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ANTIGUA-TOURISM – Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority sees strong engagement through strategic communications

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) USA is strengthening its connection with both the travel industry and the Antiguan and Barbudan diaspora through a communications strategy that is delivering exceptional results.

The Authority’s New York office now publishes two monthly electronic newsletters-one targeted at travel advisors and industry partners and another tailored specifically to members of the diaspora.

Together, the publications have achieved an impressive 75 percent open rate, significantly outperforming industry averages and underscoring the value readers place on timely, destination-focused content.

Dean Fenton, Director of Tourism for the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority USA, North America, said the success reflects the team’s commitment to providing meaningful and relevant information.

‘Our team has done an outstanding job of identifying and sharing content that resonates with both the travel industry and our diaspora,’ Fenton said. ‘Achieving a 75 percent open rate is a testament to the value our audiences place on staying connected with the latest developments, opportunities, and experiences from Antigua and Barbuda.’

Building on that momentum, the Tourism Authority is expanding its marketing efforts as consumer interest in travel continues to rise during the United States’ 250th Independence celebrations.

Among the initiatives is an expanded familiarization (FAM) trip programme that brings travel advisors to Antigua and Barbuda, allowing them to experience the destination firsthand.

The North America team is also partnering with fellow Caribbean tourism organizations to host a series of Lunch and Learn training sessions designed to equip travel professionals with the knowledge and resources needed to confidently promote Caribbean vacations.

The Authority is also preparing for a fall roadshow across key North American markets to showcase the country’s diverse accommodation offerings. Branded as the Antigua and Barbuda Islands Collection, the campaign will highlight the destination’s boutique hotels and independently owned properties, providing travel advisors with unique options for clients seeking authentic and personalized Caribbean experiences.

‘Effective communication is one of our strongest marketing tools,’ Fenton said. ‘Whether we are engaging travel advisors, the diaspora, airline partners, or the media, our objective is to ensure that Antigua and Barbuda remains top of mind. By providing timely, relevant, and inspiring information, we strengthen our relationships with our partners and ultimately drive greater visitation to our twin-island nation.’

Through an integrated marketing strategy that combines high-performing digital communications, immersive travel advisor experiences, strategic partnerships, and innovative destination promotions, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority USA continues to reinforce the country’s position as one of the Caribbean’s leading destinations.

With global demand for travel continuing to grow, the Authority remains focused on expanding awareness, increasing market share, and inspiring more visitors to experience Antigua and Barbuda’s renowned hospitality, vibrant culture, and its famous 365 beaches-one for every day of the year.

MAP to President: SONA must focus on jobs, investments, and food security

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) should shift the national conversation from politics to economic execution by laying out a clear agenda for jobs, investments, food security and lower business costs, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) said.

In a statement issued on Thursday ahead of Monday’s SONA, MAP President Donald Patrick Lim said the country needs a stronger focus on measures that would improve economic resilience amid geopolitical uncertainties and climate-related risks.

‘But beyond these reforms, what we want to hear is a clear economic agenda that creates jobs, attracts investments, improves food security, lowers the cost of doing business, and restores confidence,’ Lim said.

Map said governance reforms remain important and reiterated its support for several priority measures under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), including the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, the Party-List System Reform Act, the Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act, and the Independent People’s Commission Act.

According to the business group, these measures would help strengthen accountability and public trust in government.

On the other hand, MAP also addressed the government’s ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in flood-control projects, saying the controversy underscored the importance of holding all sectors accountable.

‘The investigations have sent a strong signal that the government is serious about accountability, and they must result in convictions where appropriate, stronger procurement systems, greater transparency, and ultimately better public service,’ the group said.

‘The public expects timely resolution and institutional reforms that prevent similar problems from happening again,’ it added.

At the same time, MAP cautioned that anti-corruption efforts should not delay legitimate public investments. ‘The government must demonstrate that we can fight corruption without paralyzing development,’ it said.

The organization noted that infrastructure projects that are transparent and urgently needed should continue, alongside investments in healthcare and education.

‘Delaying public spending has its own economic cost through lost jobs, delayed investments, and slower growth,’ MAP said.

Rather than halting projects, the group said government should strengthen transparency, oversight and the use of digital tools in public spending.

‘This is precisely why reforms, such as the CADENA Act, are important-they institutionalize transparency so that the government can move faster while strengthening public accountability,’ it said.

