Category: Daily Financial Times

There will be future cyclones and other such natural cataclysms as the warming equatorial seas result in greater surface evaporation that feed rain clouds and strong winds. In Sri Lanka, Cyclone Ditwah exposed a critical gap in dealing with such an event: the lack of integration between disaster preparedness and ecosystem health. Sri Lanka must evolve from viewing ecosystems as ‘victims’

of climate change to treating them as the ‘primary defence’ in mitigating climate disasters. We need to stop relying solely on concrete seawalls and drainage canals which fail during extreme weather. We need to move to hybrid engineering thereby combining hard infrastructure with green buffers. This requires realigning national strategies to treat Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) as a National Security Priority.

Proposals for the prevention of landslides:

All illegal structures and construction on protected areas and buffer zones at an elevation above 5,000 feet should be removed and the people moved out settled; all within the next two years. The Department of Forest should introduce a buffer zone for all Protected Areas immediately.

Enforce the Soil Conservation Act, with due rigour, in all areas.

The ecosystems within the altitudes of 2,000-5,000 feet are equally critical. All illegal construction and shops, hotels, homes and establishments built on water reservation areas, buffer zones, protected areas and roadside and railway reservations should be issued vacation notices with a timeline of no more than three years to comply.

All the areas where landslides took place should immediately be demarcated by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) as High-Risk Landslide Prone Areas. Reconstruction or future construction should NOT be permitted on those areas, from the hills right up to the roadsides.

The CEA or relevant authority should add a further 30-50 metres on either side of the earth slip boundaries and declare them Conservation Areas including the earth slip footprint. This should be followed by a major tree planting campaign to bring back native trees onto those locations.

Declare the widened borders of rivers and waterways which carried the flood water through, as the New River Boundaries. Create mandatory buffer zones beyond these new boundaries, rather than just fill up the areas that got washed away.

Declare a 20-year Restoration Plan which removes all the Pine and Cyprus species which plague the higher altitudes of our mountains. They have a huge detrimental impact on the montane ecosystems, and place untold pressure on the remnant forests.

Gradually convert these zones back to natural forest. Impose an immediate ban on replanting either species upon the next harvesting, and eliminate them from Sri Lankan mountains; all within two decades.

Reinforce the notion of Forest Corridors along the banks of ALL waterways along the entire river continuum, both in the hills and in the lowland urban areas. Water exit points and flows have been hugely congested causing water to gather upstream and burst out into other areas. All waterway banks should be devoid of human structures within the existing mandatory natural boundaries, as per the relevant Acts, within the next three years. Proposals for prevention of flooding

The central focus must be to transition from traditional economic zoning to Biodiversity Inclusive Spatial Planning. This approach requires an urgent need for Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) for agriculture, energy, aquaculture, and irrigation since haphazard development in these four sectors have seriously damaged our critical ecosystems.

The forecast unpredictability of weather patterns requires all planning and development to cater to these changes. Climate change adaptation should be an integral part of developing any strategy and the country must invest in the active implementation of currently developed Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in all sectors.

Disaster Resilient Agroecology. Move away from large-scale monocultures (which are easily wiped out by wind/flood) to diversified agroforestry, building market chains for crops that can withstand disasters. Promote multi-layered home gardens (Kandyan Forest Garden Model) which are proven to withstand high winds better than open fields, ensuring food security post-cyclone and markets for such products nationally and internationally.

Crucially, this planning must designate critical wetland catchments, as identified in the National Environmental Action Plan, as essential flood retention basins, thereby enforcing their protection as ‘No-Build Zones.’ The above includes strict environmental impact assessments and conserving of the last remaining coastal defenses which include mangroves, salt marshes, sand dunes, coastal shrub-lands, sandy beaches as well as seagrass and coral reefs while also restoring those already degraded as the first line of defence for coastal cities.

Urban water exit points have choked the entire country and the backed up water spills over into other areas upstream and onto paddy fields, etc. An initiative to take down all illegal city structures bordering urban waterways, within five kilometers of the coastal line, should be undertaken immediately. Illegal coastal structures have also contributed to the narrowing of river mouths. The potential to explore a few new exit routes, bring back and declare more marshlands as conservation areas, and aggressively put a stop to illegal filling and building on marshland, will help ease future problems.

