Category: Daily Financial Times

The opening of the Northern Regional Archives of Sri Lanka’s Department of the Registrar General will end the long-standing inconvenience faced by people in the Northern Province who previously had to travel to Colombo to obtain essential documents such as birth, marriage and death certificates.

Building on a 61-year legacy of advancing corporate reporting excellence in Sri Lanka, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) announced the opening of applications for the TAGS Awards 2026, the country’s most prestigious and longest-running benchmark for excellence in corporate reporting.

Applications will open today and close on 31 August 2026. Entries can be submitted through the dedicated online portal at tags.casrilanka.com or via physical application forms.

Winners will be honoured at the TAGS Awards Grand Finale in December 2026 at Shangri-La Colombo, where outstanding achievements across 36 sectors, six special awards and three overall excellence awards will be celebrated, recognising organisations that exemplify transparency, accountability, governance and sustainability.

The opening of applications was announced at a press conference attended by CA Sri Lanka President Tishan Subasinghe, TAGS Awards Committee Chairman Chamara Abeyrathne, Alternate Chairperson Nishani Perera, and CEO Lakmali Priyangika. Also present were Colombo Stock Exchange’s (CSE) CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike. The CSE came on board as the Strategic Partner of the TAGS Awards, reinforcing its commitment to advancing corporate reporting excellence.

Under the theme, ‘Legacy of Excellence: Creating Value Beyond Reporting’, TAGS Awards 2026 highlights the growing role of corporate reporting as a strategic tool for building trust, demonstrating transparency and accountability, and creating long-term value. The theme encourages organisations to move beyond compliance-driven reporting and communicate how they contribute to sustainable growth, stakeholder confidence and economic resilience.

Subasinghe emphasised the growing importance of corporate reporting in building trust and supporting economic resilience. ‘Today, corporate reporting is about far more than compliance. It plays a critical role in building investor confidence, strengthening market integrity and helping organisations demonstrate how they create long-term value. At a time when stakeholders expect greater transparency and accountability, the quality of reporting has never been more important,’ he said.

Subasinghe noted that the TAGS Awards have helped shape reporting standards in Sri Lanka for more than six decades. ‘For 61 years, the TAGS Awards have set the benchmark for excellence in corporate reporting. This year’s theme encourages organisations to look beyond regulatory requirements and use reporting as a platform to showcase their purpose, integrity and contribution to society,’ he added.

The TAGS Awards have long served as a catalyst for raising standards in transparency, accountability, governance and sustainability across Sri Lanka’s corporate reporting landscapes, while emphasising the importance of digitalisation, conciseness and presenting the report as a compelling story. Beyond recognising excellence, the awards have strengthened capital markets, encouraged responsible business practices and promoted alignment with international reporting best practices.

TAGS Awards Committee Chairman Abeyrathne said that this year’s theme, “Legacy of Excellence: Creating Value Beyond Reporting,” reflects the belief that reporting is no longer simply about compliance, but is about creating trust, inspiring confidence, and demonstrating how organisations create sustainable value for stakeholders.

“Corporate reporting is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Organisations today operate in an environment shaped by digital transformation, sustainability imperatives, heightened stakeholder expectations and rapidly changing regulatory landscapes. The TAGS Awards 2026 reflects our continued commitment to raising the bar for corporate reporting in Sri Lanka,’ Abeyrathne added.

Reflecting the evolving corporate reporting landscape, TAGS Awards 2026 introduces several key enhancements designed to recognise emerging businesses, advance sustainability reporting and strengthen sector-specific evaluation. These include the new Empower Board Sector Award for emerging industries, SMEs and newly established entities; a Special Award for the adoption of SLFRS S1 and S2, recognising organisations that demonstrate leadership in embracing Sri Lanka’s new sustainability reporting standards; and refined Corporate Governance Disclosure Awards with separate categories for banks and finance companies, and all other entities.

