Category: Daily Financial Times

In a move that further strengthens the shared commitment in advancing Sri Lanka’s corporate governance, transparency, and reporting standards, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has once again come on board as the strategic partner for the 60th anniversary of the prestigious TAGS Awards, organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka).

The TAGS Awards, originally launched in 1964 as the Annual Report Awards Competition, has evolved over six decades into the country’s premier benchmark for excellence in corporate reporting.

Under the theme ‘Diamond Chapter: The Grand Honour of Excellence’, the 2025 edition celebrates organisations that uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability, governance, and sustainability in both financial and non-financial reporting.

The partnership with CSE, which has been a key supporter of the TAGS Awards over the last decade, further strengthens the competition’s stature and highlights a shared commitment to advancing Sri Lanka’s financial and capital markets. Through this collaboration, CA Sri Lanka and CSE aim to inspire organisations across the country to embrace best practices in governance, sustainability, and digital innovation.

The Grand Finale of the TAGS Awards 2025 will be held on 12 February 2026 at Shangri-La Colombo, where winners ranging from conglomerates, multinationals, SMEs, NGOs and NPOs, among other organisations will be celebrated for their achievements in advancing corporate reporting excellence.

The Education Ministry has begun distributing smart boards required for the new education reform to schools and has called for an immediate end to collecting money from parents at the school level, while no decision has been taken to cut free education or close the Jayewardenepura Dental Faculty, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

The Prime Minister said this in response to a question asked by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in Parliament last week.

Dr. Amarasuriya, further expressing her views, said: ‘Although free education is not the policy of the Opposition Leader, I am happy that he is standing up for it at this time. But I request that questions in Parliament not be based on social media or other rumours. We have not taken any decision to curtail free education or close the Jayewardenepura Dental Faculty.

‘The Wickramarachchi Medical Faculty has been started without any formality and various courses have been introduced. Therefore, those children have been left helpless. We are taking the necessary steps in this regard. It is not a political decision. We are acting according to a report given by the expert committee appointed regarding the issue of the Wickramarachchi Medical Faculty.

‘This year, we are working to distribute the smart boards needed by the school system. There is no need to collect money from parents in any way. If you are collecting money, stop it immediately. The Education Ministry Secretary has already issued an order not to collect money in schools.

‘We do not teach a separate subject called Information Technology for grades 1-5. However, to move forward with the global technological world, we have initiated a dialogue based on expert advice to provide technological understanding appropriate to each age group. We make decisions based on child protection and expert advice. We do not make political decisions about the curriculum. Those decisions are made by experts in that subject.

‘Considering the requests of universities and higher education institutions, the relevant universities and higher education institutions are currently working on recruiting academic staff for essential vacancies with the approval of the Cabinet.

‘Also, even after 30 years since the establishment of the teaching service, there are further steps that need to be taken to develop the quality of the teaching service. The Government’s attention has now been focused on preparing a formal program for quality education by resolving the practical problems in the evaluation process for promotions in the teaching service and the issues that have arisen due to the fact that recruitment is not carried out in accordance with the service constitution and other issues.’

The Prime Minister added: ‘Various programs have been introduced based on Government policy decisions to meet the basic needs of school children. In addition, school textbooks, uniforms, and health insurance coverage have been provided. Further, vouchers have been provided to purchase sanitary napkins for girls in grades 6-13. Midday meals have been provided to children in primary schools. Financial assistance has been provided to children who are unable to obtain scholarships. The Education Ministry is collecting the necessary information to expand this further and is taking relevant measures.’

Good governance collective Justice for All in a statement has called for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), whilst rejecting the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA).

Following is the full statement signed by Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda, Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, PC, Eran Wickramaratne, A.M. Faaiz, M.A. Sumanthiran, PC, Bhavani Fonseka, Ermiza Tegal, Nadishani Perera, Jerusha Crossette-Thambiah, Ravinthiran Niloshan, and Benislos Thushan.

