Category: Daily Financial Times

At the Ambassador’s Roundtable hosted by Pathfinder Foundation, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Levan S. Dzhagaryan, provided a comprehensive overview of his Government’s position on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, NATO expansion, international law, global energy scenario and security dynamics in the region.

The event brought together think tank experts and media professionals for a candid discussion on current geopolitical challenges, with a special focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In his remarks, the Russian Ambassador outlined historical, political, and security factors that led to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and its broader concerns regarding Western policies. Regarding Ukraine and the origins of the conflict, the Ambassador referenced the 2014 coup d’état and noted that it marked a turning point in Russia-Ukraine relations. He highlighted that the post-2014 Ukrainian Government pursued policies that alienated Russian-speaking populations in specific regions of Ukraine, and claimed that development contributed to Moscow’s decision to launch its ‘special military operation’ in 2022.

Central to the Ambassador’s presentation was Russia’s long standing opposition to NATO expansion. He stated that Ukraine’s potential membership posed a direct threat to Russian national security. Drawing parallels to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and military deployments near its borders, the Ambassador said he believed that the Minsk Agreements were not intended to be fully implemented – a development he described as damaging to diplomatic trust. While reiterating Russia’s stated openness to peace negotiations, the Ambassador emphasised that talks must reflect ‘realities on the ground.’ He stressed the Russian Government’s position that Ukraine must remain a neutral, non-NATO-aligned state. He also questioned the legitimacy of the Ukrainian leadership, but stated that Russia would be open to negotiations if they were ‘serious and well-prepared.’

He stated that delays in negotiation would only worsen the situation for Ukraine and that Russia remains open to talks – provided its core security demands are addressed. ‘We are not threatening anyone,’ the Ambassador said, ‘but we expect our legitimate security concerns to be respected.’

On the Iranian nuclear issue, the Ambassador reaffirmed Russia’s support for Iran’s peaceful nuclear development under international frameworks and urged the international community to support diplomacy.

Focusing on Russia-Sri Lanka bilateral relations, Ambassador Dzhagaryan observed that Russia-Sri Lanka economic cooperation remains limited due to sanctions against his country. Russian tourists visiting Sri Lanka face difficulties because of restrictions in the international payment system, particularly with blocked credit card transactions. Nonetheless, he announced that direct flights between Russia and Sri Lanka are set to resume in early October, which is expected to significantly boost tourism. He also confirmed that he is exploring avenues for economic collaboration, while acknowledging that sanctions continue to hinder large-scale projects. Regarding Sri Lankan tea and trade, he stated that Sri Lankan tea remains highly popular in Russia, with several well-known Sri Lankan brands widely available across retail outlets. The Ambassador emphasised that sanctions have not affected the tea trade and that Russia remains a key export market for Sri Lankan tea. He further noted that, despite sanctions, Russia’s domestic economy has strengthened, citing increased local production and a reduction in import dependency.

The Ambassador spoke about a recent Buddhist Forum held in Kalmykia, Russia, attended by Sri Lankan participants, and announced a forthcoming visit by a Russian delegation to Sri Lanka in October – an effort to strengthen cultural and religious ties, particularly through shared Buddhist heritage.

Following the Ambassador’s address, a broad-ranging Q and A session covered various topics. On the subject of BRICS, Ambassador Dzhagaryan emphasised that it is not an anti-Western alliance but a cooperative platform. He encouraged Sri Lanka to engage with all BRICS members regarding its membership. He also reiterated Russia’s policy of non-interference in the domestic affairs of sovereign States.

The National Savings Bank (NSB) has approved a dividend of Rs. 6 billion to its sole shareholder, the General Treasury, following robust financial results.

The bank posted a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 28.5 billion in 2024 and Rs. 25.5 billion during the first half of 2025, reflecting what officials described as operational excellence and strong governance.

This performance has enabled NSB to deliver one of the largest State bank contributions to Government coffers this year.

The official dividend notice was handed over to Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma at the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry.

The event was attended by Department of National Budget Director General Jude Nilukshan, NSB Chairman Dr. Harsha Cabral, PC, General Manager/CEO Shashi Kandambi, Chief Financial Officer Ajith Akmeemana, and Department of Public Enterprises Director Susantha Ranasinghe.

