Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has sounded the alarm over the looming collapse of the Pelwatta and Sevanagala sugar factories—two institutions that have long served as economic lifelines for thousands of rural Sri Lankan families. Speaking at a gathering of sugarcane farmers and factory workers at Sri Chandra Madhuraramaya in Buttala on August 2, Premadasa described…
Multipockets: Good morning, Mr. President. Pocket Billiards: Good morning, Multipockets, good to see you. Good to see you. What is all this hullabaloo over the World Economic Forum? We usually did well in this type of fora before, didn’t we? Multipockets: Yes, we did, but you are no longer the president, Mr. President, to send…
Over the past year, an increasing number of restaurants in Sri Lanka have adopted BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) policies. BYOB means Bring Your Own Bottle, and the customers can bring alcohol and consume it at such places. BYOB dining is not unique to Sri Lanka—it’s a growing global trend across Europe, North America, and…
Colombo, Sri Lanka – A cabinet paper has been submitted proposing a ban on the sale of unpackaged coconut oil, citing escalating health concerns among consumers. The move, aimed at safeguarding public health, seeks to regulate the distribution of coconut oil, a staple in Sri Lankan households. The proposal comes amidst growing apprehension regarding the…
Recently, the US government imposed a 30% tariff on Sri Lankan exports, effective August 1, 2025. While this is lower than the initially threatened 44%, it’s still significantly higher than tariffs faced by some of Sri Lanka’s competitors, like Vietnam (20%). This new US tariff puts significant pressure on Sri Lanka’s crucial apparel sector, which heavily…
By Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe Electricity reform in Sri Lanka is more than just a technical debate—it’s at the heart of whether families live with dignity, industries remain competitive, and students study without disruption. The country’s power sector, once envisioned for transformation, may now be at risk of another cycle of inefficiency and crisis. Opening Kathikawa’s…