Additionally, recognitions such as the Certificate of Compliance, Certificate of Recognition and the Compliance Badge further demonstrate CA Sri Lanka’s commitment to celebrating organisations that uphold the highest standards of reporting and governance.

In a significant step towards enhancing consistency, objectivity and efficiency, TAGS Awards 2026 will be equipped with a new TAGS marking platform built in the Azure environment and will further expand the use of artificial intelligence within its evaluation process. An enhanced AI-powered chatbot will support assessors by facilitating faster clarification and query resolution throughout the marking process. These technological advancements will enable evaluators to devote greater attention to strategic insights, reporting quality and value creation, ensuring that the true impact behind reporting is appropriately recognised.

The credibility of the TAGS Awards is reinforced through a rigorous three-tier evaluation process. Approximately 300 Chartered Accountants undertake the initial technical assessment, followed by industry experts who evaluate shortlisted entries. The final winners are selected by a distinguished panel of local and international judges based on global best practices.

The TAGS Awards 2026 welcomes entries from all organisations that publish annual reports, including listed and non-listed companies, conglomerates, multinationals, SMEs, NGOs and Empower Board companies. Eligible reports must contain financial statements audited with an unmodified opinion and be publicly available.

Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga has delivered a strong performance to secure his place in the men’s javelin throw final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, showcasing both consistency and competitive spirit on the international stage.

Tharanga achieved a commendable distance of 82.84 metres during the qualification round, a throw that not only ensured his progression to the final but also reaffirmed his status as one of Sri Lanka’s leading field athletes. Competing against a high-calibre field featuring some of the best throwers from across the Commonwealth, Tharanga displayed composure and technical precision under pressure.

The qualification round was intensely competitive, with several athletes crossing the 80-metre mark. However, Tharanga’s effort stood out as a confident and controlled performance, reflecting the hard work and preparation he has put in leading up to the Games. His ability to deliver at a crucial moment will be a key factor as he prepares for the final showdown.

The men’s javelin throw final is scheduled to take place on August 1, 2026, at 12:45 a.m. Sri Lanka time. With the stakes higher and the competition expected to be even more challenging, Tharanga will be aiming to improve on his qualifying mark and push towards a podium finish.

Sri Lanka has a proud history in athletics, and Tharanga’s qualification adds to the growing optimism surrounding the nation’s performances at the Games. A medal in this event would not only be a personal milestone for the athlete but also a significant achievement for Sri Lankan athletics on the global stage.

All eyes will now be on Tharanga as he steps into the final, carrying the hopes of a nation eager to celebrate another international success.

The Sri Lankan legal community is presently engaged in what is arguably its most consequential constitutional debate since the adoption of the Twenty-First Amendment (21A).

The immediate trigger is the Government’s proposal to amend the Constitution to increase the retirement age of judges of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

However, beneath that specific issue lies a much broader discussion about judicial independence, institutional efficiency, court administration, and the constitutional balance between the Executive and the Judiciary.

The dominant impression from the past two months is not one of outright confrontation between Government and the legal profession, but of deep institutional caution.

Reform agenda

The Justice Ministry has indicated that it is examining reforms intended to improve the administration of justice. Public discussion has centred on increasing the retirement age of judges of the superior courts; reducing delays and the mounting backlog of litigation; improving judicial administration; modernising court processes through digitalisation; and broader structural reforms intended to make justice more efficient.

Government supporters have argued that experienced judges should be retained longer in order to preserve institutional memory and reduce disruption while reforms are underway. The proposal has been presented as one component of a wider program to streamline the justice system rather than as an isolated constitutional amendment, according to media reportage.

Bar objections

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has adopted a carefully reasoned rather than overtly political position.

Its principal arguments are that: no convincing evidence has been produced showing that increasing judicial retirement ages will solve case delays; constitutional changes affecting judicial independence require broad consultation; existing vacancies should first be filled; and reforms should address institutional weaknesses before altering constitutional safeguards.

