide of 100 million Indians just between 1880 and 1920. Not only that, Europeans imposed the scourge of Christianity on Indians and laid waste to our educational institutions. They exacerbated the Hindu-Muslim and caste divides. They forced Indians into bonded labor, which is a form of slavery. No argument against any of these. Britain is not the only guilty colonizer. Many European countries have been guilty of colonizing Asia, Africa, and South America. Nobody would deny any of these gruesome facts.

However, that’s history. As Chanakya said in the Arthashastra, polity is underlined by pragmatism, not idealism. The UK is not colonizing India today. Besides, in the last 150 years, Europe and the US have led the way in innovation and wealth creation. Unlike in the pre-industrial era, India today doesn’t have any natural wealth. It’s extremely overpopulated. The average IQ of Indians is an abysmal 76 and this reality is only shielded by the achievements of the extremely intelligent clusters with a very high average IQ.

India is not going to benefit from an adversarial relationship with the west. It imports almost all hi-tech from the west even today. Thanks to socialism and caste politics (e.g., reservation), India is not going to emerge as an economic powerhouse in the AI-driven future unless a drastic reset is made and meritocracy and capitalism are embraced. This is why it’s all the more important that Hindus realize the importance of the west for their own survival. What do you wish for your child if he’s intelligent? You want him to go to an IIT and then to the US or UK for higher studies and find a lucrative job there. How can you then rejoice over the Islamic siege of the west? Besides, westerners are welcoming of Indians whereas Muslims are hostile to us. That alone should make our choice easy. Think of the worst case scenario where Muslims occupy significant power in western countries through demographic siege. Do you think the west would be friendly towards India then? Think of what Trudeau did when he had to dance to the tunes of Sikhs in Canada.

It’s just common sense. You don’t experience the sufferings of your ancestors vicariously. That’s history, nothing more. You don’t treat the descendants of colonizers as proxies of their ancestors to vent your frustrations out. That’s stupidity, nothing less. Every epoch has seen great civilizations rise and fall. India had its golden age as did Persia, Greece, and Rome. Today, it’s the west which offers the very best of civilization. Liberty, pursuit of wealth, indulgence in every aspect of life, high quality of living – you name it, it’s all in the west. Countries which have embraced the west have flourished, e.g., Japan, South Korea. At the dawn of independence, South Korea was dirt poor as India was, Today, it’s a very wealthy nation with an extremely high average IQ whereas India scores poorly on both metrics.

The fall of the west would lead to the destruction of India and the rest of the world. The west must thrive for India to thrive – or even survive. Christianity is already either dead or dying in the west. Many aspects of Hinduism such as yoga and dhyana would flourish in the west. Why abandon this natural synergy just because you cannot get over your insular thinking?

Kalavai Venkat

Dr. Sarath Obeysekera

When Technology Meets Red Tape: The Reality Behind Sri Lanka’s Digitisation Drive

Digitisation or Paperisation? A Senior Citizen’s Experience

At my age, climbing several flights of stairs is no longer easy. Fortunately, my wife, a medical doctor, anticipated this challenge years ago and arranged for a lift to be installed in our home. To ensure reliability during power failures, I also installed a diesel generator.

I own a diesel vehicle and purchase fuel regularly. Yet when I attempted to buy a small quantity of diesel for the generator, the fuel station refused to sell it into a can without official approval.

I then entered the familiar maze of government bureaucracy.

The local authority provided a form. The form required certification by the Grama Niladhari. Thereafter it had to be forwarded to the Divisional Secretary for approval. Additional documents, including company registration papers, had to be submitted before I could legally obtain fuel for a generator installed in my own home.

The irony is striking.

We constantly hear speeches about digitisation, smart government, artificial intelligence and modern public administration. Yet the ordinary citizen is still expected to move paper files from one desk to another.

If digitisation is working, why must I collect signatures manually?

Why cannot the relevant officer verify my details online?

Why cannot approvals be granted electronically?

