SriLankan Airlines has suffered a staggering USD 60 million loss after a fleet of new Airbus A320-family aircraft purchased in 2018 was grounded due to defects in their CFM LEAP engines, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament. The disclosure sheds new light on a costly procurement decision that continues to burden the national carrier—and ultimately the public.
According to the Minister, SriLankan began negotiations to acquire the A321neo variant in 2017, finalising the deal in 2018. However, soon after induction, the aircraft began experiencing technical failures linked to design issues in their CFM LEAP engines. As a result, six aircraft were progressively grounded, severely disrupting operations.
“By 31 October, these aircraft had accumulated 131 months of grounding time,” Karunathilaka said. “One aircraft is still not flying. With no revenue coming in, the airline has already paid USD 60 million for them.”
The losses were compounded by the absence of a robust long-term maintenance agreement at the time of leasing. “As a result, USD 71 million had to be spent on maintenance, and projections show the airline will need to allocate another USD 171 million in the coming years. This burden ultimately falls on the nation,” the Minister warned.
In 2025, SriLankan’s current maintenance bill stood at USD 23 million, nearly matching the airline’s USD 29 million revenue for the year highlighting the severe financial strain created by the engine failures.
The Minister explained that in 2018, airline management opted for CFM LEAP engines for six new A320neo aircraft, even though SriLankan traditionally acquired aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce engines. However, global industry conditions at the time limited options. Rolls-Royce had withdrawn from the narrow-body engine market during Airbus A321neo development, leaving CFM and Pratt & Whitney as the primary choices.
Sri Lanka was not alone in facing difficulties with the A320neo engines. Airlines operating the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines have encountered even more severe setbacks.
Industry estimates indicate that around half of the 1,200 aircraft equipped with PW1000G engines were grounded globally as of November 2025, largely due to durability and repair-time issues. Repair backlogs, long lead times, and component shortages have worsened the crisis, leading some airlines to strip nearly new A320neos for parts—a more profitable option than operating them.
Reports suggest that functional PW engines are now being leased for exceptionally high monthly rates, reportedly around USD 200,000, reflecting acute global shortages.
Aviation analysts argue that persistent high oil prices and industry pressure for greater fuel efficiency may have pushed engine manufacturers to prioritise innovation over long-term durability, contributing to the widespread technical issues now seen across fleets.
SriLankan Airlines, already facing deep financial challenges, must now navigate the long-term fallout of an engine crisis affecting carriers worldwide one that underscores the risks of rapid technological leaps in commercial aviation.
A fast-unfolding investigation into UK-based Sri Lankan content creator Geeth Sooriyapura has uncovered a sophisticated cross-border ecosystem that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to manufacture hate speech, monetise rage-bait content, and manipulate political discourse. What initially appeared to be routine online provocation now points to a coordinated digital operation capable of fuelling ethnic and religious tensions in both Sri Lanka and immigrant communities abroad.
At the centre of the controversy is the deliberate use of generative AI to create anti-immigrant, Islamophobic, and inflammatory narratives designed to provoke maximum outrage. Media and Entertainment Lawyer Chanakya Jayadeva stressed that despite misconceptions, AI does not absolve its operators of legal responsibility. “AI only works when commanded. If it spreads hate, it is because a person instructed it,” he said.
Jayadeva noted that Sri Lanka’s ICCPR Act provides clear legal grounds to prosecute individuals promoting racial or religious hatred, even when operating overseas. Section 3(1) explicitly prohibits advocacy of hatred that incites discrimination or violence. Although Sri Lanka cannot extradite offenders without formal agreements, he said individuals can still be charged in absentia and prosecuted if they enter the country.
