YOLANDA FOSTER

Dr. Kasipillai Manoharan has left us, but the imprint of his courage and moral clarity will remain. He was first and foremost a father, and through his devotion to his son Ragihar he became one of the most steadfast voices for justice in Sri Lanka.

When Ragihar and four other students — the Trinco 5 — were brutally killed in 2006, Dr. Manoharan’s life was shattered. Yet from that grief he carved a path of dignity and truth-telling. He spoke when silence was safer and stood up when others were forced down. He carried not only his son’s story, but also the unspoken stories of many families who had lost loved ones to violence and impunity.

I first met him in 2008 while working with the South Asia team at Amnesty International, at a time when human rights abuses in Sri Lanka were on the rise. What struck me most was his integrity. He told me clearly that he was not political, but that as a father he felt bound to seek justice for his son. It was through his devotion to Ragihar that he became one of the clearest voices for truth and justice in Sri Lanka.
In the years that followed, we often exchanged information about the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka and his deep concerns for civilians still caught in the aftermath of war. In May 2010, to mark the first anniversary of the war’s end, he joined a global action aimed at focusing worldwide attention on impunity. At its heart was a petition to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calling for an independent international investigation — a demand that reflected both his personal struggle and the broader call for accountability.

Two years later, Dr. Manoharan carried that demand in person to New York, delivering a petition directly to Ban Ki-moon’s office. It was more than advocacy; it was a father’s plea, carrying the weight of love, memory, and hope for justice. Soon after, we travelled together to Geneva, where he addressed the Human Rights Council and delivered Amnesty International’s statement during Sri Lanka’s Universal Periodic Review. Despite his grief, he sent a clear and unflinching message: the Council must act. I was with Dr Manoharan in Geneva when the Council adopted Resolution 30/1 which endorsed the findings of the OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) and passed a resolution to begin investigations. This milestone was reached thanks to the relentless advocacy of Sri Lankan campaigners like Dr Manoharan and others.

For me personally, Dr. Manoharan’s integrity became an anchor in my own campaigning. At a time when the Sri Lankan government tried to silence dissent — even branding Amnesty International “liars” and “apologists for terror” — working with defenders like him preserved our commitment to non-partisanship and reminded me why we had to speak out. His courage steadied mine.

What made him powerful was his honesty as a father. He never sought to politicise his son’s case or turn it into a weapon for factional gain. Instead, he spoke in the direct, unembellished language of truth. At a time when human rights abuses flourished in Sri Lanka under a veil of secrecy, his voice cut through with a clarity that reached further than reports or statistics. His story, told with quiet but unwavering conviction, spoke truth to power in a way few others could.

That solidarity stretched across borders. Amnesty International USA’s Sri Lanka Country Specialist Jim McDonald, together with ordinary volunteers in the Get on the Bus campaign, carried the Trinco 5 case into the streets of New York and beyond. Their persistence kept the demand for justice alive in places far from Trincomalee. Dr. Manoharan valued such solidarity, for it showed him that ordinary people – not only diplomats and institutions – were carrying Ragihar’s story and insisting on the truth.

Dr. Manoharan was also proud of his work as a doctor, recalling how he tended to members of the Armed Forces as well as ordinary citizens when he lived in Trincomalee. I remember him showing me photos of his son’s funeral, which revealed how all communities supported Ragihar and his family. Despite the state’s pretence and denial, he wanted me to know that most Sri Lankans care for community and friendship.
To me, he will always remain a symbol of integrity – and a reminder that truth has its own quiet power, one that endures beyond fear and beyond death.

This week, as the Human Rights Council discusses a new resolution on Sri Lanka, the best homage to Dr. Manoharan would be to honour that plea. The Council’s mandate is to defend the rights of victims’ families like his, which makes it incumbent never to forget cases such as the Trinco 5. Member states must ensure that monitoring and investigations continue, and that the campaign for truth he sustained does not end with his passing.

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘CCC+’, noting that despite the completion of the country’s debt restructuring in 2024, risks remain due to elevated government debt levels and a high interest-to-revenue ratio.

The agency highlighted that Sri Lanka’s ongoing reforms are supporting a solid economic recovery, with low inflation, substantial fiscal adjustments, and improvements in the external finance position.

“Substantial progress has been made under the 48-month IMF programme,” Fitch noted, citing the passage of the 2025 budget in line with programme targets, restoration of cost-reflective electricity pricing, improved tax compliance and revenue administration, and reforms to the Ceylon Electricity Board and other state-owned enterprises.

Fitch added that improving the investment climate, particularly in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI), will be key to bolstering Sri Lanka’s medium-term growth, though progress is likely to be incremental.

Looking ahead, Fitch said a substantial decline in the government debt-to-GDP ratio, supported by credible fiscal consolidation, stronger revenue growth, and faster economic expansion, could pave the way for a future rating upgrade.

A few showers may occur in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.

