Category: Daily Financial Times

A delegation of 10 foreign investors from India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman visited the Colombo Port and Port City this week to assess investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s marine and offshore industries, the Export Development Board (EDB) said yesterday.

The visit took place alongside the Voyage Sri Lanka 2025 Marine Summit which kicked off yesterday organised by the EDB at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo. The summit serves as a platform to discuss sustainable maritime practices, new technologies, and investment prospects in marine and related sectors.

According to the EDB, discussions are focused on strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in marine and aquaculture services and expanding its potential in the boat and shipbuilding industries.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams is set to introduce a new addition to Colombo’s entertainment scene with the city’s first-ever Rooftop Oktoberfest. Taking place from 16 to 19 October at The Podium, the four-day festival will bring together Bavarian food, music, and culture against the backdrop of panoramic city views.

The highlight of the event will be Colombo’s largest Oktoberfest buffet, featuring authentic German specialties. Guests can look forward to hearty favourites such as Sauerbraten (roasted beef marinated with red wine vinegar), Schweinshaxe (crispy pork knuckle), Brathähnchen (roast chicken), Leberkäse (grilled meatloaf), and a wide selection of German sausages including Bratwurst, Weisswurst, and Cheese Krainer. Traditional accompaniments such as sauerkraut, sautéed potatoes, and mustard sauce will complete the feast. Classic appetisers like pretzels, German potato salad, and Obatza (a spiced Camembert cheese dip) will set the tone, while Apfelstrudel with ice cream or Rote Grtze (red fruit jelly custard) will round off the meal on a sweet note.

Adding to the festive spirit, a strong music line-up will keep the energy alive each evening. Local favourites including Slipping Chairs, Magic Box Mixup, Section 8, OIC, and Pop Culture will perform live, creating the perfect atmosphere for a night of dancing and celebration.

For those seeking an unforgettable night of great food, lively music, and spectacular city views, Cinnamon Life’s rooftop Oktoberfest promises an unparalleled experience.

Tickets are priced at Rs. 8,900 nett per person, inclusive of buffet access and live entertainment.

Authentic record of the retirement of C.C.A. Brito-Mutunayagam, M.A., B.C.L. (Oxon.), the dedicated First Principal of Ceylon Law College, scholar and gentleman par excellence [From The Ceylon Law College Review 1955/56 ].

Forwarded by Keerthimala Gunasekera, Senior Attorney-at-Law

The eloquent toast to the Principal, delivered by LSU President T.S.P. Senanayake, distinguished by elegant use of Pali and Latin phrases:

My Lord Chief Justice, Mr Attorney, Your Lordship of the Supreme Court Mr Principal, Ladies and Gentlemen

This year annual dinner of the Law Students Union has a great significance in that we are taking the opportunity to bid farewell to Mr C.C.A. Brito Mutunayagam. It was originally our intention to hold a special farewell dinner but like Caesar he thrice declined the honour.

It is my enviable lot Sir, on behalf of 350 law students and hundreds of others to propose a toast to your health and happiness.

I should like to take this opportunity to make a brief resume of your career which should rightly have culminated as Chief Justice. After returning from Oxford you were called to the Official Bar. After a period of distinguished service the expounder of the law was called to draft laws for the colony. During this period the Council of Legal Education was looking round for a suitable person to be appointed as Principal of Law College and their choice very eminently fell upon you.

Tonight those departed Patriarchs might well congratulate themselves on the wisdom of their choice and be associated with these sentiments of Macaulay ‘Their search for a straggling gleanor has been rewarded by an ample sheaf. The legal draftsman’s loss, the Judiciary’s loss proved an inestimable boom to hundreds of law students. You showed by your own illustrious example that the legal profession was a vocation and not just another way of making easy money. The Law College was not merely to be a factory for the production of practitioners but rather to produce men who would take their rightful place in the forefront in the public life of the country.

