Category: Daily Financial Times

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams is set to host ‘Shadows of a Pre-Renaissance Era’, an exhibition by master potter Ajith Mohan Perera, highlighting the cultural and artistic significance of pottery as both craft and reflection on society.

The exhibition presents works that explore restraint, ethical labour, and the connection between material, process, and human experience.

Ajith Mohan Perera, with decades of experience in pottery, sees the medium as more than functional or decorative. ‘Pottery is not just about making objects,’ he explains. ‘It’s the process of understanding the world, reflecting our labour, responsibilities, and the choices we make as a society.’ Shadows of a Pre-Renaissance Era focuses on the moments before renewal, encouraging viewers to reflect on balance, humility, and collective responsibility.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams General Manager and Colombo Hotels Senior Vice President Kamal Munasinghe said: ‘Art is not just something we display; it’s something we live with. Cinnamon Life, home to over 1,000 commissioned artworks and a platform for hundreds of Sri Lankan artists, continues to foster creativity across its spaces. Every guest interacts with it, and it tells the story of Sri Lanka in a way that is immersive, authentic, and deeply human.’

‘Through exhibitions like this, visitors are invited to engage with Sri Lanka’s rich craft heritage in a contemporary setting, experiencing the depth, process, and societal relevance of pottery in a thoughtfully designed environment,’ he added.

The exhibition emphasises the broader role of craft in contemporary culture. Through careful attention to material, repetition, and process, Ajith Mohan Perera demonstrates how pottery can engage with heritage, labour, and societal change. Visitors are encouraged to observe, reflect, and consider how these lessons extend beyond the studio.

Shadows of a Pre-Renaissance Era is on display at Cinnamon Life from 2 to 3 February 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Cumulus Ballroom, offering audiences an opportunity to experience Sri Lanka’s pottery tradition in a meaningful and contemporary context.

An agreement was signed yesterday (30) between the Government and Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) at the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to raise plantation workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,750.

The Nestomalt run for Sri Lanka marathon 2026, organised by SingleTree Events, kicks off its first phase in the city of Galle on 1 February from 6.00 am onwards, bringing together runners, families, and communities for a morning fuelled by purpose and energy.

Designed to be inclusive and high-spirited, the Nestomalt run for Sri Lanka marathon 2026 features four running categories catering to all ages and fitness levels – from seasoned athletes to families running together.

The categories include: 21.1 km – Elite Run, 10 km – Challengers Run, 5 km – Fun Run, 2 km – Family Run. More than just a race, the Nestomalt run for Sri Lanka marathon carries a powerful cause at its heart, with all proceeds directed to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, reinforcing the collective spirit of giving back and thriving together as a nation. True to its legacy, Nestomalt continues to champion active lifestyles, encouraging Sri Lankans to push boundaries and take on life with Power, Strength, and Energy. By supporting initiatives like the Nestomalt run for Sri Lanka marathon, the brand reaffirms its commitment to uplifting communities while inspiring healthier, more active living.

Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne yesterday said that the Ministries of Education, Women and Child Affairs, and Digital Economy are planning to initiate a national assessment and policy review on the impact of social media on children.

The Deputy Minister emphasised that the initiative is expected to be advanced by giving due consideration to the insights of experts across all relevant fields, including child protection, education, health, mental health, cyber security, law and research, as well as by listening to the voices of civil society and youth.

Full statement made by Deputy Minister, Eranga Weeraratne:

Many parents in Sri Lanka today face the challenge of understanding the impact of social media on their children and determining what measures they should take to ensure their safety. The solution is not to restrict children’s access to technology.

Social media offers numerous benefits, including educational opportunities, the development of creative skills and improved communication. However, there is also a reality we must acknowledge.

The online environment can often be unsafe, overwhelming and psychologically stressful for children. The resulting harm can negatively affect a child’s sleep, education, friendships and overall mental well-being. In some cases, excessive engagement with social media becomes difficult to control.

Attempts to prevent such overuse may sometimes lead to conflicts, anger, or harsh disciplinary measures, which further impact learning and mental health. Consequently, children may experience stress, diminished self-confidence and emotional distress.

Online cyber bullying is another major concern. Additionally, children are often exposed to age-inappropriate content, including violent, sexual, or otherwise harmful material. There have been cases where children repeatedly engage with such harmful content, becoming increasingly absorbed in it. Some online games also present situations that encourage children to engage in disruptive or unsafe behaviour.

In extreme cases, such engagement has even led children to put their lives at risk. For this reason, ensuring the online safety of children has become a national priority in many countries. Our approach, likewise, must be guided by three fundamental principles.