In two formal communications – first to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake; and later, to the Justice Minister- the BASL requested that the proposal be suspended until a consultative process involving judges, lawyers, academics and other stakeholders is established, as reported in the media.

One important point repeatedly made by the BASL is that the number of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges had already been expanded under the Twentieth Amendment (20A). Their argument is that if the enlarged judicial complement has not eliminated delays, extending judicial tenure alone cannot reasonably be expected to do so, as also reported.

Immediate concerns

Interestingly, the BASL has simultaneously criticised Government for almost the opposite problem.

Earlier this month, it urged the President to fill four vacancies in the Supreme Court and a similar number of vacancies in the Court of Appeal.

According to the Bar Association, these vacancies themselves are significantly contributing to delays and undermining confidence in the administration of justice.

This has become one of the strongest practical arguments advanced by the legal profession: before changing retirement ages, appoint judges to posts that already exist.

Wider support

The BASL has not been isolated. The Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association publicly supported the BASL’s position, urging Sri Lanka not to proceed without broad consultation and warning that constitutional amendments affecting judicial tenure should be approached with exceptional caution because they bear directly upon judicial independence, per some sections of the press.

Legal commentators writing in the same national press outlets have similarly observed that judicial tenure is never merely an administrative question. It also affects public confidence; separation of powers; judicial independence; and constitutional legitimacy.

Consequently, even lawyers who favour wider justice sector reform have generally argued that any amendment must be transparently justified rather than introduced as an expedient administrative measure.

The real issue

Across editorials, legal commentary and BASL statements, there is broad agreement on what the justice system’s actual problems are.

These include chronic delays in civil litigation; criminal trials that take many years; insufficient judicial manpower in lower courts; administrative inefficiency; inadequate digital infrastructure; procedural complexity; shortages of court staff; and inconsistent case management.

Most commentators argue that these issues (not the retirement age of apex judges) are the principal causes of delay.

Constitutional vs. administrative

The debate has acquired constitutional significance because judicial tenure is widely regarded as one of the safeguards of judicial independence.

Legal scholars have noted that changing retirement ages while particular judges are approaching retirement inevitably raises questions: whether these are justified or not; about who benefits; future appointments; executive influence; and judicial autonomy.

This, perhaps, explains why even lawyers who are not opposed in principle to longer judicial service have insisted upon transparent consultation and clear empirical justification.

Mood in the field

At present, the legal community appears to be characterised less by ideological division than professional consensus on process.

Broadly speaking, there is considerable support for digitalising the courts system; reducing case backlogs; procedural reform; modern case-management systems; filling judicial vacancies; and improving access to justice.

There is much less support for constitutional amendments affecting superior court judges unless these are preceded by extensive consultation and supported by evidence demonstrating necessity, in the opinion of some commentators.

Outlook

The Government now faces a delicate balancing exercise. On the one hand, there is widespread public demand for a faster, more efficient justice system. On the other, Sri Lanka’s legal profession has made it clear that efficiency cannot come at the perceived expense of judicial independence.

The likely path to consensus would be a sequenced reform program. First, fill the existing vacancies, invest in digital and procedural modernisation, and strengthen court administration. And only then consider constitutional changes, if evidence shows they are needed.

Whether the Government adopts that sequence will determine whether this episode becomes a collaborative judicial reform process or a more contentious constitutional confrontation…

Civil society lens

Meanwhile there is the perspective of society at large to be considered. Since State moves as much as Bar pushback doesn’t occur in a vacuum, it behoves us to ask what the bigger picture may be. Consider it – for the purposes of this piece, at least – from the point of view of a disinterested observer to recent judicio-legal goings-on, as well as speculation on governmental motives.

Viewed through a constitutional rather than partisan lens, there are at least three plausible ways of interpreting the Government’s proposals to reform the judicial system that prevails at present.