Quoting Pali: In this auspicious year of the Samma Sambudha Jayanthi it is well to follow the injunctions of the enlightened one Buddha— ‘Pujaca puja Niyanna’ meaning Give honour where honour is due. It is no exaggeration to say that our departing principal has added lustre to the post he’s shortly to relinquish and that in casting his duties he brought to this high office those admirable qualities of head and heart impartiality and generosity

Quoting Latin: In the words of Horace who’ll never become unfashionable to quote as long as black coats are worn at Hultsdorp, I might describe you sir as ‘Justium Et Tenacem Propositi Virum – an upright man of steadfast purpose and I may add Spartan austerity.

As a lecturer you were painstaking and meticulous. Those of us who studied Constitutional Law and Law of Conflict of Laws remember the fundamentals you taught with a sure incisive grasp and never forget that vivid vein of humour which ran like quicksilver through your learned expositions.

In conclusion, I make no apology for quoting as I do Plato’s immortal apology of Socrates: ‘It is now time for us to part for me to remain and you to depart. But as to which of us is going to the better lot is not known to none save the Gods’. I call upon you Ladies and Gentlemen to drink to the health of Mr C.C. Brito-Mutunayagam, one of the greatest gentleman of our time.

The Review of 1955/56 contains a rich harvest of scholarly essays contributed by eminent members of the legal profession, they are:

1] The development of the empire and Commonwealth during the last fifty years by Sir Sydney Abrahams Chief Justice of Ceylon from 1936 to 1939 and was knighted in 1936.

2] Re-codifying the law of Evidence by G. D.Nokes LLD [Kings College London]

3] The Shisho-Kenshu-Sho of Japan or Judicial Training and Research Institute a special training School set up in Japan after the war by Professor Nadaraja Faculty of Law

4] The Source of Kandyan Law by Dr H. W. Tambiah QC

5] The Judiciary under the Constitution by M Tiruchelvam

6] Notes On Professional Etiquette By C. E. Jayawardena Member of the Bar Council

7] Liability for negligent misrepresentation and Chissel v Chapman by Sinha Basnayake [Advocate final year]

The memorable and spirited events that brought life and camaraderie to Law College in 1955

Dunstan de Alwis – who become an eminent lawyer and President’s Counsel was the General Secretary. He had reported with distinction the many activities that enriched the life of the College. Lectures of notable merit were delivered by the Hon Justice Gratien, Q.C., and other eminent members of the Bar and Bench.

A cricket match between the Bench and the Bar Captained by Hon Minster of Justice E.B. Wickremanayake Q.C. The Annual Dance was graced by the presence of the Hon. Justice Sansoni, while the Hon. Sir Allan Rose, Chief Justice, presided and distributed the prizes at the Annual Sports Meet, at which he was also the Chief Guest.

The Annual Oratorical Contest, a keenly fought event, was won by J. de Sa. Bandaranayake, who was awarded the Hector Jayawardene Gold Medal. The distinguished panel of judges included Sir Lalitha Rajapakse, Q.C., the Hon. Justice H.N.G. Fernando, and Corbet Jayawardene. The Review also recorded the spirited sports events tennis, cricket, and many other games that reflected the enthusiasm, discipline, and camaraderie characteristic of college life in that golden era.

Brito Mutunayagam’s name will ever remain associated with the finest traditions of the Ceylon Law College – a Principal whose scholarship, discipline, fearless integrity and gracious personality left an enduring mark upon both the institution and its students

In November 2024, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court issued an unusual ruling: senior Government officials had breached the public trust by drastically cutting taxes in 2019, setting off a ‘domino effect’ that ended in economic collapse in 2022. The Government’s debt default led to a sharp increase in prices, especially for food and transportation, as well as job and wage cuts, the effects of which are still ongoing.

Protests that overthrew Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government, and subsequent elections that brought Anura Disanayake to power, make clear that Sri Lankans are determined to set a new economic course. The Government has already taken some steps, but the reforms aren’t deep enough to get at the root of the problem.

