February 08, Colombo (LNW): Central Bank Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe has stressed that sustained economic growth in Sri Lanka will depend on the country’s ability to modernise and innovate across all areas of production.
Speaking at the International Conference of the Sri Lanka Economic Association in Colombo, he remarked that genuine prosperity cannot be achieved without building a competitive and efficient economic structure.
In this regard, he pointed to the importance of strengthening all three core sectors of the economy — agriculture, industry and services — rather than treating them in isolation.
Dr Weerasinghe noted that modern supply chains, both domestic and international, are increasingly interconnected. He explained that even a basic agricultural product requires the support of industrial processes and service inputs to be transformed into a high-value good capable of competing in global markets.
According to the Governor, nations that succeed in streamlining these linkages and improving productivity tend to advance economically, while those that fail to adapt risk being left behind.
He underscored that the adoption of new technologies remains the most decisive factor in ensuring that economic activity remains efficient, resilient and competitive at both national and international levels.
Economic Progress Hinges on Innovation and Modern Production: CB Governor
Fishermen Press On with Protest Over Seine Fishing Restrictions
February 08, Colombo (LNW): A satyagraha campaign organised by fishermen calling for the removal of restrictions on tractor-powered winches used in Madel, or seine net, fishing has entered its fourth day today (08).
The protest began on February 05 outside the Presidential Secretariat, with participation from seine fishermen representing a number of coastal communities, including Mullaitivu and Kokilai. Protesters say the ban has severely affected their livelihoods, limiting their ability to carry out traditional fishing practices.
According to the demonstrators, several rounds of discussions have taken place with officials from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as well as representatives of the Presidential Secretariat. However, they claim the talks ended without any concrete outcome or assurances.
In the absence of a satisfactory response from the authorities, the fishermen have decided to continue their non-violent protest indefinitely, vowing to maintain the satyagraha until their demands are addressed.
Thousands Gather at Gangaramaya as Rare Buddha Relics Draw Devotees for Fourth Day
February 08, Colombo (LNW): The public exposition of the revered Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha entered its fourth day today (08) at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo, attracting a steady flow of devotees from across the country.
The sacred relics, which arrived from India earlier this month, have been on display since February 05 and continue to draw widespread attention due to their immense historical and religious significance. Unearthed during archaeological excavations in the 1960s at the ancient Devnimori site in Gujarat, the relics are believed to be among the most important discoveries linked to the Buddha. This marks the first occasion on which they have been taken beyond Indian borders.
From the early hours of the morning, long queues were seen around the temple premises as worshippers gathered to pay homage in an atmosphere of reverence and calm. Religious observances and security arrangements remain in place to facilitate the large crowds.
Several prominent figures, including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and former President Maithripala Sirisena, were among those who visited the temple yesterday to venerate the relics, alongside a number of ministers and public representatives.
Temple authorities have announced that devotees will be allowed continuous access to the relics around the clock until 7.00 a.m. on February 11, 2026, enabling the faithful to take part in this rare spiritual occasion without interruption.
Parliament to Debate Bill Scrapping MPs’ Pensions on Feb 17
February 08, Colombo (LNW): The Parliamentary Business Committee has fixed February 17 for the debate on the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill, according to Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake.
He indicated that the proposed legislation is expected to be debated and put to a vote on the same day, signalling a swift parliamentary process.
Addressing the House, Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne confirmed that the Supreme Court has determined the Bill to be in line with the Constitution. The Court ruled that it may be passed with a simple majority under Article 121(1), dismissing the need for any additional procedural requirements.
The ruling came in response to legal challenges filed by a group of former Members of Parliament, who argued that the Bill infringed upon fundamental rights and therefore required approval by a special parliamentary majority and a public referendum.
The legislation, tabled in Parliament on 7 January by Justice Minister Dr Harshana Nanayakkara, aims to end the existing pension entitlement granted to former parliamentarians.
New Police Unit to Tackle Growing Cybercrime Threat
February 08, Colombo (LNW): Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala has announced plans to set up a dedicated police division to address the increasing incidence of cybercrime in Sri Lanka.
The Minister made the disclosure while attending the opening of the Polpitiya Police Station on Friday (06), noting that offences committed through digital platforms have risen sharply in recent years. He observed that authorities now receive between 23 and 25 cybercrime complaints each day, a figure he described as alarming.