And any disinterested observer should resist assuming either benevolent reformism or hidden political intent without evidence.

The significance lies less in what the Government says its objectives are than in whether the proposed measures demonstrably advance those objectives while preserving judicial independence.

We first essay a SWOT analysis of the Government’s position:

Strengths

Addresses genuine public frustration over slow justice.

Retaining experienced judges could preserve institutional continuity during broader reforms.

Signals that justice-sector reform is a governmental priority.

May reduce short-term disruption in appellate courts.

Weaknesses

Retirement-age reform has only an indirect relationship to reducing delays.

Risks appearing person-specific if judges nearing retirement would benefit immediately.

Limited public consultation before constitutional proposals created unnecessary suspicion.

Does little to address lower-court backlogs, where most delay actually occurs.

Opportunities

Build bipartisan consensus around comprehensive judicial modernisation.

Introduce digital courts, improved case management, and procedural reforms simultaneously.

Strengthen public trust by involving the Judiciary and Bar in designing reforms.

Present reforms as evidence-based rather than politically driven.

Threats

Perceptions of executive encroachment may undermine public confidence.

Litigation challenging constitutional amendments could itself delay reform.

Polarisation between Government and the legal profession could derail wider justice reforms.

International concern regarding judicial independence could affect Sri Lanka’s rule-of-law reputation.

It is not impertinent to also examine possible governmental motives. Several motives are consistent with the available evidence. They are not mutually exclusive. Nor should they irritate the more defensive elements in NPP ranks.

Administrative vs. institutional

The first set of these redounds to what we may call ‘administrative pragmatism’.

This is the Government’s stated rationale in this regard: Experienced appellate judges require many years to develop constitutional expertise. Extending their tenure could avoid repeated vacancies while the justice system is being modernised.

This is a perfectly legitimate policy objective if it is supported by evidence. Its weakness is empirical. Most delays occur in the District Courts and the High Courts rather than in the Supreme Court. Consequently, critics ask whether extending the tenure of a relatively small number of senior judges would materially affect overall judicial efficiency.

The second set of these speaks to what is considered ‘institutional continuity’.

Governments often prefer continuity during periods of constitutional and economic transition.

Sri Lanka is simultaneously pursuing economic recovery, governance reform, anti-corruption initiatives and constitutional questions. An experienced appellate bench arguably provides stability while these matters are litigated. This motive is neither unusual nor necessarily improper.

Third aspect

There is also the ever-present dimension of political risk management. A more skeptical interpretation is that governments naturally prefer greater predictability in institutions exercising judicial review. Importantly, there is presently no public evidence that the Government is seeking to ‘capture’ the Judiciary.

However, constitutional scholars often observe that changing judicial tenure inevitably affects future appointments, succession planning and the ideological composition of apex courts. Even if entirely benign, governments must expect such questions. And regimes that grow irritable at being questioned would do well to bridle their impatience with an electorate equally intolerant of presumption on the part of the powers that be.

There is also a communications dimension. Justice reform is politically attractive. Announcing constitutional reforms may project decisiveness even if those reforms produce relatively modest operational improvements.

Bar of balance

In terms of evaluating the BASL’s criticism, the Bar Association’s arguments deserve to be separated into procedural and substantive objections.

Procedural criticism: Here the BASL’s case is particularly strong. Constitutional conventions across many democracies favour extensive consultation before altering judicial tenure. This is less because consultation guarantees better outcomes than because it reinforces legitimacy. A constitutional amendment affecting judges should not appear to emerge solely from executive initiative.

Substantive criticism: Here the picture is more mixed. The BASL argues that existing judicial vacancies should first be filled; technology should be modernised; lower courts require greater resources; and case management requires reform.

These arguments are persuasive because they address the system’s principal bottlenecks. However, they do not necessarily prove that extending retirement ages would be harmful. Rather, they suggest that it is unlikely to be sufficient.

