September 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is set to receive a significant financial injection aimed at revitalising and modernising its tourism sector, following Cabinet approval to enter into a loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The agreement, which outlines a $100 million package, is designed to support a broad programme focused on sustainable tourism development and regional economic upliftment.
The funding will be allocated through a dual-structured mechanism, comprising a $70 million policy-based loan and an additional investment-focused component. The latter will fund tangible infrastructure and capacity-building projects within key tourism zones, particularly in and around Trincomalee and Dambulla, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya.
The proposed developments under the investment component include a range of targeted interventions: improving transport access to high-traffic destinations, easing congestion at popular tourist sites, extending visitor stay duration through upgraded amenities, and supporting local businesses to capture a greater share of tourism-driven revenue.
In addition to physical infrastructure, the programme is expected to support broader strategic goals such as diversifying tourism offerings, improving environmental sustainability in key tourist areas, and embedding responsible tourism practices within local communities.
The Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing will serve as the lead implementing agency for the investment-related initiatives, working in tandem with the Ministry of Tourism to deliver on the programme’s overarching objectives. This collaboration reflects a coordinated government approach to positioning tourism as a sustainable economic pillar whilst ensuring development efforts are aligned with long-term urban planning.
The joint proposal to proceed with the loan arrangement was formally endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers, paving the way for the relevant legal and administrative steps to finalise the agreement with the ADB.
Officials have indicated that the initiative is part of a broader economic recovery strategy that sees tourism—not only as a revenue-generating sector—but also as a vehicle for regional development, job creation, and international engagement. By focusing on sustainable and inclusive growth, the government aims to move beyond short-term tourism booms and instead build a resilient sector capable of delivering lasting benefits across the country.
As the global travel landscape continues to evolve post-pandemic, Sri Lanka’s efforts to modernise its tourism infrastructure and diversify its appeal may play a crucial role in attracting higher-value visitors whilst also preserving the cultural and environmental assets that make the island a unique destination.
Sri Lanka Secures $100 Million ADB Loan to Boost Sustainable Tourism Development
Sri Lanka Unveils Landmark Reforms to Safeguard Child Witnesses in Courts
September 18, Colombo (LNW): In a significant stride towards a more compassionate and protective legal environment, Sri Lanka has commenced the establishment of dedicated child witness rooms across the country’s court system.
The move is set to transform the way children engage with the justice process, particularly in cases where they are required to provide testimony.
The initiative was launched at the Kandy High Court, where the first such facility was formally opened by Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara. Addressing the gathering, the Minister described the development as a watershed moment in the evolution of Sri Lanka’s judicial system, noting that child victims and witnesses will now be able to participate in legal proceedings without being subjected to the intimidating and often retraumatising experience of facing a courtroom and the accused.
The newly introduced rooms are fitted with modern audio-visual equipment, enabling children to provide testimony remotely from a secure and separate space within the court complex. This allows for a more sensitive approach to child protection while ensuring that justice is neither delayed nor denied.
The establishment of these facilities is part of a broader legislative and institutional overhaul being introduced through the proposed Child Protection and Justice Bill. Among its key aims is the integration of child-centric principles into every facet of the judicial process, including mechanisms for case conferencing, tailored case management, and diversion pathways designed to keep children—especially those in conflict with the law—out of the formal criminal justice system wherever possible.
Minister Nanayakkara also confirmed that complementary legislative measures are already underway, including efforts to outlaw corporal punishment, further cementing the country’s shift towards international child rights standards and best practices.
“These rooms are not simply about technology,” the Minister remarked. “They represent a deeper change—where a child’s voice is heard without fear, where dignity replaces trauma, and where justice serves protection as much as punishment.”
The Ministry of Justice has announced plans to expand the scheme in phases, starting with 15 more high courts, followed by a wider rollout to 35 additional judicial institutions. Once fully implemented, the initiative will ensure comprehensive national access to child-sensitive justice.
