Sri Lanka is aggressively reshaping its investment landscape through a sweeping digital transformation strategy aimed at attracting billions of dollars in foreign capital. At the centre of this effort is the Board of Investment’s (BOI) newly launched “Ready to Invest” platform, a digital gateway that promises to remove long-standing bureaucratic obstacles that have historically discouraged international investors.

The online platform offers direct access to 30 fully structured investment projects spanning several high-growth sectors of the economy. Unlike traditional investment proposals that require extensive preliminary assessments, these projects come equipped with feasibility studies, predefined business scopes and pre-allocated land, enabling investors to move rapidly from evaluation to implementation.

Senior BOI officials describe the initiative as a major shift in Sri Lanka’s investment promotion strategy. By presenting ready-made opportunities backed by financial and technical assessments, authorities hope to reduce approval delays and enhance investor confidence at a time when regional competition for foreign capital is intensifying.

The launch coincides with broader reforms under the ongoing review and implementation of the Economic Transformation Act, which seeks to redefine the BOI’s mandate and streamline corporate approval processes. Officials say the reforms are intended to create a more efficient investment environment by reducing administrative bottlenecks and improving regulatory transparency.

The digital investment push comes as Sri Lanka attempts to build on signs of recovery following the economic crisis that severely impacted investor sentiment. Improved macroeconomic stability, structural reforms and stronger international confidence have contributed to a gradual resurgence in foreign direct investment (FDI).

Although a comprehensive mid-year report has yet to be released, official estimates indicate that Sri Lanka secured approximately US$226 million in committed investment projects during the first quarter of 2026, representing a 16 percent increase compared with the corresponding period last year. The government has set an ambitious target of attracting US$1.5 billion in foreign investment this year, placing significant pressure on authorities to accelerate project approvals and investor engagement.

Current investment flows are largely driven by a handful of countries. Singapore, India, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg collectively account for the majority of foreign capital entering the country. Official figures suggest that these five nations represent the backbone of Sri Lanka’s estimated US$1.06 billion inbound investment portfolio.

Beyond the Ready to Invest platform, the BOI has introduced a series of digital tools designed to modernise investor services. An online application system now enables foreign companies to submit documentation, upload compliance certifications and monitor approval progress remotely. The BOI Online Services Portal further automates regulatory procedures, including fee verification, customs documentation and electronic gate-pass approvals.

Authorities have also introduced a Digital Land Bank featuring geospatial mapping technology, allowing investors to identify and reserve industrial, private and state-owned land without visiting Sri Lanka.

At the policy level, specialised approval mechanisms have been established for strategic sectors such as mining, mineral sands, data centres and technology startups. Reduced investment thresholds, in some cases as low as US$250,000, are also being used to attract smaller but innovative international firms.

While the digital overhaul signals a significant shift in Sri Lanka’s investment strategy, its ultimate success will depend on whether streamlined systems can translate investor interest into sustained capital inflows and long-term economic growth.

Sri Lanka’s much-publicized campaign to reduce sugar consumption and combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is facing growing scrutiny, as emerging evidence suggests that major policy gaps are weakening its intended public health impact.

The government’s twin strategy imposing taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and introducing Traffic Light Labelling (TLL) has been widely praised as a progressive step toward healthier consumer choices. However, recent findings from the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) reveal that significant regulatory blind spots and industry adaptations may be undermining the effectiveness of these measures.

On the surface, the Traffic Light Labelling system appears successful. Surveys indicate that nearly two-thirds of Sri Lankan consumers understand the colour-coded labels, while a 10 percent increase in beverage prices has been linked to a 15 percent decline in the demand for carbonated soft drinks. Yet researchers warn that these achievements conceal a much deeper problem.

According to available data, nearly 75 percent of sweetened beverages consumed across the country remain outside the current regulatory framework. Health Ministry sources point out that the poorest 40 percent of households obtain as much as 85 percent of their sweetened drinks from informal markets, loose-sugar beverage dispensers and milk-based products that are exempt from traffic-light labelling requirements.

As a result, low-income consumers continue to purchase inexpensive, high-sugar products that carry no warning labels, increasing their vulnerability to obesity, diabetes and other NCDs. Public health experts argue that the current system has unintentionally widened health inequalities rather than reducing them.