First, the safety of children is paramount. This remains a non-negotiable policy of the government. Second, our actions must be based on evidence and research. We never proceed based on assumptions. Third, while safeguarding rights and privacy, our goal is to minimise excessive surveillance. Striking a balance between rights, safety and innovation is our primary objective.

Many countries around the world are already taking measures in this regard. It has become a timely necessity for us to carefully study these experiences, adapt them to our context and develop a comprehensive programme to protect our children. As a first step, we hope to initiate a national assessment and policy review on the impact of social media on children, in consultation with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

Experts in fields such as child protection, education, health, mental health, cyber security, law and research, along with the voices of civil society and youth, must be engaged in this effort. This is not a challenge that the government can address alone. Parents, teachers and children themselves all need to participate collaboratively. Through this approach, we can create an environment where our children can make full use of technology safely and responsibly.

An agreement to increase the daily wage of plantation workers to Rs. 1,750 was signed yesterday between Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) and the Government at the Plantation and Community Infrastructure Ministry.

The agreement was finalised in the presence of Ministry Secretary Prabath Chandrakeerthi, officials of the Wages Board, and other representatives.

In line with the 2026 Budget proposal, the daily wage of Rs. 1,350 was increased by Rs. 400. Of this, Rs. 200 will be borne by plantation companies, while the balance Rs. 200 will be funded by the Government, bringing the total daily wage to Rs. 1,750.

The revised wage structure will come into effect from 1 January 2026. Arrangements have been completed for the Government to release its contribution to RPCs upon receipt of employee attendance records for January, which are due to be submitted on 3 February.

Plantation companies have also provided employees’ bank account details, enabling the Government’s Rs. 200 allowance to be credited directly to workers’ accounts.

January was a more than a usual busy month in this newly dawned year; 2026 for Jaffna which generally comes alive with one of the biggest trade fairs in the country – the Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF).

Organised by Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS) in association with the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Yalpanam (CCIY), to date it has been one of the best post 2009 events for Jaffna to showcase its entrepreneurship and industry. For the past 16 years this has been the only large-scale event for the North to get exposed to a wide scale of local and international creativity as well as expertise in a range of sectors. This year, the 16th edition of the JITF was held as usual at the Muttraweli Grounds from January 23 to 25 giving space to over 400 stalls representing industries, including construction, agriculture, ICT, and automobiles.

According to the statistics over 200 companies participated in the event with around 5,000 business delegates which included international participation.

As next year marks the 17th edition of the JITF, we would like to propose that it at least loosely ties up with the 2027 version of the Northern Investment Summit.

The Northern Investment Summit held at the Jaffna Cultural Centre was the first of its kind in the North initiated and managed by individuals such as Indrah Kaushal Rajapaksa, Anu Rakavan, V. Niranjan, Nishanthan Karunairaj and Shanthi Bhagirathan.

The first mooting point that got this iconic event started was when Manager of the Technology Transfer Office of Jaffna University Anu Rakavan who also is at the helm of the Jaffna Management Club quipped to Indrah Kaushal Rajapaksa, a renowned business leader in the country, to initiate an investment gaining event in the North. The duo then got to work routing the idea into action from The Management Club, of which Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksa was last year appointed as the new President of the Board of Management and where Anu Rakavan is the current chairman of the Jaffna Chapter of TMC.

The event soon reached the attention of the current policy makers and received the support of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. The two day event was subsequently held on 21 to 22 January at the Jaffna Cultural Centre inaugurated by Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti who attended the inaugural session along with the Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Prime Minister’s Secretary G. A. Saputhanthri, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Indian Consul General in Jaffna Sai Murali, Northern Province Governor N. Vedanayahan and other officials,

Several state institutions including the Board of Investment, Export Development Board, Tourism Promotion Bureau, National Enterprise Development Authority, and the Northern Provincial Council participated in the summit, alongside representatives from foreign missions and private sector stakeholders. Here we would like to mention that Sri Lanka is known for doing many great things but separately and that there is a great potential to change this model and for the JITF organisers who created the pioneering industry linkage for Jaffna with the rest of the country and the world, to be pitched as partners or guests at the 2027 Investment Summit.

The Investment Summit which received noteworthy support from India and as Indrah puts it ‘is worthy of a great neighbour’, can be further strengthened in regional exposure if it has a collaboration of sorts with the JITF.

According to the organisers of the Investment Summit several Sri Lankan diplomats in foreign countries contributed to the event being a success by creating awareness about the event within the countries they represent.

