November 10, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has called for the introduction of a structured, age-appropriate sex education programme in schools as part of wider education reforms aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and misconduct.
Addressing a public awareness event in Kandy for representatives of the Kandy District, the Prime Minister stressed that the initiative would be designed and implemented with expert input from the health and child protection sectors.
Dr Amarasuriya explained that a textbook tailored for Grade 6 students has already been developed, reflecting the government’s intention to provide accurate, age-sensitive information. She noted that both the Ministry of Health and the Family Health Bureau have long advocated for sex education in schools, citing a worrying rise in incidents of child abuse and harassment across the country.
“The National Child Protection Authority has also highlighted the urgent need to equip children with knowledge on how to protect themselves,” she said, adding that inter-ministerial discussions are currently underway to finalise the framework.
While the government has yet to determine the precise age or grade at which the new lessons will be introduced, the Prime Minister noted that the content will be guided by medical and educational experts.
“As children grow and begin to experience physical and emotional changes, it is vital that they understand how to stay safe — and that this knowledge is shared in a responsible, age-appropriate way,” she emphasised.
Prime Minister Proposes Age-Appropriate Sex Education to Safeguard Children
Over 340,000 Students Set to Sit for 2025 A/L Exams Beginning Today
November 10, Colombo (LNW): The 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level examination begins today (10), marking one of the most significant academic events in Sri Lanka’s education calendar.
A total of 340,525 students are scheduled to sit for the exams, which will take place at 2,362 centres across the country.
The Department of Examinations has urged all candidates to report to their respective examination venues well ahead of time to avoid delays.
Candidates have also been reminded to bring their admission cards and valid forms of identification, as entry to the examination halls will not be permitted without them.
Officials noted that comprehensive arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the exams, including enhanced security measures and logistical support across all centres.
The Global Tamil Community – Partners in Sri Lanka’s $150 Billion Renaissance
By Roger Srivasan
Spanning continents and generations, the Global Tamil Community has emerged as a formidable economic and intellectual powerhouse. With a combined annual output exceeding USD 150 billion, this far-flung yet deeply connected network represents one of Sri Lanka’s greatest untapped strengths — a bridge of goodwill linking the island to every major economy on earth.
From London and Paris to Silicon Valley and Toronto, from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Sydney and Auckland, Tamils have established themselves as high-achieving professionals, entrepreneurs, financiers, and cultural contributors. At a conservative estimate, when one aggregates diaspora populations across Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia, the figure reaches nearly five million individuals.
Most reside in high-income nations where per-capita economic output ranges between USD 40 000 and USD 80 000; even assuming a modest average income of USD 30 000 per person, the community’s combined annual economic output approaches USD 150 billion — surpassing Sri Lanka’s current GDP of about USD 99 billion. In practical terms, this vast transnational network constitutes a global reservoir of enterprise and goodwill that can play a defining role in Sri Lanka’s renaissance.
Under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, integrity has reentered governance and inclusivity has become the moral compass of national policy. His authenticity, unblemished record, and egalitarian outlook have rekindled faith across communities. For the first time in decades, the Tamil community — both at home and abroad — feels seen, heard, and valued as partners in the country’s
forward march. The diaspora’s renewed engagement is tangible.
Investments and partnerships are flowing steadily into the Northern and Eastern Provinces, regions long scarred by conflict but rich in talent and potential. From technology parks and educational ventures to small-scale entrepreneurship and cultural exchange, these efforts symbolise a larger truth: reconciliation and development are no longer abstract ideals but living realities. Importantly, the Global Tamil Community pursues these endeavours while proudly preserving its cultural identity and traditions — language, music, festivals, and faith that continue to animate its global character.
Far from sowing division, this cultural vitality enriches Sri Lanka’s shared heritage, proving that diversity is not a barrier to unity but its most beautiful expression. Today’s diaspora is not oppositional, nor is it confined by the politics of the past. It operates within the democratic framework of a united Sri Lanka, guided by a sense of belonging rather than grievance. Its members recognise that national strength lies not in sectarian assertion but in collective progress. In aligning with the government’s vision of transparency and justice, they have become catalysts of reconciliation — ambassadors of goodwill who extend Sri Lanka’s moral and economic influence far beyond its shores.
From Toronto to London, from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur, their voices now speak not of estrangement but of engagement — not of lament, but of leadership. Their wealth, experience, and networks are being channelled into nation building projects that uplift every region — from Colombo’s business corridors to Jaffna’s universities, from Batticaloa’s fisheries to Kandy’s service hubs.
