Category: Daily Financial Times

The Government’s announcement of the establishment of the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund’ generated a lot of attention, mostly of the wrong kind. To their credit, former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and the Chair of the Committee on Public Finance Dr Harsha de Silva raised the issues of compliance with Article 148 of the Constitution and the Disaster Management Act, No. 13 of 2005.

These flaws were more important by an order of magnitude than representation or gender balance in the governing council or management committee. The issues raised by Ranawaka and De Silva were not new as they had been debated in Parliament and before the courts in the past two decades.

Laws and funds

Sri Lanka is no stranger to disasters and rebuilding, despite the stories we tell ourselves. But it is only in the months following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami that the Government rushed through the Disaster Management Act, No. 13 of 2005, specifically designed to manage all aspects of disaster risk reduction and management, including the mobilisation of funds for rebuilding.

Section 4(o) of the 2005 Act specifies that one of the functions of the Disaster Management Council shall be that of recommending how funds should be allocated from various Government agencies and from the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Fund. This fund was established under the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Fund Act, No. 58 of 1993, with a Board of Governors that has the Prime Minister as Chair and includes the Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition, the relevant subject Minister, and key officials (section 3).

Donations received by the fund are recogniSed as eligible donations under the Inland Revenue Act. The fund may be used in all phases of the disaster cycle: for relief, for recovery, and for mitigation (section 6). The 1993 Act appears primarily designed to accept donations from domestic sources.

Section 17 of the Disaster Management Act creates another fund that is empowered to receive donations, though this is also for running the Disaster Management Center. It was observed that the intention was to get external parties to fund as much of Sri Lanka’s disaster risk reductions (DRR) activities as possible in the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami and the serendipitously timed World Conference on Disaster Reduction that was held within a month, in January 2005, in Hyogo, Japan. This was why the Act was rushed through as an urgent Bill with zero consultation.

Despite there being two funds and two governing bodies duly constituted by law, one of the first things Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) did upon becoming President later that year was to create another fund and agency called Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA), headed by Tiran Alles. Alles, Emil Kanthan (allegedly a LTTE fund raiser), and two others were indicted for misappropriation of Rs. 200 million of public funds in 2016. The indictments were withdrawn in 2020 by the Attorney General under the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government.

RADA and the infamous Helping Hambantota account demonstrate the dangers of random funds being created for disaster reconstruction. Both cases did not yield definitive rulings (presidential candidate MR was exonerated in 2005, but Sarath Silva walked back that ruling later). Therefore, one cannot definitively establish why MR bypassed existing mechanisms and parliamentary control.

The Supreme Court issued a Stay Order on four elements of the proposed P-TOMS [Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure] in the eventful year, 2005. One of the impugned elements was the P-TOMS Fund that was to be used for post-tsunami reconstruction.

Amnesia?

The P-TOMS case was initiated by the JVP so it cannot be said that the current political leadership is unaware of the problematic nature of extra-statutory funds. P-TOMS was the trigger for the JVP’s departure from the Government in June 2005. The President and several current ministers were members of the Cabinet that approved the Disaster Management Bill earlier that year. They should have been fully informed of its provisions.

Pakistan great Wasim Akram has officially handed the baton to Mitchell Starc as the greatest left-arm pacer of all-time after the Australian surpassed his wicket-tally on the opening day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Starc went past Wasim’s tally of 414 Test wickets when collecting figures of 6/71 on an action-packed opening day to the second Test between Australia and England at the Gabba and the Pakistan legend wasted no time in showering praise on the 35-year-old fast bowler who now has the most Test scalps for any left-arm pacer.

Wasim took to social media to show his appreciation of Starc and his 418 Test wickets and said there was still plenty of further accolades awaiting the Australian throughout the remainder of his career.

‘Super Starc! Proud of you, mate,’ Wasim wrote on X.

‘Your incredible hard work sets you apart, and it was only a matter of time before you crossed my tally of wickets.

‘I am pleased to give this to you! Go well, and keep soaring to new heights in your stellar career.’

An exhausted Starc fronted the media after England reached 325/9 at stumps on day one and the Australian declared Wasim still remained the greatest left-arm quick of all-time.