The Supreme Court case was focused on the immediate lead up to the crisis, but we found that the root of the problem goes back decades. In the late 1970s, Sri Lanka began an economic shift including tax policies that generated woefully low revenues, and favoured corporations and the wealthy.

This not only sowed the seeds of the 2022 crisis but also meant Government spending that is essential to human rights has lagged far behind growth for decades. By the 2010s, for example, Sri Lanka’s education spending was under 2% of GDP, before falling in 2022 to just 1.5%-the third-lowest rate in the world.

That was a tragic decline for a country that was once a global pioneer in education. Sri Lanka was among the first countries to establish free primary and secondary education for most people. Following independence, government funding of education-particularly in rural areas-lifted literacy and attendance rates to far outpace peer countries, helped spur social and economic mobility, and reduced inequality.

Taxes underpinned these achievements. Government revenues-around 90% from taxes-ranged between 20 and 25% of GDP in the 1960s and 70s. This enabled public education spending of 3 to 5%, close to the broadly accepted target of 4 to 6% to make progress on the right to education.

But a 1977 shift in economic policy toward an approach that gained dominance at the time that promoted growth as its own end, resulted in a sharp decline in tax revenue. The Government began handing out broad and opaque corporate tax exemptions ostensibly to attract investment, despite dubious evidence of their effectiveness. It also made little effort to tax the income or assets of people benefiting from the country’s growth. In the decade prior to the 2019 tax cuts, Sri Lanka’s tax-to-GDP averaged around 10%, less than half what it had been in the past.

The resulting low revenues have translated into inadequate school budgets that squandered Sri Lanka’s early achievements in education. Today, many schools rely on fees or alumni support for things as basic as exam paper and building maintenance.

A teacher in a public school in Colombo said her school had a science lab and smart boards thanks to the old boys club, while an Ampara official said there weren’t enough chairs for students in many of his schools. World Bank and academic research has shown widening disparities based on students’ socio-economic backgrounds, with lower enrolment in poorer areas.

Concerns about the quality of education resulting from decades of underfunding have been driving a proliferation of after school tuition classes to such a degree that experts now describe them as a ‘shadow education’ system.

A domestic worker living on a tea plantation in Hatton said she earns around Rs. 14,000 monthly working seven days a week and struggles to pay Rs. 5,000 every month for both of her children to attend tuition classes, in addition to the Rs. 500 the school charges in various fees every month. ‘When teachers ask for books and papers I can’t get those things,’ she said. ‘I struggle to give nutritious food to my children.’

A woman in Batticaloa put it stark terms: ‘I have difficulty sending [my daughter] to school every day because I don’t earn enough money. I need to choose between food and my daughter’s education.’

To uphold the economic and social rights of Sri Lankans, including to education, the Government should institute tax reforms to increase revenues through progressive measures and curtail regressive taxes, including by increasing tax revenues from personal income and wealth.

It should also end corporate tax incentives that are not tied to a specific and compelling policy rationale and subject to public cost-benefit analysis. Revenue increases should be used to increase social spending, including a goal of moving education spending towards 4 to 6% of GDP.

The new Government, which promised to break from past corruption and failed economic policies, has an opportunity to reverse Sri Lanka’s decades-long neglect of tax revenues and under-spending in social sectors, which culminated in misery and crisis. The time is ripe for an economic approach centred on human rights.

Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC has appointed Nandika Buddhipala to its Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director.

Buddhipala has over 35 years of experience in the Banking, Telecommunication and Audit and Assurance industries. He was the Chief Financial Officer of Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC until May 2025 having worked as the CFO over 17 years.

He was the Chief Financial Officer of Mobitel Ltd., before joining Commercial Bank.

Buddhipala an alumina of KPMG having worked in Colombo, Maldives and Oman. He is a Council Member of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and former Council Member of the University of Colombo.

He is a Board Member and Trustee of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, UK and the Chairman of the CISI National Advisory Committee, Sri Lanka. He was the Chairman of the ACCA Member Network Panel – Sri Lanka, President of the National Chamber of Commerce (NCCSL) and a Vice President of Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPASL).