The Online Safety Act (OSA) widens accountability further, criminalising false statements that threaten public order or promote hostility. Its provisions apply regardless of whether offenders reside inside or outside Sri Lanka, while sections on bot-driven misinformation and harmful digital manipulation offer additional avenues for prosecution. The Computer Crime Act adds penalties for unauthorised digital interference linked to national security.Cybersecurity expert Asela Waidyalankara explained that ideology alone is not driving this phenomenon profit is. He said Sooriyapura was effectively “teaching people to create rage-bait content,” such as fabricated claims about Muslim communities “taking over London,” which go viral and trigger algorithm-based monetisation. In Sri Lanka, influencers with large followings often operate in a grey market where political clients pay them to amplify narratives
In countries like Sri Lanka, with a history stretching back millennia, the true bedrock of social stability and order lies in the unpaid, pervasive service of its religious leaders
The reality is that a significant volume of wrongdoing, including crimes against women and children and endemic minor corruption, remains stubbornly unreported
Religious leaders, be they Buddhist monks (Bhikkhus), Hindu priests (Kurukkals), Islamic clergy (Ulama), or Christian pastors, are widely respected figures of integrity and moral authority
In the complex tapestry of modern nation-states, governance is often viewed through the narrow lens of policy, legislation, and enforcement agencies. Yet, in countries like Sri Lanka, with a history stretching back millennia, the true bedrock of social stability and order lies not in the paid bureaucracy, but in the unpaid, pervasive service of its religious leaders. This extensive, voluntary network of moral guidance spanning Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and Christian faiths acts as a critical, unpriced pillar that keeps the social fabric whole, preventing a descent into unmanageable crime that no government treasury could ever afford to police.
The sheer scale of this contribution is illuminated when juxtaposed with the nation’s crime statistics. With a population of approximately 21.8 million, the Department of Census and Statistics records the annual grave crimes (homicide, rape, robbery) in 2023 at 44,939, While this figure, and the incarceration rate (which shows only about 0.17% of the population currently in jail), might suggest a relatively low level of overt criminality, it is a profoundly misleading measure. The reality is that a significant volume of wrongdoing, including crimes against women and children and endemic minor corruption, remains stubbornly unreported. Furthermore, as per Department of Prison, in 2024 convicted admission numbers indicated as 47783 and un-convicted as 135550. This statistics suggests that the majority of the prison population comprises of unconvicted individuals awaiting trial, pointing to a justice system struggling with its caseload. In this context of stretched resources and hidden societal ills, the vast majority of the population the 99% who are not incarcerated and who do not feature in crime reports are held in check by a force far older and subtler than the penal code: the fear and habit of moral righteousness instilled by their religious teachings.
The Middle Path as the Core of Social Contract Sri Lanka’s identity is inextricably linked to its religious heritage, dating back over 2,500 years with the introduction of Buddhism. This historical link is not a mere cultural footnote; it is the source code for the nation’s behavioral norms. The central philosophy of Buddhism, the Middle Path and the principle of non-violence (Ahimsa) has seeped into the collective consciousness of the island. These principles form an unwritten social contract that guides the actions of the majority, promoting forbearance, compassion, and ethical conduct.
This influence extends even to the highest levels of statecraft. The nation’s historical commitment to a non-aligned foreign policy being friendly with everyone and maintaining enmity with none is a direct derivation of the Buddhist central path: a preference for neutrality and peace over conflict. It demonstrates that the core religious philosophy shapes not just individual behaviour but also national character and external relations. To suggest that Sri Lanka could simply adopt a purely secular, fear-based legal system, such as those that employ draconian measures common in some Middle Eastern countries, is to ignore this profound historical and cultural depth. Such a path is neither practical nor possible for a country whose very livelihood, tradition, and worldview are organically linked to its long-held religious identity.
The forgotten factor: Proactive prevention vs. reactive punishment
The most “forgotten factor” in evaluating national security and stability is the proactive, preventative discipline exerted by religious institutions. Every Sunday School (Dahama Pasala), every Katib sermon, every kovil gathering, and every church service is, in effect, a massive, free-of-charge public ethics program. However, it is important to state that the government should monitor and prevent Religious extremism and related teaching which is endangering National security and National unity.
Religious leaders, be they Buddhist monks (Bhikkhus), Hindu priests (Kurukkals), Islamic clergy (Ulama), or Christian pastors, are widely respected figures of integrity and moral authority. They are often the first point of contact for individuals grappling with economic distress, addiction, marital conflict, or moral temptation.