‘I’ll reflect on it later, Wasim’s still a far better bowler than I am,’ Starc said.

‘So as far as I’m concerned he’s still the pinnacle of left-armers and certainly right up there with bowlers to ever play the game.

‘So it’s nice to be spoken of up around that, but I’ll just try and keep churning a few out.’

Starc remains fourth overall on Australia’s list of Test wicket-takers, with Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and Nathan Lyon (562) the only players ahead of him.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism yesterday hosted a special briefing for Sri Lanka’s diplomatic community, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya alongside Minister Vijitha Herath.

Senior officials from the Disaster Management Centre and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority joined the session.

According to the Prime Minister’s office, Dr. Amarasuriya opened the briefing by thanking foreign missions for the assistance extended in the immediate aftermath of the floods and landslides. She said the country had faced one of its most serious disasters in recent years, but rapid coordination among government agencies had helped stabilise the situation and accelerate relief efforts.

The Prime Minister noted that no tourist casualties had been reported and that areas previously cut off are now accessible. Large-scale clean-up and decontamination work is in progress to make public spaces safe, while communication services have been restored in affected regions.

She said relief and evacuation work had relied on the combined efforts of the armed forces, police, health services, public officials, volunteers and local authorities.

Dr. Amarasuriya also pointed to the challenges ahead, including damaged infrastructure, the need for resettlement, and longer-term disaster-mitigation measures. She welcomed the technical, humanitarian and financial support pledged by partner governments as recovery work continues.

One week seems a very long time-to learn that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a redundant nonentity when it comes to dealing with the wrath of nature-in real time. Last Saturday, keeping to journalistic impartiality, we ran an interview about the positive aspects of AI. It quite ironically coincided with the mountains collapsing on our heads, the land opening beneath our feet, swallowing us up and the skies spiralling in torrents washing away houses and vehicles as if they were toys. Beginning last Thursday and till around Monday Sri Lanka faced its worst natural disaster in decades with hilly areas such as Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Badulla amongst the worst affected. Experts warn that the worst may not be over and that the landslide threat still hangs heavy in the central province region. Thousands are rendered homeless and live in temples and schools.

This is not the first time in Sri Lanka we humans were turned into playthings in the hands of nature which we have abused in a myriad ways, using our so called superior knowledge primarily for its ruin.

We cannot forget the shock when the seas we have clogged with plastic and poison drowned us.

We in Sri Lanka were taught horrifically of the power of the elements in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Yet we petty creatures of amnesic memory have in the last 21 years ignored how in the natural world the other creatures behaved in a way that displayed they knew of the impending disaster. To spend time as needed to learn of it thoroughly, to share these information in actual discussions, to mainstream into education the learning how insects/reptiles/birds for example may behave ahead of earthslips and landslides is no small task. All of this comes under Natural Intelligence. But no, we have become in the past two decades obsessed with the artificial. Open a phone and there will be 100 ads a day jumping at you yelling that you will be nothing if Artificial Intelligence is not mastered. And while many of us are caught in this illusional vortex, the infinite, unpredictable, grossly vilified, utterly polluted Mother Earth has been dragging us away by our throats, our feet and our hair; into the deathly realisation that nature does not care one whit about this new age artifice. And where was this beatified artificial intelligence when floods, earthslips and landslides killed, made homeless and devastated life? It was busy teaching us about its uselessness. For days humans were cut off even from basic phone connection unable to get urgently required help. Why? Because the mountains and trees fell on and uprooted the phone towers. So just to relearn the basics-for AI to work-an internet connection is needed, right? Yes. And an internet connection cannot be established when phone towers fall like matchsticks at the feet of earth’s decree, right? Yes.

When Mother Nature tore apart the earth beneath our feet

So, to revert to the past 20 years in how we lived-the one thing we have not done is preparing in diverse ways to respect this earth as our mother-the ways our elders did-so that monsoons nourish instead of killing and mountains maintain their stronghold surrounded by bastions of forest land-instead of falling on our heads. From October to December last year, this page has continually run detailed writings on how humans are killing the earth and tourism by piling, burning and burying layers and layers of garbage on it. Focusing on Nuwara Eliya and how it has been turned into a virtual garbage dump we had met the current Commissioner, Mayor and was part of initiating public programs on recycling and civilian responsibility, carried out with the Nuwara Eliya National Library.