According to the Minister, the Police Department is in the process of strengthening its capacity to respond to such offences through the introduction of modern technology, specialised expertise and updated investigative methods.
These measures, he said, are being rolled out in a structured manner to ensure more effective detection and prosecution of cyber-related crimes.
He further stressed that the government remains committed to transforming the Sri Lanka Police into a professional, efficient and corruption-free institution. As part of this effort, steps are being taken to create better career opportunities for capable officers, while firm action is being pursued to remove those found guilty of misconduct from the service.
Postal Fees Set to Rise as Revised Rates Take Effect Tomorrow
February 08, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Posts has confirmed that postal tariffs will be revised upward from tomorrow (09), with several commonly used services affected by the change.
Under the new pricing structure, the minimum charge for postal items will be increased to Rs. 70. Officials stated that the adjustment is part of a broader review of operational costs and service sustainability.
Registered mail will also see a price revision, with the fee rising by Rs. 20. As a result, the cost of sending a registered letter will increase from Rs. 110 to Rs. 130 from tomorrow onwards.
The Department noted that the revised charges will apply nationwide and urged customers to take note of the new rates when using postal services.
Free Life Insurance to Be Linked with Cooperative Spending: Minister
February 08, Colombo (LNW): Consumers who spend more than Rs. 10,000 in a month at cooperative retail outlets will soon be entitled to complimentary life insurance, according to Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe.
Addressing the reporters after attending an event in Anuradhapura, the Minister revealed that the proposed insurance cover would exceed Rs. 300,000, marking a significant incentive aimed at encouraging greater public engagement with the cooperative sector.
He noted that the benefit would not be limited to shoppers alone, adding that registered members of cooperatives would also qualify for life insurance protection under the scheme.
The Minister further explained that cooperative employees are set to receive improved remuneration packages, including insurance benefits, as part of broader measures to revitalise cooperatives and position them as a key driver of economic activity.
Outlining the government’s wider plans, he said the cooperative movement would undergo extensive reforms, with new cooperative retail centres planned for every region of the country. In addition, low-interest financing is expected to be made available to support the establishment of large-scale cooperative outlets, particularly in urban centres.
Prevailing showery conditions expected to reduce temporarily (Feb 08)
February 08, Colombo (LNW): The prevailing showery condition over the island is expected to be temporarily reduced from February 08 to 11, the Department of Meteorology said today (08).
A few showers may occur in Uva province and in Matale, Nuwara-Eliya, Ampara, Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa districts.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Eastern slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Matale, Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Badulla districts during the early hours of the morning.
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 may occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Hambantota via and Galle in the evening or night.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly 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 Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be rough at times. Other sea areas around the island will be moderate.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
India Giving JVP State Patronage for credibility
By Adolf
Recent developments suggest that India may be leveraging state patronage not merely for strategic or economic purposes, but to advance ideological influence in Sri Lanka through selective support of the JVP. While the World Bank (2000) defines state capture primarily as the use of state functions for private gain, what we are witnessing represents a different and arguably more insidious phenomenon: the use of democratic processes to extend external ideological control. Traditionally, state capture involves private actors manipulating public institutions for enrichment. In this case, the concern is ideological capture: a democratically elected government—backed or influenced externally—is using policy, funding, and institutional engagement to promote a political philosophy aligned with a foreign state’s interests. The JVP, a socialist-oriented party, appears to be receiving selective support, enabling it to advance an ideological agenda that could reshape Sri Lanka’s political and social landscape. Unlike conventional capture, this does not target private profit but seeks to influence the trajectory of governance and public discourse.
Political Risks
The risk of ideological patronage is particularly acute in a pluralistic democracy like Sri Lanka. Its institutions are designed to mediate competing interests and protect civil liberties. When foreign support is funneled to reinforce a specific ideological faction, it can distort this balance, effectively privileging one vision of governance over others. The methods are subtle yet powerful: funding, policy advice, development projects tied to governance frameworks, and influence over educational, media, or civic institutions. Over time, these mechanisms can normalize a preferred ideology, crowding out debate, dissent, and independent policy-making.