They provide:
Moral Policing: They teach the principles (e.g., the Pancha Sila in Buddhism, the Ten Commandments in Christianity, the Five Pillars in Islam) that act as an internal moral compass, stopping wrong deeds before they translate into criminal action.
Community Cohesion: Religious centers serve as vital social support networks, fostering community cohesion (Grama Niladhari regions and local welfare societies often work hand-in-hand with temples/churches) and acting as deterrents against crime by making individuals accountable to a defined community.
Conflict Resolution: They often mediate minor disputes and disagreements at the community level, preventing them from escalating into the grave crimes that burden the formal judicial system.
Those who primarily commit crimes are often those who have either rejected or become estranged from these religious and moral teachings. The state then spends taxpayer money to fund the police, courts, and prisons to punish these individuals, a reactive, highly expensive process. If the proactive deterrence provided by the religious sector were to vanish, the already strained judicial and law enforcement system would be immediately overwhelmed.
The cost of a country without conscience
To imagine a country without religion is to imagine the sudden removal of this universal, unpaid ethical scaffolding. If the current grave crime rate of approximately 45,000 cases per year were to merely double, the state would find its administration rapidly paralysed. The resultant breakdown of social trust, the explosion in police and judicial workload, and the soaring costs of incarceration would make effective governance and the maintenance of the rule of law virtually impossible.
Peace and harmony are not accidents of nature; they are the result of constant, conscious investment in human values. In Sri Lanka, the religious sector represents the single largest, most effective, and least costly source of this investment.
A call for Government partnership
The unpaid service of religious leaders in Sri Lanka is not merely a charitable endeavor; it is an essential public service that provides a foundational layer of social security and order upon which the state can function.
For any government to successfully maintain its administration, ensure security, and pursue economic prosperity, it must formally recognize this contribution. The government’s duty should not be to control the religious domain, but to support and empower it.
This support should manifest through:
Logistical Aid: Providing infrastructure, access to remote communities, and logistical assistance for religious led social work and educational programs like the Dahama Pasalas.
Collaborative Initiatives: Partnering with inter-faith organizations on national campaigns against drug abuse, corruption, and gender based violence, leveraging the moral authority of the clergy.
Financial Support (Where Appropriate): Granting assistance not for worship, but specifically for recognized social service, welfare, and community engagement projects that demonstrably improve social cohesion and ethical conduct.
By giving their fullest support to the religious institutions that discipline the majority and direct them toward good deeds, the government is not being benevolent; it is making the most crucial, cost effective investment in its own survival, stability, and the long term prosperity of the Sri Lankan people. The true rate of “wrongdoing” is kept low not by the size of the police force, but by the profound and enduring influence of the religious path, and the unwavering, unpriced service of its spiritual shepherds.
Aspiring PhD students are encouraged to select this topic for reading, given its substantial National and international positive impact to the society.
The concept of the invaluable social discipline rendered by Sri Lanka’s religious leaders originated with Venerable Halmillewe Saddhatissa Sthavira Monastery in Sacred City, Venerable Vice Incumbent Thero of North Central District, who shared the idea with me, and he should be recognized for it.
(The writer is a battle hardened Infantry Officer who served the Sri Lanka Army for over 36 years, dedicating 20 of those to active combat. In addition to his military service, Dr Perera is a respected International Researcher and Writer, having authored more than 200 research articles and 16 books. He holds a PhD in economics and is an entrepreneur and International Analyst specialising in National Security, economics and politics. He can be reached at [email protected])
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the highest allocation for education in Sri Lanka’s history has been made in the 2026 budget, enabling the government to formulate policies, plans, and institutional structures needed for the sector. She emphasized, however, that financial allocations alone are insufficient without a strong institutional framework to support effective policy implementation.
Speaking in Parliament during the debate on the budget allocation for the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of sound educational policies. She said that a quality education system depends on the integration of well-designed policies, robust institutional structures, and adequate financial support. The prolonged failure to meet these three essential requirements, she noted, has contributed to the challenges currently facing the education sector. Despite this, the commitment of teachers, principals, and education officials has helped maintain overall quality.