Dear reader, this article is not a fancy theoretic rigmarole. It is based on fact as fact can get. The Harmony Page literally functioned from a vast library named the Residential Library of Healing located on a mountain top in Nuwara Eliya, overlooking a waterfall. There were 22,000 books (many on earth and planet related subjects), the life collection of this writer which were used in academic linked pursuits for a national university, for mass media and public good. It was also turned into a model of knowledge tourism. The colourful hippie like manner in which the books jostled about with sarees turned into curtains/table clothes, how everything recycled resonated simplicity-appreciated by scores of international visitors may soon be relegated to a mere memory. The place is now cordoned off and declared a red zone. This seems to be the only residence in the immediate vicinity where no water is leaking from beneath the foundation. Some of the neighbours who had slunk back to check on their houses (to be hauled out shortly after by the authorities) had reported that almost all houses had water spouting from underground indicating the possibility of more landslides. My immediate neighbour Mala who had started a catering service for the international scholars who visited the residential library of healing shared with me the photographs of the place. I had left over three weeks back to some other districts for my media research work.

Will the 22,000 books within perish under earth? AI cannot answer that

It is now in retrospect striking how I had in a random act, just before leaving the house, placed the large bag holding birth certificates and such documents into my knapsack. Carrying it around I had almost laughed at myself as to why I did this strange act, something I had never done before. I now realise how the super consciousness of the cosmos influenced this. It is known around in the neighbourhood that I worship the sun and earth-an ancient most practice that earns much ridicule in this age of the artificial. Although it has earned me quite a reputation as an eccentric I can clearly say that even the mustering of equilibrium and calmness to write this piece-when I am homeless and my books, one of the largest private libraries in Sri Lanka is about to be buried into earth-is a result of being in sync with the earth and the universe.

Living a life polar opposite to the ‘artificial’ and nurturing to the full the natural, I will agree with the fate that the earth will mete out. We are told that by the 20th of this month we will know if any of us can return-but looking at the ferociousness of the damage right around this seems unlikely. The benign scenic waterfall that was the envy of all my friends, is now a monstrosity.

Therefore, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, if you want Sri Lanka to survive, please may this act of Mother Nature awaken you to the fact that we should be investing in researching about the intelligence of nature- while we are still alive. Our research should be a humble reverence where we are not the masters but the subjects of the universe. This merits a whole new world view.

Yes, artificial intelligence has its uses, but AI cannot bring back the dead. Therefore, in setting out and prioritising national policy, Sri Lanka should not blindly follow international fads.

In a world increasingly defined by volatility and rapid change, JXG (Janashakthi Group) recognises leadership as a shared journey of growth, authenticity, and collective purpose.

In steering a bold new course for leadership, one prioritising psychological strength, authentic purpose, and human connection as the foundation for enduring success, JXG pioneered a proactive blueprint for corporate stability.

The JXG Holistic Leadership Summit 2025 which unfolded recently was designed to future-proof the business, creating a replicable model for how companies can retain top talent and drive sustainable growth in uncertain times. The unconventional leadership event was a curated journey of introspection, dialogue, and renewal, helping leaders align personal well-being with professional impact.

The inspiring convergence united senior leaders from the Group with two internationally acclaimed facilitators; Nick Jonsson, a renowned speaker and author, widely recognised for his advocacy of mental health in executive leadership, and complementing his insights was Dona Amelia, a Southeast Asian entrepreneur and empowerment coach celebrated for her transformative journey and leadership impact.

In the summit, participants explored five core dimensions of holistic leadership: surrender, purpose, connection, goals, and discipline. These themes encouraged leaders to reflect deeply on what it means to lead with intention, empathy, and steadiness in today’s complex business environment.