As President Dissanayake steers the nation through an era of accountability and renewal, the Global Tamil Community stands beside him as a trusted partner. Their global success story has come home, lending both resources and reputation to a country reclaiming its moral stature. In this renaissance, there are no margins and no minorities — only Sri Lankans joined by purpose, pride, and hope. Together, they are writing a new chapter in the island’s history — one of unity, dignity, and shared prosperity.
Afternoon showers to continue: Fairly heavy falls over 75 mm expected (Nov 10)
November 10, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m., the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (10).
Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in Uva, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts.
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 in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the other sea areas around the island during the evening or night.
Winds:
Winds will be North-westerly in direction and speed will be (20-30) kmph.
Wind speed can increase up to (40-45) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Hambantota via Matara.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Hambantota via Matara will be moderate. The other sea areas around the island will be slight.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Budget 2026 Exposed as Betrayal of Promises and Growth: Harsha
By: Staff Writer
November 09, Colombo (LNW): In a sharp and uncompromising address to Parliament, Harsha de Silva, MP for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and noted economic expert, delivered a blistering critique of the 2026 Budget proposals. According to Dr. de Silva, the document represents not a fresh vision for Sri Lanka’s economy, but a recycled agenda that falls far short of voter expectations and national needs.
From the outset, Dr. de Silva acknowledged that the government has managed to maintain macro-economic stability achieved by its predecessor. Yet he argued this achievement is hollow without a clear plan for growth. “This budget is not a ‘system change’; it is ‘the same old thing’ wrapped in a new flag,” he declared. According to him, the real substance of the Budget betrays the very electorate that granted the government its mandate.
One of the most trenchant criticisms centred on what Dr. de Silva referred to as the “1 Trillion Rupee Deception.” He asserted the Treasury is sitting on a windfall of around Rs 1 trillion largely from unexpected vehicle-import taxes yet instead of channeling relief to households and small businesses, the government is widening the tax burden. By lowering the VAT threshold from Rs 5 million to Rs 3.6 million per month, he claimed, the Budget hits small enterprises and raises concerns about fairness and regressivity in the tax system.
The housing programme was also described as a mockery rather than meaningful relief. Under the 2026 proposals, the allocation of Rs 10.2 billion to build 7,000 houses translates into about Rs 1 million per home. With construction costs at roughly Rs 10,000 per square foot, Dr. de Silva observed, such funding might buy only a 100-square-foot structure “this is not a home; it is an insult,” he said.
Another spotlight in his critique was the housing loan for state employees: the budget earmarks just Rs 500 million, which, when divided among 1.4 million workers, means aid for only 416 persons “not policy; it’s a lottery,” he charged. Dr. de Silva said the government’s failure to address crippling taxes on construction materials (49% on cement, 60% on fittings, 92% on PVC pipes) undermines any real progress on housing.
On the borrowing front, the minister’s claims of change rang hollow for Dr. de Silva. The Budget plans to borrow Rs 3.8 trillion in 2026 (over Rs 3,110 billion domestically and Rs 700 billion externally) clearly, he argued, a continuation of old habits rather than reform. He said that while the government claims credit for stabilisation (inflation down from 17% to 1%; USD from Rs 370 to Rs 294), the rupee is now depreciating again, currently hitting Rs 307.
Dr. de Silva reserved particular criticism for the youth and SME sectors. The “five simple dreams” of young voters jobs, tax relief, support for freelancers, a relief bank for SMEs, and dismantling the “rice mafia” were, he said, largely ignored. Freelancers previously paying no tax now face 15%; SMEs still await the promised support bank; and job creation in the public sector remains on hold.
Regarding foreign investment and exports, he dismissed government claims of US $823 million in new FDI as misleading; over half, he pointed out, comes from old agreements, including a US $229 million deal with Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd. Meanwhile, exporters face crisis after the removal of SVAT refunds and the silence on trade deals such as Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and ECommerce Trade Agreement (ECTA), showing “no political will to walk the talk.”
In closing, Dr. de Silva’s analysis leaves little doubt: the 2026 Budget is a failure of ambition and substance. It does not respond to the real needs of youth, elderly, SMEs, or exporters; instead, according to him, it perpetuates the system that voters sought to transform. With credibility eroded and promises unkept, the biggest casualty may be public trust itself.