Why must a senior citizen travel between offices carrying documents that already exist in government databases?

This is not digitisation. It is merely old bureaucracy dressed in new language.

A truly digital system would allow citizens to apply online, upload supporting documents once, and receive approval electronically. Fuel stations could verify eligibility instantly through a central database. The process would take minutes rather than days.

The purpose of technology is to make life easier for citizens, not to preserve outdated procedures.

Sri Lanka does not suffer from a shortage of computers. It suffers from a shortage of administrative reform. Until processes are redesigned around the citizen, digitisation will remain a slogan rather than a reality.

The public is not asking for miracles. We are simply asking for a government system that works with the efficiency that modern technology already makes possible.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Maathalan – (මාතලන්)

Courtesy Hiru News

The wife of retired Major General Suresh Sallay, Manori Sallay, and their son reportedly have met the Chief Prelates of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters yesterday (08), requesting their intervention to ensure justice for him.

Our correspondent reports that Manori Sallay and her son spent more than an hour in discussion with the two leading theras during the visit.

During the meeting, Manori Sallay has requested the Chief Prelates to act as an intermediary to help secure justice for her husband.

Udaya Gammanpila

Free Lawyers Press Statement    

Free Lawyers Sri Lanka, an association of legal professionals dedicated to the rule of law, access to justice, and protection of fundamental rights, expresses profound alarm at the continued administrative detention of retired Major General Thuwan Suresh Salley for over 100 days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

Mr. Salley was arrested on 25 February 2026 in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. A medico-legal examination report (MLEF No. 50/2026), prepared by the Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Colombo, following a court-ordered referral by the Colombo Fort Magistrate through the Chief Judicial Medical Officer on or about 4 May 2026, and filed in the Magistrate Court of Colombo Fort (report received on 18 May 2026), was accessed by Free Lawyers Sri Lanka. The findings were presented in court on 3 June 2026. The report reveals disturbing conditions of detention and significant deterioration in his health:

•  Harsh detention conditions: Held in a small cell (approximately 6 ft 4 in × 4 ft) with 24-hour lighting, sleeping on the floor for around 40 days, presence of cockroaches and rats, restricted toilet access, and placement in a punishment cell for four nights.

•  Invasive procedures: Subjected to a humiliating body search involving stripping and physical inspection in the presence of others.

•  Physical effects: Significant weight loss of 6–7 kg in two months, intertriginous dermatitis, nutritional deficiencies (including Vitamin D insufficiency), marginally elevated blood sugar and cholesterol, and exacerbated pre-existing migraines.

•  Mental health impact: Diagnosed with a moderate to severe depressive episode accompanied by prominent anxiety symptoms and features of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The forensic psychiatrist described these as typical of” torture or ill-treatment, noting a high risk of suicide. Mr. Salley reported feelings of internal collapse, nightmares, poor appetite, guilt, and constant stress.

While the report notes no acute external physical injuries and confirms he remains fit to plead and stand trial, it underscores the urgent need for comprehensive multidisciplinary medical and psychiatric care in a safe therapeutic environment.

Despite police claims of equal treatment, these findings highlight serious risks of ill-treatment and neglect in PTA detention. The Act’s provisions allow prolonged administrative detention potentially up to one year or more—without prompt judicial oversight or formal charges. Mr. Salley’s high-profile case draws attention to the plight of numerous other lesser-known PTA detainees who may endure similar conditions outside effective judicial scrutiny.

This situation raises grave questions about Sri Lanka’s compliance with its international obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), particularly ahead of the upcoming visit by the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT).

Free Lawyers Sri Lanka urgently calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka, the Inspector General of Police, the Criminal Investigation Department, and relevant authorities to:

1.  Immediately ensure independent, comprehensive medical and psychiatric treatment for Mr. Salley and all PTA detainees in appropriate therapeutic settings, with regular access for family members and legal counsel.

2.  Bring all detainees before competent judicial authorities without further delay, either to file recognizable charges or order their release.