One such diplomat was Dr. Ganesanathan Geathiswaran, Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka based in Chennai, India. He had reportedly exceeded his official duties by investing in personalised enthusiasm to find investors from India to boost business development in his home country Sri Lanka.

We were unable to contact him for this week but we have learnt that he has pledged to get a significant number of investors from India and we wish to ask him how this would assist the youth entrepreneurs of the North who find it hard to secure investment for startups.

So, what is the collective significance of the two events in question – The Jaffna Trade Fair and the Northern Investment Summit ; which together could create a landmark change in how the Northern region is seen in the rest of Sri Lanka in terms of investment potential and in the globe at large. This would mean in a Lankan context especially that the unity of the country would be further complemented when the region breaks the decades of suspicion caused by the thirty year long civil war and recognises Southern investment as a complimentary factor and not a threat. At this inaugural phase of the event a notable feature was the presence of those from sectors such as golf – with proposals to bring this activity to the North and linking it with leisure tourism.

‘This is not a one-off event as everyone knows by now. This investment summit was started so that it would run a very long marathon. There is by now an unprecedented amount of interest from Southern investors and I will be able to provide a proper update soon,’ Indrah Kaushal Rajapaksa stated when we followed up with him on the actual results gained from the event.

A noteworthy aspect was the focus on renewable energy and community tourism which were key highlights.

In a divided country the Investment Summit has a great potential to bring the young generations (between age 19 and 35) of entrepreneurs of all communities of Sri Lanka together. The old fears and prejudices that prevented Southern investment in the North could end with the Northern Investment Summit acting as a catalyst.

If this event ties up with the JITF and other ventures that may be planned, even in a marginal manner, it would enhance the momentum of the shared objective of boosting the visibility of Jaffna, the North and thereby Sri Lanka as a whole.

‘Three Songs of Ceylon’, the first moving image exhibition by the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka (MMCA Sri Lanka), opened last week at The Stables, Park Street Mews, and will remain open to the public until 11 February 2026.

Curated by Sandev Handy and assisted by Thinal Sanjeewa and Nimaya Harris, the exhibition features six moving image artworks that explore how Sri Lanka has been represented and interpreted through film over nearly a century, and how it continues to shape the collective understanding of the past.

‘The Song of Ceylon’ (1934), commissioned by the Ceylon Tea Propaganda Board during British colonial rule, traces how two contemporary artists revisited this film from two distinct vantage points in the subsequent decades. They are presented alongside additional moving image pieces that extend the conversation, situating Sri Lanka’s cinematic history within broader cultural and political contexts.

The exhibition highlights the transnational afterlives of colonial-era imagery and encourages reflection on how historical records function in the present. While archival footage serves as a vital resource for understanding history, the exhibition also encourages viewers to question whose perspectives have been foregrounded, and which voices have been marginalised.

‘Three Songs of Ceylon’ is presented as part of MMCA Sri Lanka’s commitment to promoting modern and contemporary art in the country, encouraging audiences to rethink history, representation, and the stories that continue to shape Sri Lanka today.

‘Featuring six works made over the last 100 years, ‘Three Songs of Ceylon’ will be the MMCA Sri Lanka’s first exhibition devoted entirely to artists’ films,’ noted Handy. ‘There has yet to be a sustained discussion in Sri Lanka about the history of the medium, how contemporary artists work with it, or how such work is collected and preserved,’ he added.

‘Three Songs of Ceylon’ features artists based across Sri Lanka, Germany, Pakistan, the United States of America, Australia, and the United Kingdom. They include Bani Abidi (b.1971), Imaad Majeed (b.1991) with Sharika Navamani (1990), Laleen Jayamanne (b.1947), Lionel Wendt (1900-1944) with John Grierson (1897 -1972), Walter Leigh (1905-1942) and Basil Wright (1907-1987), Mark LaPore (1952-2005), and Rosalind Nashashibi (b.1973).

‘While videos can serve as crucial records for the study of the past, this exhibition also aims to see them as historical actors in their own right. To understand Sri Lanka’s twentieth and twenty-first centuries, one must understand the media through which the country was continually reassembled,’ Handy said.

He also said: ‘I hope that this exhibition helps kick-start a larger conversation about the place of artists’ films in the country, and invites us to see this medium as an active force in history with much still to offer.’

‘Three Songs of Ceylon’ is presented as part of the Art Exchange: Moving Image program, which is supported by the British Council and organised by LUX and Art South Asia Project. The exhibition is generously supported by Park Street Mews, Goethe Institut Sri Lanka, Fulbright Sri Lanka and American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies.