Dr. Amarasuriya further noted that one of the key achievements in 2025 was the strengthening of decision-making processes within the sector by identifying institutions, addressing structural shortcomings, aligning them with policy frameworks, and ensuring that financial allocations matched policy priorities. These measures formed part of the preparatory work for major reforms scheduled to begin in 2026. She stressed that formulating policies must be accompanied by proper planning and clear targets for officials, pointing out that although successive governments introduced various education policies, significant curricular reforms failed due to weak planning, inadequate institutional structures and insufficient financial support.
The Prime Minister stated that the Ministry of Education focused its 2025 initiatives on four core areas: promoting equity, enhancing quality, strengthening governance, and formulating evidence-based policies through data-driven analysis. She expressed satisfaction that policies, plans, and institutional frameworks were developed around these four pillars. Referring to the report on the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, she said past decision-making had deteriorated due to personal interests and political agendas overriding proper principles and policies, undermining university standards and causing injustice to students. Similar structural weaknesses had affected many institutions across the sector, she added, noting that the government took steps in 2025 to correct these shortcomings.
Dr. Amarasuriya said that Rs. 7.04 billion—equivalent to 2.04% of GDP—has been allocated for education in the current budget, the highest allocation in many years. She reiterated that the government does not claim it will reach the 6% of GDP benchmark within the first year, adding that achieving this target requires strong policies and strengthened institutions. Allocating funds alone, she said, is not enough; spending must be aligned with policy priorities and institutional capacity.
Additionally, Rs. 3,000 million has been allocated for education reforms, under which current initiatives are being implemented. The Prime Minister noted that the 2025 budget was passed at the end of April and expenditure commenced in May. Financial progress stood at 18% at the time, rising to 69% by December—an improvement in efficiency not previously seen in the education sector. She attributed this progress to clear targets for officials, close monitoring and strengthened accountability, and expressed confidence that even greater progress would be achieved in 2026 and 2027.
Acknowledging that challenges remain, Dr. Amarasuriya said the sector continues to advance while addressing longstanding weaknesses. She emphasized the need for further enhancement of efficiency and stressed the importance of taking prompt, effective action when issues arise in schools or universities. She underscored the importance of responsibility, systematic planning, strong policy formulation and steady, consistent progress.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is expected to transfer Rs. 5 billion from its profits to the Consolidated Fund.
The SLPA has recorded a post-tax net profit of Rs. 39 billion as of October 31, 2025—an increase of approximately Rs. 12 billion compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation.
Out of this amount, Rs. 2 billion was already transferred to the Consolidated Fund in September 2025, while the remaining Rs. 3 billion is scheduled to be transferred in December 2025.
Sri Lanka expects significant benefits—including enhanced global visibility and a rise in foreign tourist arrivals—from co-hosting the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with India, the President’s Media Division (PMD) announced.
A high-level meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat to review preparations for the tournament, chaired by Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, with the participation of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials and representatives from key government agencies. The discussion focused on ensuring Sri Lanka meets the International Cricket Council’s hosting standards, covering stadium readiness, security measures and operational logistics.
Attention was also drawn to streamlining immigration and emigration processes for international spectators visiting the country and integrating national cleanliness and environmental management efforts under the Clean Sri Lanka initiative. Officials emphasised coordinated efforts among all relevant institutions to ensure the successful hosting of the event.
Sri Lanka is expected to host approximately 20 matches across three venues in Colombo and Pallekele. The tournament will take place from 7 February to 8 March 2026, with 20 international teams participating in what will be one of the largest editions of the T20 World Cup.
The meeting was attended by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, Ministry of Education Director (Sports) Lt. Col. Anura Abeywickrama, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Bandula Dissanayake, Treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda and senior officers from the security forces.
The race to select the next Secretary-General of the United Nations formally began on Tuesday, as member states were invited to submit nominations to replace António Guterres when his term ends in 2026.
In a joint letter sent to all 193 member states, Security Council President and Sierra Leone’s UN Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu, together with UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, outlined the profile sought for the world’s top diplomatic post: extensive experience in international relations, proven leadership in diplomacy, strong language skills, and the highest standards of integrity and competence.
“The position of Secretary-General is one of great importance,” the letter stated, requiring an unwavering commitment to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.