He is a current member of Study Boards of MSc in Financial Mathematics and BSc in Financial Engineering, Mathematics Dept. of the University of Colombo and a member of the ACCA Global Forum for Education.

He is the Chairman of the Banking, Finance and Insurance Committee of CMA Sri Lanka and a member of the Financial Reporting Standards Interpretation and Implementation Committee (FRSII) of the CA Sri Lanka. Buddhipala was a Member of the Governing Council of National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) and Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards Monitoring Board (SLAASMB).

Buddhipala obtained his first degree in BSc Business Administration and Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and MBA, Masters in Financial Economics, MSc in Financial Mathematics from the University of Colombo. He is a Fellow Member of CA Sri Lanka, ACCA (UK), CMA, CMA (Aust.), FINSIA (Aust.) and Member of CISI (UK).

The two-day Disinfo2025 conference involving multiple stakeholders concluded yesterday in Ljubljana, Slovenia, addressing the rising threat of digital disinformation and the need for stronger international cooperation against manipulation and influence operations.

The event was supported by the Republic of Slovenia, with the European External Action Service (EEAS) as the main supporter.

It brought together global experts, policymakers, journalists, including from Sri Lanka, technologists, and civil society actors.

Held from 15 to 16 October, the conference featured multiple thematic tracks covering areas ranging from disinformation atlas and accountability and enforcement to community-driven resistance and spin zone analysis. Over 100 sessions, panels, and workshops explored topics including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and synthetic content, media accountability, and grassroots approaches to combatting disinformation.

A dynamic start with simulation and workshops

Preceding the main conference, on 14 October, it featured preparatory workshops, including ‘How to Protect an Election,’ a simulation exploring the hybrid threats of misinformation, cyber attacks, and judicial interference during election periods. Another special session focused on disinformation trends in Sri Lanka and the Indo-Pacific, at which the media, including the Daily FT, and analysts shared regional insights on narrative manipulation in economic disinformation and fact-checking challenges. This session was organised by Internews.

Delegates also participated in workshops, setting the tone for collaboration and cross-border dialogue ahead of the main sessions.

Strong opening with global voices

The conference officially opened on 15 October with a high-profile plenary session featuring EU DisinfoLab President Diana Wallis, State Secretary for National and International Security Vojko Volk, and Culture Ministry State Secretary Marko Rusjan.

In their remarks, the speakers stressed that combatting disinformation requires a shared, multi-sectoral response that blends regulation, media literacy, and technological accountability.

One of the key highlights was the conversation between Nicolas Hénin, an experienced French author and journalist, who has covered numerous conflicts in Africa and the Middle East, and filmmaker Waad Al-Kateab, who reflected on how propaganda and disinformation have been weaponised in conflict zones such as Syria, turning narratives into instruments of control and fear.

Hénin also recounted his experience dealing with cyberbullying, noting that he managed it by refraining from any form of engagement.

The session underscored how digital influence operations deeply entwine with physical violence and geopolitical control.

Thematic sessions tackle AI, accountability and regional resilience

Over the two days, experts examined how disinformation has evolved into a sophisticated global threat.

Across multiple tracks, participants addressed how disinformation is weaponised in sectors such as health systems and public services, examining how false narratives are used to discredit institutions and science and credibility, unpacking how ideological misinformation targets scientific consensus.

A key session titled ‘Not So Artificial Threats’ delved into the dual nature of AI, both as a tool for detection and as a generator of synthetic misinformation. Participants discussed the growing risks of ‘AI slop’ and the poisoning of large language models through false data.

The accountability track drew considerable attention, especially during ‘Deterrence and Enforcement,’ where legal and regulatory specialists debated how governments, social media platforms, and law enforcement can coordinate to ensure transparency without curbing free expression.

Another session, ‘FIMI Defenders in Action,’ showcased grassroots initiatives to protect journalists and civil society groups from online harassment and disinformation campaigns, reinforcing the need for community-led resilience and mental health support for those on the information frontlines.