MAP also pointed to the economic concerns facing households and businesses, saying high living costs, business uncertainty and the continuing challenges confronting micro, small and medium enterprises should remain at the forefront of the administration’s agenda.

‘We must fight corruption decisively, but we should not let the fight against corruption become a brake on economic growth,’ the group said. ‘It is time to bring the conversation back to creating jobs, attracting investments, stabilizing food prices, and improving the daily lives of our people.’

For its part, Malacañang said President Marcos’ SONA will feature ‘a simple and dignified program,’ with no celebrity directors or star-studded performances.

All security preparations in place for SONA-DILG chief

As the 5th SONA President Marcos draws close, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla assured the public that all security preparations are in place, saying authorities are ready to ensure a safe and orderly event.

More than 20,000 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) have already been deployed as part of the government’s comprehensive security operations, with contingency measures in place for various scenarios, Remulla said.

‘Yes, we are ready. In fact, command conference namin tungkol dito ngayon. We have 20,000 police now deployed, and we are ready for any contingencies,’ Remulla told reporters during an interview.

The DILG Secretary said coordination meetings and command conferences among concerned agencies are ongoing to finalize operational plans and ensure seamless inter-agency coordination ahead of the President’s address.

The Department emphasized that heightened security measures are intended to protect the public and maintain peace and order amid reports of planned mass demonstrations in parts of Metro Manila during the SONA.

As part of these preparations, the PNP-National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be placed under full alert status beginning 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026. The NCRPO said regular anti-criminality operations and police visibility efforts will continue without interruption while security operations for the SONA are underway.

The PNP has, likewise, heightened security at traditional demonstration areas, including the Batasang Pambansa and People Power Monument in Quezon City, Malacañang, Liwasang Bonifacio, the Senate in Pasay City, and the United States Embassy.

Meanwhile, Remulla said the administration remains focused on delivering results and expressed optimism that sustained gains in governance and public service will continue to strengthen public confidence.

‘The economy is surprisingly resilient. Inflation is controlled. Crime is down. I think with the resolution of some cases, with the arrest of some unwanted persons, with the conclusion of the flood-control, tingin ko aakyat din ‘yan,’ he said.

Star-studded padel tournament held in Baku ahead of Dream Fest 2026 [PHOTOS]

Ahead of Dream Fest 2026 at Sea Breeze, the Crocus Fitness Padel Cup has brought together celebrities, professional athletes, and leading padel players for a star-studded tournament, AzerNEWS reports.

The event became one of the first highlights of the festival week, emphasizing that Dream Fest is not only about music but also features a large-scale sports program, according to the organizers.

The competition featured Azerbaijan’s People’s Artist Emin Agalarov, two-time Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko, performers Bahh Tee, Ellai, Brandon Stone, football player Ramil Sheydayev, and other notable participants. The players were paired into teams combining professionals and amateurs, creating an exciting format that kept the competition unpredictable through the final matches.

Evgeni Plushenko and Talat Rahimov claimed the tournament title. Rustam Tariko and Arif Guliyev finished second, while EMIN Agalarov and Kamil Ismailov took third place. International referee Gleb Pivovarov served as the official judge of the competition, which was held with the support of the Azerbaijan Tennis Federation.

Plushenko praised the high organizational standards of the tournament and highlighted that the combination of professional athletes and amateur players made the matches especially engaging. The Olympic champion also noted his active involvement in supporting the development of figure skating in Azerbaijan.

Brandon Stone said that this type of event gives artists an opportunity to stay active and maintain their fitness while creating a unique environment for interaction away from the stage. Bahh Tee added that sport is a great way to recharge before the four busy days of the festival.

According to EMIN Agalarov, hosting the tournament ahead of Dream Fest was a natural extension of the festival’s overall concept.

“Many artists have come to the festival, and some of them are passionate padel players. We decided to organize the tournament a few days before Dream Fest begins, creating a great opportunity to bring music and sports together as part of one major program,” EMIN said.

Emin Agalarov also noted that the development of sports is one of the festival’s strategic priorities. Future initiatives will include tournaments in padel, tennis, football, volleyball, and other disciplines.

For the first time, an international polo tournament will also be held directly on the Caspian Sea coast. In addition, discussions are underway regarding the possibility of hosting Davis Cup matches, with preparatory events already being organized.