Visitors to the exhibition can also join free Curator’s Tours and Exhibition Tours, alongside several other free public programmes offered by the MMCA Sri Lanka. Gallery Talks have been scheduled with artists Bani Abidi on 1 February, Imaad Majeed and Sharika Navamani on 7 February, and the production company Kehelmala on 8 February.

The rich legacy of the Col. Eustace Matthysz Trophy will once again take centre stage when Havelock Sports Club host arch-rivals CR and FC in a top end Super Round Cup clash of the Inter-Club Rugby League at Havelock Park today (31 January).

Kick off is set for 4 pm.

Few rivalries in local club rugby carry as much history and emotion. The Reds have largely dominated the Matthysz Trophy over the past two decades, while Havelocks have emerged as their most persistent challengers, most recently lifting the trophy in 2025. Their earlier meeting this season ended in a convincing win for CR and FC, adding extra edge to today’s contest.

Havelocks enter the Super Round after an inconsistent first phase under stand-in skipper Janidu Fernando, following an injury to their regular leader. Defeats to CR and Kandy and a draw against Navy slowed their momentum, yet the Park Club remain a formidable unit, particularly through the power of their forward pack. Their strength up front has provided a solid platform all season, while their outside backs have offered pace and penetration when given space. With renewed focus and home advantage, the hosts will look to impose themselves physically and disrupt the Reds’ rhythm. Faiz Abdullah, Azmir Fajudeen, Jayathu Rajarathna and Chatura Dilshan are their stand out players. Their goal kicker, Samuel Maduwantha will be vital to put pressure on Reds. Park Clubs Head Coach Saliya Kumara will be looking for a winning start for their Super Round.

CR and FC, meanwhile, arrive as table-toppers under the shrewd guidance of Dushanth Lewke. Composed game management, sharp attacking shape and consistency across the park have marked them as the most complete side so far. Thenuka Nanayakkara, Mursheed Doray and their Fijian Number 8, Enesi Waqanisau are the three vital cogs in Reds engine. With both teams chasing early Super Round supremacy, expect a fast, physical and tactical battle. Saudi Arabian Asia Rugby Elite Panel referee Aymen Jrill will officiate what promises to be another memorable chapter in this storied rivalry.

Kandy hold the edge

Defending champions Kandy Sports Club will open their Super Round campaign with a stern away fixture when they take on CH and FC at the Race Course grounds in Colombo on 1 February.

Kick off is at 4 pm.

It will be Kandy’s first of three demanding away games in the decisive phase of the Inter-Club Rugby League, with further trips to face Havelocks and CR and FC in humid Colombo conditions.

Led by Tharindu Chathuranga, the Up-country outfit arrived with a strong blend of power up front and pace out wide. Their forward pack has laid the platform all season through solid set-pieces and dominance in contact, with consistent go-forward allowing them to play an expansive game. Several senior forwards have been in top form, giving Kandy control at the breakdown and momentum in phase play. Thilina Bandara and Dilshan Fareed hold the key along with Dahan Wickremarachchi and 20 years old Tongan, Salesi Havea. Out wide, Kandy’s experienced three-quarter line has been lethal, reading space superbly and striking through the smallest of gaps. Their ability to shift the point of attack quickly, combined with sharp service from the base of the scrum, has made them one of the most dangerous attacking units in the competition. Kavindu Perera, Dinal Ekanayake, Akash Madushanka and Srinath Sooriyabandara will play vital parts with their experience.

CH and FC, under Janidu Dilshan, have enjoyed a strong season and will be formidable at home, boasting a reliable playmaker and powerful midfield runners. They pushed Kandy to a draw earlier in the season and will be confident of another tight contest. Maliksha Perera and Janith Chandimal too are outstanding players who could be match winners for the Maitland Crescent club.

With the first round between the two clubs ending in a draw after a disallowed try which cost the defending champions the win, they will be all out to end on the winning side and build the foundation for the League run this year as well as the tournament moves on to business end from now.

The match will be refereed by Saudi Arabia’s Aymen Jrill.

The Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry yesterday categorically rejected claims circulating in sections of the media that the removal of Airports and Civil Aviation Corporation (AASL) former Chairman Rhasa Abeywickrama, was linked to a letter sent by Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero seeking an extension of a special permit to enter the airport terminal.

In a clarification statement, the Ministry noted a ‘false opinion’ was being propagated suggesting that the former Chairman’s removal was based on a request made by the President of the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society. The Ministry stressed that the two matters were entirely unrelated.

According to the Ministry, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero, in a letter dated 29 December 2025 addressed to the ‘Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry on the official letterhead of the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, requested an extension of a special permit previously granted to him to enter the airport terminal. The permit was due to expire on 31 December 2025.