There is also the test of neutrality. Disinterested observers should also recognise that bar associations naturally possess institutional incentives. Their constitutional role includes defending judicial independence. Consequently, they tend to scrutinise executive proposals affecting judges more rigorously than reforms affecting other branches. That does not invalidate their arguments. But it does explain why they emphasise constitutional safeguards over administrative efficiency.

Changed constitutional landscape

One important contextual difference distinguishes 2026 from many earlier periods. Sri Lanka’s institutions presently enjoy a healthier equilibrium than during several previous decades.

Compared with periods dominated by an expansive executive presidency, today’s environment features a more assertive Parliament; greater public scrutiny; stronger civil society; an increasingly independent Election Commission and other oversight bodies; a Supreme Court that demonstrates willingness to review executive action; and a legal profession that speaks publicly and promptly.

This altered institutional ecology changes how observers should interpret current events. A proposal affecting judicial tenure is no longer occurring within a political vacuum. It is being debated openly among competing institutions. That is itself evidence of constitutional health.

Disinterested conclusions

An observer without partisan commitments might reach several conclusions:

First, there is little evidence at present of an imminent constitutional crisis. The disagreement is occurring through institutional channels rather than through attempts to bypass them.

Second, both sides appear to be pursuing legitimate constitutional values. Government emphasises efficiency. The legal profession emphasises independence. These objectives are not inherently incompatible.

Third, the controversy may actually illustrate a maturing constitutional order. Healthy constitutional democracies are characterised not by the absence of institutional disagreement but by disagreement conducted through lawful processes.

Finally, the Government bears the heavier burden of persuasion. Because judicial independence is a constitutional safeguard rather than merely an administrative arrangement, reforms affecting it should satisfy a higher standard of justification than ordinary legislation.

It is therefore reasonable for the legal community to ask for evidence that the proposed changes are necessary, proportionate, and designed for the long-term public interest rather than short-term administrative convenience.

Broader observation

Perhaps the most interesting feature of this episode is that it reflects a shift in Sri Lanka’s constitutional culture. In earlier decades, debates about judicial reform were often framed as contests between the Executive and the Judiciary.

Today, the conversation increasingly includes Parliament, the Bar, civil society, academics, and the media. That diffusion of constitutional discourse is itself a sign of a more pluralistic balance of power.

The ultimate test of the Government’s proposals will therefore not be whether they are enacted, but how they are enacted.

If reforms emerge from transparent consultation, are supported by empirical evidence, and also preserve both the reality and appearance of judicial independence, they are likely to strengthen the rule of law.

If they are perceived as unnecessary or insufficiently justified, even well-intentioned reforms risk eroding public confidence in the very institutions they seek to improve.

Only time will tell.

The Burdett Trophy, the oldest and most prestigious inter-club golf competition in Sri Lanka, contested annually between the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club (NEGC) and the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC), will tee off tomorrow in Nuwara Eliya.

Tee-off is at 7 a.m.

The trophy was inaugurated in 1902 when Sir Francis Burdett, Assistant Deputy Commissioner to the Governor of Ceylon, presented the challenge cup for annual competition between the two clubs. The first Burdett Trophy was played at the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club on 26-27 December 1902, with NEGC emerging as the inaugural champions.

Played alternately at NEGC and RCGC each year, the tournament follows the traditional match-play format, featuring four foursomes’ matches in the morning and eight singles matches in the afternoon. With a history spanning more than a century, the Burdett Trophy is regarded as one of the world’s oldest inter-club golf competitions and predates the Ryder Cup by 25 years.

The Puffin Cup is the premier women’s inter-club golf championship between the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club (NEGC) and the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC). Introduced in 1936, the trophy was donated by C. M. “Puffin” Lushington following the establishment of the ladies’ sections in both clubs. – (SJ)

The National AI Awards 2026, ‘AI Amplified,’ being the flagship recognition event of Sri Lanka AI Week, is now open for applications.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly unfolding as a transformative tool in Sri Lanka, revolutionising and elevating the potential of local industries and communities. Pioneered by the Digital Economy Ministry of Sri Lanka, together with SLT-MOBITEL, the National AI Awards 2026 will be the most prominent highlight of Sri Lanka AI Week, uniting leaders and innovators shaping the future of AI.