Even more concerning is the beverage industry’s growing reliance on non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) to avoid taxation. To escape the sugar tax imposed on excess sugar content, many manufacturers have quietly reformulated products using artificial sweeteners. Since the Traffic Light Labelling criteria assess only free sugar levels, these beverages often receive favourable “Green” or “Amber” ratings despite containing synthetic substitutes.

Independent assessments have found that around 70 percent of beverages carrying green labels and half of those displaying amber labels now contain non-sugar sweeteners. This has raised concerns among health professionals, particularly in light of warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO), which has highlighted potential links between long-term NSS consumption and increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and overall mortality.

Critics also point to the influence of industry lobbying. Historical policy revisions reportedly reduced sugar tax rates by approximately 40 percent, while aggressive promotional discounts continue to soften the financial burden on consumers. Together, these factors have weakened the deterrent effect originally intended by policymakers.

Tax specialists and health advocates are now urging the government to adopt a broader nutritional strategy. Recommendations include extending taxation to beverages containing artificial sweeteners, introducing volume-based taxes, and automatically adjusting tax thresholds to keep pace with inflation.

Without decisive reforms, experts warn that Sri Lanka risks replacing one public health crisis with another substituting excessive sugar consumption with growing dependence on synthetic sweeteners while failing to achieve its long-term health objectives

Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando says the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund has received Rs. 10 billion in local and foreign donations for Cyclone Ditwah relief efforts, dismissing allegations regarding the management of the funds.

Speaking yesterday, Dr. Fernando said the donations are being securely maintained in Treasury-controlled bank accounts under the Deputy Secretary to the Treasury and have not yet been utilized.

“The Opposition should not mislead the public by spreading false information. The Government is responsible for every rupee in these accounts, and the funds will be used strictly for their intended relief purposes,” he said.

According to the Deputy Minister, the Rebuilding Sri Lanka programme was launched to support recovery from the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah and forms part of a broader Rs. 500 billion national recovery plan aimed at providing relief, rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and rehabilitating damaged infrastructure.

He said the fund has received contributions from Sri Lankan expatriates, local businesses, and international donors, accumulating Rs. 10 billion to date.

Dr. Fernando noted that the Cabinet had approved the establishment of the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund as a statutory mechanism operating under the Presidential Secretariat. The fund is managed by a committee chaired by the Deputy Minister, while a Presidential Task Force led by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya oversees coordination and transparency in the distribution of assistance.

The recovery programme includes the construction of new homes for displaced families, compensation for partially damaged houses, stabilisation of landslide-prone areas, rehabilitation of agricultural land, and the restoration of roads, irrigation systems, and other public infrastructure.

He further stated that the Auditor General’s Department oversees the dedicated Treasury account and monitors all future expenditure related to the programme.

“The allegation that the Rebuilding Sri Lanka funds were misappropriated or unaudited is completely incorrect. The Auditor General’s Department has confirmed that not a single cent of the donated money has been spent. The funds remain fully secured in official Treasury accounts,” he said.

Dr. Fernando added that although Rs. 200 billion of the overall Rs. 500 billion relief allocation has been utilized for direct relief measures, the donated funds remain untouched. He assured that Parliament and relevant institutions will be provided with detailed reports on the future allocation and auditing of the funds.

“The Government remains committed to transparency and financial discipline and will clearly disclose how these funds are distributed and audited going forward,” he said.

Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets increased by 1.6% in May 2026, reaching USD 6.873 billion, according to the latest data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

The reserves rose by USD 107 million from USD 6.766 billion recorded at the end of April 2026, indicating a continued improvement in the country’s external financial position.

The CBSL noted that the official reserve assets figure includes proceeds received under the swap arrangement with the People’s Bank of China (PBOC).

The increase in reserves comes amid ongoing efforts to strengthen Sri Lanka’s external sector and maintain adequate foreign exchange buffers as the country continues its economic recovery programme.

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya says the government is committed to strengthening early childhood education, describing preschool education as the most critical stage in shaping a child’s future learning journey.