Mainly fair weather will prevail over elsewhere of the island.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, North-western, and Central provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

Sri Lanka’s 2026 Budget is expected to build on strong fiscal consolidation achieved this year, with the Government signalling that no new taxes will be introduced next year despite ambitious revenue targets. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during his recent official visit to Japan, reaffirmed that the 2026 fiscal plan will rely on improved revenue collection, better management of State enterprises, and efficiency-driven spending rather than new levies on the public.

According to the latest data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), the Government’s fiscal position has significantly strengthened, with the overall budget deficit shrinking by nearly 55% in the first eight months of 2025 to Rs. 411 billion, compared to Rs. 911 billion during the same period last year. This improvement reflects the administration’s efforts to enhance tax compliance, rationalise expenditure, and strengthen the performance of State institutions under the IMF-supported economic reform framework.

Tax revenue grew 31% year-on-year, reaching Rs. 3.07 trillion by end-August 2025, up from Rs. 2.35 trillion in the same period of 2024. Non-tax revenue also recorded a modest rise of 8%, amounting to Rs. 226.2 billion, while foreign grants declined by 17% to Rs. 6.7 billion. The CBSL attributed the surge in revenue primarily to improved collection efficiency by the Inland Revenue Department, customs reforms, and higher VAT receipts from expanding domestic consumption.

Meanwhile, recurrent expenditure grew 11% to Rs. 3.4 trillion, a slower pace than revenue growth, underscoring improved fiscal discipline. Capital expenditure and lending excluding repayments dropped 24%, reflecting tighter project prioritisation and a focus on essential infrastructure investments. Notably, the primary balance recorded a surplus of Rs. 1.27 trillion, a near doubling from Rs. 648.7 billion last year, signalling progress toward fiscal stability and debt sustainability.

Despite this improvement, public debt remains high. The CBSL reported that as of mid-2025, total Government debt stood at Rs. 29.6 trillion, up 3% from Rs. 28.7 trillion a year earlier. Foreign debt grew 3.8% to Rs. 10.8 trillion, while domestic borrowings rose 2.7% to Rs. 18.8 trillion. Treasury bill issuance declined 3.4% to Rs. 3.9 trillion, while Treasury Bonds expanded 6% to Rs. 14.9 trillion, indicating a shift toward longer-term financing.

The upcoming 2026 Appropriation Bill, to be tabled in Parliament in October, is expected to outline a projected revenue target exceeding Rs. 5.2 trillion, driven primarily by stronger tax administration, digitalised collection systems, and higher earnings from State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). The Government aims to sustain the fiscal deficit below 4% of GDP, aligning with IMF targets while protecting social spending and public investment.

 Officials said revenue growth in 2026 would be achieved by broadening the tax base, reducing evasion, and enhancing efficiency, rather than imposing new burdens on citizens. The Budget is expected to prioritise public sector reforms, infrastructure development, and innovation-led growth, marking a policy shift toward stability-driven expansion.

If fiscal trends continue, the 2026 Budget could represent a milestone in Sri Lanka’s post-crisis recovery  combining fiscal restraint with social equity and economic renewal, all without new taxes on the public.

Sri Lanka’s sluggish progress in privatising State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), rigid labour market regulations, and restrictions on foreign participation continue to undermine investor confidence, the U.S. State Department warned in its 2025 Investment Climate Statement.

According to the report, 527 SOEs, including 55 classified as strategic, continue to strain public finances and crowd out private sector activity. The previous administration had launched a reform drive aimed at restructuring and partially privatising major loss-making enterprises.

However, the current government halted those privatisation efforts upon taking office, opting instead for internal restructuring measures focused on cost-cutting and improved governance within existing state ownership.

The report observed that the suspension of privatisation, particularly at the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), has slowed energy sector reform, keeping electricity prices high and discouraging industrial competitiveness.

“Foreign investors consistently face high transaction costs, unpredictable policy shifts, and opaque procurement procedures,” the statement said, noting that uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on Sri Lanka’s investment prospects.

Despite these setbacks, the report acknowledged several enduring strengths. Sri Lanka allows 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, offers constitutional guarantees for investment protection, and ensures full repatriation of profits and capital.

The Colombo Stock Exchange recorded $66.5 million in net foreign inflows in 2024, raising a total of $568 million in capital. Worker remittances surged to $6.58 billion, boosting foreign reserves to $6.1 billion by the end of the year.

Export Processing Zones continue to attract investors, while newer ventures such as the Hambantota pharmaceutical zone and Colombo Port City are expected to open fresh opportunities.

Yet, the Economic Transformation Act, which aimed to streamline approvals by replacing the Board of Investment with five specialised agencies, remains unimplemented leaving investment approvals fragmented and slow.

The report cited uneven tax treatment, corruption in procurement, and bureaucratic inefficiencies as persistent obstacles. It highlighted the government’s decision to impose new taxes on service exporters while offering exemptions to Port City firms, reinforcing perceptions of policy inconsistency.

Labour rigidity was flagged as a key constraint. Strict dismissal laws have made restructuring costly, while labour shortages have intensified due to emigration, particularly in the IT, apparel, tourism, and engineering sectors. The garment industry, the report noted, faces turnover rates as high as 40%, compounded by limited social protection for informal workers.