Roger Menezes’ name will resonate with anyone who’s grown up listening to the soundtrack of Sri Lanka’s golden era of music. With a career spanning over five decades, he’s shared the stage with legendary bands like The Jetliners, The Savages, Thunderbirds, and Fireflies, and later led his own ensemble, Roger and the Webs, before making Sydney, Australia, his home in 1973.

Known for his signature ‘hits and memories’ style, a blend of jazz, pop, and classic rock, Roger still draws crowds whenever he returns to Sri Lanka, performing at major venues and connecting with devoted fans.

In this exclusive interview, he reflects on his musical journey, the evolution of Sri Lanka’s music scene, and his thoughts on the role of AI in shaping the future of music.

By Michelle Therese Alles

Q: Roger, take us back to the very beginning: what inspired you to pursue music, and when did you realise it could become a career?

A: Being a Menezes, music was always in my DNA. I started playing drums at the age of 10, but what really inspired me was listening to the collection of jazz vinyls owned by my father, Mickey Menezes. From there, I never looked back; I just kept playing and loving music with a passion.

Q: Who were your earliest musical influences, and how did they shape your style and lead to the most defining moment in your musical journey?

A: My earliest musical influences were the jazz greats such as Dave Brubeck, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, Glenn Miller, Stan Getz, Barney Kessel, and Gene Krupa.

Later on, artists like George Benson, Carlos Santana, and Tommy Emmanuel helped shape my approach to guitar, giving my music a slightly jazzy feel. The most defining moment in my musical journey came when I joined my first band, The Savages, as a drummer, taking over the spot of ‘Ringo Starr’ (each member adopting a different Beatle persona) in what was considered Sri Lanka’s answer to The Beatles back in the 1960s. From there, it was smooth sailing all the way.

Q: How do you stay true to your style while also exploring new sounds or trends?

A: For me, staying true to my style is all about humility. Ego has no place in music. When I receive compliments, I usually say, ‘I’m still learning,’ because every day offers something new to discover. A solo I play today might sound completely different tomorrow, depending on how I feel at that moment, and that’s the beauty of music, it evolves with you. I’m not a heavy rock guitarist; I lean more towards a ‘hits and memories’ style, but I always try to add my own twist. Exploring new sounds and trends is important, but I believe it should always come from the heart. That way, you grow while still keeping your own voice.

Q: What challenges did you face in your early days as a musician, and how did you overcome them?

A: Well, there were so many! We didn’t have access to branded guitars, selective guitar strings, quality amplification, or even our own transport. Recording facilities were limited as well. Most of the time, we rehearsed at my home, and I think the neighbours actually enjoyed it! However, coordinating five or six band members on the same day was always tricky, as everyone had their own commitments. But our shared passion for music kept us going, and we found ways to make it work.

Q: Are there any collaborations that had a significant impact on your growth as an artist?

A: I’ve had the pleasure of performing with George Golla, one of Australia’s leading jazz guitarists. Next was a personal meeting with Hank B. Marvin of The Shadows, and he showed me his effects setup and even let me play his guitar, which was an amazing experience.

Hank has two Stratocaster guitars, one strung with light gauge strings, which he uses for pieces like Sleepwalk and Cavatina (The Deer Hunter theme), and another with heavier gauge strings for Shadows’ classics such as Shadoogie, Dance On, and Foot Tapper.

I also had a memorable chat with George Benson, who shared some valuable techniques and insights with me.

Q: How has the music scene in Sri Lanka evolved since you began?

A: The music scene in Sri Lanka has grown a lot from back then, and has overall become more vibrant and dynamic.

Q: What role does live performance play in your musical expression, and how do you connect with your audiences?

A: Professionalism and discipline are crucial, and it’s important to play for the audience, not just for oneself. Every performance should be done with love. You also need to read your audience, especially their age group, and mix your songs accordingly to make them pleasing to the ears. Never underestimate your listeners, even if there’s just one person paying attention. Have a playlist ready, but be flexible and adjust it on the go based on the crowd. You can’t please everyone, but you can aim to please as many as possible.