Scheduled for 4 October, the awards will showcase outstanding local achievements in AI in relation to industry, academia, startups, and the public sector. Furthermore, the accolades will champion innovation and honour national benchmarks of AI adoption and excellence.

The National AI Awards will also celebrate the minds, teams, and ideas leading the transformation, recognising contributions which are revolutionising industries, redefining possibilities, and driving national impact.

The accolades are to be presented in various categories including National AI Trailblazer Awards, Industry and Sector Excellence Awards, Innovation and Future-Focused Awards, and AI Content Creators of the Year.

In recognition of top-level impact and leadership in AI, the National Awards include National AI Excellence Award, National AI Leadership Excellence Award, National AI Impact Excellence Award, and National AI Export Excellence Award.

Celebrating AI transformation in key sectors, honours presented under Industry Innovation Awards will recognise groundbreaking AI use in Agriculture, Manufacturing and Industry 5.0, Banking, Finance and Insurance, Education, Healthcare and Life Sciences, and Media.

In recognition of the next wave of AI innovation, commendations presented under the category of Innovation and Future-Focused Awards will include accolades for Best AI Startup/MSME Innovation, University AI Innovation, Best Agentic AI Solution, Women in AI Leadership, and Best Sinhala/Tamil AI and Localisation Innovation.

Recognising the growing influence of AI-powered creativity and knowledge sharing, the AI Content Creators of the Year (Individual/Team) award will honour outstanding individuals and teams using AI to create impactful, responsible, and innovative content for five disciplines such as AI Educational Content Creator Award, AI Video and Storytelling Creator Award, AI Social Impact Content Creator Award, AI FutureTech Content Creator Award, and AI Cultural Heritage and Tourism Content Award.

Aspiring applicants are invited to submit entries via www.aiexpo.lk/ai-awards and be part of Sri Lanka’s AI journey. Entries are open until 15 August 2026.

PALLEKELE: The fourth and final place for the Lanka Premier League (LPL) Play-offs still hung in the balance after Kandy Royals made a valiant attempt to reach the target of 222 set by Jaffna Kings, and although they made a fair fight to get there, the enormity of the run chase finally got to them and they lost by 21 runs at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Defending champions Jaffna Kings’ five wins out of seven matches propelled them to the top of the table with 10 points and ensured them a top two place, while Kandy Royals, who have completed all their fixtures, remain in fourth position with six points and have to await the result of the Jaffna Kings vs. Dambulla Sixers game on Sunday to know their fate.

A win for Dambulla Sixers with a good net run rate will ensure they qualify as the fourth team in the Play-offs. The difference in the net run rate between Kandy Royals (-0.567) and Dambulla Sixers (-0.565) at the moment is marginal.

A win here yesterday would have made Kandy Royals the fourth team to qualify for the Play-offs. It was no doubt a huge run chase for them, and they began well with Lahiru Udara (30 off 15 balls) and Pawan Sandesh (48 off 21 balls, 5 fours, 4 sixes) posting 90 in seven overs. But Shakib Al Hasan took the wickets of Udara, Kusal Perera and, more importantly, Wanindu Hasaranga at a crucial phase of the game to dent Kandy Royals’ run chase. Zahoor Khan, and then Dunith Wellalage, turned the game on its head. Wellalage struck three times in eight balls and all but closed Kandy Royals’ run chase, ending with figures of 3/11.

A disappointed Hasaranga, substituting as Captain for this game in the absence of Angelo Mathews who is nursing an injury, said: ‘We had expected to lose because of our fielding. The batters did well. That is the only plus point we had.’