The Minister, taking into consideration the Venerable Thero’s international religious engagements, noted on the same letter that the special permission should be extended beyond 31 December 2025 into the following year. This recommendation was then forwarded to the former Chairman, Rhasa Abeywickrama, for further action.

The Ministry explained that the Minister had also instructed that any permission be issued subject to appropriate conditions, taking into account information provided by the former Chairman regarding experiences in earlier instances involving the issuance of special permits. Acting in line with these instructions, the former Chairman sent a letter to Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero on 9 January 2026.

The statement noted that the relevant letter was issued in the first week of January at the request of the Venerable Thero and that there was no disagreement or conflict of opinion between the Minister and the former Chairman on this matter.

Addressing the leadership change at AASL, the Ministry said that, amid several changes to the administrative structure of the Airports and Airlines Company and the need to address other institutional matters, a decision had to be taken regarding the position of Chairman. Following a discussion with the former Chairman on 21 January 2026, the Minister took steps to remove Rhasa Abeywickrama from the post.

‘I would like to clarify that the letter sent to Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thero has no connection whatsoever to the removal of the former Chairman from his position,’ the Ministry stated.

Separately, the statement noted that AASL Chairman Harsha Abeywickrema has since issued a letter informing Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero that, should he require access to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) premises in the future, he should make requests via the official designated telephone numbers, so that any special arrangements can be made as necessary.

There is a high level of public satisfaction in the response of Governmental and non-Governmental agencies in the aftershock of Cyclone Ditwah, and with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in particular, according to a recent survey conducted by the Social Scientists’ Association (SSA), Colombo.

The objective of the study was to learn citizens’ perceptions of institutional responsiveness following Cyclone Ditwah, with particular attention to government action, political leadership, first responders, evacuation centres, relief distribution, transparency in the management of donor funds, and factors perceived to have aggravated the cyclone’s impacts.

By doing so, the survey sought to gauge the level of public acceptance of the measures and solutions that have already been implemented and being proposed by the government, while also identifying areas of public confidence, and critical gaps in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. The findings aim to inform public debate and policy discussions on disaster governance and accountability in Sri Lanka.

The survey pointed to a wide gap between public perceptions of the head of state and the ruling party. While respondents’ satisfaction with the Head of State was nearly 80%, their satisfaction in the responsiveness of National People’s Power (NPP) politicians was nearly 46%. The rating of opposition politicians was even lower: under 24% expressed satisfaction with them.

Over 70% of the respondents said they are satisfied with the government’s actions in relation to immediate rescue and emergency; distribution of relief supplies; and restoration of essential services. However, this rating drops to 52% when it comes to early warning and evacuation; and 67% in relation to recovery and rebuilding support.

First responders to the national disaster, ranging from the military, the police, and community volunteers, received over 80% satisfaction rating; with the contribution of foreign disaster relief teams, the local media, and Sri Lankans living abroad, viewed with satisfaction by over 76%. Almost 68% expressed their satisfaction in the response of religious leaders and institutions.

Among those who sheltered in evacuation centres, over 80% were satisfied with the ease of access to those facilities; over 70% with the space and services provided; and over 78% with security and protection afforded.

The shortcomings that were recorded included: the lack of medical care by 30% of respondents in those safety centres; the absence of psycho-social and mental health support services by 47%; and the lack of assistance for lost and damaged documentation by almost 58%.

In contrast, 65% reported their satisfaction with the information or support provided by state administrative officials for their compensation applications.

Over 70% perceived the government’s management of donor funds as transparent; while almost 70% said that the distribution of relief had been fair.

The top three factors that worsened the impact of Cyclone Ditwah in decreasing order, according to those polled are – settlements located in high-risk areas which are flood or landslide prone; the weak enforcement of land-use and building regulations; and inadequate drainage and water management infrastructure.

These findings are drawn from SSA’s island-wide survey conducted in early to mid-January 2026 across all 25 districts of Sri Lanka, with a sample size of 1,251 respondents. Sample distribution was designed to reflect the ethnic composition and population distribution of each district, including Sinhala, Tamil, Malaiyaha Tamil, and Muslim groups. The data were weighted by ethnicity and district population to reflect the actual district-level demographic composition, ensuring national representativeness. All interviews were conducted in the respondents’ first language by an experienced team of 55 field enumerators.

The full survey report is open access https://ssalanka.org/cyclone-ditwah-impact-response-and-recovery-survey-findings-of-sri-lankan-public-perceptions/