Q: With AI tools becoming increasingly popular in music creation and production, how do you feel about new musicians using AI, and what impact do you think it might have on the future of the industry?

A: Well, we’ve got to move with the times! The use of AI in music creation brings both exciting opportunities and new challenges for the industry. It’s especially popular among younger musicians and is gaining widespread acceptance. However, it allows anyone with a laptop to produce music without prior training or any formal musical education. Ultimately, the future of music will be shaped by how artists embrace these tools. As AI continues to grow, it will play an increasingly important role in the creative side of the industry.

The key findings and recommendations of the research conducted by the UN Women program on gender equality in Sri Lanka presented to the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus this week showed that there has been a regression in gender equality in Sri Lanka in the global context. While Sri Lanka was ranked 18th among 115 countries in 2006, it dropped to 130th among 148 countries in 2025.

The research conducted by United Nations Women (UN Women) on gender equality focused primarily on areas such as women’s economic empowerment, leadership in governance and decision-making, peace and security, and the prevention of violence against women and girls.

The report also revealed that although some of the most influential individuals in the region are women, significant inequality was identified when compared to men.

The report says what most Sri Lankan women and those in South Asia know. There is visibility of women in high places especially in the public sector in Sri Lanka, in higher education institutions, banks as well as some private sector establishments but women largely continue to play second fiddle to their male colleagues. It’s not only pay disparities but women have an uphill task trying to be taken seriously or being heard.

In addition to this, gender-based violence remains a problem and sexual harassment remains unaddressed. It is common knowledge women cannot walk in the streets or use public transport without being catcalled or having to confront unwelcome sexual overtures/gestures.

Sri Lankans often boast of having had the world’s first woman Prime Minister, which no doubt is a matter of pride to the country. Sri Lanka has since had other women leaders including current PM Harini Amarasuriya but in the fight for basic equality for women, there are still many challenges.

For one, Sri Lanka’s political sphere is woefully lacking in women. The few who make it have to weather many challenges including having to work doubly hard to be heard by their male colleagues.

The available statistics on the status of women in Sri Lanka illustrate that the country has a long way to go before women can come close to being on par in many fields with men.

According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) , out of the 8.5 million economically active population, 72% are males and only 35% are females, women constitute 52% of Sri Lanka’s population, but female representation in Parliament is only 5.3%, the labour force participation of women as of 2021 is 33.6% of the total population and according to the findings of the study conducted in 2019 by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 90% of Sri Lankan women and girls have faced sexual harassment in public buses and trains at least once in their lifetime.

One of the reasons that issues such as sexual harassment of women remain unaddressed is the failure to acknowledge there is such a problem. Instead what both men and women themselves do is live in denial that there are such issues and hence the problems are not confronted.

In the day of modern technology, women and girls are also the most affected by cyberbullying and new forms of harassment via social media, and telephones, etc. While there are attempts to educate the public, they are woefully inadequate with hardly any public educational programs/advertisements that send home a strong message that such actions would come with consequences.

Which is why while on one hand one can be proud as a nation that Sri Lankan women have become high achievers, not only locally but also internationally, there is a long way to go where the status of women in the country in general is concerned.

Being able to walk on the street, travel on public transport, go to a police station and lodge a complaint, all without being harassed or judged for their gender is what the country should strive for. Cosmetic changes may look pretty on the surface but the inside still remains largely rotten.

Last week we featured in this page, an article on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a boon to humankind in particular situations.

This week we turn in the opposite direction and immerse in the Natural Intelligence (NI) of nature. Of rainforests, to be precise. Rainforests are masses of earth left to its own devices, without the interference of man and nourished by earth’s natural bounty, mainly the rain and the sun which results in the blossoming forth of life in all its mysterious forms. This we call biodiversity. Today we enter the precincts of Sinharaja – a World Heritage Site and the last visible tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka. The Sinharaja rainforest is a key local and foreign attraction in Sri Lanka drawing scores of visitors daily. It is a dense sanctuary that is home to endemic plant life including precious medicinal plants and fascinating creatures of the wild such as rare reptiles, amphibians, insects and birds which could be observed at close quarters as they go about their day in the comfort of their home.

Let us ponder for a while what a forest is and its significance to humans.

