February 10, Colombo (LNW): Islamabad has confirmed that Pakistan will take part in its scheduled T20 World Cup fixture against India, ending days of uncertainty around the high-profile encounter set for February 15 in Colombo.
The decision was signed off on Monday after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was briefed on a series of discussions involving the Pakistan Cricket Board, the International Cricket Council and regional cricket authorities. According to officials, several friendly nations had quietly pressed Pakistan to help defuse the situation and prevent disruption to the tournament.
Government sources said the prime minister reviewed formal representations from Bangladesh, alongside messages of support from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and other cricketing members, all urging Islamabad to play a constructive role in keeping the competition on track. The leadership, it was added, viewed the appeals as a reflection of trust in Pakistan’s standing within the cricketing world.
Earlier in the day, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Sri Lanka held a telephone conversation with Mr Sharif, during which both leaders recalled the long history of cooperation between their countries, particularly during periods of crisis. The Sri Lankan president reportedly asked Pakistan to consider a conciliatory path to avoid further strain on the event, a request that was received warmly in Islamabad.
Following what the government described as productive multilateral engagement, Pakistan formally instructed its national men’s team to honour the February fixture. Officials said the move was guided by a desire to uphold the spirit of the sport and safeguard the continuity of international cricket across participating nations.
Messages of encouragement were also extended to the squad, with the government expressing confidence that the team would represent the country with professionalism, sportsmanship and pride on the global stage.
The breakthrough came against a backdrop of intense regional lobbying. Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam had publicly appealed to Pakistan to play the match, praising the Pakistan Cricket Board and its supporters for what he called solidarity during a difficult period for Bangladeshi cricket. After a brief visit to Pakistan, he urged Islamabad to take the field “for the good of the wider cricket ecosystem”.
In parallel, the ICC sought to calm tensions by clarifying that Bangladesh would face no sanctions for its decision to withdraw from the tournament earlier. The governing body said it had held frank and constructive talks with both the PCB and BCB, stressing that Bangladesh remained a valued full member with a vital role in the future of the game.
The ICC confirmed that no financial or sporting penalties would be imposed and revealed plans for Bangladesh to host an ICC event ahead of the 2031 Men’s Cricket World Cup, subject to standard procedures. The move was framed as a vote of confidence in the country’s ability to stage major events and as part of a broader commitment to developing cricket in South Asia.
ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta acknowledged that Bangladesh’s absence from the current tournament was disappointing but said it did not diminish the board’s long-term importance. He emphasised that the ICC’s priority remained sustained growth, investment and opportunity for players and supporters alike.
Pakistan’s stance marks a shift from its earlier position, when the government had approved participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup but stopped short of allowing the match against India. That hesitation followed Bangladesh’s withdrawal over security concerns linked to deteriorating political relations in the region, a move that led to Scotland being drafted into the competition.
Sri Lanka Cricket had subsequently warned that a Pakistan boycott would carry financial consequences and risk undermining the island nation’s fragile tourism recovery. With diplomatic pressure mounting and assurances offered, Islamabad ultimately chose engagement over absence.
While Pakistan and India have not contested a bilateral series for more than ten years, their clashes in multinational tournaments remain among the most watched events in world sport. February’s encounter in Colombo will now go ahead, restoring one of cricket’s most intense rivalries to the World Cup stage.
Pakistan Clears National Side to Face India in T20 World Cup After Regional Diplomacy
Mainly dry weather to prevail in most parts of SL (Feb 10)
February 10, Colombo (LNW): Mainly dry weather will prevail in the most parts of the island, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (10).
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the early hours of the morning.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Mainly fair weather will prevail over the sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (45-50) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kaluthara to Mannar via Colombo and Puttalam and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Kaluthara to Mannar via Colombo and Puttalam and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be fairly rough at times. Other sea areas around the island will be moderate.
Sri Lanka Sets Up First Advisory Council to Drive Growth in Event Management Sector
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By: Isuru Parakrama
February 09, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has taken a significant step towards strengthening its event management industry with the appointment of a 25-member advisory council under the patronage of Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti.