Bold Budget, Blurred Vision: Sri Lanka’s 2026 Plan Faces Tough Reality
By: Staff Writer
November 09, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s 2026 Budget, presented by President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, attempts to project confidence and reformist zeal under the new National People’s Power (NPP) government. With promises of clean governance, investor transparency, and rapid economic recovery, the budget seeks to convince the public and global markets that a left-leaning administration can also be pro-business. But behind the rhetoric lies a complex web of risks, weak fiscal direction, and governance challenges that could blunt its ambitious targets.
The President promised to transform Sri Lanka into an attractive destination for investors through “transparency, predictability, and partnership.” Amendments to the Strategic Development Projects Act and the Colombo Port City Commission Act are meant to streamline approvals and reassure foreign investors. A new Investment Protection Act and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) law are scheduled for early 2026, both designed to build investor confidence and attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
However, economic analysts remain cautious. While Dissanayake projects 7% economic growth over the medium term up from the current 4–5% such optimism appears detached from ground realities. The fiscal space remains tight, with public debt still exceeding 120% of GDP and interest payments consuming over 40% of government revenue, according to Finance Ministry data for 2025. The government’s reliance on foreign borrowing and concessional aid under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) continues to limit its fiscal flexibility.
Although the budget includes initiatives to strengthen the export sector, promote agriculture and livestock, and develop tourism, critics argue that the real bottlenecks policy inconsistency, bureaucratic inefficiency, and political interference remain largely unaddressed. Promised reforms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs), which absorb vast subsidies and produce recurring losses, have again been deferred. Despite public assurances of “transparency and accountability,” there is no clear roadmap for restructuring entities like the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation or Ceylon Electricity Board.
Moreover, the NPP government’s credibility on governance and administration is still being tested. While Dissanayake vows to end “cronyism and nepotism,” his party rooted in Marxist traditions and including former activists once associated with subversive movements faces questions about its real capacity to manage a modern, market-driven economy. The administration’s communication and policy-coordination skills also appear weak; several top officials lack international exposure and technical literacy, which could hinder complex economic negotiations.
From a broader perspective, the 2026 Budget lacks a unified macroeconomic framework. There is heavy emphasis on new projects from AI data centres to digital ID cards and new export zones but little clarity on implementation mechanisms, monitoring frameworks, or sectoral priorities. The government’s revenue targets appear overly ambitious, relying heavily on indirect taxation while offering tax exemptions to selected investors.
For Sri Lanka to translate its promises into progress, the NPP government must move beyond slogans and address the fundamentals: credible fiscal consolidation, professional economic management, and a depoliticised bureaucracy. Without these, the 2026 Budget risks becoming another politically appealing but economically fragile document rich in promises, poor in delivery.
In essence, Budget 2026 showcases a government eager to prove reformist intent but still struggling to reconcile ideology with execution. Its success will depend not on rhetoric or new laws, but on the discipline, skill, and transparency with which those promises are turned into measurable results.
Customs Revenue Skyrockets, Yet Same Corruption Shadows Sri Lanka Ports
By: Staff Writer
November 09, Colombo (LNW): In a striking development this week, Sri Lanka Customs announced a historic one‑day collection of Rs 27.7 billion on Thursday 6, pushing its year‑to‑date haul beyond Rs 2 trillion and surpassing its 2025 target ahead of schedule. According to official figures, Rs 630 billion of this total comes from motor vehicle imports, boosted by eased import restrictions.
Yet behind the fanfare lies a deeper question: how has an institution long plagued by corruption and inefficiency suddenly delivered such dramatic results with largely the same officials and structural vulnerabilities in place?
A history of embedded corruption
The IMF’s Governance Diagnostic Assessment for Sri Lanka found that corruption in customs and tax administration is “substantial”, owing to deficient oversight, performance monitoring and sanction mechanisms for officials.
Corruption‑risk research documented that the private sector rates Sri Lanka Customs among the most problematic agencies when it comes to bribes, harassment and discretionary misconduct.
A widely cited scandal involved three senior Customs officers arrested in 2016 for soliciting Rs 125 million in bribes from an importer in exchange for favourable treatment.
More broadly, research shows that the examination yards, classification decisions, and import duty rebates have long offered fertile ground for rent‑seeking by officials and traders alike.
So what’s changed and is it genuine?
The leap past Rs 2 trillion in revenue suggests improved compliance, stronger import flows and perhaps more aggressive duty‑collection. The government, in cooperation with the World Bank, is advancing reforms within Sri Lanka Customs including structural changes to align with modern trade facilitation and integrity standards.