She made these remarks while attending a certificate awarding ceremony for graduates of the 2023/2024 Preschool Teacher Training Diploma Programme at the North Western Provincial Council Auditorium in Kurunegala during an education inspection tour of the district, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The diploma ceremony was jointly organised by the Early Childhood Education Development Authority and the North Western Provincial Council. The North Western Preschool Teacher Training College, one of Sri Lanka’s leading state institutions for preschool teacher training, conducted the programme.

Addressing the newly qualified teachers, the Prime Minister said the government is working with the National Education Commission, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, and the Ministry of Education to establish policy frameworks, teacher training standards, and regulatory mechanisms to improve the quality and oversight of early childhood education across the country.

“We are planning to establish stability in early childhood education over the next few years. Through these efforts, we expect to introduce a common curriculum for preschools across the country by 2027,” she said.

Dr. Amarasuriya also noted that arrangements are being made to recommence preschool teacher training programmes this year and stressed the importance of proper supervision and monitoring of preschool education initiatives in all provinces.

Highlighting the purpose of preschool education, the Prime Minister said it should focus on preparing children for primary education by developing age-appropriate skills, including motor and social skills, rather than placing unnecessary academic pressure on young children.

“As parents and adults, it is our responsibility to create opportunities for children to develop knowledge and social skills in ways that are suitable for their age. Preschool teachers have a vital role in helping society understand the true objectives of early childhood education,” she said.

The event also included presentations outlining the government’s policy direction on early childhood development and education.

Officials led by Auditor General Samudika Jayaratne briefed the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) on the progress of the National Audit Office’s Annual Programme for 2026 during a recent committee meeting.

According to a statement issued following the meeting, the Committee reviewed several key issues, including the auditing of Samurdhi Banks, cyber security-related audit capacity, and the financial administration of the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme.

During discussions on Samurdhi Bank audits, officials informed the Committee that audits for the years 2023 and 2024 must be completed before the audit for 2025 can proceed. However, the procurement process required to outsource these audits to external parties has not yet been finalized.

While initial assessments suggested that around 300 officers would be needed to conduct the audits, Auditor General Jayaratne stated that recruiting 200 officers over the next one and a half years would be sufficient to meet the requirement.

Officials also highlighted the lack of a dedicated audit framework for Samurdhi Banks and related societies. In response, the COPF Chair recommended conducting a comprehensive study and submitting a proposed audit framework for the Committee’s consideration.

The Committee further reviewed matters relating to cyber security and the National Audit Office’s audit capabilities. Officials noted that the department currently lacks in-house information technology specialists, resulting in system audits being carried out by external auditors.

In addition, COPF examined the account maintained for the government’s “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme. Officials from the National Audit Office informed members that no statutory fund currently exists under the name “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” and that the programme is being operated through an account maintained by the Deputy Secretary to the Treasury.

They further confirmed that no payments have been made through the account to date, according to the statement.

Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando says Sri Lanka remains confident that ongoing discussions with the United States will address concerns related to reciprocal tariffs and proposed supply-chain regulations.

Speaking on recent reports regarding potential U.S. trade measures, Dr. Fernando noted that the issue remains under discussion and that no additional tariff has been imposed on Sri Lanka at this stage.

His remarks follow reports that the U.S. administration is considering additional duties ranging from 10% to 12.5% on imports from around 60 countries, including Sri Lanka, as part of investigations into alleged forced labour practices within global supply chains.

The Deputy Minister explained that the United States had earlier introduced reciprocal tariff measures aimed at addressing trade imbalances, which also affected Sri Lanka. He added that discussions are ongoing regarding a possible uniform 10% tariff framework under broader revisions to U.S. trade policy.

According to Dr. Fernando, Sri Lanka has been actively engaging with U.S. authorities through diplomatic and official channels since the issue emerged and expects negotiations on reciprocal tariff arrangements to reach a conclusion in the near future.

He rejected claims that a 12.5% tariff has already been imposed on Sri Lankan exports, describing such reports as “false and misleading.”

The Deputy Minister said the reported measures are linked to wider U.S. investigations into global supply chains, particularly concerns regarding forced labour in production networks. He noted that the investigations cover approximately 60 countries, including Sri Lanka, several Asian economies, and a number of developed nations.