3.  Guarantee fundamental safeguards against torture, ill-treatment, and arbitrary detention in all places of custody, in line with Sri Lanka’s constitutional and international commitments.

4.  Initiate meaningful reform or repeal of the PTA to eliminate provisions enabling prolonged detention without judicial oversight.

We stand ready to engage with the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission (as the National Preventive Mechanism), the authorities, and the forthcoming UN SPT delegation to provide detailed information and contribute to strengthening preventive mechanisms against torture and ill-treatment.

The case of Mr. Salley is not isolated. It reflects systemic vulnerabilities in Sri Lanka’s detention framework that threaten the dignity and rights of all persons deprived of liberty. Immediate action is essential to restore public confidence in the justice system and uphold the rule of law.

Maithri Gunarathna PC            Former Governor Keerthi Tennakoon 

Co – convener                          Chief Executive Office

Free Lawyers Sri Lanka

පුවත්පත් නිවේදනය   2026 ජූනි 8 ජනාධිපති නීතිඥ මෛත්‍රී ගුණරත්න   කැඳවුම්කරු         හිටපු ආණ්ඩුකාර රජිත් කීර්ති තෙන්නකෝන් ප්‍රධාන විධායක නිලධාරි ෆ්‍රී ලෝයර්ස් සංවිධානය

ත්‍රස්තවාදය වැළැක්වීමේ පනත යටතේ විශ්‍රාමික මේජර් ජෙනරාල් තුවන් සුරේෂ් සාලි මහතා දින 100කට වඩා රඳවා තබාගැනීම හා කෲර ලෙස සැලකීම  සම්බන්ධයෙන් ‌ෆ්‍රී ලෝයර්ස් සංවිධානය දැඩි කනස්සල්ල ප්‍රකාශ කරයි.

2019 පාස්කු ප්‍රහාර පිළිබඳ විමර්ශනවලට සම්බන්ධව සුරේෂ් සලේ 2026 පෙබරවාරි 25 දින අත්අඩංගුවට ගනු ලැබීය. කොළඹ කොටුව මහේස්ත්‍රාත් අධිකරණයේ නියෝගය අනුව 2026 මැයි 4 වැනිදා ප්‍රධාන අධිකරණ වෛද්‍ය නිලධාරි මාර්ගයෙන් ඉදිරිපත් කරන ලද වෛද්‍ය පරීක්ෂණ වාර්තාව (MLEF අංක 50/2026) මගින් හෙළිවන කරුණු මෙසේය.

අමානුෂීය රඳවා ගැනීමේ තත්ත්වයන්:  පැය 24 පුරා ආලෝකමත් කරන ලද  (අඩි 6 අඟල් 4 x අඩි 4 පමණ) ක කුඩා සිරකුටියක  දින 40ක් පමණ බිම නිදා ගැනීමට සිදුවීම, කැරපොත්තන් සහ මීයන් සිටීම, වැසිකිළි ප්‍රවේශය සීමා කිරීම, දඬුවම් කුටියක රාත්‍රී 4ක් තැබීම.

අවමන් සහගත ශරීරය පරීක්ෂා කිරීම – තවත් අය ඉදිරියේ ඇඳුම් ගලවා ශාරීරික පරීක්ෂාවකට ලක් කිරීම.

ශාරීරික බලපෑම්: මාස 2කින් කිලෝ 6-7ක බර අඩුවීම, සමේ රෝග, පෝෂණ ඌනතා ඇතුළත් විටමින් ඩී ඌනතාව, සුළු වශයෙන් ඉහළ ගිය රුධිර සීනි හා කොලෙස්ටරෝල්, උග්‍ර වූ හිසරදය.