Today at the pinch of a computer or phone screen we can find details about ancient wisdom ranging from indigenous medicine, energy harnessing methods of the cosmos through the connection of the body such as yoga and learn about spiritual traditions such as Buddhism. What we forget or do not reflect much, is that all of these realms of knowledge that are now within the reach of Artificial Intelligence were originally created through Natural Intelligence. The influx of the above mentioned knowledge were first borne in the bosom of the primordial – within forests, the one and only (free) luxury that man needs to supply him water, air, medicine and food. A forest therefore was the first teacher of man. It was the first cradle, school, pharmacy, larder and temple. And it will also be the tomb – of all life. If humans kill it, it will breathe its last – along with the final whimper of our so-called advanced civilisation.

The Sinharaja rainforest is a major sustainer of life; its plant life nourishes the earth and thereby keeps healthy the water cycle of the surrounding areas, feeding rivers and streams, preventing soil erosion and absorbing carbon dioxide alongside helping to maintain stable weather patterns. An immense living body of bio-diversity this rainforest has its entrances from Kudawa in Ratnapura, Rakwana, also in Ratnapura, and Pitadeniya in Galle and Matara nearer Deniyaya.

In this journey we enter Sinharaja from Pitadeniya. I am accompanied by Akitha Deshan and Cyril Wickramasinghe, two experienced guides who specialise in ecotourism. Akitha splits his time between coastal areas of Sri Lanka and Deniyaya which is his home. Cyril who is from an adjoining village, spends much of his waking hours in the Sinharaja forest. It is his comfort zone – his home without a roof. Akitha and Cyril sometimes work together and with many other guides as well. Forest guides sometimes function in duos so that one could point out a piece of forest based information, folklore or wisdom that the other may miss. Generally if the group is small the guides do the tour alone as well.

‘I grew up with this forest and its periphery. I am from Mediripitiya and I used to accompany my father almost everyday into the wilderness that enshrouds our area, mostly to gather firewood or edibles and medicinal leaves. Over 30 years ago there was no tourism as such in our villages as there is now. There were no lodges or hotels. This area was not full of guides as we see now. It was a very dense area with scattering of villages and we lived in affinity to the wilderness and its non-human inhabitants. We did not have modern appliances in kitchens. We collected firewood and we learnt not to trespass on creatures such as reptiles and learnt very early in age that many of them were not as poisonous as humans! Much of our food came from the purity of earth – without the interferences of man.’

As Cyril speaks Akitha has moved on and stands still several feet away, head turned upwards obviously admiring some skyborne creature. We are still en-route to the Pitadeniya entrance of Sinharaja where we pass many locals, guides, foreigners and hotels.

Cyril continues speaking.

Genuine love of the forest

He is singing the praises of a forest found food; Beraliya. You can clean the seed, dry and pound it so that it can be used as an alternative to flour. It can especially be used to make sweetmeat. And look, those are the dragonflies; the Iratukura and the Bathkura. They place their eggs in water but they are almost extinct today because of the pesticide and the weedicide.’

In a world where humans act almost like machine it is a pleasure to watch those such as Akitha and Cyril. They are absorbed in the grandeur of their primary home, the forest. There is nothing mechanical in how they explain their home to you. I observe a trail of many guides, as they quicken their step to take on the tours for the day. Few of them have an air of drudgery as they walk busily with the visitors, mostly foreigners. What is the difference? Passion. And genuine love of the forest.

Neither Akitha nor Cyril have uttered one word to me about money i.e. my payment. As we approach the entrance of the forest where the ticket counter is, Cyril is quicker than me to flick open his wallet to get the needed cash out. I have to force him to take a small payment as a monetary reward for showing me the forest and its inhabitants.

It turns out that they have also got eatables and some fruit juice.

They laugh as they reveal that even when they have no tourist or local visitor that they sometimes come to the heart that comforts them no matter the grief. I contemplate their complete lack of artifice and the joy in their faces as they regale me with the stories of the rainforest.

The Sinharaja forest, Cyril and Akitha inform me, is the shared territory of Sumana Saman Deviyo – the generally linked deity of this haven of wilderness – and also Kohomba Devi Hamuduruwo.