Restore ‘Sponge’ landscapes: Abandon the colonial ‘drain water fast’ mentality which worsens downstream flooding and adopt a ‘sponge city/landscape’ approach. This requires reconnecting rivers to their floodplains and restoring the ancient Tank Cascade Systems (Ellanga) in the Dry Zone to absorb excess cyclone rainfall and prevent flash floods. Ample suggestions and pathways are present in the Ramsar SP5 (Wise use of water) and SDG 6 (Water management) Reports.

Connect resilience corridors: Shift from isolated forest patches to Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) that connect ecosystems physically; by both State and the private sector. General proposals

A data-driven nation: We still have no centralised data collection mechanism and as such we are crippled by our inability to forecast, predict or take data driven decisions. Data and access to data and access to environmental data to all is essential.

Eco-health surveillance: We need to realign health monitoring to include ecosystem indicators. Monitor water quality in wetlands and lagoons real-time to predict post-disaster disease outbreaks (like Leptospirosis or dengue), recognising that degraded ecosystems breed disease hence require restoration and application of strategies as given in the ‘One Health Approach’. This will address the ‘toxic debris’ issue we are witnessing now. Immediate support to the Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA), Urban and Provincial Councils to responsibly dispose of waste needs to be planned. Making all Sri Lankans better aware of the dangers of irresponsible disposal should be taken up by the media.

All illegally constructed structures should not be restored by State-funded mechanism, nor permitted to be rebuilt even through private funding.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process must be strengthened. The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the other project approving agencies for all EPL, IEE and EIAs have the technical skills to carry them out too. However, it must be ensured that the CEA and other project approving agencies remain independent in this process without any political pressure placed on them, especially in relation to State-funded projects.

Cyclone Ditwah exposed a critical gap in dealing with such an event: the lack of integration between disaster preparedness and ecosystem health. Sri Lanka must evolve from viewing ecosystems as ‘victims’ of climate change to treating them as the ‘primary defence’ in mitigating climate disasters

Sri Lanka can do it

The existing policies, strategies, action plans and commitments to numerous bilateral agreements, conventions, treaties signed by Sri Lanka provides the pathway for most of the above. There is no need to reinvent. What is needed is mainstreaming nature’s contribution across all sectors and looking beyond short term benefits.

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) of Sri Lanka, the 3rd oldest conservation organisation in the World, strongly urges the Government of Sri Lanka to use this chance to place effective protections in place. This is not a time of politics but of Good Governance. After all, prevention is better than cure.

The WNPS remains committed to support the Government of Sri Lanka, and all relevant organisations, with our resources and skills, when implementing the above.

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) MP M.A. Sumanthiran yesterday highlighted a claim by a senior academic that Cyclone Ditwah’s destructive impact could have been anticipated earlier if warnings issued a week in advance had been acted upon.

Posting on ‘X,’ Sumanthiran said University of Jaffna Department of Geography Head Professor Nagamuthu Piratheeparajah had publicly stated that he warned of the likelihood of a severe cyclone roughly seven days before it reached Sri Lanka.

According to Piratheeparajah, his assessments were circulated through social media and regional publications, though he says they failed to prompt a wider national response.

Sumanthiran’s remarks come amid intensifying scrutiny of the Government’s preparedness and the effectiveness of its early-warning systems. The scale of destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah has intensified calls for accountability from Opposition parties and civil society groups.

This follows heavy lobbying by Opposition lawmakers for a Parliament Select Committee to probe increasing allegations that the Government failed to act on early warnings about the cyclone.

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has scaled up its emergency response in Sri Lanka following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, thanks to a generous AUD 1.5 million contribution from the Government of Australia.

This support is enabling WFP to deliver life-saving fortified food and provide cash assistance to families most affected by the disaster.

The first airlift of fortified biscuits from WFP’s humanitarian hub in Dubai has already arrived in Sri Lanka, with up to 67 metric tons expected in the coming days. WFP has already dispatched fortified biscuits to Nuwara Eliya and Kegalle and further distributions taking place in Badulla and Kandy, among the hardest-hit districts.

Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Matthew Duckworth said, ‘Australia stands with Sri Lanka at this devastating time. We are proud to work closely with our longstanding humanitarian partner the WFP, as well as with the Sri Lankan government and local authorities, to rapidly respond to meet the urgent needs of those affected communities.’

WFP’s fortified biscuits provide a quick boost of energy and nutrition when families need it most.

World Food Program Representative and Country Director Philip Ward said, ‘As rescue operations wind down, our priority is delivering life-saving fortified food to tackle immediate food needs of affected families, targeting especially those most at risk- children, older persons, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people with disabilities, who often bear the brunt of such crises.’