මානසික සෞඛ්‍ය බලපෑම: දරුණු අවපාත තත්ත්වයක්, කාංසාව සහ පශ්චාත් කම්පන ආතති ආබාධ ලක්ෂණ හඳුනාගෙන ඇත. අධිකරණ මනෝ වෛද්‍යවරයා මේවා වධහිංසා හෝ අයහපත් සැලකීම්වලට විශේෂ ලක්ෂණ” ලෙස විස්තර කර ඇති අතර, සියදිවි නසාගැනීමේ ඉහළ අවදානමක් ඇති බව සඳහන් කර ඇත. අභ්‍යන්තර බිඳවැටීම, දුර්භීති සිහින, ආහාර රුචිය නැතිවීම, වරදකාරී හැඟීම් සහ නිරන්තර ආතතිය ඔහුගෙන්  වාර්තා වී ඇත.

උග්‍ර බාහිර තුවාල නොමැති නමුත් නඩු විභාගයට සුදුසු බවත් වාර්තාව සඳහන් කළ ද, සුදුසු පරිසරයක වෛද්‍ය සහ මානසික සෞඛ්‍ය ප්‍රතිකාර ලබාදීමේ හදිසි අවශ්‍යතාව අවධාරණය කරයි.

පොලිසිය පවසන්නේ තුවාන් සලේ ට සාමාන්‍ය ලෙස සලකන බවයි.  PTA රැඳවුම්වල අයහපත් සැලකීම් සහ නොසලකා හෑරීම, ආහාර ලබානොදීම, ත්‍රස්ත පනතේ විධිවිධාන මගින් විධිමත් චෝදනා නොමැතිව වසරකට වඩා පරිපාලනමය රඳවා ගැනීමට අවස්ථාව සලසා දෙයි.  ත්‍රස්තවාදය වැලැක්වීමේ පනත යටතේ රඳවා තබන පුද්ගලයින්ට කෲර හා අමානුෂික ලෙස සැලකීම සාමාන්‍ය තත්වයක් බව පොලිස් ප්‍රකාශයෙන් ගම්‍ය වේ.  සමාන තත්ව යටතේ රඳවා ඇති PTA රැඳවියන් සම්බන්ධයෙන් තත්වය ද ජාතික හා ජාත්‍යන්තර සංවිධානවල අවධානයට යොමු විය යුතුය. 

වධහිංසා සහ අනෙකුත් කෲර, අමානුෂික හෝ අවමන් සහගත සැලකීම් වලට එරෙහි සම්මුතියේ විකල්ප ප්‍රොටෝකෝලය [the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) ]යටතේ ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ජාත්‍යන්තර වගකීම් සහ එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ වධහිංසා වැළැක්වීමේ උප කමිටුව [ UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT)] ඉදිරියේ දී ලංකාවේ සිදු කරන සංචාරය සම්බන්ධයෙන් බරපතල ප්‍රශ්න රැසක් මතු කරනු ඇත.

ෆ්‍රී ලෝයර්ස් සංවිදානය රජයෙන්, පොලිස්පති, අපරාධ පරීක්ෂණ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව සහ අදාළ බලධාරීන්ගෙන්  ඉල්ලා සිටින්නේ:

1.      සුරේෂ් සලේ සහ සියලු PTA රඳවියන්ට සුදුසු චිකිත්සක පරිසරයක ස්වාධීන, පුළුල් වෛද්‍ය සහ මානසික සෞඛ්‍ය ප්‍රතිකාර සහ පවුලේ සාමාජිකයින් හා නීතිඥ උපදේශ සඳහා නිතිපතා ප්‍රවේශය සහතික කරන්න.

2.      සියලු රඳවියන් වහාම වෘත්තීය පළපුරුද්දක් සහිත අධිකරණ බලධාරීන්ට ඉදිරිපත් කර හඳුනාගත හැකි කරුණු සහිත නම් ඔවුන්ට චෝදනා ගොනු කරන ලෙස හෝ එසේ නොවේ නම් ඔවුන් නිදහස් කරන්න.

3.      ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ව්‍යවස්ථානුකූල සහ ජාත්‍යන්තර අත්සන් කර ඇති කැපවීම්වලට අනුකූලව සියලු රැඳවුම් ස්ථානවල වධහිංසා, අයහපත් සැලකීම් සහ අත්තනෝමතික රඳවා ගැනීම් වලට එරෙහි මූලික ආරක්ෂාවන් සහතික කරන්න.