Kandy Royals put down as many as four catches during the Jaffna Kings innings and were made to pay for it dearly.

Jaffna Kings put up a solid batting effort to reach the highest total this season – 221/6. They started off like a runaway train with Avishka Fernando (36 off 22) and Kamil Mishara (49 off 26 balls, 2 fours, 5 sixes) bossing the powerplay, racing to 79. They carried their opening partnership to worth 95 off 45 balls before the Kandy Royals bowlers came back in style to reduce them to 139-5 in the 15th over.

But cameos from Player of the Match Chamindu Wickramasinghe (43 off 15 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes), Al Hasan (22* off 16), and Wellalage (16* off 9) left Kandy Royals chasing a target of over 200 for the second time in two days.

Scores:

Jaffna Kings 221-6 (20) (Kamil Mishara 49, Avishka Fernando 36, Towhid Hridoy 21, Shakib Al Hasan 22*, Chamindu Wickramasinghe 43, Moeen Ali 2/38, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/27)

Kandy Royals 200 (20) (Lahiru Udara 30, Pawan Sandesh 48, Shaheen Afridi 24, Wanindu Hasaranga 24, Vijay Shankar 25, Dilshan Madushanka 2/36, Shakib Al Hasan 3/43, Zahoor Khan 2/32, Dunith Wellalage 3/11)

Teen Academy, the Colombo-based youth business education program, has secured formal accreditation from the Organisation of Business Professionals (OBP UK) for its flagship Teen Master of Business program, designed for students aged 13 to 18.

Under the agreement, OBP UK becomes the exclusive awarding body of certificates to students who complete the program under Teen Academy’s tutelage, with Teen Academy named the accredited delivery centre for

Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The accreditation means that when Cohort 1 begins on 8th August at the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), Colombo, graduating students will receive a certificate carrying the recognition of a UK-based professional body – a first for a teen-focused program of this kind in Sri Lanka.

Teen Academy Founder and Program Director Bradley Emerson said: ‘From my end as the founder, the exclusive accreditation from a Business Professional body is an affirmation that our subject selections, learning outcomes, and competency mapping are aligned to global trends and future-focused. For us, it gives a sense of accomplishment to see a globally recognised certificate in the hands of our teens. Moreover, the decision by OBP to offer this program in their centres is a feather for Sri Lankan faculty.’

Established in 2010, OBP UK is a globally recognised provider of continuing professional development (CPD) programs and an approving centre for training providers, colleges, and institutes across the world. The organisation designs and accredits certificates and diplomas spanning business, management, marketing, and related fields, working with partner centres across multiple countries to deliver internationally benchmarked qualifications.

For Teen Academy, the partnership places the Teen Master of Business alongside OBP UK’s other accredited programs on the body’s official listings, and licenses use of the OBP UK mark on Teen Academy’s own marketing collateral – subject to OBP UK’s branding and quality assurance guidelines.

OBP UK Registrar Gavin McDougall said: ‘The Teen MBA program is a fantastic initiative designed to equip teenagers with essential life and business skills. It helps develop leadership, entrepreneurship, confidence, and critical thinking through practical, engaging learning. It’s a valuable program that prepares young people for future academic, career, and personal success.’

OBP UK Country Representative – Sri Lanka and Maldives Michael Ranasinghe said: ‘In a world defined by volatility, regardless of the profession a young person qualifies in, the headwinds and undercurrents they will face are largely the same. What will determine whether they drown, merely cope, or truly thrive is not the depth of their subject knowledge alone, but the agility, critical thinking, and leadership instincts they build early on.’

‘Teenage years are the ideal window to develop these capabilities before they embark on their chosen path. This is precisely why OBP UK is pleased to be associated with the accreditation of Teen Academy’s Teen Master of Business program, the first of its kind. The curriculum goes well beyond the rote learning that defines GCE O/L and A/L preparation. Its modules and learning outcomes are closely aligned with the competencies every young person will need to navigate a fast-evolving world – and its Chairman, Dr. Bradley Emerson, brings deep, credible experience in professional education and training to this initiative. We are proud to support a program that equips young people not just to pass an exam, but to lead, adapt, and create value in whatever field they choose,’ added Ranasinghe.