The reform is also aligned with the government’s digital transformation agenda, which includes modernising court infrastructure and introducing more technologically equipped and accessible legal processes.
Spike in Violence and Fatal Accidents Raises Alarm Across Sri Lanka
September 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is grappling with a disturbing rise in violent crime and deadly road accidents, with statistics for 2025 already eclipsing many of the figures reported in the same timeframe last year.
Authorities and citizens alike are expressing mounting concern over what appears to be a deepening crisis in public safety.
A notable surge in shootings—many tied to ongoing gang rivalries—has become a defining feature of this year’s crime landscape. Between January and early September, law enforcement has recorded 99 shooting incidents, resulting in 50 fatalities and 56 people injured.
The scale of the violence has already brought the country close to surpassing 2024’s full-year figures, which saw 103 shootings, 61 deaths, and 47 injuries.
Police have attributed the bulk of these attacks to feuds between organised criminal networks, particularly those entangled in the drug trade. Out of this year’s fatalities, 44 were linked directly to gang-related violence.
Disturbingly, amongst those killed were several bystanders caught in the crossfire—underscoring the growing risk to the general public.
The broader picture of violent crime is equally troubling. From January to July this year, 300 homicides were reported across the island. In comparison, a total of 556 murders were recorded throughout 2024. Whilst police investigations have yielded results in many cases—claiming to have solved 272 of the 300 murders reported so far this year—the upward trajectory of violent deaths has alarmed both communities and security analysts.
Adding to the nation’s woes is the unrelenting toll of road accidents. As of mid-September, 1,838 fatal crashes have been logged for the year, resulting in 1,955 deaths—already putting 2025 on track to match or even surpass last year’s figures. In 2024, Sri Lanka reported 2,253 fatal road accidents and 2,259 related deaths.
Beyond fatalities, road safety remains a critical issue with 3,708 serious accidents, 6,827 minor incidents, and 2,858 cases involving only property damage reported so far this year.
Two recent high-profile crashes have only intensified public anxiety. The first, in May, took place near Gerandi Ella in Kotmale, when a state-run bus veered off the Nuwara Eliya–Gampola road and fell nearly 100 feet down a slope. The crash, involving a bus travelling from Kataragama to Kurunegala, left over 20 people dead and more than 60 injured.
The second occurred on September 04 along the Ella–Wellawaya route. A bus carrying employees and relatives from the Tangalle Urban Council collided with an SUV before plunging almost 1,000 feet into a ravine. Sixteen people, including the bus driver, lost their lives, whilst 18 others sustained serious injuries.
Authorities say they are working to tighten enforcement and implement safety campaigns, but the figures paint a grim picture. With organised crime seemingly gaining ground and road conditions and driver behaviour continuing to contribute to preventable tragedies, the call for urgent and coordinated action is growing louder.
Differently-Abled Student Seeks Supreme Court Redress After Being Denied University Admission
September 18, Colombo (LNW): A student from Bandarawela has taken legal action against the University Grants Commission (UGC), alleging that he was unjustly denied the opportunity to pursue higher education in technology solely due to him being differently-abled.
The case, now before the Supreme Court, raises critical questions about inclusivity and equal access to education within Sri Lanka’s university admissions system.
The petitioner, Manujaya Attanayake, a recent school leaver from Dharmapala College in Bandarawela, claims that despite meeting the academic requirements for university entry through the GCE Advanced Level examination in the Technology stream, he was refused admission on the grounds that no facilities or provisions existed to accommodate disabled students in that particular programme.
The matter was recently brought before a bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Shiran Gooneratne, who have scheduled the case to be supported on February 24 next year.
In his petition, Attanayake argues that the decision taken by the UGC constitutes a violation of his constitutional rights, specifically the right to equal treatment and access to education irrespective of physical ability.
He maintains that his exclusion from the degree programme was not based on academic performance or merit but rather on an arbitrary interpretation of administrative regulations regarding disability.
He is now urging the Court to intervene by recognising the infringement of his fundamental rights and compelling the relevant authorities to offer him a placement in the technology degree programme for the 2024/2025 academic year.