4.      අධිකරණ අධීක්ෂණයකින් තොරව දීර්ඝ රැඳවුම් සඳහා ඉඩ සලසන ත්‍රස්තවාදය වැලැක්වීමේ පනතේ විධිවිධාන ඉවත් කිරීම හා අර්ථවත් ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණ හෝ පනත අවලංගු කිරීමේ ක්‍රියාවලිය දැන්වත් ආරම්භ කරන්න.

කෲර හිංසා වැළැක්වීමේ යාන්ත්‍රණය ලෙස ශ්‍රී ලංකා මානව හිමිකම් කොමිසම, රජයේ බලධාරීන් සහ ඉදිරියේ ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ සංචාරය කිරීමට නියමිත එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ දූත පිරිස කමිටුව [UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT)] සමඟ සවිස්තර තොරතුරු සැපයීමට සහායවීමට සහ වධහිංසා වැළැක්වීමේ යාන්ත්‍රණ ශක්තිමත් කිරීමට දායකත්වය සැපයීමට ෆ්‍රී ලෝයර්ස් සංවිධානය සූදානමින් සිටී. 

සුරේෂ් සලේ නඩුව තනි හුදෙකලා සිද්ධියක් නොවේ. එය පුද්ගලයින්ගේ අභිමානයට සහ අයිතිවාසිකම්වලට තර්ජනයක් වන පරිදි ත්‍රස්තවාදය වැලැක්වීමේ පනත යටතේ සිදු කරන ‘රඳවා ගැනීමේ රාමුවේ පද්ධතිමය දුර්වලතා’ පිළිබඳ පිළිබිඹුවකි. 

යුක්තිය පසිඳළීමේ ක්‍රියාවලිය කෙරෙහි මහජන විශ්වාසය යථා තත්වයට පත් කිරීමට සහ නීතියේ ආධිපත්‍යය තහවුරු කිරීමට ශ්‍රී ලංකා රජය විසින්  ක්ෂණික ක්‍රියාමාර්ග ගැනීම අත්‍යවශ්‍ය වේ.

පුවත්පත් නිවේදනය  2026 ජූනි 8 ජනාධිපති නීතිඥ මෛත්‍රී ගුණරත්න  කැඳවුම්කරු  හිටපු ආණ්ඩුකාර රජිත් කීර්ති තෙන්නකෝන්   ප්‍රධාන විධායක නිලධාරි

 ෆ්‍රී ලෝයර්ස් සංවිධානය 

2026 ජූනි 8                                         

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

A recent news item showed former students who studied in socialist countries joining hands with the Russian Cultural Centre to clean parts of Colombo. While such initiatives are commendable, they also remind us of a painful reality: Sri Lanka’s cleanliness problem is not caused by a lack of cleaning campaigns. It is caused by a lack of discipline.

Having studied in the Soviet Union during the 1970s, I witnessed first-hand how a society could function with remarkable order and civic responsibility.

During my years there, I never saw members of the public casually dumping garbage on roadsides, canals, parks, or public spaces. Waste collection was organized systematically, often during late-night hours when public inconvenience was minimized. The streets were clean not because thousands of people were mobilized for periodic cleaning drives, but because people simply did not litter.

In the student dormitories where we lived, responsibility was shared. Occupants of each floor were assigned duties to clean common kitchens, sweep corridors, and maintain shared facilities. Anyone neglecting these duties faced reprimand from fellow residents and administrators. Cleanliness was not considered somebody else’s responsibility.

The same discipline was visible throughout society.

Power cuts were virtually unheard of. Water supplies were uninterrupted. Telephone connections in residential flats were provided without the exorbitant charges common elsewhere. Residents did not have to worry about municipal rates and multiple taxes for basic services. The state planned, maintained, and delivered services with clockwork precision.