Teen Academy’s Cohort 1 begins on 8 August 2026 at the Postgraduate Institute of Management, Colombo, running across twelve modules through to January 2027. Enrolment is open now for students aged 13 to 18.

Fifty years after they proudly donned Trinity’s famous Red, Yellow and Blue and represented their alma mater on the cricket field, the cricketers of the 1976/77 seasons will reunite in March 2027 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of an unforgettable chapter in their lives.

This reunion is far more than a nostalgic gathering. It is a celebration of lifelong friendships, shared sacrifices, cherished memories and the enduring values instilled by Trinity College. Through sport, they were taught to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. These qualities have remained with them throughout their lives.

The squads of 1976 and 1977 belonged to an era when school cricket was played for honour rather than headlines. Their exploits on grounds across Kandy and Colombo forged friendships that have endured the passage of five decades. Today, members of those teams are spread across Sri Lanka and around the world, yet the spirit of Trinity continues to unite them.

The celebrations will coincide with the historic Trinity vs. St. Anthony’s “Battle of the Blues,” allowing former players to relive the unique atmosphere of the Asgiriya Cricket Ground, one of the most treasured venues in Sri Lankan school cricket. Trinity’s proud cricketing tradition, which stretches back well over a century, remains one of the richest legacies in the nation’s sporting history.

The programme will bring together former players, their families, contemporaries, coaches, masters and loyal supporters for an evening of fellowship, remembrance and gratitude. A special tribute will be paid to teammates, teachers, coaches and devoted supporters who are no longer with us but whose guidance and encouragement helped shape the lives of these cricketers.

The organisers hope the reunion will also inspire younger generations of Trinitians by demonstrating that the true rewards of school sport are measured not merely in victories and trophies, but in character, friendship, humility and an enduring loyalty to one’s alma mater.

As the Golden Jubilee approaches, the cricketers of 1976/77 warmly invite fellow Trinitians, old boys, supporters and well-wishers to join them in celebrating a remarkable milestone in the proud history of Trinity College cricket.

Fifty years may have passed since they walked onto the field as young Lions, but the friendships they forged, the lessons they learned, and the pride of representing Trinity College remain as strong today as they were in 1976 and 1977.

The use of rice and sugar as primary ingredients in beer production will come under judicial scrutiny after the Court of Appeal fixed 2 October to hear objections in a petition seeking to prevent regulators from approving the practice.

The petition, filed by a group of licensed liquor sellers, argues that permitting rice and sugar to be used as the principal raw materials in beer production is inconsistent with the Excise Ordinance and could have broader implications for the use of subsidised agricultural commodities.

A bench comprising Justices R. Gurusinghe and A. Prema Shankar fixed the matter for 2 October after counsel appearing for several respondent liquor manufacturing companies sought time to file objections.

The Court granted the respondents permission to file their objections before the next hearing.

The petition names the Commissioner General of Excise and other relevant Excise officials, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, the Attorney General, and the Inspector General of Police among the respondents.

According to the petitioners, Section 2 of the Excise Ordinance defines beer as a fermented alcoholic beverage made from malt. They contend that information has emerged indicating that a number of manufacturers are using rice and sugar as the primary raw materials in beer production, contrary to the provisions of the law.

The petitioners further argue that the Government is providing substantial public subsidies to support domestic rice production and that diverting rice to commercial beer manufacturing could have adverse consequences for the national economy and undermine efforts to achieve rice self-sufficiency.

They have sought a writ order restraining the Commissioner General of Excise and other relevant authorities from approving the use of rice and sugar as the primary raw materials in beer production pending the determination of the case.