Australia’s contribution will also fund cash assistance programs, complementing Government efforts to help families meet essential needs and rebuild their lives. WFP continues to appeal for additional donor support to sustain emergency operations and accelerate recovery for communities devastated by Cyclone Ditwah.

Disasters, irrespective of God-made or man-made do more than destroy lives, properties and infrastructure; they expose the strength or weakness of a nation’s governance. Two decades apart, Sri Lanka has confronted two major calamities that demanded emergency funding and decisive leadership: the Helping Hambantota episode of 2004, which became a national scandal, and the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund of 2025, established in response to the devastating floods and landslides of November 2025. The comparison is not merely historical. It offers essential lessons for how a nation learns, reforms, and moves forward.

If the past serves as a warning, the present offers an opportunity-provided Sri Lanka is willing to apply its lessons with honesty and resolve. Only then can the nation prevent a recurrence of past mis-governance and stop the same or similar elements from raising their ugly heads again.

Helping Hambantota

Until 26 December 2004, the word tsunami was virtually unknown in Sri Lanka. Overnight, it entered the national vocabulary as the country confronted unprecedented devastation. Global sympathy poured in, bringing millions in humanitarian contributions intended for relief and reconstruction of the Island.

In the years that followed, the words ‘Tsunami’ and ‘Helping Hambantota’ became so closely linked that any reference to a major disaster instantly brought ‘Helping Hambantota’ to mind. This is because that national tragedy-one of the worst in Sri Lanka’s history-was turned into an opportunity for personal and political gain by none other than the then Prime Minister and presidential aspirant, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa.

When the tsunami struck on 26 December 2004, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (CBK) was abroad in England. Upon her immediate return, she initiated measures to rebuild the country and issued clear instructions through Presidential Secretariat Circular No. PA/272 of 29th December 2004. Among other directives, she explicitly prohibited the opening of separate or individual bank accounts for tsunami-related relief. All donations were to be deposited into a single designated account: the President’s Fund for Disaster Relief at People’s Bank – Headquarters Branch (Account No. 204 100 190 136245).

However, on 31 December 2004, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa opened a separate account titled Punarjeewana Fund at People’s Bank, Union Place Branch (Account No. 014100170136270), seemingly to test the reaction of President CBK. When no objection emerged to this official account, he proceeded further: on or around 11 January 2005, he opened another, this time a private bank account under the name Helping Hambantota at Standard Chartered Bank, Rajagiriya Branch (Account No. 01-1237322-01), with his close loyalists as signatories.

Unlike the controversial Helping Hambantota fund, the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund initiative is not a private or ad-hoc account. It is a statutory entity operating under the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. Importantly, it is not managed by family members or close associates of President AKD, but by a team of highly qualified professionals, including senior Government officials and top-level executives from major conglomerates and blue-chip corporate groups

A deepening power struggle at the helm

Faced with the Prime Minister’s increasingly belligerent conduct, his growing political clout, and the internal factionalism within the party-especially with the 2005 presidential election approaching and Rajapaksha positioned as the party’s candidate-President CBK found herself embarrassed and unable to act decisively against him.

With this backdrop and purportedly with the implicit blessings of President CBK, MP Kabir Hashim complained to the CID on or around 9 July 2005, that Rs. 82 million meant for national disaster relief had been transferred on or around 3 February 2005 from the Prime Minister’s official Punarjeewana Fund to the private ‘Helping Hambantota’ account. Following instructions from Attorney General K.C. Kamalasabayson, the CID-led by DIG Lionel Goonetilleke-launched investigations and filed a ‘B’ report before the Fort Magistrate’s Court (Case No. B/1294/5), asserting prima facie evidence of wrongdoing.

In August 2005, nearly seven months after the funds were misappropriated, the Rs. 82 million was abruptly returned to the National Fund for Disaster Relief at the Central Bank. The repayment only intensified public suspicion, widely compared to a thief returning stolen property once exposed.

Apologised judgment of Chief Justice Sarath N Silva

Mahinda Rajapaksa later filed a Fundamental Rights petition (SC FR 387/2005) against the IGP and CID officers, seeking to stop the probe. In a contentious ruling delivered in March 2006, Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva quashed the CID investigation and ordered compensation to Rajapaksa on the grounds that the allegations were ‘false and politically motivated.’