Meanwhile, ‘Mapping the Southeast and Beyond’ brought perspectives from Asia, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, highlighting how political narratives, digital propaganda, and economic pressures converge to shape regional disinformation ecosystems.

Emphasis on cross-sector collaboration

Throughout the conference, participants echoed the importance of cross-sector partnerships, connecting technology platforms, researchers, journalists, and policymakers.

Discussions also underscored how data transparency, algorithmic accountability, and digital literacy are critical in rebuilding public trust.

The event’s ‘Science and Credibility’ sessions explored how misinformation targets the foundations of science and medicine, particularly in health communication, while other panels dissected State-sponsored disinformation and its role in weakening democratic institutions.

A call to collective action

At the closing plenary, delegates reflected on the urgency of implementing the insights gained over the two days. The session summarised key recommendations, including establishing better early-warning mechanisms, supporting regional disinformation monitoring hubs, and integrating counter-disinformation strategies into broader digital policy frameworks.

Organisers and participants agreed that Disinfo2025 succeeded not only in sharing expertise, but also building an international coalition for truth and transparency in the digital era.

For Slovenia’s capital, the event marked another milestone in Europe’s growing role as a convening hub for information integrity and democratic resilience. As the curtains fell on Disinfo2025, one clear message resonated: the fight against disinformation is not confined to one nation, but it is a shared global responsibility that demands sustained vigilance, innovation, and cooperation.

Labour Minister and Economic Development Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando yesterday declared that Sri Lanka is setting sail towards a bold new future in ocean-based industries, aiming to position itself as the premier destination for Blue Economy investment in South Asia.

Delivering the keynote address at Marine Summit: Voyage Sri Lanka 2025, organised for the second consecutive year by the Export Development Board (EDB), Dr. Fernando outlined the Government’s Blue Economy Vision 2030, a strategic framework to unlock the vast potential of the country’s marine resources, identifying five key sectors, including sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, marine biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, port development and maritime logistics, marine tourism and recreation, and offshore and energy services, as priority areas for investment.

The summit, which brought together global experts, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, served as a vital platform to showcase Sri Lanka’s marine potential and attract strategic investments.

‘The oceans surrounding us are not just a natural resource; they are the foundation of our future prosperity,’ Dr. Fernando said.

He noted that the Government’s long-term commitment involves both policy reform and institutional strengthening to support private sector innovation and international partnerships.

‘Our vision is clear to develop a resilient, competitive, and sustainable marine economy that generates employment, investment, and global partnerships,’ the Minister noted.

As per the identified five key areas, Dr. Fernando highlighted sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, with emphasis on modernising fishing fleets, improving cold chain logistics, and introducing value-added seafood processing for export. The second is marine biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, leveraging Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity to develop bio-based products and medical research ventures.

He also highlighted port development and maritime logistics as critical growth enablers. ‘With the expansion of the Colombo Port and the development of the Hambantota and Trincomalee harbours, Sri Lanka is poised to become a regional hub for cargo handling, ship repair, and bunkering services,’ he added.

Marine tourism and recreation was identified as another priority, with plans to integrate coastal and ocean-based experiences such as sailing, diving, and eco-tourism into the broader tourism strategy. Additionally, marine and offshore services, including oil and gas exploration and energy hub development, were cited as emerging opportunities for international investors.

The Minister detailed the policy reforms the Government has undertaken to support the growth of the Blue Economy. These include tax incentives for investors and regulatory streamlining and infrastructure investments in ports, fisheries harbours, and coastal zones. ‘We are working closely with the Board of Investment (BOI) and the EDB to ensure a seamless investor experience, from project approval to implementation,’ he said.

The Government has also prioritised environmental governance, ensuring that all marine and coastal projects comply with sustainability standards in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, ‘Life Below Water.’

Underscoring Sri Lanka’s competitive advantages, Dr. Fernando noted the country’s strategic location at the centre of major global shipping lanes, connecting East and West. ‘We sit at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean, a trillion-dollar trade corridor. This gives Sri Lanka unparalleled potential to serve as a logistics, repair, and service hub,’ he emphasised.