Sri Lanka is yet again confronted with renewed debates on the PTA and replacement legislation, with the latest being the introduction of the proposed PSTA.

At the outset, Justice for All questions the Government’s failure to honour its campaign promise of repealing the PTA. This is against a backdrop of abuse over four decades that has contributed to a culture of impunity, with fears that any replacement law will further entrench such practices. In such a context, Justice for All opposes the PSTA and reiterates its demand for the immediate repeal of the PTA.

The decades-long demand for the repeal of the PTA witnessed a surge in support in the wake of the Aragalaya. These sentiments were captured in an all-island signature campaign initiated by Justice for All, which received wide support for the abolishment of this draconian law. Furthermore, this campaign received support from all Opposition parties at the time, including from individuals in the present Government.

Thus, the shift in position – from repeal of the PTA to introducing a new law that is far worse to what it attempts to replace – is not only disappointing but begs the question whether the debates around a replacement law is an attempt by some in Government to persist with using the PTA.

The following, whilst not exhaustive, are some key concerns with the PSTA:

The PSTA significantly broadens the definition of terrorism and related offences that can result in abuse

The PSTA removes the sole minimum safeguard under the PTA that required arrests to be carried out or authorised by an officer of at least Superintendent rank, and provides broad powers of arrest to the Police, military, and Coast Guard

Powers of arrest and administrative detention, including the power to keep an individual in detention and remand for up to two years

The PSTA vastly expands Executive and security sector powers. For example, the PSTA provides broad powers to the President to proscribe organisations and impose curfew. It also allows Deputy Inspectors General of Police to apply for restriction orders to the Magistrate’s Court. Further, it allows the Defence Secretary to declare prohibited places for up to 72 hours, extendable for a further 72 hours with judicial approval.

The above are examples of the overbroad nature of the PSTA that entrenches powers for repression rather than dismantling it.

In addition, we note that despite the promise to repeal the PTA and a ‘system change,’ the Government has continuously relied on the PTA, compounding fears of normalising the use of the PTA and the abusive practices associated with it. In such a context, we call for an immediate moratorium of the PTA sequenced by its repeal. We ask that victims of the PTA be heard and conscientious guarantees of non-recurrence are made.

Finally, we urge the President, the Government, and the Opposition to demonstrate genuine political will and commitment towards upholding human rights and the rule of law with the aim of strengthening our democracy.

The GREAT 2025-2030 Renewable Energy Project Development Plan approved by the Cabinet on February 2, 2026, aims to guide Sri Lanka toward a cleaner energy future, aligning with global decarbonisation efforts. However, significant gaps between its goals and the country’s institutional, infrastructural, policy, and financial capacities raise questions about its feasibility within the proposed timeframe.

Although dated December 2024, the plan received Cabinet approval only recently. The Ministry stated it was drafted by a committee from the CEB and SLSEA under the Energy Ministry Secretary. It is uncertain if other stakeholders, such as other Government agencies, the regulator, private sector participants, renewable energy industry, financial institutions, environmental organisations, or consumer representatives were consulted. It raises concerns about stakeholder support needed to achieve the plan’s goals.

Transmission bottlenecks and sequencing risks

At the heart of the plan’s limitations is its heavy reliance on transmission infrastructure that does not yet exist. The plan correctly identifies transmission as the single most critical bottleneck to large scale renewable energy integration. It assumes that a suite of large, complex, and capital intensive transmission projects will be completed on an accelerated schedule. Many of these projects remain unfunded, are in early conceptual stages, or depend on external lenders whose timelines are uncertain.

The plan front loads renewable energy additions between 2025 and 2028 while back loading transmission readiness to 2028-2033. This sequencing mismatch creates a structural vulnerability. Renewable plants may be built before the grid can absorb their output, leading to curtailment, stranded assets, and investor frustration. Sri Lanka’s historical record of transmission delays only heightens the concern that the plan’s timelines are more aspirational than realistic.