Announced today (09), the initiative marks the first occasion on which the Ministry of Industries has created a dedicated advisory body for a service-oriented sector.
Recognised locally as a creative industry for more than three decades, the event management field has become a major source of employment, providing direct jobs for around 30,000 people and supporting a further 80,000 indirectly. Industry estimates suggest that more than 400,000 families benefit from the sector, which generated approximately Rs. 60 billion in revenue last year.
Stakeholders have set ambitious targets to expand this figure to Rs. 250 billion, taking advantage of strong global growth, where the industry is valued at about US$1.5 trillion and continues to grow at double-digit rates annually.
The newly formed council is chaired by Saliya Weerasekara, President of the Event Management Association, and brings together experts from government, private enterprise and academia. At its inaugural meeting, members discussed long-standing bottlenecks and future opportunities, including plans to position Sri Lanka as a leading events destination in South Asia.
Key areas identified for reform included simplifying approval processes, protecting intellectual and creative rights, developing a coordinated national events calendar, improving domestic air connectivity, and investing in venues capable of hosting large-scale international events in Colombo.
Officials believe the move will give fresh momentum to the industry, help promote Sri Lankan creativity on the global stage, and create stronger links between event management and the country’s tourism strategy.
Members:
Mr. Saliya Weerasekara Chairman (Chairman, EMA Sri Lanka)
Mr. Nalin Premaratne Regional Representative – Central Province
Mr. Seru Wimalasena Regional Representative – Southern Province
Mr. Ananda Ramanadan Regional Representative – Northern & Eastern Provinces
Mr. Nisal Kaldera Corporate Events
Mr. Roshan Wijerathna Industry Pioneer / Former Chairman, EMA
Mr. Bhathiya Jayakody Entertainment Industry & Artist Management
Mr. Gayan Attanayake Ticketing Policy & Regulation
Mr. Hemantha Local & International Destination Weddings
Mr. Kapila Peiris MICE Specialist (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)
Mr. Cham Dias Local & International Destination Weddings
Mr. Kamesh
Mr. Janesh
Mr. Nishan Wasalathanthri
Mr. Sachith Kodikara
WHO Confirms Nipah Death in Bangladesh but Says Global Risk Remains Low
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By: Pramod Chinthaka Peiris
February 09, World (LNW): The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that a woman in her forties has died in Bangladesh after contracting the Nipah virus, while stressing that the likelihood of the disease spreading beyond the region is minimal.
The patient, a resident of Naogaon district in the Rajshahi Division, reportedly fell ill with fever and neurological symptoms in late January. She was hospitalised a week later, where clinical samples were taken and laboratory testing subsequently confirmed Nipah virus infection.
Health authorities noted that she had not travelled recently, but investigations indicated she had consumed raw date palm sap, which is widely recognised as a common source of infection.
Bangladesh formally notified the WHO of the confirmed case on February 03 through the International Health Regulations mechanism. Contact tracing efforts have since identified 35 people who had close interaction with the patient, all of whom have tested negative so far.
The announcement follows the detection of two recent cases in India’s West Bengal state, prompting heightened vigilance across parts of South Asia. Some neighbouring countries have tightened health screening procedures at airports and other entry points. However, the WHO has not advised any restrictions on travel or trade, maintaining that the overall public health risk remains low at national, regional and global levels.
Since first recording cases in 2001, Bangladesh has reported 348 infections, with nearly half linked to the consumption of fresh date palm sap. Nipah outbreaks in the country tend to occur between December and April, coinciding with the sap harvesting season.
There are currently no approved vaccines or targeted antiviral treatments for Nipah virus, which has a notably high fatality rate estimated to range between 40 and 75 per cent. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has previously described the disease as rare but severe, emphasising ongoing efforts to strengthen surveillance, improve infection control in hospitals and raise public awareness about prevention.