Although Sri Lanka recorded 5% GDP growth in 2024, surpassing expectations, foreign direct investment (FDI) remains weak. Most deals are small, ranging from $3–5 million, concentrated in tourism, ICT, renewable energy, and real estate.

The government’s pledge to finalise Sinopec’s $3.7 billion oil refinery in Hambantota could become the largest FDI in history, but investor confidence suffered when Adani Green Energy withdrew from a $400 million wind project after renegotiation attempts.

Land restrictions also limit foreign participation, with companies holding over 50% foreign equity barred from purchasing land. Sectoral caps of 40% apply to agriculture, shipping, and education, while areas such as small retail and coastal fishing remain off-limits.

The report concludes that Sri Lanka’s ability to attract investment hinges on converting recent macroeconomic stability into genuine reforms. Without progress in governance, regulatory simplification, and labour flexibility, the government’s ambitious $5 billion FDI target for 2025 is unlikely to be met.

Sri Lanka’s post-crisis economic recovery has entered a decisive phase, with international financial institutions sharply divided over the country’s growth prospects for 2025. While some agencies forecast a modest rebound, others see slower progress amid global trade headwinds, tight fiscal space, and lingering structural vulnerabilities.

The differences among the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) reveal a complex picture of a nation cautiously emerging from one of its worst economic crises.

According to the ADB’s September 2025 outlook, Sri Lanka’s growth projection for 2025 remains unchanged at 3.9 percent, the same figure forecast in April. However, the regional lender has revised down its 2026 forecast, warning that the 20 percent tariff imposed by the United States on imports could weaken Sri Lanka’s export earnings and reduce domestic consumption due to potential job losses.

 The ADB has also sharply lowered its inflation projection for 2025 to 0.5 percent, reflecting subdued demand and easing import costs. The Bank observed that lower inflation would enhance real household incomes and improve purchasing power, providing room for genuine wage gains while preserving the value of long-term savings and investments.

The World Bank, in contrast, maintains a slightly more conservative view, estimating growth at 3.5 percent in 2025. It attributes the slower pace to the prolonged effects of the 2022–23 economic meltdown, persistent external debt vulnerabilities, and weak private investment flows.

 The Bank expects growth to moderate further to 3.1 percent in 2026, citing the need for continued fiscal and structural reforms to sustain momentum. Although inflation is expected to stay low, the World Bank warns that prolonged deflationary pressures could weigh on domestic demand and investment sentiment.

The IMF, which continues to anchor Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic reform program under its Extended Fund Facility, projects growth in the range of 3.7 to 4 percent for 2025.

 In its mid-year staff assessment, the IMF reported that real GDP had expanded 4.9 percent in the second quarter of 2025, exceeding expectations, even as inflation fell below target at –1.1 percent year-on-year due to energy price declines. The Fund cautioned that while stability had returned to monetary conditions, further progress in debt restructuring and revenue reforms was essential to secure long-term growth.

In contrast, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka remains the most optimistic, projecting 4.5 percent growth in 2025. It attributes the recovery to robust domestic demand, improved investor confidence, and stable monetary conditions achieved since 2022.

The Bank noted that inflation had dropped to 1.2 percent in August, allowing room to support growth while maintaining policy stability. Public debt, however, remains a key concern, with estimates exceeding 110 percent of GDP, underscoring limited fiscal flexibility despite progress under the IMF program.

The divergence in forecasts underscores both the fragility and potential of Sri Lanka’s recovery. The ADB’s benign inflation outlook suggests improved purchasing power, but the IMF’s deflationary trend raises concerns about weak demand.

With global uncertainty, external tariff shocks, and the lingering impact of debt restructuring, policymakers face a delicate balancing act  sustaining growth without reigniting instability. As the nation braces for 2026, Sri Lanka’s ability to consolidate reforms, attract investment, and restore export competitiveness will determine whether optimism or caution ultimately prevails.

The Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) has warned of a severe shortage of lecturers in Sri Lanka’s university system, with only about 5,000 currently serving against the required 12,000.

FUTA Secretary Charudatta Ilangasinghe said yesterday (30) that resignations, overseas assignments, and study leave have worsened the shortfall. He revealed that around 200 lecturers at the University of Peradeniya resigned during the past year alone.

University lecturers staged a symbolic strike yesterday to press their demands, warning that if the government fails to respond, they will be compelled to take stronger trade union action.

Ilangasinghe added that unattractive working conditions are discouraging qualified professionals from joining the university system. He also noted that despite sending a letter to the President a month ago requesting a meeting to discuss the issue, FUTA has yet to receive a response.

Effective today (1), passengers travelling on buses without a valid ticket will face a fine of Rs.100 in addition to double the fare, according to the Western Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority.

Authority Chairman Gamini Jasinghe said the regulation will also apply to bus conductors who fail to issue tickets.

The Western Province has 529 bus routes, and inspections are scheduled to cover all of them. Raids will initially be conducted on selected routes, with plans to extend the operation to the entire province within a week.