Operational and policy gaps in rooftop solar integration

The plan’s treatment of rooftop solar further illustrates the gap between diagnosis and action. Sri Lanka had 1,700 MW of rooftop solar by mid-2025, much of it invisible to system operators, lacking telemetry, and installed with inverters that do not comply with modern grid support standards. Rooftop solar is now the major daytime power source (Figure 1).

The plan acknowledges that this legacy fleet is destabilising daytime demand and increasing the risk of system collapse during low load periods. CEB is curtailing solar production during periods of lower demand with no compensation to the producers. The plan offers no retrofit program, no enforcement mechanism for inverter standards, and no strategy for integrating existing systems into forecasting and dispatch. It does propose Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). But CEB current efforts to procure BESS to absorb the peak solar production and use it during night times is massively delayed.

The plan prioritises future oriented measures such as smart meters and Distribution Control Centres, which, while important, do nothing to address the immediate operational crisis. If the proposed Time-of-Use (TOU) tariffs for rooftop solar are introduced, and consequently, the daytime purchase tariff rates are reduced compared to current levels, the rooftop solar sector will be adversely affected. There must be incentives to promote demand-side storage to store excess solar electricity to dispatch it at night.

The resulting plan recognises the near-term problem but declines to solve it and even exacerbates the problem.

Logistical weaknesses in solar and wind resource development

The resource development strategy, particularly for solar and wind, is technically sound but logistically fragile. The zonal mapping is robust, and the identification of high potential regions such as Mannar, Kilinochchi, and the Northeastern wind and solar belt reflects strong analytical work. However, nearly all major projects depend on transmission corridors that are delayed or unfunded. The plan also continues to promote additional ground mounted solar despite acknowledging that solar capacity has already exceeded the requirements of the Long Term Generation Expansion Plan. Offshore wind, a promising long term opportunity, is mentioned but not meaningfully integrated into the 2025-2030 horizon. The resource strategy is therefore strong in theory but constrained by the absence of enabling infrastructure.

Gaps and delays in the storage implementation plan

The storage roadmap suffers from a similar disconnect. Most surprising is the observation that the need for Battery Energy Storage Systems and pumped hydro storage has been delayed, while in reality CEB is already curtailing solar and wind production because of the supply and demand mismatch.

The plan does not quantify the minimum storage required to stabilise the grid under high renewable penetration, nor does it compare the cost effectiveness of storage against alternatives.

The plan does propose multiple BESS and a 600 MW pumped storage plant, but years into the future. One project, the 100 MW Kolonnawa BESS, has secured financing. All other storage projects require land, environmental approvals, and multi year procurement cycles that extend well beyond the plan’s timeframe. The Maha Oya pumped storage plant, slated for commissioning in 2034, lies entirely outside the planning horizon. The result is a storage strategy that is ambitious but not anchored in analytical rigour and not actionable.

Digitalisation gaps undermine renewable grid integration

Digitalisation, a foundational requirement for modern grid management, is treated as a secondary technical enhancement rather than a prerequisite for renewable expansion. The proposed Renewable Energy Control Desk will not be operational until mid 2026, already late relative to the rapid growth of rooftop solar. While this is a nod towards reality, it is doubtful that the aspirational June 2026 timeline can be met.

The plan does not specify funding or procurement pathways for Distribution Control Centres, nor does it establish national standards for inverter interoperability. Without these elements, the grid will continue to operate with limited visibility and control, undermining the very renewable targets the plan seeks to achieve.

Demand-side management: Policy gaps and analytical shortcomings

Demand side measures, such as Time of Use tariffs, daytime industrial promotion, and EV charging incentives, are conceptually promising but analytically underdeveloped. The plan offers no modelling of expected demand shifts, no assessment of tariff impacts on consumers, and no analysis of industrial competitiveness. These interventions remain policy slogans rather than actionable tools for reshaping load curves.