King in action

San Miguel Beer import George King Jr. goes hard for a layup against Converge big man Justin Baltazar in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup on Wednesday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

The Beermen won, 128-122, to remain undefeated in three games while the FiberXers dropped to 3-1 won-lost.

SM Prime: Cebu Arena to host 20 big events

Property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. on Thursday said it has lined up more than 20 shows in its newly launched SM Seaside Cebu Arena this year, as the company is aiming to take advantage of a stronger concert economy in the Visayas.

The lineup features Filipino and international acts, live productions, sports events and family entertainment, with some set for their first large-scale performances in the region, the company said.

‘Our goal is to help Cebu capture a larger share of the live entertainment economy. When major events come to the city, the impact extends beyond the venue. They support tourism, hospitality, transport, retail and the local services that benefit from stronger visitor inflow,’ SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said.

Lim said the development of SM Seaside Cebu Arena also reflects the post-pandemic shift in consumer behavior experiences.

For Millennials and Gen Z, experiences hold strong appeal because they create lasting memories, are easily shared socially and align with a more intentional approach to wellness, time and spending.

‘Technology is also fueling growth, with online ticketing platforms improving access and venue systems enhancing the audience experience through better visuals, sound and production quality.’

In May, the company partnered with global ticketing company Ticketmaster to launch SM Ticketmaster. The venture will replace SM Tickets and combine Ticketmaster’s global platform and fraud prevention tools with SM Prime’s local operating network.

At the venue level, SM Seaside Cebu Arena features the most advanced center-hung display in the Visayas. The technology gives audiences a clear view of both the live performance and digital replays from every seat, supporting a wide range of events, from sports and concerts to family entertainment, corporate shows, circus productions and motorsports.

SM Seaside Cebu Arena sits within South Road Properties and is directly connected to SM Seaside City Cebu, one of the country’s largest retail and lifestyle destinations.

The arena will also be linked to the upcoming SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu, Park Inn by Radisson and Radisson Hotel.

Maris Motor Rally 2026 on 1 Aug. set to boost Negombo’s hospitality, SME and tourism economy

MARIS Motor Rally 2026 MMR 26 is set to return this August with a stronger tourism, community and economic development focus, positioning Negombo as a vibrant weekend destination for local and international visitors.

Organised by the Old Boys’ Association of Maris Stella College, Negombo, MMR 26 will bring together motorsport, international music entertainment, hotel and restaurant partnerships, destination experiences and year-round CSR initiatives under one platform. The event is expected to create wider economic benefits for hotels, restaurants, transport providers, small vendors, youth groups and community-based businesses in Negombo.

MMR 26 is backed by a strong group of corporate and hospitality partners, with St. Joseph’s Hospital serving as the title sponsor, BYD as the automobile partner, Jetwing Hotels as the hospitality partner and Ritzbury CBL as the confectionery partner. A and E Yarn and Tuk Tuk Wine and Dine have also joined as supporting partners, strengthening the event’s ability to deliver an integrated motorsport, entertainment and tourism experience while generating wider economic activity across Negombo.

The program was unveiled at a press conference held at Vertical by Jetwing on 11 June, followed by a public warm up party on 17 July at Tuk Tuk Wine and Dine. The main MMR 26 TSD Rally will flag off on 1 August at 8.00 a.m. from Maris Stella College premises, with an expected audience of around 2,000. The MMR 26 Together official music festival will take place on 1 August from 4.00 p.m. at Jetwing Blue premises, with an expected audience of around 8,000. The weekend will conclude with an after-party on 2 August at Tuk Tuk Wine and Dine.

A key highlight of this year’s festival will be the performance by Australian-based internationally acclaimed ABBA tribute show Björn Again, which was created in Melbourne in 1988 and has toured internationally. The performance is expected to add a strong international entertainment appeal to Negombo’s tourism calendar and create fresh interest among both domestic visitors and foreign travellers.

MMR 26 will also activate a One Pass visitor scheme, where the QR code on the event ticket will provide access to exclusive discounts and offers from partner hotels, restaurants and selected tourism experiences across Negombo. This initiative is designed to encourage visitors to stay longer, spend more within the local economy and explore Negombo beyond the event venue.