JXG Group Chief Human Resources Officer Wasanthi Stephen said, ‘At JXG, we aim to nurture leaders who uplift, empower and evolve together. In embedding psychological steadiness and authentic purpose in our leadership DNA, we are future-proofing the business, creating a model for sustainable growth and talent retention in an increasingly volatile world. Through this pioneering initiative, we are building leaders and a future-ready organisation rooted in human values and enduring capacity.’

Under the guidance of Nick and Dona, participants engaged in immersive sessions challenging traditional leadership paradigms and encouraged vulnerability, openness, and self-awareness. Through reflective exercises, storytelling, and peer dialogue, leaders were invited to explore how their personal values and emotional well-being shape their professional influence.

A highlight of the summit was the inspiring panel discussion titled ‘The Future of Leadership is Holistic – Are We Ready?’ featuring JXG’s own senior leaders. Their candid insights offered a window into how holistic practices are being integrated throughout the Group, from talent development and performance management to culture-building and strategic decision-making. The conversation strengthened JXG’s vision of leadership being a shared culture of trust, growth, and collective energy.

Throughout the summit, one message resonated clearly: when leaders nurture their emotional, mental, physical, social, and psychological well-being, they create ripple effects which can strengthen teams, build innovation, and drive long-term organisational success. Leadership then becomes more than achieving results, but about building healthier, more connected, and future-ready organisations.

Parliament yesterday approved the third reading of Budget 2026 with 158 MPs in favour, one voting against, and two abstaining.

The vote followed a 21-day debate that closed the legislature’s budget proceedings for the year.

This is the second budget presented by the National Peoples’ Power administration. Parliament is scheduled to reconvene on 6 January 2026.

HNB Assurance PLC has partnered with the Kandy Kings as the Official Protection Partner for the upcoming Colombo Golf League, taking place from 5 to 7 December at the Royal Colombo Golf Club.

Through this partnership HNB Assurance extends an insurance cover to the 15-member Kandy Kings squad, ensuring their wellbeing throughout the tournament. As a brand rooted in trust and protection, HNB Assurance is proud to stand behind a team that embodies passion and excellence.

HNB Assurance Executive Director/CEO Lasitha Wimalaratne said: ‘We are truly pleased to partner with the Kandy Kings for this year’s Colombo Golf League. Our thanks go out to the franchise for choosing HNB Assurance as their protection partner and placing their confidence in us. As the team prepares to take on this exciting challenge, we are proud to safeguard their 15 players and wish them the very best on the greens.’

Chief Business Officer/GM Partnerships Sanesh Fernando said: ‘Supporting local sporting talent is a privilege for us. We extend our appreciation to the Kandy Kings franchise for this opportunity and look forward to backing the team throughout the league. We wish the players success, strength, and a memorable performance in this year’s tournament.’

Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir was sworn in yesterday as a Member of the 10th Parliament before Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

After being sworn in before the Speaker, he placed his signature in the Member Roll kept before the Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera.

He was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Muhammathu, who served as a National List Member of Parliament representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Thahir, who completed his school education at the Kalpitiya Thigaly Muslim Maha Vidyalaya, entered politics in 1991 representing the Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha. He has also served as the Chairman and as the Leader of the Opposition of the Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha.

Mrs India Pride of the Nation, one of India’s most respected and purpose-driven platforms for married women, is all set to make its grand international debut with its Season 7 Grand Finale in Colombo, Sri Lanka. For the first time ever, the iconic pageant will step beyond Indian borders, creating a landmark moment for the platform and strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.

The Grand Finale will take place on 11 December 2025, at the prestigious ITC Ratnadipa, Colombo, with the event beginning at 7:00 p.m. onwards. This international edition has been made possible through the valued support of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and SriLankan Airlines, whose partnership has added global stature, cultural depth, and a warm Sri Lankan welcome to the celebration.

This year’s edition reaches an exciting milestone with a week-long celebration in Sri Lanka, bringing together over 125 accomplished women from across India. Participants will undergo curated training sessions, leadership programs, workshops, grooming activities, and cultural showcases that will highlight both Indian diversity and Sri Lankan hospitality.

These women represent the modern Indian spirit-confident, compassionate, driven, and rooted in purpose. Their time in Colombo will celebrate not just beauty, but identity, leadership, and transformation.