Environmental vulnerabilities overlooked

The Plan overlooks critical environmental sensitivities. The plan does not evaluate risks such as biodiversity loss, migratory bird corridors, forest fragmentation, land-use conflicts, or social-ecological conflicts. It does not compare the relative enviro-social impacts of conventional and renewable technologies to inform choices. It does not offer technical solutions such as bird-safe wind turbine design, migration curtailment protocols, or radar shutdown systems. This is naive and shows little recognition of the recent delays and cancellations of Mannar wind developments due to opposition from environmental groups.

Environmental review is addressed only after sites are selected, relegating EIAs to a late procedural step rather than an integral factor in site choice or project planning. The lack of cumulative impact assessments is especially concerning for sensitive areas like Mannar.

Land and social-environmental issues receive minimal consideration; ecological sensitivity, displacement, land-use conflict, protected areas, and religious and cultural sites are overlooked. Land acquisition is presented as a formality rather than a way to protect environmental and social assets.

Consequently, the strategy lacks credibility and threatens realising the goals.

Governance challenges: Institutional fragmentation and reform needs

Perhaps the most significant non technical weakness lies in governance. The plan assumes seamless coordination among CEB, SLSEA, PUCSL, and the Ministry of Energy, despite a long history of institutional fragmentation, overlapping mandates, procurement disputes, and political interference. The plan does not propose a unified permitting authority, a single window clearance system, procurement reform, timely environmental and social assessment, or streamlined land acquisition processes. The challenges are amplified as the CEB is presently undergoing major restructuring. Without governance reform, even the most technically sound strategies will falter.

Financial planning deficit: Absence of a viable funding framework

Finally, the plan lacks financial and economic justification. It lacks a credible financial strategy. It lists dozens of projects requiring billions of dollars but provides no consolidated investment estimate, no financing roadmap, no debt sustainability analysis, and no model for mobilising private capital. In a country facing severe fiscal constraints, this omission is not merely a gap, it is a fundamental flaw.

Charting a path forward: Turning ambition into achievable progress

Sri Lanka can achieve its renewables goals, but success depends on moving from a technology-driven approach to a more practical, well-rounded plan with careful follow-through. The GREAT plan should be based on realistic expectations instead of wishful thinking. Environmental and social protections need to become a central consideration, truly guiding the development of future projects.

Achieving success requires comprehensive and inclusive consultation extending beyond CEB and SLSEA to incorporate other Government agencies, the PUCSL, private-sector stakeholders, renewable energy developers, financiers, environmental organisations, and consumer representatives. These groups will play pivotal roles in investing, developing, operating, regulating, and ultimately adapting to the transition.

By focusing on capacity, governance, stability, stewardship, and true stakeholder engagement, and backed by thorough analysis, the Government can turn plans into a credible roadmap and make Sri Lanka’s clean-energy transition both ambitious and achievable.

On’ally Holdings PLC has appointed M.G. Hemachandra to its Board as a Non-Executive Director.

Hemachandra is a distinguished professional with experience in development policy analysis and formulation, economic development program and project design, implementation, and post-evaluation. He is a veteran in corporate governance, strategic planning, project management, procurement, and contract administration. He holds an MBA in Infrastructure and a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from the University of Moratuwa.

As Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), Hemachandra provides strategic leadership to transform Sri Lanka’s urban development framework. His key priorities include strengthening transparent and efficient governance, revitalising strategic and stalled urban development projects, enhancing investor confidence and public-private partnership initiatives, and modernising urban policy and planning in line with sustainable development goals, smart city concepts, and national economic priorities.

He is also focused on promoting integrated and sustainable urbanisation, driving digital transformation through e-governance, fostering multi-agency coordination, and ensuring urban development contributes directly to GDP growth, employment generation, and improved living standards.