He further pointed to the availability of a skilled maritime workforce, the existence of world-class port infrastructure, and the island’s vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which spans more than seven times its land area. ‘Our human capital and geography together make Sri Lanka an ideal destination for global investors in the marine sector,’ he said.

The Minister extended a call to action to international partners to join Sri Lanka in building a sustainable and profitable Blue Economy. ‘We invite investors, development agencies, and maritime nations to collaborate with us in transforming Sri Lanka into a true maritime nation,’ he said.

He added that with policy stability, Government backing, and institutional facilitation, Sri Lanka offers a conducive environment for investors seeking long-term growth in ocean-based industries. ‘The ocean connects us all. Together, we can turn Sri Lanka’s blue potential into shared prosperity for the region,’ he affirmed.

The conference brought together an impressive line-up of national policymakers, development partners, and international industry leaders, including Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunatilaka, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof, EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe, and BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath.

Minister Handunneththi, addressing the forum, stressed that Sri Lanka’s strategic geographic position provides a natural advantage for maritime trade and logistics.

He highlighted that infrastructure modernisation and new policy frameworks were being prioritised to enhance global competitiveness in the marine and offshore services sector. Inviting international investors, he assured that the Government would provide all necessary facilities and support to accelerate sectoral growth.

Adding a global perspective, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Takafumi Kadono discussed the ADB’s strategic partnership in Sri Lanka’s Blue Economy transformation, sharing lessons from regional cooperation models and outlining future investment opportunities.

The conference featured participation from international organisations such as the ADB, International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), alongside academic experts from the University of Moratuwa and University of Ruhuna, as well as industry representatives from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Colombo Dockyard, Marine Industry Council, and GAC Group Sri Lanka.

Wijesinghe reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to fostering a globally competitive marine and offshore services sector through innovation, human capital development, and in

The full resumption of construction on Section I of the Central Expressway, linking Kadawatha to Mirigama on 17 September 2025, is far more than an infrastructure update; it is a powerful symbol of Sri Lanka’s economic renewal and a testament to the enduring friendship and strategic cooperation between Sri Lanka and China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This project, long-awaited by citizens and crucial for national connectivity, stands as a beacon of progress emerging from a period of significant challenge.

The Central Expressway, ultimately linking the country’s capital Colombo and the second largest city Kandy, will be the trunk expressway of the country and knit the existing three expressways into a national network of expressways.

Sri Lanka was among the first nations to embrace the BRI, recognising its natural alignment with its own national development strategy. This foresight is built upon a deep and longstanding history of mutual support. The foundation of our economic partnership was laid decades ago with the groundbreaking Rubber-Rice Pact of 1952. At a time when Sri Lanka was confronting food security challenges and China needed vital resources, this barter agreement provided a stable, mutually beneficial solution. It was a bold move that defied the pressures of the era and established a powerful precedent: that China and Sri Lanka could be relied upon as partners in times of need.

Legacy of pragmatic cooperation

This legacy of pragmatic cooperation has been amplified under the BRI framework, yielding a tangible transformation of its national landscape. For generations, other key infrastructure projects remained on drawing boards, stalled by a lack of funding and technical capability. The modern BRI partnership has changed that narrative. From the Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) that revitalised its port’s competitiveness to the Southern Expressway that connected the south to the economic heartland, and the iconic Lotus Tower that defines the Colombo skyline, Chinese partnership has been indispensable in turning vision into reality.

Beyond transformative loans, China has also gifted Sri Lanka enduring landmarks of friendship – the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), the Supreme Court Complex, and the National Nephrology Hospital. These are not commercial ventures but symbols of a deep, people-centred goodwill.