Mrs India Pride of the Nation and Glamour Gurgaon Founder and Director Barkha Nangia said: ‘Mrs India Pride of the Nation has always been more than a pageant. It is a mission to help women rediscover their strength, identity, and limitless potential. Taking our Grand Finale to Sri Lanka is a symbolic step that shows empowerment has no borders. Every woman who walks our stage represents courage, transformation, and inspiration. This international edition is a celebration of global sisterhood and the extraordinary journeys of women who rise with purpose.’

Over the years, Mrs India Pride of the Nation has grown into a movement that celebrates real women, real stories, and real journeys. It has empowered thousands of women to embrace their individuality, rediscover their strength, and step forward as role models in their homes, workplaces, and communities. Season 7 continues this mission on a global stage, sending a strong message: empowerment has no boundaries.

The Grand Finale promises to be a spectacular evening that brings together fashion, confidence, empowerment, and culture. It will showcase the transformational journey of every participant-a celebration of their growth, resilience, and achievements.

As the pageant makes its international debut, the 2025 Colombo edition promises to be a powerful cultural exchange between India and Sri Lanka. It will highlight unity, diversity, and the unstoppable spirit of womanhood, strengthening the bond between the two neighbouring nations through celebration, creativity, and shared values.

With global partnerships, inspiring stories, and world-class production, Mrs India Pride of the Nation Season 7 is set to create an unforgettable moment on Sri Lankan shores-one that celebrates women who carry their confidence, culture, and inspiration far beyond borders.

It is children and women who suffer disproportionately at the time of a crisis including during the time of natural disasters such as the one that has impacted the country. Many hundreds are displaced and living in temporary lodging. For some it will be a long wait to get back to permanent homes while for others it should be a shorter period.

The numbers are still being counted but there will be children who have been left orphaned, some left with a single parent, woman left widowed or alone having lost their family members in the tragedy.

The biggest concern for women and children is their personal safety and security which can easily get compromised outside the safety of their homes. The walls of their houses which once sheltered them from many dangers and kept them safe are today, either fully or partially destroyed while others are muddied/water damaged and will take weeks to be restored to what they were.

For children the blow is the worst. They have had their young lives drastically alternated overnight. Some of their schools are gone, their schoolmates missing and even teachers have perished. For a young mind it’s difficult to comprehend that when nature deals some of its cruellest blows, it spares no one. Anyone in the path either perishes or has to start their lives all over.

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF has said that Cyclone Ditwah has left children across Sri Lanka facing an escalating humanitarian crisis with severe damage to homes and vital infrastructure, along with the disruption of essential services, has caused widespread displacement and increases the risk of disease outbreaks, malnutrition, unsafe living conditions, and severe emotional distress among children.

‘The cyclone may have passed, but the consequences have not. Children need urgent help,’ UNICEF said.

The Government announced this week that Rs. 25,000 will be given to all school-going children affected by floods and landslides. The money which will be taken from the President’s Fund is for the use of the educational needs of affected children.

This is a welcome move but other than the monetary help, the students will need psychological help as well before they can return to a classroom and feel safe again.

One of the most urgent things is to get those who have lost homes and are in shelters into proper dwellings. It is clear that many will not be able to go back to where they once lived, especially in the upcountry areas. The areas that have been impacted by landslides are no longer safe and the onus is on the Government to give them alternate lands in safer areas.

But as the State machinery grinds slowly and such measures may take months or even a year or more, as an immediate measure, the Government should consider offering rent money to the affected persons for at least a year so that they can move into temporary housing of their choice. The rental payments may have to be paid for even up to two years if the necessity arises.

The economic cost for any such natural calamity of this scale is massive and for Sri Lanka, which is still far from recovering from the 2022 economic crisis, this couldn’t have come at a worse time. But this is a time when a large section of the country’s population needs assistance to get back on their feet and the Government should not spare any expenses in providing for these families/individuals. There is no use having an overflowing Treasury if the money in State coffers don’t serve the people when they are in dire need of help. It is time to put the money where the mouth is.