Previously, he served as Chief of Yen Loan Operations at Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Sri Lanka, overseeing development portfolios across water supply and sanitation, ports, airports, irrigation, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and rural development sectors.

His earlier professional experience includes service as Senior Engineer at the National Water Supply and Drainage Board and Project Engineer at the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau. He also sits on the Boards of Management and advisory councils of several prominent organisations.

In addition to serving as Chairman of the UDA, Hemachandra also serves as Chairman of Urban Investment and Development Company Ltd., as a Non-Executive Director of Colombo Land and Development Company PLC, and as a Director of Lanka Rest Houses Ltd., Ocean View Development Ltd., Urban Settlement Development Authority, Waters Edge Ltd., and the Tea, Rubber and Coconut Estates (Control of Fragmentation) Board.

A coalition of animal welfare organisations and individual advocates has called on the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) to collaborate on humane solutions for managing community dogs, amid concerns over proposed internal regulations scheduled for discussion tomorrow (10).

In a joint letter addressed to the Club’s President, Captain, and Committee, the groups urge management not to proceed with clauses 8A.5.1-8A.5.3 in their current form, arguing that blanket prohibitions on feeding or caring for community animals may lead to unintended and harmful consequences.

Instead, the coalition has offered to work with the Club and like-minded members to implement sterilisation, vaccination, identification, and controlled feeding in a designated peripheral area away from the golf course itself. They say this approach aligns with internationally recognised best practice and Sri Lanka’s public health objectives.

The groups have also raised serious concerns about past actions allegedly taken in 2025, during which, they claim, community dogs were captured and removed from the premises and dumped elsewhere without due process. They argue that such actions, if verified, would be inconsistent with Sri Lankan law and established animal welfare standards.

Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, No. 13 of 1907 causing unnecessary suffering to animals-including through improper transport, abandonment, or displacement-is an offence. Animal welfare advocates note that forcibly relocating community dogs often results in injury, starvation, territorial conflict, and increased rabies risk, and is widely discouraged by veterinary authorities.

‘Removal is not a solution-it creates a vacuum,’ said one campaigner. ‘Sterilised and vaccinated dogs stabilise an area. Dumping them elsewhere only transfers suffering and risk.’

The coalition stressed that their appeal is not confrontational but collaborative. They point out that humane dog management programs have been successfully implemented in other high-profile and sensitive locations in Sri Lanka, with the cooperation of management and staff.

‘This is an opportunity for the RCGC to demonstrate leadership,’ the letter states, ‘by adopting a humane, lawful, and socially responsible approach consistent with its heritage and standing.’

As public awareness grows, animal welfare groups say they hope the Club will engage openly and choose dialogue over division.

Following a dismal series against England when they were whitewashed 3-0, Sri Lanka began their T20 World Cup campaign on a winning note by beating Ireland by 20 runs at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Sri Lanka posted a score of 163-6 and bowled Ireland out for 143 to secure two points from the win from Group B.

Sri Lanka made an incredible recovery from the position they were in at one stage – 86-4 in the 14th over – to post their final total. They were unable to score a single boundary between the 7th and 15th overs as the Ireland spinners had them in a chokehold.

But a flurry of dropped catches, along with some good hitting from Player of the Match Kamindu Mendis, turned the tide at the death. As many as 59 were scored in the last four overs, which included an 11-ball phase from Barry McCarthy. The wheels came off for Ireland with Matthew Humphreys and McCarthy going for 21-run and 19-run overs, respectively. Kamindu smashed 44 off just 19 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes), while Kusal Mendis made full use of the dropped chances to hit an unbeaten 56 off 43 balls (5 fours). The pair added 67 off 29 balls and Ireland surely would have been disappointed with the way things fell apart for them.

Kamindu was a late change made to the Sri Lanka T20 World Cup squad, replacing Dhananjaya de Silva, and he didn’t let them down, proving his worth.