The story of the Central Expressway’s Section I encapsulates this spirit of cooperation. Suspended in mid-2022 amidst the nation’s severe economic crisis and the freezing of international credit lines, the project’s future was uncertain. Its revival is a direct result of President A.K. Disanayake’s leadership and, crucially, the steadfast support of Chinese partners. The Government of Sri Lanka’s allocation of Rs. 8.6 billion, coupled with a vital Yuan-denominated loan equivalent to $ 500 million from the Export-Import Bank of China, has breathed new life into this critical 37-kilometre stretch, setting a firm completion target of mid-2028.

More than a road

The significance of this moment was captured by Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong at the resumption ceremony: ‘We gather to witness the exciting moment of the full resumption of Section I of the Central Expressway Project. I extend warm congratulations and heartfelt appreciation to all those who have tirelessly advanced this work.’ This project holds a unique distinction: it is the first major infrastructure initiative to move forward since Sri Lanka’s sovereign default in April 2022. It is, therefore, more than a road; it is a turning point, signalling international confidence in Sri Lanka’s recovery and a concrete step toward national renewal.

The Central Expressway is not an isolated endeavour but a key artery in a broader network of BRI-driven prosperity. It connects to a vision of national development that includes the transformative Colombo Port City, poised to become a global financial and services hub, and the upcoming Sinopec refinery in Hambantota, which will position Sri Lanka as a key energy hub for South Asia. These projects represent the evolution of our cooperation from foundational trade pacts to comprehensive, future-focused partnerships. They translate into tangible benefits: thousands of jobs for Sri Lankans, significant foreign investment, and enhanced opportunities for local businesses.

What truly sets the Sri Lanka-China partnership is its resilience and sincerity, a quality evident since the days of the Rubber-Rice Pact. In a time of unprecedented economic hardship, when many traditional partners stepped back, China demonstrated a commitment to standing with Sri Lanka. This involved not just financial support but also diplomatic solidarity and a vote of confidence in our nation’s future. The resumption of the Central Expressway is, therefore, a landmark of trust. It proves that our partnership can withstand global headwinds and domestic difficulties, and that Sri Lanka and China are committed to walking this road of development together.

As the expressway takes shape over the coming years, it will carry more than just vehicles; it will carry the aspirations of a nation moving confidently forward. It will carry the strength of a friendship built over decades and tested through challenge. And it will carry the promise of a shared future defined by mutual prosperity and deeper connectivity.

The resumption of the Central Expressway is indeed a milestone of renewal for Sri Lanka’s economic growth, for people, and for the enduring bond between Sri Lanka and China under the Belt and Road Initiative. It is a clear signal that our journey toward progress is firmly back on track.

Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC has been announced as the Platinum Sponsor for the 15th edition of Medicare – International Healthcare Exhibition 2026. This partnership reaffirms Asiri Hospital’s unwavering commitment to advancing the nation’s healthcare sector and fostering medical excellence.

The three-day exhibition, scheduled from 6 to 8 March 2026 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exposition Centre (BMICH), Colombo, is widely recognised as the nation’s premier platform for healthcare advancement, knowledge exchange, and industry collaboration.

With a proud legacy spanning over four decades, Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC today operates six internationally accredited hospitals across three provinces. The group has earned its reputation as a leader in advanced healthcare services by performing over 800 open-heart surgeries annually, more than 6,000 angiograms each year, and having successfully completed over 10,000 brain surgeries in the past decade. In addition, the group is equipped with three state-of-the-art catheterisation laboratories (CAT Labs), reinforcing its standing as a centre of excellence in cardiac and neuro care. On a daily basis, the channelling centres serve over 3,000 patients, while its laboratories conduct more than 25,000 diagnostic tests. In addition, it records an average of over 55,000 admissions annually, reflecting its unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible care.

Asiri is also home to the largest laboratory network in the country, a service it has mastered from the very beginning-touching countless lives on a daily basis. The hospital group emphasises not only clinical excellence but also compassionate care, with a special focus on nursing and post-care services. Generations of dedicated professionals continue to serve within Asiri, fostering a strong culture of belonging and ownership within the ‘Asiri family.’

