Beneath the headline figures of demographic change, new census data reveals a quieter but equally pressing crisis unfolding across Sri Lanka: growing social vulnerability, particularly among elderly women and single-person households.

The findings from the Department of Census and Statistics highlight a significant shift away from traditional family structures. One in ten households now consists of a single individual, totaling more than 640,000 homes. Strikingly, over half of these are occupied by people aged 60 and above, with women making up more than 70 percent of this group.

This trend is closely linked to what officials describe as a “widowhood gap.” Among women aged 65 and older, 44.2 percent are widowed, compared to just 10.5 percent of men. The disparity leaves a large segment of elderly women living alone, often without sufficient financial or social support.

Such patterns raise concerns about the country’s readiness to handle an expanding elderly population. Social safety nets, traditionally built around family-based care, may struggle to adapt to a reality where more seniors live independently.

At the same time, broader economic participation remains uneven. Although Sri Lanka boasts high literacy rates and near gender parity in education, these achievements have not translated into equal workforce involvement. More than half of women of working age remain economically inactive, primarily due to unpaid domestic and caregiving responsibilities.

Regional disparities add another layer of complexity. While the national unemployment rate stands at 6 percent, some districts experience significantly higher levels of joblessness, highlighting uneven economic opportunities across the country.

On the positive side, the census points to rapid modernization in living standards. Access to electricity is nearly universal at 98 percent, and digital adoption is accelerating. Laptop ownership has risen sharply, and reliance on mobile technology continues to grow, signaling a shift toward a more connected society.

Energy usage patterns also reflect gradual change. Liquefied petroleum gas is now used by over 40 percent of households for cooking, although a majority still depend on firewood, indicating persistent rural-urban divides.

Geographically, population density remains concentrated in the Western Province, which accounts for over a quarter of the population, with Gampaha emerging as the most populous district.

Despite these advancements, the underlying message of the census is clear: economic progress and social development are not evenly distributed. Vulnerable groups’ especially elderly women living alone face increasing risks in a society undergoing rapid demographic and structural transformation.

Addressing these challenges will require more than economic growth. It will demand targeted social policies, stronger community support systems, and a rethinking of how care is provided in an aging nation.

A special discussion on the 2026 Action Plan of the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme and progress made in the past year was held this morning (17) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the meeting focused on how upcoming projects can be structured to be more accessible and responsive to the public.

The President stressed the importance of expanding the initiative beyond a purely government-driven programme, urging that it be strengthened through projects more closely connected with the public.

Progress achieved in the previous year was also reviewed, with officials outlining plans to engage relevant stakeholders to meet targets set for the coming year.

Among those present were Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Convenor of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, Additional Secretary S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, members of the Clean Sri Lanka Task Force, and senior officials of the Secretariat.

India’s Parliament is preparing to vote on a series of major bills aimed at expanding legislative representation and advancing a quota for women lawmakers, amid strong opposition criticism.

The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed measures to fast-track the implementation of a 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, which was initially scheduled for the 2029 general elections.

The proposed legislation includes a constitutional amendment to increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha, as well as a delimitation bill to redraw electoral boundaries based on updated population data.

Opposition parties have raised concerns over linking the women’s quota to constituency delimitation, arguing that it could be used to influence electoral outcomes ahead of future elections.

The bills were debated during an extended parliamentary session, with sharp divisions emerging between the government and the opposition over the proposed reforms.

Minister Vijitha Herath today rejected allegations of fraud in the importation of coal, while acknowledging that a recent shipment was of substandard quality.

He made these remarks at a special media briefing held at the Government Information Department on (17), attended by several ministers, following the resignation of Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody.

Jayakody and Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala stepped down from their positions to allow an impartial investigation by a Special Presidential Commission appointed to probe issues related to coal procurement.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the Commission to complete its അന്വേഷണം within six months and submit a report.

Minister Herath urged the public to provide any information related to alleged irregularities to the Commission, assuring transparency in the process.

“No fraud was committed in the import of coal. As a government, we state this responsibly. However, we accept that the quality of the imported coal was low, and we have openly informed the public,” he said.

He explained that all required tests had been conducted through relevant laboratories, but deficiencies in electricity generation were observed when the coal was used.

Herath further stated that no investigation so far has established any corruption or direct involvement of the minister or other officials. He emphasised that procurement was carried out through independent committees, including the National Procurement Commission, in accordance with established procedures.

Referring to discussions at the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), he noted that an audit had been conducted, and the report did not indicate any fraud or corruption by the minister, though it highlighted certain losses.

“The Audit Report clearly confirms that the minister was not involved in any fraud,” he said.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced that the QR code fuel quota system for petrol vehicles will be reinstated from midnight today (18), following its temporary suspension during the festive season.

CPC Chairman D. J. Rajakaruna stated that the existing fuel quota allocations for petrol vehicles will remain unchanged.

The system had been suspended from midnight on April 11 to facilitate increased demand during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period.

From midnight today, fuel will once again be issued to vehicles strictly under the QR code quota system, in line with the ‘odd-even’ number plate method.

Notorious underworld figure known as ‘Karandeniya Raju’ has been brought back to Sri Lanka from India by a special team of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), authorities confirmed.

Raju, who is wanted in connection with more than 15 criminal offences including murder, was recently arrested in India by local security authorities before being handed over to Sri Lankan officials.

He has also been identified as the brother of organised crime suspect ‘Karandeniya Sudda’.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya district after 1.00 pm.

Mainly dry weather will prevail over the other parts of the island.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the early hours of the morning.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Atmospheric conditions for evening thundershowers are expected to become favorable in most parts of the island from the 20th of April onwards.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has announced that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz is now open for commercial vessels, but cautioned that ships must strictly follow designated safe routes.