Ireland would have fancied a score of around 140 or so on a pitch that was on the slower side. At 105-2, they were looking good for the final assault. But the wickets of Lorcan Tucker (21) and Harry Tector (40 of 34 balls, 1 four) totally turned things around. They were the set batters and the game slipped away from Ireland after that. In the end, they lost by 20, when one expected them to get much closer, if not win.

Earlier, skipper Paul Stirling fell cheaply but the partnership of 49 off 38 balls between Tucker and Tector gave Ireland hope. Sri Lanka through their catching and fielding were a marked contrast to Ireland, who were woeful.

Wanindu Hasaranga put on a heroic effort battling with hamstring issues to complete four overs and taking three crucial wickets that saw him go past Lasith Malinga (38 wickets from 31 matches) as the highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in T20 World Cups. Hasaranga with 40 wickets (20 matches) currently stands second behind Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan (50 from 43). He was not able to complete his action and didn’t put much effort behind the ball, but still he gave it his all for his team. Maheesh Theekshana too came good in this game with three wickets with support from the others.

Volt Charge has announced a strategic partnership with Jetwing Hotels to deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across a selection of Jetwing’s key hotels islandwide.

Under the agreement, nine EV charging stations will be installed at Jetwing Sea, Jetwing Beach, Jetwing Lagoon Wellness, Jetwing Saman Villas, Jetwing Kaduruketha, Jetwing Surf and Safari, Hotel J Unawatuna, and Mask and Tide.

Of these, four charging stations are already operational, underscoring Volt Charge’s speed-to-market and execution capability.

The partnership represents a strategic expansion of Volt Charge’s destination-based charging network, integrating EV infrastructure into high-traffic hospitality environments. Once operational, the chargers will support both local and international EV users, enhancing accessibility while aligning with the hospitality sector’s growing focus on sustainability and future-ready guest services.

Volt Charge Co-Founder, Director, and CEO Dr. Beshan Kulapala said: ‘For EV drivers, charging is no longer a ‘nice to have,’ it is a basic expectation. By integrating charging infrastructure into major hotel destinations, Volt Charge is reducing range anxiety and making electric travel more seamless. As travel behaviour evolves, hotels that adapt early will be better positioned to meet the expectations of the modern, sustainability-conscious traveller.’

Volt Charge has established partnerships with leading organisations including Hilton, Cinnamon Hotels, Keells Supermarkets, Avenra, and Anantaya Resorts, reflecting the growing adoption of EV charging infrastructure across the hospitality and retail sectors.

In parallel, Volt Charge has also deployed EV charging solutions at corporate office locations including Dilmah Tea and Aitken Spence, extending its footprint beyond leisure destinations into everyday commercial environments.

With a registered user base exceeding 10,000, Volt Charge is currently the fastest-growing EV charging network in Sri Lanka. The Jetwing Hotels partnership further strengthens its national footprint while supporting private-sector-led efforts to advance cleaner transportation infrastructure and enhance customer experience standards across Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.

Sri Lanka’s workers’ remittances surged to a new high in January, with monthly inflows rising 31.1% year-on-year (YoY) to $ 751.1 million, as per the latest Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) data. This surpassed the previous monthly peak of $ 729.3 million registered in 2018 by 3%. However, January experienced a 17% decline compared with December 2025, reflecting seasonal variations in transfers.

The latest figures suggest that, even as labour migration moderates, remittances are set to remain a critical support for external balances and domestic consumption as the country continues its recovery from the worst economic crisis in 2022.

The strong start to the year follows a historic performance in 2025, when full-year remittances climbed to $ 8.07 billion, a 23% increase from a year earlier and the highest annual inflow ever recorded.

The total exceeded the previous all-time high of $ 7.24 billion in 2016 by about 12%, firmly cementing remittances as Sri Lanka’s largest and most reliable source of foreign exchange during its ongoing post-crisis recovery.