‘Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery needs strong destination-level experiences that connect visitors with local communities. MMR 26 is not only a rally or a music festival; it is a platform to promote Negombo as a complete weekend economy covering hotels, restaurants, entertainment, transport, small businesses and community initiatives,’ said Maris Stella College OBA President Dhammika Fernando.

The 2026 edition builds on the momentum created by MMR 25, which was positioned as a festival of speed, spirit and revival for Negombo. Media coverage in 2025 highlighted the event’s role in supporting tourism revival, sustainability, youth engagement and local business activity.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is also entering a critical growth phase. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the country recorded over one million tourist arrivals between January and May 2026, crossing the one-million mark within the first five months of the year. In this context, destination-led events such as MMR 26 can play an important role in spreading tourism income beyond traditional hotel occupancy, by creating direct opportunities for restaurants, informal workers, transport operators, entertainment providers and small businesses.

MMR 26 will continue its CSR and community development initiatives throughout the year. The organisers have already installed six PET bottle collection points in prominent locations, conducted a major beach cleanup with over 1,000 participants on Negombo beach, completed stage one of the Negombo Fort restoration project in partnership with the Negombo Municipal Council, and supported cleaning initiatives around key tourist attractions including the Negombo Jetty area. The organisers also donated 200 lunch packets to the Negombo Municipal Council in support of the Clean Sri Lanka initiative.

These initiatives are expected to strengthen Negombo’s positioning as a responsible tourism destination, where entertainment and visitor attraction are linked with environmental care, heritage protection and civic participation.

‘Negombo has the natural advantage of being close to the airport, having a strong hotel base, a rich cultural identity and a vibrant coastal economy. Through MMR 26, our objective is to help convert these strengths into real income opportunities for the local community while creating a positive image for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector,’ Fernando added.

With motorsport, music, hospitality partnerships, environmental action and community participation brought together under one umbrella, MMR 26 is expected to become a larger platform for tourism promotion, local livelihood development and economic activity in Negombo.

Invictus in order to avoid Convictus

It has become clear, not just apparent, that the technique of the vice president and her defense team is to divert the attention of the people from the charges against her and use “argumentum ad populum” by portraying herself as the victim of persecution, instead of addressing the charges directly.

The reference to Invictus is one of the most illustrative of this tactic which is appealing to the “hoi polloi” who decide based on emotions rather than logic. The literal translation of the Latin term “Invictus” is unconquered, unconquerable, undefeated and undefeatable. If the vice president is fair to her audience, she should have mentioned that she was only borrowing the phrase from William Henley’s poem written in 1875. She should have put context to her expression by disclosing that such words as “bloodied but unbowed” is not original but written by Henley after his leg was amputated due to bone tuberculosis.

The vice president is obviously praising her own fighting spirit. The term unconquerable soul was mentioned in the first stanza of Invictus. She is making reference to the second stanza of Henley’s “obra maestra.” “In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance, my head is bloodied but unbowed” It is indeed a good mantra to ignite her self-confidence, her indomitable spirit to fight. The vice president indeed is a brave woman. She is not your usual portrait of a submissive female. She is strong, firm and even her own father recognized her strength in character and resilience.

When I took the Bar many decades past, I used to recite each day, as a provinciano coming to Manila for the first time, the last stanza of Invictus: ” It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” We respect the vice president’s right to express herself in such a way, and declare her unflinching determination amidst “the slings and arrows of her outrageous fortune” to follow Shakespeare in Hamlet. But she has to cite her source instead of implicitly sounding original. That is called intellectual honesty.

However, her propensity to divert the attention of the people by relentlessly attacking the government and nonchalantly ignoring her duty to attend her impeachment trial does not sit well with the expected character of a true leader. Her attack against the government of which she is very much a part of is the most. She keeps on attacking the president when it was she who asked the people to vote for him does not speak well of her character. Vice president Leni disagreed with president Duterte in almost all principles of governance, but she never insulted, berated or shamed the president.

Vice President Jojo Binay was not of the same party as the late president Noynoy Aquino. But Binay remained a gentleman, a decent and respectful vice president. Even the late Diosdado Macapagal was very polite, restrained and respectful of president Carlos P Garcia despite the fact that Macapagal was of the Liberal Party while Garcia was of the Nacionalista Party. Only this vice president who ran under the same banner keeps on attacking the chief executive, instead of helping the government address the huge problems confronting the country.