The Soviet system certainly had its shortcomings. Yet one lesson stands out clearly: a nation cannot progress without discipline, accountability, and respect for public property.

Today in Sri Lanka, millions of rupees are spent annually cleaning drains, canals, beaches, roads, and public parks. Within days, many of these places are polluted once again. Plastic bottles, food wrappers, polythene bags, and construction debris reappear because the mindset has not changed.

We continue to treat public spaces as nobody’s property.

The “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative will succeed only if it goes beyond slogans and ceremonial events. Citizens must understand that keeping the country clean is not the responsibility of municipal workers alone. Schools, workplaces, apartment complexes, businesses, religious institutions, and households must all be held accountable.

Local authorities should be empowered to impose substantial fines for littering. Public institutions should be evaluated on cleanliness standards. Schoolchildren should be taught civic responsibility from an early age. Apartment residents should share responsibility for maintaining common areas. Commercial establishments that pollute should face strict penalties.

Most importantly, political leaders must lead by example.

A clean nation is not created by one-day campaigns, media events, or speeches. It is created by a culture of discipline practiced every day by every citizen.

Sri Lanka does not need to copy every aspect of the Soviet model. But it would do well to adopt one of its most valuable lessons: public order and national progress begin when citizens understand that their rights come with responsibilities.

Until that happens, “Clean Sri Lanka” risks becoming another slogan. With discipline, however, it can become a national transformation.

I placed a snippet  in face book about the precarious road side garbage dumped along the RDA road in Kimbulawala in Kotte 

Irony is garbage dumped near the police post where the cops sitting inside surging mobile phone and does not bother about garbage on drain and next to the police post 

When I told him they said Sir we cannot do much Public should learn !

Sarath Obeysekera

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Nava Thakuria

The readers of a venerated newspaper from Guwahati noticed an unusual full front-page advertisement on 26 May 2026 stating that the English daily was not for sale. Grabbing the most important space for hard news (meant for valued readers who buy the newspapers every morning), the arrogant management did not hesitate to use the front page for an issue that could have been dealt otherwise. But the question remains, why the Assam Tribune management propagated the advertisement asserting that the acclaimed daily is not being sold to anyone. Refuting rumours on social media, the managerial authority took the unusual step that was read by the media observers not as a clarification, but overreaction to something appearing in the alternate media.

The  strongly worded disclaimer/ statement with the sturdy line THE ASSAM TRIBUNE IS NOT FOR SALE claimed that the widespread speculation on social media regarding its alleged sale is unjustified. For the past 88 glorious years,  The Assam Tribune has stood as an independent, credible and responsible institution committed to serve the nation and the people with integrity, courage and journalistic excellence,” read the advertisement, adding that the management reserves the right to initiate appropriate legal action against  any individual, group entity found involved in creating, spreading or promoting such baseless and defamatory content.

Earlier in its verified social media account, the newspaper pointed out that the rumour was amplified by prominent personalities and even media outlets, many of whom apparently felt verification was an unnecessary formality. No official confirmation. No credible source. No due diligence. Just pure confidence and a share button, it added. For nearly nine decades, The Assam Tribune has remained committed to preserving the trust of its readers, and it will continue to do so in the years ahead. In an era where everyone claims to value journalism and fact-checking, it’s fascinating to see how quickly baseless speculation can be repackaged as ‘news’ simply because it trends online,” stated the newspaper.

The issue got momentum, when many Assamese social media users in the fourth week of May apprehended that the prestigious newspaper was already sold to  industrialist Gautam Adani (Chairman of Adani Group) for around Rs 421 crore. It was later amplified by many prominent personalities, who also claimed that the management failed to pay the Assam Tribune employees for months and over 75 ex-workers were yet to get their legal financial dues which compelled them to approach the competent court. Needless to mention that, the social media respondents genuinely expressed their concern at the pathetic financial condition of the media house.