The waterway had effectively been blocked by Tehran following attacks by the United States and Israel on 28 February, disrupting one of the world’s most critical oil and gas transit corridors. Although a temporary ceasefire between Iran and the US is in place until 22 April, tensions remain high.

US President Donald Trump stated that a naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a formal peace agreement is reached, despite calling recent developments “a great and brilliant day for the world.”

Maritime authorities remain cautious. Industry groups say they are still assessing whether it is safe for ships to pass through the strait, with tracking data showing only minimal vessel movement so far.

Araghchi’s announcement came on the first full day of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. He noted that commercial vessels could transit through the strait along routes coordinated by Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation.

However, Iranian state media later clarified that only civilian vessels would be allowed through designated lanes, while military ships remain banned. These routes were reportedly outlined by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and avoid identified high-risk zones.

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions within Iran. Some outlets criticized the statement as unclear, warning that passage could again be restricted if the US blockade continues. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf echoed this concern, stating that the strait would not remain open under ongoing pressure from US forces.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are ongoing. Trump indicated that negotiations with Iran would continue over the weekend, though disagreements persist—particularly over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, which Tehran insists will not be transferred under any circumstances.

The situation carries major global implications. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas typically flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The recent disruption has driven fuel prices higher, although oil prices dropped following Iran’s reopening announcement.

Despite this, uncertainty lingers. Arsenio Dominguez of the International Maritime Organization emphasized the need for clearer guarantees of safety and compliance with international law. Some ships may already be moving through the region, though verification remains difficult.

Security analysts also remain skeptical. Experts warn that risks such as naval mines and military escalation continue to pose serious threats to shipping in the coming weeks.

In response, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom and France plan to lead a multinational, defensive mission to safeguard commercial shipping routes once hostilities subside.

While the reopening offers a potential easing of global economic pressure, the fragile ceasefire and ongoing military tensions mean the situation remains highly volatile.

By – Robinhood

The government defended Kumara Jayakody through the no-confidence motion and won. Then he resigned anyway. That sequence should trouble every Sri Lankan more than the motion itself.

It means the defence was performative. Parliament was used as a shield, not a verdict. The government whipped its members into line, survived the vote, and then quietly allowed the minister and his secretary to walk out the door. If Jayakody was worth defending publicly, he was worth keeping. If he was not worth keeping, he was not worth defending. The government cannot claim both positions simultaneously.

What forced the eventual resignation was not parliamentary process. It was continued public pressure that made the political cost of retention unsustainable.

The same pressure works elsewhere. Sriyan Cooray, Chairman of NDB Bank, has not appeared before the public to explain how 13.2 billion rupees disappeared under his watch.

He has not found time to face his depositors. That silence should be as politically costly as any no-confidence motion applied through every media appearance, every public forum, every shareholder meeting until he answers.

Sri Lanka’s rogue think tanks, which sell sponsored conclusions dressed as independent analysis, and media houses that protect advertisers instead of informing the public, operate on the same assumption every discredited politician once held, that the public will eventually look away.

Jayakody’s resignation proves that assumption has an expiry date. The public’s job now is to make sure every other protected figure in this country discovers theirs.

Nalinda Indatissa

President’s Counsel

Following the recent remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping cautioning against a global slide toward a “law of the jungle” and calling for the protection of genuine multilateralism, Sri Lanka must respond with clarity, balance, and urgency. The response must be principled, carefully calibrated, and consistent with Sri Lanka’s long-standing foreign policy traditions—while safeguarding critical relationships, including access to the American market and maintaining the goodwill of partners such as Iran.

Sri Lanka’s position should be anchored in a reaffirmation of its commitment to a rules-based international order. This includes respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. These principles are not aligned to any one power bloc; rather, they reflect universally accepted norms embedded in international law and practice.
At the same time, Sri Lanka must maintain strict strategic neutrality. Engagement with major powers—including the United States, China, India, and regional actors—should remain balanced and issue-based. Economic cooperation, trade access, and financial stability considerations require that Sri Lanka avoids actions or statements that could be perceived as favoring one side at the expense of another. In particular, continued access to the United States market must be preserved through stable, predictable, and constructive engagement, while longstanding diplomatic goodwill with countries such as Iran must also be respected and maintained.

Sri Lanka should actively support multilateral platforms, especially within the framework of the United Nations. Its voice should consistently favor collective decision-making, adherence to international law, and the strengthening of institutional mechanisms that prevent unilateralism. Participation in such forums must be active, not symbolic, with clear and coherent positions articulated on emerging global issues.
Regionally, Sri Lanka should reinforce cooperation within the Indian Ocean space. Engagement through bodies such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association must be strengthened, with emphasis on maritime stability, open sea lanes, and collaborative security arrangements that do not exclude any party. Sri Lanka’s geographic position demands a posture that supports inclusivity and stability in these waters.
Diplomatically, Sri Lanka should position itself as a credible and neutral interlocutor. It should remain open to facilitating dialogue, hosting discussions, and contributing to de-escalation efforts where appropriate. This requires consistency in messaging and conduct—avoiding rhetoric that may be interpreted as confrontational or aligned with geopolitical rivalries.
Internally, coherence between foreign policy and domestic governance is essential. Legal certainty, institutional integrity, and policy consistency enhance Sri Lanka’s credibility abroad. A state that adheres to rules within its own system is better placed to advocate for those same rules internationally.

Sri Lanka’s response must therefore be measured but firm: supportive of a rules-based global order, resistant to any drift toward power-based arbitrariness, and carefully balanced to preserve all key relationships. Timing is critical. A clear articulation of this position, delivered without delay, will ensure that Sri Lanka remains aligned with principle while maintaining its strategic space.