There is no line in Invictus that can save the vice president if the evidence should lead to “convictus.”

Villanueva pushes skills credit system to fast-track Filipino career growth

Senator Joel Villanueva is pushing to institutionalize a career progression and skills crediting system to help build a more competitive, adaptable, and future-ready Filipino workforce.

Senate Bill No. 2313 seeks to establish the Career Progression and Specialization Program and Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (CPSP-CATS), which will provide structured pathways for career advancement, specialization, and professional qualification. By aligning workforce competencies with evolving industry needs, the measure will help address labor market challenges and strengthen the country’s human capital competitiveness.

‘Every training completed, every competency developed, and every experience gained should help Filipinos move forward in their careers,’ Villanueva said.

‘Through the proposed CPSP-CATS, professionals will have clearer pathways to advance, specialize, and earn certifications with corresponding Philippine Qualifications Framework [PQF] Levels without having to start over whenever they pursue career growth,’ he added.

While existing laws such as the Continuing Professional Development Act, the Philippine Qualifications Framework Act, and various Professional Regulatory Laws support professional development, Villanueva said they lack a unified framework for career progression and skills crediting, resulting in inconsistent implementation across professions.

Under the bill, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), in consultation with the Civil Service Commission, will develop career progression and specialization programs for all 46 regulated professions. The PRC will also accredit specialty training providers, oversee program implementation, and establish mechanisms for recognizing and transferring learning and professional practice credits across education and training sectors.

Villanueva said the measure responds to continuing labor market challenges despite economic growth.

As of May 2026, around 2.5 million Filipinos were unemployed, while more than 6 million employed workers remained underemployed and sought better opportunities.

‘These figures underscore the need for policies that help professionals strengthen their qualifications, develop specialized competencies, and improve their career prospects,’ Villanueva said.

‘This bill is about giving Filipinos more opportunities. By recognizing skills and competencies, we empower workers to grow in their careers, boost productivity, and contribute more to their families and to nation-building,’ he added.

Cold neutrality

Days prior to the filing of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte-Carpio with the Senate, I saw an unbelievable explosion of social media. The number of posts showed that hundreds, if not thousands of our countrymen were all eyes and ears on the investigation conducted by the House of Representatives on the impeachment issues. Of course they were all speculations. Each claim to his own. On one hand, a deluge of condemnations surged forth. Presumably supporters of the administration of President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr., to them, Duterte-Carpio was doomed for conviction. On the other hand, there were numerous posts coming from perceived DDS followers claiming that the acquittal was a certain as the sun rising on the east.

A middle ground was also observable. If I were to ascribe any political color to this group of social media reactors, I had to suppose that they were neither Marcos loyalists nor Duterte people. Rather apparent from their posts was a perceptible stand that they would wait for the evidence that might be presented in the impeachment court and so they reserved their judgment.

We have to accept the fact that the ongoing impeachment trial against the vice president is one of the most polarizing event in modern Philippine history. It is fueling intense online propaganda from the two sides I have mentioned above. I hope to temper such increasing intensity with a favorite quote among lawyers – ‘cold neutrality of an impartial tribunal.’ The Supreme Court, in a 1961 case, thru the pen of Justice Arsenio Dizon, took this quotation from Volume 30 of the American Jurisprudence. Our social media posters who are the virtual judges in this impeachment hearing must note that of the six words that compose this phrase, four of them namely COLD NEUTRALITY and IMPARTIAL TRIBUNAL are worth more than re reading if only to understand a part of the concept of due process.

Those of us who want to post our thoughts on the impeachment proceedings, as virtual judges, must understand that ‘due process’ demands that a judge hearing a case must be detached, disinterested and impartial. There is more. A judge must not only be unbiased but must also appear to be unbiased to maintain public faith. The profound words of Chief Justice Enrique Fernando say it all. ‘A judge has both the duty of rendering a just decision and the duty of doing it in a manner completely free from suspicion as to its fairness and as to his integrity.’

Basing upon the ideal of cold neutrality, I discern that two senator-judges are not impartial. I hope I am wrong. But, really the interjections, (a word used by the presiding senator-judge) of these two senator-judges do not appear to be unbiased. Rather, they sound more to be loaded on the side of the defense because their comments are seemingly designed to blunt whatever points are gained by the prosecution. In all, the legalese jargon they mouth has the posture of championing the defense. To me, the statements they utter are neither cold nor neutral. Certainly, their discourses do not meet the standard of impartiality. How damningly sad!