Nationwide Public Hearings Begin on Proposed Electricity Tariff Hike
September 18, Colombo (LNW): Public engagement on the proposed revision of electricity tariffs is set to begin today, as the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) launches a series of consultation sessions across the country.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has recommended a 6.8 per cent increase in electricity charges for the final quarter of 2025, a move that has prompted the regulatory authority to seek public feedback before any decision is finalised.
In response, the PUCSL has organised a comprehensive public consultation process, inviting citizens to voice their opinions both verbally and in writing. The initiative includes nine in-person forums to be held across all nine provinces, beginning today.
These sessions are intended to collect direct feedback from consumers, industry representatives, and civil society groups regarding the implications of the proposed tariff adjustment.
In addition to the in-person consultations, the public is encouraged to submit written observations, objections, or recommendations through multiple channels before the deadline of October 07, 2025. Submissions can be made via:
Email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
WhatsApp: 076 427 1030
Facebook: [facebook.com/pucsl](https://www.facebook.com/pucsl)
Postal Address:
Public Consultation on the Third Electricity Tariff Revision – 2025
Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka
6th Floor, Bank of Ceylon Trade Tower
Colombo 3
Power Sector Tensions Escalate as Unions Threaten Heightened Industrial Action
September 18, Colombo (LNW): Growing unrest within the power sector has taken a more serious turn, as trade unions representing electricity workers vow to intensify their ongoing industrial action unless their grievances receive urgent attention from authorities.
The dispute centres on what union representatives allege is a unilateral and non-consultative restructuring process within the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). Workers argue that the overhaul threatens job security, disrupts operational coherence, and undermines decades of institutional experience without offering a clear or sustainable path forward.
The initial phase of the protest began on September 04, when employees launched a “work-to-rule” campaign—strictly adhering to job descriptions and working hours, thereby deliberately slowing down operations. According to union sources, the aim was to highlight their dissatisfaction without disrupting essential services entirely.
However, the situation escalated this week, with a coordinated sick leave protest taking place on September 17. The move, involving a significant number of technical and support staff, effectively disrupted several routine maintenance operations and caused delays in service delivery.
Today marks the second day of this sick leave demonstration, and reports suggest participation has grown across multiple districts.
Kosala Abeysinghe, President of the Ceylon Electricity Board Technicians’ Union, issued a stern message to the administration, making it clear that further escalation is imminent if the authorities continue to turn a blind eye to the workers’ demands.
Transport Minister Demands Immediate Overhaul of Railway Services Amid Mounting Safety Concerns
September 18, Colombo (LNW): Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake has delivered a sharp ultimatum to senior officials within the Railway Department, making it clear that continued negligence in the upkeep of railway infrastructure will no longer be tolerated.
Those failing to meet expected standards should be ready to relinquish their posts, he warned.
The warning came during a high-level meeting at the Kalutara District Secretariat, where Rathnayake met with Members of Parliament and key stakeholders in the transport sector to address longstanding deficiencies in the nation’s rail services.
His remarks followed a string of public complaints about deteriorating train conditions, particularly on major commuter routes such as the Galle–Colombo line.
The Minister did not mince his words in condemning the current state of many train compartments. He drew attention to a host of recurring issues, including shattered windows, broken or non-functioning ceiling fans, and appallingly unhygienic toilets—all of which contribute to a daily ordeal for thousands of working commuters.
“What we have right now is not a public transport service; it’s a disgrace,” Rathnayake remarked, expressing deep frustration. “How can ordinary workers depend on trains like these? Windows hanging off their frames, no ventilation, and toilets that are simply unusable—it’s unacceptable by any standard.”
He also highlighted a deeply troubling incident in which a young child lost two fingers during his first-ever train journey, after falling against a malfunctioning window. The case has sparked widespread public outcry and brought the issue of rail safety back into sharp focus.