‘This forest overall belongs to the Sumana Saman god – however there is a smaller area that is considered as the stringent territory of the Kohomba Devi Hamuduruwo. While god Sumana Saman is the guardian of those who do good, Kohomba Devi Hamuduruwo is the patron of those who do the opposite of good,’ grins Cyril.

‘So, it means that those who do good cannot go to the opposite territory and vice versa,’ he concludes with the air of someone who does not question the mystical rules of forest. I gingerly query as to which section they are taking me to; I have not quite made up my mind if I am a ‘good’ person or a ‘bad’ one!

Soon we halt. We are in the way of a glistening Green Pit Viper, who apparently is not that poisonous. It minds its own business and slinks off.

Cyril and Akitha decide that it is better for me that I wear the leech socks that they have got for me – stitched with material the blood thirsty creepy crawlies cannot get through to. I follow their instructions and don the socks on and apply salt on the shoes for extra protection. But when I ask why they themselves do not follow suit, I am greeted with a laugh.

‘We are here so much that it is the leeches who are afraid of us,’ quips Akitha.

We are still in the interior that is not far from the entrance of the forest and decide to spend about three hours walking as far as this time would take us. The world as we knew it is behind us. We are now in a different realty. The voices of humans are taken over by the orchestra of the forest; the rustling of the wind, the falling of leaves, the buzz of insects, the chirp of a bird, merge with silence. I wonder for the thousandth time – as I have as a writer, what the outcome would be if our ‘schools,’ ‘universities,’ and ‘hospitals’ were forests instead of cement prisons.

Soon we meet two brothers of a differing kind. The Kangaroo Lizard and the Whistling Lizard. One jumps – its tail is long and hands short. The other whistles. They sleep on a leaf, just as we do on a bed, explains Akitha. And I look into the irate eyes of a drowsy lizard wobbling on a leaf.

‘This is a lazy one. They usually are active in the day and sleep at night,’ points out Akitha.

We tread on, blending into the depths of Sinharaja. Cyril informs that there are several varieties of owls in Sri Lanka; such as the Serendib Scops Owl which is endemic to Sri Lanka and the Chestnut Black Owl – where it can turn its head right to the back and the Frog Mouth Owl. There is also the Sri Lankan Bay Owl which is a rarer find in Sinharaja.

As we walk further inward into the forest, we see a myriad of scenes. Long vines hanging from large trees, various creepers of multifarious proportions encircling trees, and long trunks of trees that lie across like slain humans.

Power struggles, battles for land, for supremacy

‘Well, all the kinds of things that happen in our world, happen here too,’ shrugs Cyril.

‘There are power struggles, battles for land, for supremacy. There are some creepers and wewel that over time bring down seemingly sturdy and majestic trees. Look. See. Those trees. The creepers and vines that wound round them slowly gave the tree the death sentence.’

I sigh. So there are wars here too.

‘Oh yes. Different wars happen here too. It is not all peace as it seems,’ philosophises Akitha.

Soon we come across an enigmatic reptile. The Ahatulla or the Asgulla. The common belief is that it can pull the human eyes out of the sockets. This is what the name Asgulla means. However in everyday life the creature is not so ominous. Its main specialty is that it can unite its eyes. Although slightly venomous, it cannot do any serious harm, explains Cyril.

We next confront a mini train – a black coloured Melepede.

‘If you touch it, it has no impact on your skin. It is only the Centipede which is venomous. A grown centipede can have even over 300 feet,’ states Akitha.

Our gaze next falls on the Hump Nose Lizard. We look at it from different angles and smile at how it clutches onto the tree branch it is on.

We soon see flowing waters; it is the Gin Ganga that starts from highlands of Gonagala on the Rakwana-Deniyaya Ratnapura route.

As we proceed, we witness how the magnificence of the Sinharaja rainforest is revealed as it blends with each turn into a chiaroscuro of hues. From the depths of dark brown it turns green and gold – in the airy sunny spots and then back again merges to become a compressed blur of colours.

As we part branches and move on, we are eye to eye with an apparently enraged female garden lizard (named thus because it is usually also found in areas of foliage). It is a colourful apparition when the neck of the female swells to a yellowy hue when angry. It is obviously very angry to see us.