Yet still, several red flags remain. The very powers that enabled corruption — discretionary classification, physical inspections, duty waivers are still embedded. The IMF noted that the revenue agencies, including Customs, operate under a framework where the human‑element still dominates and digitisation remains incomplete.
Furthermore, while collection has surged, trade‑clearance delays continue to persist — an indication that efficiency gains may not be uniform. A December 2024 article found containers still waiting days at examination yards, increasing opportunities for informal payments and increased costs for businesses.
On one hand, the strong fiscal performance is welcome: higher revenue means greater resources to service debt and stabilise the economy. On the other hand, if the same set of customs officials accustomed to discretionary powers and limited accountability are driving the collections, the risk of informal tolls, mis‑classification or selective enforcement cannot be ignored.
Insiders caution that the jump in vehicle‑import duties, for instance, may simply shift the burden to importers who have fewer alternatives — thereby increasing the temptation for shortcut payments. The fact that Rs 630 billion of the total relates to motor vehicles is telling: high‑value items, fewer importers, concentrated transactions precisely the conditions where corruption thives.
Why it matters
• For importers and exporters, the question is whether the new revenue push means more transparent treatment or simply more aggressive enforcement that replaces bribes with steep taxes and penalties.
• For government policy, the danger is that the “success” in revenue may mask the underlying systemic risks: a customs agency that still has weak oversight, opaque processes and inadequate rotation or discipline of staff.
• For the economy, reliance on high‑duty imports (like vehicles) raises concerns about sustainability and casts doubt on whether increased revenue serves long‑term trade competitiveness rather than short‑term fiscal needs.
The path ahead
To move beyond the cycle of “same officials, new numbers,” the reforms will need to embed:
full‑scale digitisation of import/export workflows, limiting human discretion;
independent internal‑affairs units inside Customs empowered to investigate misconduct;
transparent public‑reporting on clearance times, classifications and duty waivers.
Without these, the dramatic Rs 2 trillion milestone may end up highlighting a one‑off revenue spike not a structural transformation. The story of Sri Lanka Customs now is one of both hope and caution: record collections are welcome, but unless the culture of discretion and corruption is cleaned out, the society may still be paying the real price.
SMEs Gain Fresh Hope as Govt implements Collateral-Free Loan Scheme
By: Staff Writer
November 09, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s small and medium enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs numbering around 77000 have been given some life line by providing access to loan facililities under a new scheme initiated under the 2025 budget, finance ministry disclosed.
It has fulfilled the financial requirements, the biggest challenge for small business owners providing loans without pledging property or other assets as loan security and this facility was based on the business’s potential rather than on collateral. .
Director General of the Department of Development Finance of the Ministry of Finance, Manjula Hettiarachchi revealed that out of the Rs. 200 billion allocated in this year’s budget to provide financial assistance to SME entrepreneurs, loans amounting to Rs. 120 billion have already been approved.
He added that that the remaining Rs. 80 billion be swiftly channeled through the banking system to make the funds available to beneficiaries without delay.
He further stated that one of the major challenges faced by SMEs and other entrepreneurs is the lack of sufficient capital to start or expand a business under affordable interest rates.
Another key issue, he noted, is the absence of adequate collateral to secure such loans. To address both challenges, the government, through the Department of Development Finance, has introduced special loan schemes in collaboration with 13 state and private banks and has also established a National Credit Guarantee Institution (NCGI).
Under this scheme, individuals already operating successful businesses can obtain working capital loans of up to Rs. 25 million at an interest rate of 7 percent, with a 12-month grace period for interest payments. The loan repayment period has been structured over 10 years.
Loans under this scheme range from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 25 million and are available across all sectors. To qualify, SME owners must show their business is viable when applying through banks.
Additionally, those currently classified as Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) and unable to meet existing loan repayments can access up to Rs. 15 million at an 8 percent annual interest rate. Borrowers are exempt from paying interest for the first six months, and repayment can be made over five years.
The government has officially launched the National Credit Guarantee Institution on June 2, 2025, SME entrepreneurs to access loans without providing collateral, making it easier for small businesses to grow.
It is offering a 67 percent guarantee to banks, allowing them to provide loans based on the business’s potential rather than on collateral.
The institution is a joint effort by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance. It operates as a public-private partnership with the government owning 90 percent and the remaining 10 percent held by 13 private banks and financial institutions.