The virus is naturally carried by fruit bats and can be transmitted to humans through contaminated food, contact with infected animals, or close exposure to bodily fluids of an infected person, particularly in household or healthcare environments. Symptoms can emerge anywhere from three to 21 days after exposure and may include fever, headache, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal illness and confusion. In serious cases, the infection can cause inflammation of the brain and prove fatal, although early medical care can improve outcomes.
While Nipah has caused outbreaks in several Asian countries, no cases have been reported in Sri Lanka to date. Despite its limited geographic spread, health experts continue to view the virus as a significant concern due to its severity, potential for human-to-human transmission and the absence of a definitive cure.
From Classroom to Boardroom: Why Marketing Analytics Get Abandoned
By: Staff Writer
February 09, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka produces a steady stream of marketing graduates fluent in data analysis, consumer modeling, and predictive tools. Yet inside many organizations, those skills quietly disappear—replaced by intuition-driven decision-making that dominates brand strategy.
This disconnect was a central theme at a recent industry forum in Colombo, where Amitha Amarasinghe, Co-Founder and CEO of the Asia Pacific Institute of Digital Marketing, questioned why data literacy fails to translate into workplace behavior. Speaking at the “Brands: Listen, Learn and Lead” event, he described the phenomenon as a cultural paradox rather than a capability gap.
Marketers, he explained, are trained to analyze patterns and probabilities but are conditioned to rely on experience once they rise through the ranks. Over time, intuition becomes synonymous with seniority, creating resistance to evidence that challenges personal judgment. Amarasinghe stressed that this mindset—not technology or education—is the industry’s biggest obstacle.
The forum also examined how global brands are redefining competitive advantage through real-time intelligence. Angel Calinisan of Hootsuite noted that social listening has evolved beyond reporting past performance. Today’s platforms detect emerging risks and opportunities as they unfold, helping brands understand who is driving conversations and where momentum is building.
However, speakers noted that Sri Lankan companies often underutilize these tools. Muhammed Gazzaly of DAT – The AI Company pointed out that while organizations sit on vast pools of consumer data, they lack centralized ownership and strategic intent. Without leadership alignment, insights remain siloed and fail to inform growth initiatives such as cross-selling or customer acquisition.
Another challenge discussed was organizational inertia. Anubhav Khanduja from Talkwalker observed that large companies frequently stall due to over-analysis and fear of failure. He urged marketers to abandon the “sniper mindset” of waiting for perfect conditions and instead test ideas rapidly, adjusting course when results fall short.
The panel agreed that the local market is uniquely positioned to leapfrog competitors by combining global technology with nuanced cultural understanding. Yet this advantage will remain theoretical unless brands move beyond vanity metrics and instinctive decision-making.
As the discussion closed, the message was unmistakable: intuition has value, but unchecked intuition has a cost. Until Sri Lankan marketers allow data to challenge tradition, the gap between potential and performance will continue to widen
Ambuluwawa Cable Car Project Trapped in Environmental and Legal Storm
By: Staff Writer
February 09, Colombo (LNW): Serious questions surrounding environmental compliance, land ownership, and regulatory integrity have placed Sri Lanka’s first cable car project at Ambuluwawa under an intense spotlight, exposing alleged procedural violations and governance failures that span multiple State institutions. What began as a tourism infrastructure initiative has now evolved into a contentious national issue involving environmental protection, investor confidence, and public accountability.
Concerns resurfaced sharply following a joint inspection led by Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi on February 4, prompted by complaints from environmental organisations and members of the Gampola Pradeshiya Sabha. These complaints intensified after environmental damage reportedly emerged in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. Construction activities at the site have since been temporarily suspended, pending a final determination by authorities.
During discussions at the Gampola Udapalatha Divisional Secretariat, officials acknowledged that the approval process under previous administrations may have breached several provisions of the National Environmental Act. It was revealed that mandatory public disclosures including Gazette notifications and newspaper advertisements had not been issued after environmental clearance was granted. Equally troubling were claims that opportunities for public consultation were actively blocked, undermining transparency and public participation.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation informed the Minister that portions of the project involved unauthorised construction on land belonging to the Department. Officials further disclosed that survey requests submitted repeatedly by the Divisional Secretariat to demarcate Wildlife Department land had gone unaddressed by the Survey Department for years, creating uncertainty over land boundaries and legal ownership.