Unchecked
Unchecked ideological capture has profound implications for governance. Democratically elected parties enjoy legitimacy, enabling them to implement reforms with minimal opposition. If external actors exploit this legitimacy through ideological patronage, liberal democratic forces may struggle to resist. The political spectrum could narrow, dissenting voices could be marginalized, and policy choices could increasingly reflect external priorities rather than national consensus. Within just a few election cycles, Sri Lanka could risk a scenario resembling one-party dominance, eroding pluralism and constraining the liberties citizens have historically enjoyed.
Conclusion
Addressing this challenge requires both urgency and vigilance. Political parties committed to liberal democracy, civil society organizations, and independent institutions must insist on transparency in foreign assistance, safeguard institutional autonomy, and ensure that policy debates remain rooted in national priorities. Electoral politics is a critical front: allowing ideological patronage to shape candidate selection, party platforms, or political dominance risks embedding external agendas into Sri Lanka’s governance. While conventional state capture targets private enrichment, ideological capture is a subtler but equally consequential threat. India’s support for the JVP, if aimed at consolidating ideology rather than fostering mutually beneficial partnership, could undermine Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, democratic freedoms, and institutional independence. Proactive engagement by liberal forces is essential to ensure democracy remains a forum for open debate, pluralism, and national decision-making, rather than a conduit for external influence. The historical context makes this even more concerning. In 1988–89, under leaders like Tilwin, the JVP carried out an anti-India campaign that resulted in the deaths of thousands of young Sri Lankans. That a respected diplomat like Dr. Jaishankar Foreign Secretary now gives time and legitimacy to an unelected JVP terror leaderlike Tilwin sends a very troubling signal—especially for a country that is now a leading economic and strategic power in Asia. It is, at best, a pathetic display of state craft and intelligence readiness .
Sri Lanka Considers Compensation for Colonial Abuses
Sri Lanka’s Parliament has become the latest arena in a growing international conversation on colonial reparations, as the government signals it may seek compensation from Britain for damages inflicted during the colonial era.
Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed that the issue is under consideration, following calls from Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to emulate African nations that have formally demanded reparations from former colonial rulers. The move reflects a broader reassessment of colonial history, as nations reassess the long-term economic and human costs of imperialism.
British colonial rule in Sri Lanka reshaped the island’s political economy in ways that continue to influence present-day challenges. While often portrayed as a period of administrative modernization, historians argue that colonial governance prioritized imperial profit over local welfare, producing structural inequalities that persist decades after independence.
The plantation economy introduced by the British transformed Sri Lanka into a mono-crop exporter dependent on tea, rubber, and coffee. This system relied on expropriated land and imported indentured labor, while profits flowed largely to British companies and the imperial treasury. At independence, Sri Lanka inherited an economy highly dependent on volatile global commodity markets, with limited industrial diversification.
Beyond economics, colonial rule involved widespread appropriation of cultural heritage. Archaeological expeditions conducted during the colonial period removed artifacts from ancient kingdoms such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Palm-leaf manuscripts containing Buddhist texts, medical knowledge, and historical chronicles were shipped to British libraries, where many remain inaccessible to Sri Lankan scholars.
The loss of life during colonial suppression campaigns is another unresolved grievance. The brutal response to rebellions in the 19th century, particularly in Uva-Wellassa, is increasingly cited as evidence of crimes that would today constitute violations of international humanitarian norms. Entire communities were displaced, leaders executed, and livelihoods destroyed as part of punitive military operations.
The reparations debate is not without challenges. International law offers limited mechanisms for historical claims, and Britain has previously resisted formal compensation demands, arguing that colonial actions occurred before modern legal frameworks. However, recent precedentssuch as compensation paid to Kenyan victims of colonial-era abuses have strengthened the moral and political case for redress.
Analysts say Sri Lanka’s approach is likely to combine diplomatic engagement, historical documentation, and coordination with other formerly colonized nations. Rather than immediate financial compensation, outcomes could include restitution of cultural property, development partnerships, debt relief, or formal acknowledgements of wrongdoing.
Minister Herath’s statement marks a shift from silence to scrutiny, signaling that Sri Lanka is prepared to revisit its colonial past not merely as history, but as an unresolved political and economic issue with contemporary relevance.