The ADB has contributed US$ 50 million in capital and technical support to establish the institution.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Credit Guarantee Institution, Jude Fernando, revealed that so far, Rs. 3.5 billion worth of guarantees have been issued, enabling 633 loan facilities. He added that the institution plans to further expand its services
Dear Comrade Aravinda..
Dear Comrade Aravinda,
Sometimes – thankfully not all the time – your team simply asks for negativity instead of enjoying the democratic luxury of a significant vote base. This majority came your way principally since the people of Sri Lanka had grown rather weary of the triumphalism espoused by the Rajapaksa clan and their cohorts. The people were quite weary for another reason: corruption was the new endemic, and the people feel abused by their elected representatives. It had become beyond a joke.
Take for example the Yahapalanistas. Faizer Mustapha was the Minister in charge – he proposed the Provincial Council changes and by the time it was time to vote on that in parliament, the same man voted against what he was responsible for! Truly, Comrade it was beyond a joke. Somehow the people don’t like it when that happens.
Comrade Aravinda: your Minister in Charge of Cultural and Religious Affairs is on the face of it trying to hitch a free ride on the ‘equality’ bandwagon. The negativity though is to you and your party.
His comparison of the newly elected Mayor of New York with the appointment of the Nilame role in Kandy is totally out of context. Your Minister suggests that it should be possible for a non-Buddhist to be the holder of that position.
Come on Comrade! What kind of absolute non-starter positions is that? Are we to have a Hindu woman to be the head of the Mosques in Sri Lanka? Or a Muslim – maybe Azaath Salley or Rauf Hakim or MSM Thowfeek or Rishad – to take over the role of Archbishop of Colombo?
Espousing the cause of equality and togetherness and even communal harmony is truly marvellous – especially as we all know that communal harmony has been fractured for a while thanks to a bunch of terrorists who found it convenient to latch on to the aspirations of the Northern people who ever only wanted equality of opportunity.
To make absurd statements – whilst holding high office – suggests that the Minister knows zero about the subject or in the full knowledge of the system, chose to be mischievous like that other Doctor now newly in parliament. (This fellow is either letting off steam or asleep in the chamber)
Comrade Aravinda – the Mahanayakes must have been delighted on the appointment of the Maligawa Chief – the Diyawadana Nilame, Pradeep Nilanga Dela. The reason or one such reason would be the unhappiness shown by the Senior clergy in terms of the effort by Tourism assets, to highlight the LGBT community.
Many without really understanding the system, feel that it would be a breakdown of the cultural values in Sri Lanka. Nothing of course can be further from that but one must consider that for traditional believers in the entire concept of Buddhism any such move to apparently promote LGBT travellers is nothing new, but it is a new scheme to raise awareness of the tolerance levels for LGBT travellers in Sri Lanka.
In that context the fears and concerns of all the religions in Sri Lanka will be assuaged by the election of Nilanga Dela. It is best Comrade Aravinda if you told your Ministers to be a bit more thoughtful before opening their traps.
At the end of the day the perception is this, “A Secular State: A core principle in many leftist ideologies is that the government should not use religion as a constitutive device for holding society together and should avoid enforcing purely religious norms (such as specific dietary laws). For a majority Buddhist nation the palpable fear is that even though Buddhism is give its rightful place in the Constitution, there is a fear that such values may well be eroded.
My warmest wishes to you,
Faraz Shauketaly
Team NewsLine
Diplomatic Efforts Underway to Secure Return of Sri Lankan Fishermen Detained in Maldives
November 09, Colombo (LNW): Formal discussions have commenced to facilitate the repatriation of Sri Lankan fishermen who were recently detained in Maldivian waters on allegations of drug trafficking.
Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively supporting the process, noting that an official request has already been submitted to the Maldivian authorities seeking the fishermen’s return.
In parallel, a specialised unit from the Police Narcotics Bureau has been dispatched to the Maldives to assist with the ongoing investigations.
The fishermen were taken into custody after the authorities intercepted a Sri Lankan multi-day fishing vessel in Maldivian waters, where suspected narcotics were allegedly found on board.
Officials emphasised that both countries are cooperating closely to ensure the matter is resolved promptly while adhering to legal protocols.
Related Stories: https://lankanewsweb.net/archives/142213/maldivian-coast-guard-seizes-sri-lankan-vessel-carrying-massive-drug-haul/