The case ended there, but its legacy endures-marking one of the most disputed chapters in Sri Lanka’s disaster-relief governance and deepening public distrust over how national emergency funds were handled. It was widely reported in the later part of 2014 that Sarath N Silva after his retirement had publicly apologized to the general public for quashing the investigation launched against the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksha. (https://www.dailymirror.lk/Breaking-News/ex-cj-makes-public-apology/108-54377?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund (2025)

The catastrophic floods and landslides of November 2025 left vast regions under water, surpassing even the devastation of the December 2004 tsunami in terms of the extent of land flooded, property damage, and the number of people affected-though not in the number of lives lost. The aftermath and shockwaves caused by this disaster were felt not only across Sri Lanka but around the world, leaving many in disbelief.

The Government’s response was almost instantaneous, setting a new benchmark for efficiency. President AKD-widely regarded as the leader of the common people-sprang into action the moment the alarm was raised, working tirelessly around the clock. His weary eyes and exhausted body bore witness to his round-the-clock commitment.

Unlike past national crises that some turned into opportunities for personal or political gain-as infamously seen in the ‘Helping Hambantota’ episode-this calamity was approached with integrity and unity. The focus was firmly on rebuilding Sri Lanka by bringing all communities together as one family and treating every region as part of a shared home.

Deep trust placed in the present Government by both local and international communities was a decisive factor in the extraordinary and continuous support extended to the country

Transparency of the Fund

The Government established an official statutory fund-administered under the name of the Deputy Secretary to the Treasury-to mobilise both domestic and international support for national recovery and reconstruction.

The Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, approved by the Cabinet as the country’s principal post-disaster recovery mechanism, was created in response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah and the accompanying floods and landslides. Its objective is to attract resources from a wide spectrum of contributors-Government agencies, local donors, overseas Sri Lankans, the international community, and the private sector-to finance reconstruction efforts. The Fund is designed not only for immediate relief, but also for medium- and long-term rebuilding across affected regions.

Unlike the controversial Helping Hambantota fund, this initiative is not a private or ad-hoc account. It is a statutory entity operating under the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. Importantly, it is not managed by family members or close associates of President AKD, but by a team of highly qualified professionals, including senior Government officials and top-level executives from major conglomerates and blue-chip corporate groups.

The Fund’s Management Committee is chaired by the Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, , ensuring both administrative authority and financial oversight.

Trust is the foundation of every success.

The devastation unleashed by Cyclone Ditwah-which wreaked havoc across the country and triggered severe secondary impacts-was significantly eased by the overwhelming support that poured in from every corner of the local and international community. Financial assistance, physical aid, and moral solidarity reached Sri Lanka in an unprecedented wave. The honest, timely, and compassionate actions of the Government-under the able and empathetic leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake-were instrumental in inspiring this massive global and domestic response.

It goes without saying that the deep trust placed in the present Government by both local and international communities was a decisive factor in the extraordinary and continuous support extended to the country. The immediate humanitarian assistance provided by India, Pakistan, and the UAE-particularly in the form of personnel and emergency services-deserves special recognition.

Relief package that stunned the nation

The generous relief package announced – within seven days of this national disaster- by President AKD for those affected and his solemn pledge to restore the country, reflects nothing less than his genuine and sincere concern for the people. There is no doubt that this comprehensive package has left his critics speechless.

One man, whose living standards were below average, told me that he almost wished his takaran-roofed house had been in the affected area and destroyed-so that he too might have qualified for the ten-million-rupee assistance to rebuild a better home on a better land. His remark, though humble, captures the sense of relief and renewed hope felt even in a country devastated by tragedy.

Desperate attempts to discredit the Government

It is disheartening to witness certain disgruntled elements from opportunistic and corrupt political circles attempting to undermine every sincere effort taken by the Government for mere political gain. One such politically motivated narrative accused the Government of failing to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, based on a discussion aired by a private television channel that is notorious for promoting unscientific, mythical, and chauvinistic news.

The tragedy is that sections of the Opposition-especially those directly responsible for bankrupting the nation, misgoverning such as ‘Helping Hambantota’ scandal, and fostering racism and ethnic division-are now trying either to fish in troubled waters or to create troubled waters to fish in. If the alleged early warning of the impending disaster was genuine, as claimed by that media channel and certain Opposition parties, the channel should have repeatedly broadcast it as breaking news, and responsible political actors should have raised the matter in Parliament without delay.

