Asitha Kalinga 🇱🇰

What's happening across Europe deserves closer attention. France and Germany have seen large demonstrations over living costs, education and public services. While many people have protested peacefully, some demonstrations have also been followed by looting, vandalism and violent clashes with police. There are also organised student movements operating across national borders. Foreign influence networks have reportedly exploited the unrest online, although there is no conclusive evidence that a single external entity is directing these protests or the violence. This raises some legitimate questions: Are these movements entirely driven by local grievances? Who is organising and funding them? Are political or external groups taking advantage of genuine public frustration? And who benefits from the resulting instability? We should also look at the facts behind individual criminal incidents rather than making assumptions about protesters or migrant communities. Peaceful protest is a democratic right. Violence and looting are not. European governments need to investigate these developments openly and objectively. #Europe #SocialUnrest #Protests #Geopolitics #Democracy

medpagetoday.com/infectiousd… This is something to be aware of. 70% fatality rate is concerning. #Srilanka @MoH_SriLanka

#Haze situation in #Kualalumpur worsening. The 2nd tallest building in the world is barely visible. #Malaysia #Aqi

🇱🇰 A Budget Is Only as Good as Its Execution. Sri Lanka reportedly spent less than 30% of its 2026 capital budget by September. This is more than a budgetary concern it raises a bigger question about the country’s economic recovery. Less public investment can mean: - Slower economic growth - Fewer jobs and weaker business activity - Delayed infrastructure and public services - Lower investor confidence - Risks to long-term productivity and living standards Underspending may temporarily improve the government’s fiscal position, but it does not necessarily mean the economy is getting stronger. Fiscal discipline matters. But so does delivering results. Sri Lanka needs to move beyond allocating money to executing the right projects, on time, with measurable economic and social returns. The real measure of recovery is not just how well the government manages its finances but how effectively that translates into opportunities, growth and a better quality of life for its people. A budget on paper creates expectations. Execution creates economic value. 159 in the parliament, executive presidency. 🇱🇰 What do you think is holding Sri Lanka back funding, planning, or execution? #SriLanka #SriLankanEconomy #EconomicRecovery #PublicInvestment #EconomicGrowth #Governance

What's happening..

How many talented young Sri Lankans are giving up on their sporting dreams simply because they are forced to choose between education and sport? Sri Lanka has never been short of sporting talent. What we have often lacked is a proper system to identify that talent, nurture it and give young athletes a realistic pathway to build both an education and a successful career in sports. Sri Lanka should seriously consider developing multiple sports universities dedicated to creating that pathway universities where young athletes can pursue higher education while receiving professional coaching, training, facilities and the support they need to reach their full potential. One of the biggest challenges we see today is that parents often struggle to balance their children’s education and sports. Eventually, academics take priority, and many talented children are pushed to give up or neglect sports. The impact of this becomes very visible when we look at our ability to compete internationally and bring medals home. There should also be a proper quota or additional points for university admissions for students who excel in sports. Academic performance is important, but sporting talent should also be recognised and given a clear pathway. I hope the government will look at this positively and develop a long-term, forward-thinking programme with a dedicated budget to encourage more children to participate in sports and pursue it seriously. With provincial-level support, the government should also empower regional sports bodies and officers to identify and develop talented young athletes from their respective areas. Talent exists across the country; the challenge is finding it, supporting it and giving it the right environment to grow. Sri Lanka has produced outstanding athletes, swimmers, cricketers and many other sportsmen and women over the years. We have had some of the best teams and individual talents in the region. But many talented young people today are moving away from sports because of limited opportunities, support and clear career pathways. Sports universities could play an important role in changing this. They can give young athletes a place to study while developing professionally in their chosen sport, with proper coaching, facilities, education and a clear career path. If we want more Sri Lankan children to dream of representing their country, we need to give them something realistic to aim for. We have the talent. Now we need to build the system to protect it, develop it and give it a future. This could be the right time to start building that future. @anuradisanayake #srilanka @Dr_HariniA

This is nice for many. #Srilanka

#Haze #Kualalumpur The Haze is terrible today.

The world champion! Unstoppable, great athlete ever produced. #srilanka #Worldathletic

The IEA now sees no full Middle East oil recovery until 2027. Important details: – More than 10 million barrels a day of Gulf production remained shut in during August as Hormuz stayed restricted. – Global oil inventories have fallen by 507 MILLION barrels since February. – 95 million disappeared in August alone. – And the IEA expects oil demand to FALL by 2.5 million barrels a day this year. Demand is weakening and we’re still draining the buffer… Copied. Buckle up guys!

The earth plate is sinking? #earthquakes

This is concerning...