Asserting that immediate action is non-negotiable, Rathnayake instructed officials to initiate visible repairs within the next four weeks. He demanded that improvements to critical components—such as windows, fans, and sanitation facilities—be treated as an urgent priority. Moreover, he insisted that each department head communicate their immediate action plans directly to him via WhatsApp within three days.
“This is not a request; it’s a final warning,” the Minister stated firmly. “If you cannot guarantee even the most basic service for our people, you have no business staying in your position. I am utterly fed up with the excuses.”
Showers, thundershowers expected across many districts in SL (Sep 18)
September 18, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and Northwestern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (18).
Fairly heavy falls about 75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Northern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other areas of the island after 1.00 p.m.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Matara via Colombo and Galle. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the other sea areas during the evening or night.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph.
Wind speed can increase up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
Wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota may be rough at times.
The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar may be fairly rough at times.
A Strategic Imperative: Restoring the Medical Backbone of the Sri Lanka Army
Narahenpita Military Hospital, an establishment critical in providing a backbone to the military forces during the civil conflict, is now facing multitudes of crises, from drug shortages to systemic failures and brain drain.
A ‘brain drain’ of over 1,000 medical specialists and one million skilled individuals has left military healthcare critically understaffed
85% of drugs and 80% of medical supplies are imported; their scarcity has forced reliance on costly or substandard substitutes
The Narahenpita crisis is not merely a welfare issue; it is a strategic vulnerability that threatens morale, retention, and the nation’s defence readiness
This article provides a critical assessment of the profound challenges facing the Sri Lanka Army’s premier medical facility, the Narahenpita Military Hospital. For sixteen years since the conclusion of the civil conflict, this institution has served as the vital medical hub for thousands of serving and retired service members, upholding a national commitment to those who sacrificed for the country. However, a detailed analysis reveals that this central pillar of military welfare is at a breaking point due to a convergence of systemic failures, a severe and accelerating shortage of medical professionals, a critical collapse in the supply of essential medicines and equipment, and a fundamental misalignment in fiscal priorities. These issues, while symptomatic of a broader national crisis, pose a direct and escalating threat to the morale, retention, and long-term operational readiness of the armed forces.
The report identifies three primary vulnerabilities: first, a “brain drain” of skilled medical personnel, a problem exacerbated by a failure to provide basic incentives and infrastructure, such as dedicated quarters for intern house officers. Second, a crippled supply chain, where a national economic crisis has left hospitals devoid of life-saving medications and medical supplies, forcing a dangerous reliance on costly, or at times, substandard alternatives. Third, a budgetary paradox, where a significant increase in the overall defence budget has not translated into sufficient, ring-fenced funding for military healthcare, creating a resource scarcity for urgent and critical needs. Addressing these issues is not merely a matter of social responsibility; it is a strategic imperative for the Commander-in-Chief. This article outlines a three-tiered framework for reform, proposing immediate, mid-term, and long-term interventions to restore the integrity of the military medical system and, in doing so, to reassert the nation’s unwavering commitment to its protectors.
The Legacy and Role of the SLAMC
The Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps (SLAMC) possesses a rich and commendable history, from its origins in 1881 to its formal establishment as a regular force in 1950. The Corps’ evolution culminated in a period of unprecedented service during the prolonged civil conflict, where it forged a formidable, integrated medical system meticulously organised into “echelons of care”. This tiered approach allowed for the rapid medical evacuation of battle-injured personnel from the point of injury to definitive care facilities, an operational model that saved countless lives. The wartime success of the SLAMC was not a matter of chance; it was a result of a comprehensive, integrated system of both military and civilian health assets, orchestrated at the highest administrative levels to achieve a singular objective.