Beyond hospital walls, Asiri extends its mission through numerous CSR initiatives, reaching communities in need and spreading meaningful social impact. With the rise of medical tourism and Sri Lanka’s increasing appeal as a healthcare destination, Asiri sees new opportunities to leverage its world-class infrastructure, internationally qualified doctors, and skilled nurses-resources that are in short supply globally.

As the Platinum Sponsor of Medicare 2026, Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC will showcase its enduring commitment to medical innovation, patient-centric care, and healthcare excellence-inspiring industry leaders, policymakers, and the public alike to embrace solutions that enhance the health and well-being of the nation.

Step beyond the surface. What happens in the instant between seeing and understanding? What hides in the space where perception falters, and imagination begins? The Fareed Uduman Art Forum and Sky Gallery invite you to cross that threshold with Tomas Lagunavicius-artist, writer, theorist, and cultural provocateur-as they unveil ‘Beyond the Visible.’

Opening on 17 October, this exhibition challenges audiences to look beyond surface appearances and step into a world where perception becomes an active, multi-layered experience.

The Fareed Uduman Art Forum continues its mission of making art accessible and thought-provoking for Sri Lankan audiences. After the resounding success of exhibitions featuring Van Gogh, Gauguin, Masterpieces Unveiled, Gustav Klimt and Salvador Dali, this new chapter brings a more intimate and reflective experience to the gallery.

Tomas Lagunavicius is a rare blend of artist, thinker, and cultural architect. His practice crosses boundaries of visual art, performance, installation, sound, and conceptual work-deeply informed by psychology, systems theory, cybernetics, and linguistics. With 37 solo exhibitions, 56 group shows and biennials, 39 performances, and 12 published books, Tomas has established himself internationally as both a creator and intellectual force.

Tomas describes himself as a ‘post-matrix individual’ living across multiple roles-artist, psychologist, writer, educator. Instead of seeking unity, he embraces contradiction, allowing each identity to voice itself within his work.

Beyond the Visible is more than an art showcase-it’s an immersive environment that transforms spectators into participants. Each work operates as a system: layered, responsive, and built from structural logic and conceptual inquiry. Tomas’s hybrid method blends traditional techniques-drawing, painting, collage-with cutting-edge digital tools, including AI-assisted colour harmonisation and composition software. For him, technology is not a shortcut but a collaborator. His signature 3x3x3 method-three dominant colours, three geometric forms, and three real-world objects-creates clarity through structure while unlocking endless creative possibilities.

At the heart of the exhibition lies Tomas’s self-developed framework: Metacubism – Art for the 21st Century. Inspired by Cubism’s radical break with tradition, Metacubism adapts that spirit to today’s fractured realities-marked by digital saturation, political upheaval, and shifting truths. Through repetition, interruption, absence, symmetry, and data-driven aesthetics, Tomas addresses a central question: What happens in the space between seeing and understanding?

The Exhibition also unveils a stunning collection of what he calls his works of ‘Meta Buddhism.’ In Europe and North America, Buddhism underwent, in his opinion, three major phases. During the first phase, when it came out, we tried to accept it as it was. Later, post-Buddhism emerged as a modified form of Buddhism adapted to the contexts of Europe and North America. Now, we have post-post-Buddhism and no longer remember the original sources but modify and edit the legacy of post-Buddhism. In his opinion, post-Buddhism is a very important element of the new culture of Europe and the United States. Maybe we should not call it an element at all; it is more of a function that cannot be removed. Post-post-Buddhism is becoming the operating principle of North American and European consciousness.

Despite its intellectual depth, Beyond the Visible remains accessible. Viewers need no theoretical background-only a willingness to pause, reflect, and explore how unconscious systems shape perception. Not for passive viewing. It asks you to enter, to participate, and to confront the invisible systems shaping everyday perception. No theory is required. Only presence. The exhibition is a mirror, a question, and an opening.

The Fareed Uduman Art Forum invites all to the opening of Beyond the Visible, on Friday 17 October, at Sky Gallery, at 6:00 p.m. The exhibition continues until Sunday 26 October from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.