Sri Lanka, he said, fully supports international standards against forced labour and has established legal and regulatory safeguards to ensure compliance throughout its supply chains.

A special committee chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Trade and operating with Cabinet approval is currently coordinating Sri Lanka’s response and engagement with U.S. authorities.

Dr. Fernando stated that the government is providing relevant information to U.S. investigators and taking steps to ensure that products linked to forced labour do not enter Sri Lanka’s export supply chains.

He also pointed out that countries such as India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, China, Canada, members of the European Union, Israel, Japan, and the United Kingdom are among those included in the review due to the interconnected nature of global supply chains.

Reiterating that no new tariff has been imposed on Sri Lanka, the Deputy Minister expressed confidence that the matter can be resolved through continued dialogue and urged the public not to be influenced by inaccurate reports circulating on the issue.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.

Fairly heavy falls about 75 mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.

Strong winds about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills, Northern and North-central provinces and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts. Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over other areas of island.

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

Calls for the release of Tamil rapper HipHop Sangee continued to intensify this week, with Tamil civil society organisations planning a protest in Kilinochchi and parliamentarians from both Tamil and Sinhala political parties expressing concern over his detention under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

The artist, whose real name is Sangeethsan Ganeskumar, was arrested and remanded after Sri Lankan authorities alleged that videos he shared on social media contained content supportive of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The 24-year-old resident of Udayanagar in Kilinochchi was taken into custody following an investigation conducted by the Jaffna Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau. According to police, he edited and uploaded footage from a musical performance held in the Chavakachcheri area and presented it in a manner that promoted or supported the LTTE.

Following his arrest, Ganeskumar was produced before court under Section 03(g) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 48 of 1978 and was remanded until 17 June.

As criticism of the arrest continued to grow, Jaffna and Kilinochchi District ITAK parliamentarian S. Shritharan publicly shared a call for a demonstration demanding the rapper’s immediate release. Civil society groups and activists have also raised concerns over the use of the PTA in the case, arguing that it has reignited longstanding debates over freedom of expression and the treatment of Tamil youth in Sri Lanka.

The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of Tamil cultural expression across the North-East. In recent weeks, police have reportedly questioned musicians and intervened in performances featuring homeland-themed songs and cultural content.

Last week, Gokulan, the son of the late Tamil musician S. G. Santhan, was among those summoned and questioned by police following a musical performance in Urumpirai.

Against this backdrop, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa also criticised the arrest, alleging that the government was applying the law selectively.

In a statement published on X on Thursday, Rajapaksa questioned why a young artist from Kilinochchi had been remanded under anti-terror legislation while members of the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) had allegedly used similar themes during recent election campaigns without facing legal consequences.

SOURCE: TAMIL GUARDIAN

By Roger Srivasan

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peris is not a man given to theatrics, hyperbole, or grandstanding. He has earned a reputation as a formidable prosecutor whose stock-in-trade is meticulous preparation, intellectual rigour, and an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of justice. When such a man speaks in measured yet uncompromising terms, his observations invariably command attention.
His recent remarks amounted to a devastating indictment of those alleged to have played a role in one of the darkest and most flagitious episodes in the nation’s history. The callous disregard for innocent human life in the pursuit of power remains a stain upon the national conscience.
Equally striking was the account of the ailments now purportedly afflicting certain individuals. The catalogue of illnesses being reeled off stretches the elastic of credulity to breaking point. To many observers, the narrative leaves much to be desired and raises more questions than it answers.
Yet history teaches us enduring lessons. As the old maxim reminds us, those who sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind. Actions have consequences, and consequences have a habit of arriving with relentless certainty.
Another timeless aphorism is equally apposite: the mills of justice grind slowly, yet they grind exceedingly fine. Justice may be delayed by manoeuvre, obfuscation, or the passage of time, but its patient machinery continues to turn. The reckoning long deferred is not necessarily the reckoning escaped.
If the allegations ultimately withstand scrutiny and are proven before the courts, it would serve as a sobering reminder that no amount of legerdemain, no carefully cultivated narrative, and no appeal to public sympathy can indefinitely shield individuals from accountability under the rule of law.
For while those who sow the wind may indeed reap the whirlwind, the mills of justice continue their patient work—grinding slowly, yet exceedingly fine.