Wow He is unstoppable #SriLanka

Last week, my experience at the SriLankan Airlines check-in counters during the early morning hours was extremely disappointing. Waiting for over an hour from 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM just to check in, especially so close to boarding time, is simply unacceptable. Whether due to inexperienced staff, insufficient staffing, or inefficient processes, such long delays create a very negative impression of SriLankan Airlines and, ultimately, the country it represents. For many visitors, the airport experience is one of their first or last impressions of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's airport authorities and SriLankan Airlines should seriously consider improving staffing levels, adding more check-in counters during peak hours, and introducing efficient self-service or dedicated baggage-drop facilities. With the country working hard to promote tourism, the passenger experience at the airport should receive equal attention. Most importantly, discussions and attention on these issues should not last only for a few days or weeks following a complaint or incident. They need to lead to long-lasting improvements and sustainable solutions. Consistent service standards and continuous improvement are essential to protecting the image of both SriLankan Airlines and Sri Lanka. #bia @BIA_SriLanka #Srilankan #lk

May 2026 showed positive signs of recovery for tourism in #SriLanka, recording a 9.6% growth compared with May 2025. However, June saw a decline of around 10%. This could be linked to external factors such as the Middle East conflict, fuel price fluctuations, and the uncertainty affecting global travel patterns. Sri Lanka has set an ambitious target of 3 million tourist arrivals in 2026 and has achieved around 38% of that target so far. To reach the remaining goal, the country needs to attract more than 300,000 tourists every month during the remaining period. The government needs to play a much stronger role in strengthening the tourism ecosystem rather than simply allowing the industry to grow through private-sector initiatives and individual campaigns. The tourist experience should begin from the moment they arrive at the airport and continue until they leave the country after completing their journey. Sri Lanka should aim to provide one of the best travel experiences in the world with professional services, safety, convenience, and genuine hospitality at every touchpoint. All registered tour guides should be required to display their official tourist guide license/identity card at all times. This will help prevent scams, unauthorized operators, and individuals who take advantage of tourists at airports and popular tourist locations. Proper tourist assistance desks should also be established at airports to guide visitors on transportation, licensed guides, accommodation, safety information, and official tourism services. A dedicated tourism information booth at the airport is no longer a luxury it is an essential service for a world-class tourism destination. Sri Lanka has everything a tourist could ask for nature, culture, wildlife, beaches, and hospitality. The next step is ensuring that every visitor receives a safe, professional, and unforgettable experience from arrival to departure. @TourismMin

Sri Lanka should strengthen its building governance, inspection, and approval processes. Yesterday's tragic fire claimed five lives and left many others injured. Preliminary reports suggest that the lack of proper fire exits and adequate fire safety equipment may have contributed to the severity of the incident. Before any newly constructed building is approved for occupation or an existing buildings, it should undergo comprehensive inspections and receive clearance from the relevant authorities, including: - Local Authority (Municipal Council or Pradeshiya Sabha) - Fire and Rescue Department - Water Board - Sewerage Authority - Electrical Inspection Authority - Any other relevant technical agencies Only after meeting all required safety and compliance standards should a building be permitted for use. I'm not sure whether such a comprehensive approval process is currently enforced in #SriLanka. If it is not, this is the right time to introduce one. A reasonable inspection and certification fee could be charged to developers to cover the cost of these essential safety assessments before occupancy approval is granted. Building safety should never be compromised. #Srilanka #Srilankanews

Mystery/supernatural small-town series. If you love, From/ Widows Bay/100 etc Mystery with lots of unanswered questions. Survival and isolated communities. Supernatural or sci-fi elements. Plot twists and cliffhangers. Character-driven stories rather than monster-of-the-week episodes. Here are some of the best series I'd recommend, ranked by how closely they match that style My Top 10 for your taste Dark ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Silo ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lost ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Severance ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Yellowjackets ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wayward Pines ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ The Leftovers ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ The Expanse ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Archive 81 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 12 Monkeys ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ #TVseries

Sri Lanka has always been a welcoming destination for tourists, investors, and foreign professionals. That openness is one of our strengths. However, there are growing public concerns about the increasing number of foreign nationals staying in high-end apartments, serviced residences, and smaller lodging facilities in parts of Colombo. Many people are questioning whether all of these individuals are in the country under the correct visa categories and whether the activities they are engaged in are being properly monitored. Areas such as Duplication Road, Galle Road, Kollupitiya, and nearby residential complexes have become the focus of these discussions. While seeing more foreign visitors is not a problem in itself, it is important for the relevant authorities to ensure that immigration regulations are being followed and that businesses are operating legally. If there are any illegal operations taking place, early action is far better than reacting after the country's reputation has been damaged. Several countries have faced international scrutiny due to online scam operations, and Sri Lanka should do everything possible to ensure it never earns such a reputation. This is not about discouraging genuine visitors or investors. It is about protecting national security, maintaining public confidence, and preserving Sri Lanka's image as a safe and trusted destination. A proactive approach by the relevant authorities today could prevent much bigger challenges tomorrow. @sajithpremadasa @anuradisanayake #SriLanka #NationalSecurity #Immigration #LawEnforcement #PublicSafety #GoodGovernance #ProtectSriLanka #Colombo #EconomicSecurity #Tourism #ResponsibleGovernance

I initially thought what I saw on social media about Colombo's Beira Lake was exaggerated. However, during my recent stay, I took a walk around the lake and was disappointed to find that the unpleasant smell was very real. This area is one of Colombo's most visited attractions, with many tourists exploring Beira Lake and the nearby Gangaramaya Temple as part of their Sri Lanka itinerary. Unfortunately, the pollution, garbage, and foul odour leave a poor impression on both locals and international visitors. The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) should prioritize restoring and maintaining this iconic location. Keeping Beira Lake and its surroundings clean and well-maintained would not only enhance the city's image but also provide a much better experience for everyone who visits. #SriLanka #Colombo #BeiraLake #Gangaramaya #Tourism #CleanCity @VraieB