The history of newspapers in Assam of  northeast India began as the first issue of Arunodoi (Sunrise) hit the market in January 1846. Published   from Sibsagar in eastern Assam by the American Baptist Missionaries, the monthly publication in Assamese  language continued its presence till 1879. The second  Assamese monthly news magazine named Asam Bilasini started its publication in 1871 from Majuli river island by Deva Dutta Goswami and its journey continued till 1883. Several newspapers and  magazines in Assamese later followed the footsteps where Dainik Batori emerged as the first daily published in 1935 by tea-planter Siva Prasad Baruah. 

Eminent Assamese entrepreneur Radha Govinda Baruah founded the Assam Tribune group in 1939 and added a few other publications in Assamese language. First published as a weekly newspaper from Dibrugarh, it was brought to Guwahati and transformed into a daily in 1946. The diamond jubilee celebration of The Assam Tribune was graced by the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on 7 December 1999. On the other hand, its platinum jubilee was attended by PM Narendra Modi on 29 November 2014, where he highlighted the strength of media and the positive role it could play in transforming a society.

Lately, the oldest media group in northeast India faced a financial crisis and it was reflected in the official statements of  Assam Tribune Employees’ Union, where it alleged delays in regular salaries and other due post-retirement benefits to the employees. The union organized a series of demonstrations at the office premise and even addressed a press conference claiming that  a huge amount of money (advertisement revenues) was pending at Assam government’s information and public relations department. The  management also echoed similar versions stating that it was expecting those pending millions of rupees urgently.

Amid all disturbing developments, the management handed over the responsibility of Dainik Asom, a sister publication, to a separate media house owner. The new owner, while taking leadership of the six-decade old daily on 17 September 2025, denied taking liability of over 75 employees (who were associated with Dainik Asom). The old management was supposed to clear all the dues for the ousted employees at the earliest, but it did not happen. Finally they knocked on the doors of the legal fraternity and the court had recently asked the Tribune management to  pay them off.

The Guwahati-based media house was recognized as an honest news entrepreneur across the region. The Tribune group implemented the recommendations of the Majithia Wage Board in 2010 for the first time in the country. Just before evading  the responsibility of Dainik Asom, the current batch of owners silently put their seven-decade-old tabloid Asom Bani to die silently.  The mainstream weekly was merged with Dainik Asom as a Sunday supplement. However, the buyer didn’t own the weekly and thus it faced an unceremonious death. Asom Bani  was last published on  12 September last year  as a supplement, but the Tribune management did not issue any statement over its closure.

The media group, which witnessed and reported various important socio-political developments of the trouble-torn  region like the medium school instruction movement, anti-influx agitation, sudden rise of separatist militancy, common social unrest, emergence of regional politics, etc with commitment  to the indigenous population.  Soon after the Covid-19 pandemic all newspapers in Assam faced existential crisis because of drastic fall of circulations and revenues. Media observers note that the Tribune house historically maintained credibility in disseminating information, editorials, and articles, but in recent years, these principles were largely compromised.

The Assam Tribune extensively covered the anti-citizenship act movement in 2019, providing significant space to public protests against the Union government’s initiative to politically support persecuted Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Christian families from Muslim majority Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The coverage fuelled weeks of unrest in Assam’s Brahmaputra valley, with the narrative suggesting that the new citizenship law would undermine the Assam accord which was signed in  1985 to culminate the six years long anti-foreigner agitation.

Moreover, the people of Assam remember a series of biased media reports prepared for the English newspaper on the eve of a city press club election in 2020. Those low-credible reports were full of personal attacks against the then secretary of Guwahati Press Club, which ultimately put its hard-earned reputation at stake. Later when the particular scribe won an international award from Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign  in 2021, the editorial desk denied space to it.

While the current financial status of Assam Tribune is dire, it was seemingly not created by the pandemic alone, but the habit of exercising editorial liberties without accountability by some of its ill motive news-desk workers, who made the situation worse. Those media professionals even after enjoying all benefits fomented disorder inside the institution inviting colossal troubles, when the management too remained a mute spectator, reasons best known to them only, which finally invited the disaster.