In the post-conflict era, the role of the SLAMC and the Narahenpita Military Hospital has undergone a significant yet challenging pivot. Sixteen years after the cessation of hostilities, the hospital has transitioned from a primary trauma centre to the central hub for long-term care, rehabilitation, and management of non-communicable diseases for serving personnel and a vast population of disabled and retired veterans. This ongoing commitment is evidenced by the Sri Lanka Army’s continuous organisation of island-wide medical camps for disabled and retired personnel, a programme that has reached over 10,000 beneficiaries and their families. These efforts underscore the Army’s enduring commitment to its veterans. However, while these initiatives are commendable, their ad-hoc nature highlights a critical vulnerability: they are not a sustainable substitute for a robust, permanently funded central medical institution. The current crisis at the Narahenpita Military Hospital suggests that the integrated, high-capability system of the war years has been allowed to deteriorate, leaving the core medical facility ill-equipped to meet the complex, long-term healthcare needs of its constituency.
Analysis of the Multi-faceted Challenges
The difficulties facing the Narahenpita Military Hospital are not isolated but are a direct manifestation of wider systemic and economic pressures. An analysis of the current situation reveals a confluence of factors that threaten the very foundation of military healthcare.
The Erosion of Human Capital
The most immediate and critical threat to the military medical system is the severe shortage of skilled personnel, a problem that mirrors a devastating nationwide trend. Sri Lanka is currently grappling with a “huge brain drain,” with over 1,000 medical specialists and an estimated one million skilled individuals having left the country during the past few years. This mass migration is driven by uncompetitive wages, high taxation, and the spiralling cost of living, which have made professional life unsustainable for many.
This national crisis has a particularly acute impact on military healthcare. The user query highlights a severe shortage of medical officers and a specific lack of intern house officers, which it attributes to the “non-availability of quarters”. While the research does not provide direct evidence of a complete absence of such facilities, it does indicate that the Army manages a variety of residential quarters for officers of different ranks in the Narahenpita area. This suggests that the problem is not a simple lack of physical infrastructure, but a more complex failure in administrative prioritisation and allocation. Intern house officers are the first point of contact for patients and are vital to the smooth, round-the-clock operation of any hospital. The inability to retain this critical cohort due to a solvable, administrative issue, rather than an insurmountable economic one, is a strategic vulnerability that directly draws the attention of military leadership to address. The inability to attract and retain these entry-level professionals undermines the entire medical hierarchy and the quality of care it can provide.
The Shortage of Essential Medicines and Equipment
The second major pillar of the crisis is the breakdown of the medical supply chain. Sri Lanka’s economic downturn and the suspension of foreign debt repayment have left the country with severely limited foreign reserves. This has had a catastrophic effect on a healthcare system that relies on imports for an overwhelming majority of its pharmaceutical and medical supplies; 85% of drugs and 80% of supplies are imported. The consequences are dire: hospitals across the country are facing shortages of everything from basic painkillers and antibiotics to life-saving drugs for chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes.
This instability has a cascading effect. The lack of reliable supplies forces clinicians to use less effective substitute medicines or, in some cases, to halt essential therapies altogether, which raises long-term public health concerns such as the rise of antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, the scarcity of materials for medical tests forces patients to seek and pay for these services at costly private laboratories, leading to a rise in “out-of-pocket expenditure” (OOPE). For many veterans and their families who lack the financial means, this results in delayed diagnoses and postponed treatments for potentially life-threatening conditions. The government’s ad-hoc reliance on donations and credit purchases from countries like India has been necessary, but the quality of these donated drugs is now a point of national concern. This dangerous stopgap highlights the urgent need for a resilient, sustainable, and transparent procurement strategy.
A Disconnect Between Budget and Need
The user query raises the critical issue of a lack of funds to acquire urgent medical necessities. However, a deeper look into the national budget reveals a profound paradox. Sri Lanka’s 2025 defence budget is estimated at a staggering LKR 437 billion to LKR 442 billion, a significant increase over the previous year. The Sri Lanka Army, which manages the Narahenpita hospital, receives the largest portion of this allocation. This robust funding is intended for recurrent expenditures, including a notable pay increase for military personnel, and for capital investments in modernising the armed forces.