Finance Commission of Sri Lanka: Time to rise to the challenge

The President’s Office has announced the appointment of new members to the Finance Commission of Sri Lanka. Its balanced composition is noteworthy.

That the chairpersonship of the Commission has been conferred upon Noor Rizna Anees, a retired senior officer of the Sri Lanka Planning Service with vast experience in senior positions within the Ministry of Finance, is welcome news.

She had her schooling in the suburbs of Galle and entered the University of Peradeniya from where she passed out with honours in Bachelor of Commerce. From a modest background and humble beginnings, she rose to become the Additional Secretary at the Presidential Secretariat, a post she held until her retirement. Her service in the public sector spanned 32 years in a variety of roles.

To put it in her own words, ‘Academically, I hold multidisciplinary qualifications, including: Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) – University of Peradeniya; Master of Agricultural Science – Nagoya University, Japan; Master of Project Management – University of Bedfordshire, UK; Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Studies – University of Colombo; and Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) (Honours) – New Buckinghamshire University, UK.’

Her husband is also academically accomplished with a doctorate in political science, and serves as a senior lecturer in a Sri Lankan university. He hails from Vavuniya, so essentially it is a North-South match.

Nearly a decade ago, he was appointed Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to a West Asian country — now a likely game-changer in the regional order transformation. It was during the Maithripala Sirisena-Ranil Wickremesinghe administration. His writings and remarks of late appear to reveal a sympathetic streak towards JVP/AKD Government.

As her profile bears out, N.R. Anees’ ascendance in the public service is well deserved. She has agency and a proven track record to boot. Her career advancement, as a Muslim woman from the periphery of Sri Lanka’s social, economic, and educational systems, is quite impressive. Her 32 years of dedicated public service have led to her selection to this new position.

The NPP Government could well have appointed her as Secretary to a Ministry, given her capability and diverse expertise across multifaceted roles. But when it comes to appointing Ministers or Secretaries from within the community, the NPP has consistently displayed extraordinary reticence, bordering on exclusion.

The Finance Commission which she now heads is a constitutional mechanism that came into existence through the 13th Amendment. Recommending a fair and equitable allocation of financial resources among the provinces remains its primary function. But beneath its attractive constitutional gloss, the fact remains, however, that its recommendations are not strictly acted upon, or are lightly dismissed.

No Government seems to have treated the Finance Commission with the seriousness it deserves — beyond appointing chairpersons and members, some of whom were exceptionally good professionals.

Government’ conduct is generally influenced by the fact that it is Parliament — and hence the party in power — that has control over public finance.

The Commission’s remit to make recommendations on the allocation of financial resources to the provinces in a manner that addresses social and economic disparities among them remains significant. But in practice, ministers/ministries spearhead their programmes, often contributing to the deepening of disparities rather than helping to narrow them, even as a number of development coordination mechanisms are in place at divisional and District levels. That, of course, is a fundamental structural issue, partly rooted in Sri Lanka’s political culture. Whether the NPP Government will seek to transform this culture is anybody’s guess.

Further, given that there are currently no elected provincial councils and, hence, no legitimate demands for fair and equitable allocations (arising from elected representatives of provincial councils), the function of allocating funds to the provinces lies primarily at the discretion of the Government, with provincial governors — the representatives of the President — piloting, or exercising oversight over, development programmes falling within the subject areas of such councils.

In recommending a fair balance in the allocation of financial resources among the provincial councils, the Finance Commission is bound to act on criteria that emphasize equity and transparency. The criteria should also provide for accountability. However, there is a twin challenge here.

First, the Constitution makes the establishment of the Finance Commission mandatory. But implementing its recommendations is not legally binding. Second, the whole purpose of the 13th Amendment has become distorted. There are no elected councils, but unelected governors who perform their functions on behalf of the Executive President and the Government.

Nevertheless, the composition of the Finance Commission, with a capable woman at its helm, deserves appreciation. Its independence, effectiveness and credibility, however, remain to be seen, and the months and years ahead will undoubtedly demonstrate whether it rises to the occasion. Or, merely exists to satisfy the constitutional requirement of having such a Commission.

The other two new members of the Finance Commission are J.M.C.J. Wijetunga and