It is disheartening to witness certain disgruntled elements from opportunistic and corrupt political circles attempting to undermine every sincere effort taken by the Government for mere political gain

Conclusion

Sri Lanka’s journey from the dark shadows of Helping Hambantota to the transparent and accountable Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund reflects more than a change of leadership-it reflects a transformation in national values and public expectations. The people of Sri Lanka, weary of decades of corruption, manipulation, and misgovernance, have demonstrated through their overwhelming support that they respond with unmatched generosity when they can trust their leaders.

The 2025 disaster-though catastrophic-became a moment that united the nation rather than divided it. Under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leadership, Sri Lanka chose integrity over opportunism, collective responsibility over political gain, and national rebuilding over personal enrichment. Thabuthegama, the humble village that shaped the President’s character, has symbolically replaced Hambantota as the nation’s new benchmark for honesty, empathy, and public service.

If Sri Lanka is to move forward, it must continue along this path-strengthening institutions, upholding transparency, and ensuring that no future leader can exploit a national tragedy for personal ambition. Disasters will come and go. But the trust between a nation and its people must remain unshakeable. That trust, once broken in Hambantota, has begun to be restored in Thabuthegama-and it must never be betrayed again.

Monash University, Monash College and Universal College Lanka (UCL) recently marked a decade of partnership that has created life-changing opportunities for

Sri Lankan students to access a world-class Monash education.

Since the partnership began in 2015, over 800 Sri Lankan students have transitioned from Monash College pathway programs at UCL to continue their studies at Monash campuses in Australia and Malaysia.

Today, these graduates are driving change and positive impact in business, education, health, Government, and the wider community, reflecting Monash University’s global influence and commitment to shaping the next generation of leaders.

The milestone will be celebrated at a special alumni event in Colombo, attended by Monash and UCL leaders, alumni and distinguished guests including Australia’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Matthew Duckworth.

Monash University Vice-President (Marketing, Admissions and Communications) and Monash College Chief Executive Fabian Marrone said the anniversary underscored the strength of Monash’s partnerships in South Asia and their role in expanding access to world-class education.

‘This milestone is significant: it celebrates a successful and strong partnership and recognises the extraordinary contributions of our Sri Lankan alumni in the communities they live, operate and serve in,’ Marrone said.

‘Their leadership across industries demonstrates the value of a Monash education and its ability to equip graduates with the skills, mindset and global perspective needed to make an impact both locally and internationally.’

Universal College Lanka (UCL) CEO Dr. Chamila Ariyananda said the partnership continues to open new doors for Sri Lankan students seeking a globally recognised qualification while remaining connected to their local community.

‘We began our journey 10 years ago with Monash, a globally renowned leader in education. Guided by Monash’s vision for quality outcomes, their academic excellence has shaped UCL’s winning strategy in Sri Lanka’s dynamic higher education space. Our strong partnership continues to pave the way for an extraordinary journey ahead,’ Dr. Ariyananda said.

Spanning six countries across the Indo-Pacific and Europe, Monash maintains partnerships with more than 200 universities in over 40 nations.

Ranked in the world’s top 50 universities Monash fosters a community of more than 95,000 students and 20,000 staff, celebrating diversity and inclusion.

Its global alumni network exceeds 500,000 graduates in 150 countries, including many Sri Lankans who continue to make significant contributions both at home and abroad.

For over 30 years, Monash College has delivered transformative pathway programs to over 80,000 students. The decade-long partnership with UCL reflects Monash’s enduring commitment to Sri Lanka and its vision to create opportunities for the next generation of globally capable, job-ready graduates.

In a groundbreaking step toward enhancing guest convenience and digital hospitality, Sofia Colombo has officially launched Colombo’s first-ever multilingual ‘Hotel E-Shop,’ developed in partnership with Thineth Software Solutions. This innovative online platform operates without the need for app downloads or personal data collection guests simply scan a QR code available in their rooms to access the service instantly.