Push for a Woman Leader
For the first time in a selection process, UN leaders explicitly highlighted that no woman has ever held the position of Secretary-General, urging member states “to strongly consider nominating women.”
Several female candidates are already being discussed informally, including:
Michelle Bachelet – Former President of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Rebeca Grynspan – Costa Rican diplomat and current head of UNCTAD
Also mentioned as a potential contender is Rafael Grossi, the Argentinian Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
How the Process Works
Candidates must be nominated by a UN member state or a group of states. They will need to submit:
A vision statement outlining priorities for the UN
A declaration of financial support sources
The UN may also repeat the public, town hall–style interviews introduced during the 2016 selection process, which brought unprecedented transparency to the process that eventually led to Guterres’ selection.
Regional Rotation Tradition
There is an informal tradition of geographic rotation among regions. While it is not binding, many observers note that it is Latin America and the Caribbean’s turn, a factor reflected in early speculation about possible candidates.
The UN letter alludes to this practice, underscoring the “importance of regional diversity,” though it stops short of designating any specific region.
Security Council Will Have Final Say
The Security Council will start its formal deliberations by the end of July 2026. As in every selection, the five permanent members — the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France — each hold veto power, giving them decisive influence over the final outcome.
Once the Council recommends a candidate, the General Assembly will vote to appoint the next Secretary-General to a five-year term beginning January 1, 2027, renewable once.
The low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal was located south of Sri Lanka at around last midnight (November 25). It is likely to intensify into a depression during the next 30 hours. Due to the influence of this system, the rainy and windy conditions in the island are expected to enhance for the next few days. The general public is kindly requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard. Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times over most parts of the island.
Very heavy falls above 150 mm are likely at some places in Eastern, Central, and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa district. Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.
Strong winds of about 50 kmph can be expected at times over Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Matale districts. Fairly strong winds of about 40 kmph may occur at times in other areas over the island.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by strong winds and lightning.
November 25, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has been named among six countries the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) intends to visit in 2026, as part of a renewed international effort to reinforce protections against torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
The announcement follows the easing of the UN’s recent financial constraints, which had forced several planned inspections to be pushed back. With its budgetary challenges stabilising, the SPT confirmed that previously postponed visits to Burundi, France and Mexico will now move ahead next year, together with new missions to Paraguay, Rwanda and Sri Lanka.
The 2026 programme is set to begin in January with an inspection of facilities in Mexico. The decision comes after a year in which the Subcommittee managed to complete only four of its planned visits—Mozambique, New Zealand, Peru and Serbia—because of funding shortages.
Operating under its global mandate to prevent torture, the SPT conducts unannounced inspections of places where individuals are deprived of their liberty, including prisons, police cells, psychiatric institutions and immigration detention centres.
During these visits, the Subcommittee engages with state officials, civil society actors and national human rights bodies to promote reforms and strengthen safeguards against abuse.
November 25, Colombo (LNW): A series of essential public services offered by the Registrar General’s Department has been rolled out across several district secretariat areas under the government’s “Happy Nation – Clean Sri Lanka” community outreach initiative, which aims to take administrative services directly to village residents.
The mobile programme, implemented on the instructions of Registrar General S. Jaladeepan, is designed to reduce the hurdles many citizens face when attempting to obtain vital documents. District secretariats are coordinating the effort, which forms part of a broader drive to enhance access to civil registration services in rural and underserved areas.
During a recent service day held at the Ottusudan Divisional Secretariat in the Jaffna District, officials processed 73 registrations of births and deaths. Fourteen couples who had been cohabiting without formal recognition were also able to legalise their unions and receive marriage certificates on the spot — a step that local officers said would help families secure legal rights often tied to marital status.
In addition to registration work, several other public services were offered to residents, making it easier for them to update records and obtain official documentation without travelling long distances.
The event drew the participation of Northern Province Deputy Registrar General P. Prabhakar, along with the Ottusudan Divisional Secretary, Assistant Divisional Secretary, the Additional District Registrar and other departmental staff, who described the initiative as an important step toward improving administrative outreach in remote communities.