CBSL data show that the rebound has been both sharp and sustained since the collapse in inflows during the 2022 economic crisis, when remittances fell 31% to a 12-year low of $ 3.78 billion amid acute foreign exchange shortages and the proliferation of informal transfer channels.

The turnaround began in 2023, when inflows surged 57% to $ 5.96 billion, marking the strongest post-crisis recovery on record.

Momentum continued in 2024, with remittances rising a further 10.1% YoY to $ 6.57 billion, supported by a wave of outbound labour migration as thousands of Sri Lankans sought overseas employment in the aftermath of the economic collapse.

Although overseas departures eased slightly in 2025, inflows continued to rise, pointing to higher average transfers per worker.

During 2025, a total of 310,915 skilled and semi-skilled workers left the country for foreign employment, including 190,609 men and 120,036 women. While total departures declined by 1.2% YoY, remittance inflows increased sharply, highlighting improved earnings abroad and greater confidence in formal transfer mechanisms.

Analysts attribute part of the sustained increase to policy shifts by the CBSL, including the abandonment of the parallel exchange rate regime, which reduced incentives to remit through informal systems such as Undiyal and Hawala. The move has encouraged expatriate workers to channel funds through the formal banking system, strengthening foreign exchange liquidity and improving transparency.

Historically, Sri Lanka’s workers’ remittances averaged around $ 7 billion a year between 2014 and 2018, or roughly $ 600 million a month, reinforcing their longstanding role as a stabilising pillar of the economy.

The ninth edition of Colomboscope opened with a preview evening at The Colpetty Townhouse recently.

Titled ‘Rhythm Alliances’, the festival was conceived and curated by guest curator Hajra Haider Karrar along with Colomboscope Artistic Director Natasha Ginwala and her team.

Centred around sound, rhythm, and collective memory, the event brought together over 50 artists including musicians, filmmakers, choreographers, and collectives for an extensive program of exhibitions, performances and public events across the city.

This year’s edition positions rhythm as a shared cultural language that carries expression and renewal. The opening event introduced audiences to a landscape drawn from ritualistic drumming and healing rites, along with oral and sound practices rooted in Sri Lanka, as well as drawing inspiration from wider Asian and African musical and cultural traditions.

Drumming, in particular, is positioned as both a historical tool of defiance and a contemporary language of collective expression, recalling its suppression during colonial plantation systems and its enduring role in spiritual and social life across the island. The works explore how sound travels across generations, how suppressed rhythms resurface, and how traditional forms of knowledge continue to endure amid rapid technological change.

Festival venues included Barefoot Gallery, Colpetty Townhouse, Kamatha at BMICH, Liberty by Scope Cinemas, Musicmatters, Radicle Gallery, the Rio Complex and Soul Studio.

Events and exhibitions took place across these locations, with most programs free and open to the public, while selected events required prior registration due to capacity limits.

Colomboscope Artistic Director Natasha Ginwala noted that the 2026 edition was among Colomboscope’s most diverse so far, with works unfolding across exhibition spaces, sound environments and live performances.

‘Dedicated to listening, remembrance, and renewal, Rhythm Alliances endeavours to resonate with sensory intelligence and reciprocity,’ she added.

Berlin and Karachi based guest curator Hajra Haider Karrar reflecting on the curatorial approach, said: ‘Reverberating across generations and geographies carried by the oceanic flows, the ninth edition is an invocation of rhythmic transmissions. The different formations of sonicity by the tongue, body, and its encounters experienced in the artistic provocations are initiations into the layered architectures of sound and resistance. Here, the voice, musicianship and aesthetics of the handmade converge in motion, crafting a language that liberates even as it remembers. Within these resonant gatherings, rhythm asserts its agency, a pulse that speaks, insists, and transforms.’

The preview at The Colpetty Townhouse marked the start of a program that explored rhythm as both an artistic and social force influencing collective experience and interaction.