With this launch, Sofia Colombo invites both discerning travellers and local patrons to browse and purchase its luxury services, signature spa treatments, curated dining experiences, and exclusive souvenir collections directly from their mobile devices. Situated in the heart of Colombo, Sofia Colombo is renowned for its blend of contemporary design and warm Sri Lankan hospitality. The Hotel E-Shop now extends this distinguished experience beyond the hotel premises, offering guests the convenience of exploring and reserving premium offerings during their stay. Designed with user-friendliness in mind, the platform features personalised recommendations, special offers, and a seamless checkout experience. Further amplifying its commitment to innovation, Sofia Colombo has also introduced a real-time guest feedback system and team alert app that operate through the same digital ecosystem. These additions help ensure faster service responses and an elevated guest journey at every touchpoint. Sofia Colombo warmly invites all guests and the wider community to explore the new Hotel E-Shop and enjoy the hotel’s hallmark luxury and service now accessible anytime, anywhere, at their fingertips.

Sri Lanka Embassy in Belgium together with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau participated in the Holiday Expo Gent held from 28 November to 01 December 2025 at Flanders Expo in Belgium, for the second consecutive time. Sri Lanka was prominently featured as a premier travel destination in the event, which drew more than 30,000 visitors, served as a major B2C platform offering direct access to Belgian travellers planning their holidays.

The Holiday Expo took place during the tough time that Sri Lanka faced when the natural disaster occurred due to the devastating cyclone. However, the Embassy convinced Belgian travellers that Sri Lanka is open, Sri Lanka is safe and Sri Lanka needs its visitors now more than ever and we urged them to visit Sri Lanka without cancelling their trips during the ongoing peak season.

At the speech corner, Embassy Minister (Commercial) Thavishya Mullegamgoda delivered a presentation showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich and diverse tourism offerings from pristine beaches, ancient cultural sites, to wildlife, biodiversity, and eco-sustainable tourism. She also emphasised Sri Lanka’s growing niche segments, including wedding tourism, adventure travel, and MICE tourism. The Sri Lanka stand highlighted the island’s distinctive tourism identity through vibrant banners, promotional videos, brochures, detailed travel maps and served Ceylon tea.

The simultaneous hosting of the Holiday Expo and the Countryside Lifestyle Exhibition broadened the high-end visitors reach, attracting families, youth, adventure seekers, culture enthusiasts, and affluent travellers from across Belgium. Belgian travellers planning trips to Sri Lanka in 2026, as well as those who had the island on their travel wish list, visited the Sri Lanka stand to receive first-hand insights from Embassy representatives on the country’s diverse tourism opportunities.

Many visitors who had previously travelled to Sri Lanka shared their fond memories and expressed a strong desire to return, hoping to explore regions they had not visited before. New visitors also demonstrated keen interest in a variety of experiences, including long-haul vacations, family travel, culinary tourism, wildlife and nature exploration, cultural heritage tours, and adventure activities.

Sri Lanka’s participation not only strengthened the nation’s brand presence but also generated valuable networking opportunities within the Belgian travel industry. The ticketed fair additionally attracted visitors from neighbouring countries such as the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, and France, further enhancing outreach across the region.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake used his Newsweek interview to outline a reform agenda aimed at dismantling Sri Lanka’s most controversial security laws and rebuilding trust in the country’s human rights record.

He said laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Online Safety Act have no place in a democratic system.

‘These laws have been used as tools of repression. They are out of place in a democracy. We are committed to comprehensive reform. On the PTA, we are committed to repealing and replacing it with legislation that balances security concerns with civil liberties,’ the President said. ‘This means ending indefinite detention, establishing judicial oversight, and ensuring that anti-terrorism legislation meets international human rights standards.’

He said revisions to the Online Safety Act will protect free expression while addressing genuine harms, noting that governments create new risks when they rush through restrictive laws.

‘The focus is to prevent real harm and not silence criticism. We want to work with civil society, international human rights experts, and affected communities to draft replacement legislation. Trust in Government requires these reforms. We will act. And act soon.’

Responding to concerns from rights-conscious partners, Dissanayake said credibility will come from concrete steps rather than declarations.

‘Trust is earned through action. We are releasing political prisoners systematically, reviewing cases where people were detained without proper process, allowing space for peaceful protests, and strengthening independent institutions. The political culture of control does not change overnight. Our partners should see whether our reforms are substantive and whether we are advancing, not backsliding.’

Asked whether the country can put its troubled past behind it, he said the aim is not to erase history but to prevent repetition.

‘You cannot overcome the loss of thousands of lives in conflict or the trauma of disappearances and torture. What we can do is ensure these horrors never recur. We cannot forget the past, but we can build institutions that protect everyone equally and break the cycles that produced those painful experiences.’

Dissanayake said constitutional reform, equal citizenship, accountability, and protection of vulnerable communities are essential to a durable rights-based order. He said the long-term test will be whether future generations inherit stronger institutions rather than unresolved grievances.