We walk on. Overawed by the trees that look so regal with vast spread of roots like large carpets that I go and sit awhile near one. I ask about elephants and am told that there are two elephants known to be within the Pothupitiya side of the forest.

As we sit awhile in silence the music of the rainforest overtakes us. It is a subtle web of sound that has an eclectic quality – if one sits in awareness it becomes completely audible and takes over the senses.

We spot a Reheyya (forest moth). We see several and marvel at the dazzling sheen of their wings.

As we walk further there are now more of felled trees.

‘These are mostly done by wewel – they absorb water and monopolise the trees. They then gradually bind the tree and pull it down,’ explains Cyril.

We now clearly see the canopies of the forest where the upper echelons get sunlight and the tallest trees rise high exposed unencumbered to sunlight. These are graced by many birds. The lower cover of greenery forms the sub canopy where many of the creatures we have been seeing so far are sheltered and down below in the forest floor is the dense shrubbery that gets the dregs of sunlight and thereby is often damp and humid.

As we venture onwards we see the rest of the tapestry of the forest – the moss, mushrooms, ferns, climbers and vast tree trunks. Some have hollows formed by fungi and bacteria, creating intriguing formations; the grandest art installation of the world is surely in its rainforests. Meanwhile time has sped.

We have now arrived at the long bridge that will bring us to the office and the bungalows of the forest department.

This will be our story for next week. We will look at the role of the Forest Department concerning the rainforests of Sri Lanka, examining the importance of both local and tourist visits to Sinharaja and the need to safeguard the forest territories. We will also ideate on what could be done to protect, promote and sensitise humans through tourism on the relevance of rainforests – in Sri Lanka and the world for healthier humans and planet.

Hayleys Travels, a fully owned subsidiary of the Advantis Group, the transportation and logistics arm of Hayleys PLC, was honoured with the prestigious Gold Award for ‘Leading Travel Agency – Outbound’ at the 9th South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025, held recently at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

The South Asian Travel Awards, recognised as the region’s premier platform celebrating excellence in tourism and hospitality, brought together industry leaders, tourism authorities, and partners from across South Asia. This year’s gala honoured 53 Gold and 113 Silver Award winners for excellence, innovation, and resilience.

Hayleys Travels was selected as the winner among numerous regional travel agencies for its expertise in curating seamless outbound travel experiences for travellers. The award recognises the company’s outstanding service standards, innovative offerings, and contribution to strengthening outbound tourism. Winners were chosen through a rigorous evaluation process by an expert panel of industry professionals, who assessed service quality, sustainability, and overall contribution to the travel and hospitality sector.

Advantis Group Managing Director Ruwan Waidyaratne said, ‘This recognition highlights Hayleys Travels’ leadership in outbound tourism and reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation, service excellence, and strengthening Sri Lanka’s presence in the global travel landscape. We will continue to build on this success, exploring new opportunities to delight travellers and expand our reach across the region.’

Hayleys Travels CEO/Director and Advantis Group Management Committee Member Gerard Victoria added, ‘Being named the ‘Leading Travel Agency – Outbound’ is a proud moment for our team. We are deeply grateful to our loyal customers, our dedicated staff, and our supportive airline and hospitality partners, whose trust and collaboration have been vital to our success. This award inspires us to keep raising the bar in delivering extraordinary travel experiences.’

Combining decades of industry expertise with a commitment to innovation, Hayleys Travels crafts tailored experiences for every type of traveller, from young explorers seeking adventure, families looking for seamless vacations, or seniors aiming to enjoy life’s pleasures. Guided by a customer-first approach and strong partnerships with airlines and hospitality providers, Hayleys Travels transforms travel dreams into memorable journeys, making every trip effortless, enjoyable, and unforgettable.

Images to accompany the Press Release

Caption for Image 1 –

Hayleys Travels Director/CEO Gerard Victoria receiving award

Caption for Image 2 –

From left: Outbound Manager Belinda De Silva, Director Chamil Udawatte, Director/CEO Gerard Victoria, Director Shareek Ahmed, and Key Account Manager Manisha Siriwardena

Espncricinfo: India’s batting riches put them in consummate control of the first Test of their home season, with KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel scoring important centuries. It was Rahul’s first at home since 2016 and it was Jurel’s first one ever. They now have a lead of 286, which is large enough to potentially shrink this down from a five-day game.