Environmental activists have raised alarms over the ecological sensitivity of the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex. Research cited by environmentalist Melani Gunathilaka records 428 species of flora and fauna within the area, including 69 endemic species, 58 nationally threatened species, and three classified as critically endangered. Critics argue that a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should have been mandatory, rather than the preliminary environmental study that was conducted.
Adding another layer to the controversy, the Young Journalists’ Association has lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), alleging that the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) bypassed due process to favour the project, resulting in financial losses to the State.
Minister Patabendi has stated that while the Government remains open to investment, it will not compromise environmental safety, public welfare, or legal compliance. An expert committee has been appointed to examine all allegations, with its recommendations expected to determine whether the project will proceed or be permanently halted.
As investigations deepen, the Ambuluwawa cable car project stands as a test case for Sri Lanka’s environmental governance and a reflection of how the State balances development ambitions with ecological responsibility and rule of law.
Crushed by Crisis: MSMEs Trapped Between Disasters and Debt
By: Staff Writer
February 09, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s micro, small and medium enterprises are fighting for survival on multiple fronts. Even as businesses attempt to recover from years of economic turmoil, recent cyclone- and flood-related disruptions have delivered another blow one made heavier by rising borrowing costs driven by tight monetary policy.
Industry representatives warn that MSMEs are being pushed to the brink not simply by external shocks, but by structural weaknesses in the country’s lending and regulatory framework. According to the Ceylon Federation of MSMEs, policy responses since 2022 have failed to shield productive enterprises, while allowing financial institutions to protect and even expand profitability during national emergencies.
At the heart of the issue is the sharp escalation of lending rates following the Central Bank’s policy tightening. Businesses that borrowed under stable conditions prior to April 2022 suddenly found themselves exposed to extreme interest volatility an outcome they neither anticipated nor could absorb. Many MSMEs, already weakened by pandemic-era closures and supply chain disruptions, were left with ballooning repayment obligations just as consumer demand collapsed.
Natural disasters have compounded this pressure. Floods and cyclones have damaged inventories, halted operations, and disrupted cash flows, particularly for enterprises operating outside major urban centres. Yet unlike some regional counterparts, Sri Lanka has offered limited mandatory relief to borrowers affected by such calamities.
The Federation argues that reliance on voluntary guidelines and temporary concessions has repeatedly failed. During COVID-19, loan moratoriums were announced without clear rules on how interest should be treated. This regulatory ambiguity, they claim, allowed lenders to restructure facilities in ways that maximised returns, often through complex compounding mechanisms that borrowers struggled to decipher.
When repayment notices eventually arrived, many MSME owners were unable to obtain transparent breakdowns of how their liabilities had grown so dramatically. Requests for clarification, the Federation says, were frequently met with enforcement threats rather than restructuring support, including warnings of asset seizure under parate execution laws.
Such practices, they warn, are accelerating business closures and eroding trust in the financial system. The continued classification of distressed borrowers as non-performing—without accounting for repeated national shocks has further locked entrepreneurs out of formal credit markets, undermining recovery prospects.
To correct what it describes as systemic imbalance, the Federation is calling for legally binding reforms, including retrospective relief for excessive interest charged during the peak volatility period from mid-2022 to late-2024. It has also proposed a fiscally neutral mechanism to cushion banks from sudden losses, using tax credits spread over several years.
Without decisive intervention, MSME leaders caution that Sri Lanka risks losing not just businesses, but livelihoods, local supply chains, and the economic resilience needed to withstand future crises.