This financial scenario presents a glaring contradiction: how can a sector with a rapidly expanding budget face a critical lack of funds for its core medical services? A lack of publicly available, detailed breakdowns of how the defence budget is allocated to healthcare prevents a precise answer, but it points to a significant strategic misprioritisation. A large budget for troop salaries and equipment is meaningless for soldier welfare if it does not translate into high-quality medical services when they are most needed. The paradox suggests that a large portion of the military budget is being directed away from the very support services that are essential to maintaining the long-term well-being and confidence of the troops. The issue is not the absence of funds in the defence sector, but the lack of a transparent and targeted allocation for medical services.
Military Healthcare, Morale, and National Security
Providing for the health and welfare of serving and retired service members is a non-negotiable responsibility of the state. This is not merely a moral obligation but a strategic imperative that directly impacts national security. The health and well-being of a nation’s military are inextricably linked to its operational readiness and its ability to project a credible defence posture.
A robust, reliable, and accessible healthcare system is a fundamental pillar of soldier morale. If serving members and retired veterans face frustration and “agony” in seeking care, as the user query suggests, it sends a powerful negative signal throughout the ranks. It erodes the confidence of those currently in service and discourages new recruits, thereby undermining the military’s long-term ability to attract and retain the best talent. This has a direct impact on the nation’s “soft power projection,” as a country’s ability to care for its own stands as a testament to its strength and values.
The strategic nature of Narahenpita Military Hospital
Its failure would create a cascading crisis, impacting not only the Army but also the Navy, Air Force, and Police, who also maintain their own medical facilities. A collapse in military healthcare would also contribute to a broader public health crisis, as it could lead to widespread dissatisfaction and potential social instability. Therefore, the President, as the Commander-in-Chief, must recognise that the crisis at the Narahenpita Military Hospital is a strategic threat that requires an urgent and comprehensive response.
Actionable Recommendations
To address this multifaceted crisis, a clear, phased, and actionable framework for reform is proposed, based on the analysis of the current challenges. The plan is designed to move from immediate, targeted relief to a fundamental, long-term restructuring of military healthcare.
Propose a direct, ring-fenced allocation from the overall defence budget specifically for military healthcare, bypassing traditional bureaucratic bottlenecks. Swift acquisition of urgent necessities and stabilisation of the most critical shortages.
Short term: Implement an emergency procurement plan using the new funds to acquire essential medicines and medical accessories that are critically low. Resumption of life-saving treatments and reduction in patient out-of-pocket expenses.
- Retaining Key Personnel:- Address the critical shortage of intern house officers by immediately renovating and designating quarters for them at the Narahenpita hospital. Improved staff morale, enhanced hospital operations, and better patient care.
- Midterm: A New Retention Policy for Specialists, implement a new, formal retention strategy for specialist doctors and other healthcare professionals, including improved working conditions and a clear career path, such as the proposed MSc in Military Medicine. Reduction in the “brain drain” of skilled medical professionals from the military sector.
- Enhancing the Suwasahana Scheme:- Conducting a comprehensive audit of the scheme to identify and address administrative inefficiencies and targeting errors, proposing a move toward a fully digitised system with direct bank deposits. Increased transparency and equitable, timely access to benefits for all eligible service members.
- Fostering Public-Private Partnerships:- Expand partnerships with private hospitals on a national level with clear oversight, ensuring a wider range of services are available to military personnel. Diversified access to care, reducing the burden on military facilities and providing broader access to specialised services.
- Long term: Dedicated Military Healthcare Budget – Advocate for the creation of a dedicated, separate, and ring-fenced budget for military healthcare within the Ministry of Defence’s overall allocation. Ensures consistent funding for medical services, preventing diversion of funds to other military expenditures.
- A National Medical Technology Assessment Unit:- Establish a unit to assess the necessity and cost-effectiveness of new medical equipment and construction, ensuring sustainable, evidence-based investments. Prevention of unnecessary expenses and a strategic allocation of resources.
- Integrated Civil-Military Healthcare Strategy:- Develop a national strategy that formally integrates military and civilian healthcare systems to build long-term resilience against future health crises and economic shocks. Creates a more robust and responsive national healthcare infrastructure.