MAS Holdings have been crowned winners of the 40th Annual Mercantile Athletics Championship as they ruled the Track and Field in Diyagama with a brilliant overall performance in all disciplines to prove their mettle as undisputed champions of the corporate athletics arena for yet another year.

MAS secured an impressive 560 overall points and a commanding 296-point lead against the runners-up.

One of the most anticipated sporting events in Sri Lanka’s corporate athletic calendar – the 2025 edition of the Mercantile Athletics Championships was organised by the Mercantile Athletics Federation. This milestone event marked 40 years of sporting excellence, camaraderie, and corporate unity.

This year’s championship took place on 14, 15, and 16 November at the Diyagama International Stadium, with 80+ companies and 3000+ athletes competing on 3 days of high-intensity track and field action.

Team MAS excelled with flying honours by clinching five category championships which paved the path for the all-important overall championship title.

MAS continued their success from last year, which saw them bagging the 39th edition of the tournament where they won both Men’s, Women’s, Women’s and Men’s masters and Novices titles to taste overall championship glory with 585 points and a lead of 281 points with the second-placed team.

The continued momentum unleashed by the MAS athletes is a testament for their unwavering commitment towards the sports irrespective of age barriers in all formats.

As a trusted partner, Australian Migration Consultants recently announced the launch of Dubai-based Mount Institute of Business Development (MIBD) in Sri Lanka.

The launch opens a more accessible path for Sri Lankan students pursuing UK-accredited diploma and degree-completion programs, said Australian Migration Consultants Managing Director Dr. Manjula Kulatunga.

MIBD’s Level 3 to Level 5 UK Diploma programs offer fast-track routes to the final-year of their undergraduate degree. With programs including tourism and hospitality, health and social care, IT, project management, and education, the Dubai-based MIBD has built its model around work-ready qualifications and international mobility.

Australian Migration Consultants General Manager Annya Gunasekara said that this initiative presents a valuable opportunity for young executives to gain internationally recognised qualifications along with overseas experience. She further noted that many of the available job opportunities will help participants finance their education while also opening pathways to the thriving Gulf job market.

MIBD Founder and Director David Ebenezer said that the partnership strengthened the institution’s commitment to providing accessible, globally recognised education. ‘We are known as MIBD Dubai where we do UK Diploma Programs which are for Level 3 to Level 5. Students who complete Levels 4 and 5 have the option of directly moving on to the final year of the graduation program. This helps them complete graduation at a very fast pace.’

He highlighted the institute’s diverse faculty, which includes experts from Europe and the Middle East, like the MIBD Dean Dr. Rafaela De Angelis Barros who works closely with the Dubai Government on projects from Italy. MIBD Head of Education and Training Management Dr. Sandra Carter also brings decades of expertise in education from across the world. ‘This gives our students a broader and deeper learning perspective,’ Ebenezer said.

Beyond classroom education, MIBD’s career-focused model also offers students internship opportunities built into the program, helping them gain practical experience, industry exposure, and network opportunities as well. Ebenezer emphasised that this early industry exposure was extremely powerful in high-growth economies like Dubai, where access to industry connections can fast-track a young professional’s career.

To promote the program in Sri Lanka, the MIBD recently signed a MoU with the Union Bank.

For Sri Lankan students, this partnership between Union Bank and MIBD is designed to remove the financial barriers that would typically block them out of overseas studying and the career opportunities that come with it. With financing in place, students would be able to enter Dubai’s talent ecosystem and start building the foundations for an international career.

Through Union Bank, students will be able to access long-tenor education loans with repayment periods of up to 15 years. The package covers course fees, air tickets, insurance, overseas health cover, and other mandatory costs, reducing the logistical burden of preparing to study abroad.

Union Bank Colombo Product Management Head Chalith Perera said that the bank viewed this partnership as part of its mission to widen access to quality education. ‘It’s a proud day for us. We believe in providing flexible and convenient education solutions. and MIBD offers a strong, exciting package for students who wish to migrate to Dubai with a unique proposition of finding employment solutions.’

He added that the partnership aimed to give Sri Lankan families a ‘hassle-free, easy, one-stop solution’ from university admission to relocation.

The partnership expands MIBD’s footprint in Sri Lanka, which is one of its key student markets. For Union Bank, it marks another strategic step in expanding its education-finance portfolio.