Recovery on Paper, Risk in Practice: Sri Lanka’s Economic Reality
By: Staff Writer
February 09, Colombo (LNW): While headline indicators suggest Sri Lanka has stepped back from the brink, economists at the 40th Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA) urged policymakers not to confuse short-term stability with long-term recovery. The central warning: without consistent policy direction and export-driven growth, the economy risks settling into prolonged low-growth equilibrium.
Sri Lanka’s economic recovery remains vulnerable due to persistent policy instability and weak growth foundations, economists warned yesterday, cautioning that recent macroeconomic stabilisation will not translate into durable revival without long-term structural reform and policy continuity.
Speaking yesterday at the opening of the 40th Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA) at the BMICH, SLEA President Prof. Sirimevan Colombage said the country stood at a defining crossroads between hard-won stability and the risk of prolonged stagnation
Outgoing SLEA President Rev. Prof. Wijitaputra Wimalaratana placed current challenges in a historical context, arguing that Sri Lanka’s post-independence development strategy has remained inward-looking and defensive. Despite nearly eight decades of independence, the country has climbed only one World Bank income category since 1989, briefly reaching upper-middle-income status before sliding back.
This legacy continues to shape today’s vulnerabilities. Although foreign reserves have improved and inflation remains subdued, net usable reserves remain constrained when adjusted for swap obligations with China and India. Economists warned that such instruments, while useful for liquidity management, postpone rather than resolve external imbalances.
Interest rate policy was also scrutinised. Maintaining a 7.75% policy rate has supported price stability, but experts cautioned that limited policy flexibility could become risky if global financial conditions tighten or capital outflows accelerate in 2026. With foreign portfolio inflows still cautious and FDI subdued, foreign finance mobility remains fragile.
The balance of payments outlook, though improved, remains exposed. Export growth has not kept pace with import demand, and services exports despite their scale are not sufficiently tradable. Prof. Colombage emphasised that 88% of services output is domestically consumed, constraining foreign exchange generation and limiting growth potential.
Constructive criticism at SLEA focused on governance and policy credibility. Rev. Prof. Wimalaratana highlighted the absence of “policy locks,” noting that frequent reversals in land, investment, and tax policy undermine long-term planning. He called for cross-party consensus to preserve core economic policies for 15–20 years, arguing that transformation cannot occur within election cycles.
The message from the SLEA sessions was unambiguous: Sri Lanka’s challenge in 2026 is not crisis survival but economic redesign. Without stable policies, export-oriented services reform, and credible long-term commitment, recovery risks remaining superficial visible in numbers, but absent in lived economic reality.
High Court Fixes March 2026 Date for Bribery Case Involving Ex-Minister Rambukwella
February 09, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo High Court has scheduled the next stage of proceedings in a corruption case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and two other defendants.
The matter was taken up today (09) before High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal, who, after hearing submissions from both sides, directed that the case be recalled for further hearing on March 14, 2026.
The CIABOC alleges that during the 2015 presidential election period, public funds belonging to the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation were misused, resulting in a loss estimated at nearly Rs. 1 million.
The charges relate to the purchase of 600 GI pipes, which investigators claim were acquired for political activities while Rambukwella was serving as Minister of Mass Media.
Also named as accused in the case are Wimal Rubasinghe, a former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, and Chandrapala Liyanage, who previously held the post of Director General. The case will continue as the court examines evidence relating to the alleged misuse of state resources.
Myanmar Extends Food Aid to Sri Lanka in Wake of Cyclone Ditwah
February 09, Colombo (LNW): Myanmar has stepped forward with humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, donating 500 metric tonnes of rice to support communities hit hard by Cyclone Ditwah.
The shipment was formally handed over today (09) by Myanmar’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Marlar Than Htaik, to the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe.
The rice is expected to be distributed among families facing food shortages following the disaster.
Minister Samarasinghe said the cyclone had caused extensive damage to the country’s agriculture, affecting close to one-fifth of cultivated land. He added that the rice donation complements earlier financial assistance provided by the Myanmar government, underscoring continued regional solidarity as Sri Lanka works to recover from the cyclone’s impact.