The Army Commander’s Commitment to Soldiers’ Welfare
The writer, being a veteran and in addition to being one of the beneficiaries of the Narahenpita Military Hospital, spoke on behalf of both active and retired soldiers, presenting key concerns to the current commander of the army. The commander listened patiently and responded that many of the issues had already been addressed with the Commander-in-Chief, with remedial actions underway. This effort is noteworthy and deserves commendation.
Conclusion: A Nation’s Unspoken Debt
The findings of this report demonstrate that the crisis at the Narahenpita Military Hospital is more than an operational failure; it is a strategic vulnerability that threatens to undermine the morale and integrity of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. The nation’s profound debt to its service members, who risked their lives to secure its future, is not simply a matter of historical gratitude. It is a continuing obligation to provide them with the highest standard of care in times of peace. The paradox of a massive defence budget coexisting with a struggling medical infrastructure points to a critical need for transparent, targeted, and accountable fiscal management. By implementing the recommendations outlined in this report, the President, as Commander-in-Chief, can take decisive action to rectify these failures, honour the unspoken debt to the armed forces, and ensure that the Narahenpita Military Hospital remains a source of pride and a pillar of national strength for generations to come.
The writer is an Infantry officer who served the Sri Lanka Army for over 36 years, a former Security Forces Commander of the Wanni Region and Eastern Province, and he holds a PhD in economics. He can be reached at: [email protected]
Shame on You JVP – Your Slip is Showing
By Adolf
The JVP has long built its political identity on a narrative of austerity, sacrifice, and fighting corruption. Its leaders have often painted themselves as the voice of the common man, standing against excess, privilege, and corruption in public life. But recent disclosures on the asset declarations of senior leaders have raised serious and troubling questions. If the JVP claims to be different from the mainstream political class, then surely their own conduct must stand up to the highest level of scrutiny. Instead, what we now see is a disturbing gap between rhetoric and reality.
Assets Declaration
The issue of asset declarations is not a matter of political nitpicking. It is central to public trust. Every parliamentarian is required by law to submit a declaration of assets and liabilities. The spirit of that law is to ensure that public servants are accountable and that their lifestyle matches their legitimate income. When politicians amass properties, luxury vehicles, or other assets far beyond what their known earnings can support, the public has every right to ask: where did this money come from?
The case of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the JVP’s leader, has naturally come under the spotlight. Reports based on his declaration suggest he owns a house valued at over 40 million rupees. That is no small sum, especially for a politician who has spent his career in parliament on a Member of Parliament’s salary. The people deserve an explanation. Was this house purchased through bank loans, family wealth, or some other legitimate means? Has he paid the due taxes on it? And most importantly, has this been properly declared to the Inland Revenue Department before now?
How did they acquire?
These questions are not character assassinations – they are the same questions the JVP itself has repeatedly asked of other politicians. For decades, the JVP has demanded to know how ministers and MPs acquired their luxury mansions, fleets of cars, or overseas investments. They have accused others of corruption, abuse of office, and tax evasion. But now that the spotlight has turned on them, their explanations appear thin and defensive.
The opposition, civil society, and indeed all citizens should press for clear answers. Asset declarations should not be pieces of paper locked away in parliamentary files. They should be made public, open to scrutiny, and verified against tax records. The Inland Revenue Department must confirm whether taxes were paid on these declared assets and whether the valuations given are realistic. If there is nothing to hide, the JVP should welcome such scrutiny as a way of proving their integrity.
The real danger for the JVP lies in hypocrisy. Their supporters rallied behind them because they seemed different – disciplined, honest, and principled. If that image crumbles, the JVP will be seen as just another political party that says one thing to the people and does another for themselves. That would be the ultimate betrayal of their base. Accountability is not optional. It is the price of claiming moral superiority in politics. The JVP must come clean, explain how such assets were acquired, and prove that all taxes were duly paid. Until then, the mask has slipped – and the people are watching.