Ravindra Jadeja had an equal part to play on a day where India made 327 runs for just three wickets. There was a point when the pitch started crumbling and West Indies’ spinners were able to get the ball to turn sharply out of the rough. India collectively decided to attack them, hoping to throw them off the lengths where they could access the worn out parts of the pitch. Jadeja did this the best. His idea was to charge at the bowler, and every time he did, he was looking to hit a boundary.

Seven of the 11 he ended up with were the result of this ruthless approach, including a six that helped him breeze through the nervous nineties.

Jomel Warrican, Roston Chase, and Khary Pierre, in helpful conditions, were left nursing combined figures of 4 for 283 from 82 overs. Jadeja, meanwhile, helped India reprise a feature of their England tour earlier this year, becoming the third centurion of the innings. The last time that happened at home was 2018, during West Indies’ last visit to the country. Jadeja connected that trio to this trio.

India 448 for 5 (Jurel 125, Rahul 100, Jadeja 104*, Chase 2-90) lead West Indies 162 by 286 runs

In view of Poya holiday and the long weekend, the Daily FT will not be published on Monday 6 October.

Alcohol consumption in Sri Lanka has shown a decade-long downward trend, with a new 2024 survey revealing that fewer than 30% of men are current drinkers.

Another survey conducted has revealed that tobacco use has also recorded a significant reduction in Sri Lanka and that the rate of current smokers among men has fallen to 21.6%.

Both studies were conducted by the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) in 2024 and found that most of the young people view drinking alcohol as a purposeless behaviour and smoking as a useless behaviour.

According to the studies, there is a significant generational shift in attitudes, with young people increasingly quitting alcohol and smoking.

The ‘Trend Survey on Alcohol Consumption in Sri Lanka – 2024’ surveyed males aged 15 and above across 11 districts, including Colombo, Jaffna, Galle, and Badulla. It found that 29.1% of participants were current consumers, defined as having consumed alcohol within the 30 days prior to the survey. This continued decline is attributed to successful alcohol control policies, public awareness campaigns, and community interventions.

The most striking is the finding that 27.9% of all participants reported being successful quitters. The motivations for quitting, however, varied significantly by age. While older individuals cited health concerns, younger people were more likely to quit because they perceived drinking as pointless.

The study highlights the need for age-specific prevention strategies that address the different values of each generation.

Peer pressure – a key driver for initiation

Despite the positive trend in quitting, the survey emphasises the powerful role of social influence in starting to drink as a significant 46.6% of current consumers reported that their first experience with alcohol was with friends. This finding reveals the critical importance of addressing peer pressure in prevention efforts, especially for young people.

Among current drinkers, 18.0% were between the ages of 15 and 21, indicating that a substantial number of young people are still initiating alcohol use. ADIC recommends implementing a national prevention program aimed specifically at children and youth to discourage them from starting in the first place.

Tax hikes curb production while boosting revenue

The report also highlights the impact of government fiscal policy on alcohol consumption as statistics from the Excise Department of Sri Lanka shows a sharp decline in total alcohol production after 2022, with successive increases in excise duties. The Government implemented a 20% tax hike in June 2023, followed by another 14% in January 2024, with a further 6% increase planned for January 2025.

While production has fallen, government revenue from alcohol excise taxes has soared, rising from Rs. 169.49 billion in 2022 to Rs. 223.25 billion in 2024. This trend, according to the report, demonstrates the effectiveness of taxation as a dual-purpose tool recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) where it successfully increases government income while simultaneously helping to reduce alcohol-related harm.

Calls for stronger policies and enforcement

The ADIC has recommended several initiatives to strengthen Sri Lanka’s alcohol control framework to reduce initiation and address the health, social, and economic impact of alcohol use. They are to expedite the adoption of proposed amendments to the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Act, to implement a scientific tax formula that automatically increases excise duties annually in line with inflation and economic growth and to cease issuing temporary liquor licenses and stop granting new licenses under the pretext of promoting tourism.

The study has also recommended enhancing law enforcement to control the illegal alcohol market, to prevent interference from the alcohol industry aimed at weakening policies and to improve and implement counselling and treatment services for individuals struggling with alcohol dependency.

Smoking declines due to shift in attitudes

Meanwhile the ADIC study on tobacco use in Sri Lanka has also found a sharp decrease in smoking mainly due to the success of national tobacco control policies and a significant generational shift in attitudes, with a majority of young people quitting or reducing their use because they perceive smoking as a useless behaviour.

The ‘Trend Survey on Tobacco Use in Sri Lanka – 2024’ surveyed males aged 15 and above across 11 districts to map contemporary smocking patterns. The findings show that while progress is being made, significant challenges, particularly peer pressure and industry influence, remain in the effort to create a tobacco-free generation.

A positive decline: More quitters and reduced consumption

The survey reveals a notable positive trend: 36.5% of all participants have successfully quit smoking, and an additional 20.9% of current smokers have reduced their consumption. This decline is largely attributed to important public health measures, especially tax increases.

According to the report, a 20% excise duty hike on cigarettes in 2023 proved highly effective. It not only increased government revenue by Rs. 7.7 billion but also led to a significant 18% reduction in cigarette production, equivalent to 521.5 million fewer sticks compared to the previous year.

This is also going with WHO’s recommendations that higher prices reduce the affordability of tobacco and, in the long run, decrease consumption.

The reasons for quitting and reducing use differ while price changes were a major factor. The most cited reason was the perception of tobacco use as a ‘useless behaviour’, particularly among the younger population.

Peer pressure and social gatherings

Despite the overall decline, the survey highlights that young people remain a vulnerable group as 11.6% of current smokers are between the ages of 15 and 21, indicating that underage smoking is a persistent issue.

The primary reason for initiation, according to ADIC findings, is social influence. The report states that the majority of initiations occur at social gatherings, with peer pressure being a key driving factor. ADIC warns that promotions by the tobacco industry through traditional and social media also play a significant role in creating a positive image of smoking among vulnerable groups.

The study highlights the urgent need for enhanced awareness within communities and stronger policy formulations to delay or prevent young people from starting to smoke.

Implement a ‘Tobacco-Free Generation’

The ADIC survey findings recommend several measures crucial to prevent smoking among underaged individuals. One of the main recommendations is to implement a ‘Tobacco-Free Generation’ Policy recommended by the Sri Lanka Medical Association, where sale of tobacco products to be banned to anyone born after 2010, which will facilitate substantial social and economic gains in the long run.

Among other recommendations of the ADIC are banning single stick sales to make cigarettes less affordable and accessible, especially to youth. The report calls for the strict implementation of the ban on selling single sticks, enforcing sales restrictions as survey calls for better enforcement of existing laws, including the prohibition of tobacco sales within a 100-metre radius of schools and to underage individuals, and creating a National Prevention Program, which the ADIC recommends as a program to expose tobacco industry tactics and reinforce the message that smoking is a ‘purposeless and harmful behaviour’.

The George Keyt Foundation’s ‘Young Contemporaries 2025’ exhibition culminated with tremendous success at the Barefoot Gallery, drawing over 300 attendees on the first evening and achieving extraordinary sales of artworks.

The event, inaugurated by the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick, showcased the creativity of 12 emerging artists from Sri Lanka.

After careful evaluation by a distinguished panel of judges, the coveted ‘Young Contemporary 2025 Award’ was presented to Ponnaiyah Peter, a 27-year-old artist from Kilinochchi. His deeply moving works, rooted in memories of war and its aftermath, shone through their powerful expression of trauma, resilience, and the search for peace. The award was presented by the event’s sponsor Nations Trust Bank CEO Hemantha Gunetilleke.

The works of the artists with the best collection were evaluated by Leena Hirdaramani, Anomaa Rajakaruna, Nelun Harasgama, and Dominic Sansoni.

George Keyt Foundation Chairman Malaka Talwatte, hailed this year’s edition as one of the most successful, highlighting the strong public response and the Foundation’s ongoing mission to promote Sri Lankan art on the national and global stage. The winner’s art captures the very spirit of the George Keyt Foundation as a space where contemporary issues find powerful expression through creativity.