Business

Sri Lanka’s tobacco trap: The $500 million fiscal sinkhole

Published

10 months ago

2025/11/14

From left: Suely Castro, QLS Director (Brazil), Dr. Sree T. Sucharitha (India), Professor Marewa Glover (New Zealand), Professor Fredrik Nystrom (Sweden), Rohan Sequeira, Senior Consultant Cardio-Endocrine Physician (India) pose for a photograph at the conclusion of the media roundtable

While many nations struggle with high smoking rates, Sweden has carved a unique and successful path, poised to become Europe’s first “smoke-free” country with just 5.3% of adults smoking. The question at the heart of the recent “Quit Like Sweden” roundtable in Colombo was not whether this success can be replicated, but how South Asia can adapt this model to avert a looming public health crisis.

The Swedish achievement is no accident. It is the result of a pragmatic policy that combines traditional anti-smoking measures while ensuring that safer alternatives to cigarettes are accessible and affordable. This approach, known as Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR), was the central theme at the roundtable.

For Sri Lanka, the stakes are critically high. Professor Rohan Sequeira, a Senior Consultant Cardio-Endocrine Physician, presented a stark reality. “We in South Asia are in the epicenter of tobacco-related oral cancer and heart diseases worldwide,” he stated.

Professor Sequeira then delivered an economic argument that demands policymakers’ attention. In 2023, the government collected approximately USD 500 million in tobacco taxes. In that same year, it spent an estimated USD 490 million treating tobacco-related diseases. “What you get in taxes, you spend back in healthcare. It doesn’t make sense,” he said, noting that this one-to-one ratio highlights a fiscal sinkhole that drains resources from other essential social priorities.

The solution, experts argued, lies in embracing harm reduction. Evidence shows that switching to safer nicotine products can reduce harm by up to 95% compared to combustible cigarettes. A recent “Lives Saved” report for Sri Lanka projects that integrating THR policies could save 85,000 lives by 2060 and potentially save the healthcare system billions of dollars over the coming decades.

However, a significant regulatory barrier exists. Unlike Sweden, where products like snus and nicotine pouches are widely available, Sri Lanka prohibits heated tobacco products and maintains a confusing regulatory landscape for safer alternatives. This leaves heavy smokers with no legal, less harmful options – a policy that Professor Fredrik Nystrom of Linköping University warned can be counterproductive. “Smokers aren’t criminals, and therefore, stigmatising them excessively can actually push the behavior underground,” he noted.

The roundtable concluded that for Sri Lanka, a practical path forward must include risk-proportionate regulation, where safer alternatives are made more accessible than deadly cigarettes, coupled with professional cessation support and public communication to guide consumers, particularly those from lower economic strata who are most affected.

“The Swedish example proves that a smoke-free future is achievable. For Sri Lanka, adopting a similar, pragmatic approach is not just a public health opportunity, but an economic imperative. It’s up to the authorities of the government to engage with these experts as they have submitted a report to the government in July 2024 on THR”, a tobacco control researcher in the audience shared with The Island.

By Sanath Nanayakkare ✍️

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Business

Hettich celebrates a decade in Sri Lanka with partner meet in Colombo

Published

6 mins ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

Over the past decade, Hettich has strengthened its presence in Sri Lanka through its focus on German engineering, innovation, quality and functionality

Hettich, the globally renowned German manufacturer of furniture fittings and architectural hardware known for its state-of-the-art manufacturing plants and magical interior solutions across the world celebrated a significant milestone in Sri Lanka, marking 10 years of presence in the country with its inaugural Partner Meet in Colombo.

The landmark event brought together Hettich’s key partners, stakeholders and industry leaders to celebrate a decade of growth, collaboration and shared success, while reaffirming the company’s long-term commitment to the Sri Lankan market.

Over the past decade, Hettich has strengthened its presence in Sri Lanka through its focus on German engineering, innovation, quality and functionality, contributing to the creation of contemporary and intelligently designed living and working spaces across the country.

The gala evening was graced by a distinguished delegation of senior leaders, including Dr. Andreas Hettich, Chairman, Hettich Group Advisory Board; S. K. Poddar, Chairman, Hettich India & Adventz Group; Mr. Akshay Poddar, Director, Hettich India; Andre Eckholt, Managing Director, Hettich India, SAARC, Middle East & Africa; Rahul Thakkar, Director – Sales, Hettich India & SAARC; and Dinusha Bhaskaran, Managing Director, Vallibel One PLC.

Business

GS Evo Motors launches all-new JMEV EWIND

Published

6 mins ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

Priyantha Perera, Chief Executive Officer of GS Evo Motors (left), and Sunil Wettasinghe, Chairman of GS Evo Motors, introducing the latest JMEV Ewind Electric SUV to the local market

GS Evo Motors Limited, the authorized distributor of JMEV electric vehicles in Sri Lanka, has officially launched the JMEV EWIND, a next-generation compact electric SUV. The vehicle is designed to offer strong performance, intelligent technology, premium comfort, and high safety standards, marking another milestone in Sri Lanka’s growing electric mobility sector.

The EWIND features a sleek, aerodynamic exterior with penetrating LED daytime running lights, trapezoidal chain-inspired LED tail lamps, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a bold silhouette. Inside, it offers a spacious cabin with a panoramic moonroof and retractable curtain, an ultra-thin suspended instrument panel, a D-shaped multifunction steering wheel, multi-colour ambient lighting, premium finishes, and electrically adjustable front seats.

The SUV is available in single-motor front-wheel drive configurations, producing up to 108 kW and 210 Nm, with 0–100 km/h acceleration in 8.9 seconds.

Business

People’s Bank powers inter-school Basketball Championship 2026

Published

6 mins ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

The Inter-School U13 Basketball Championship 2026, powered by People’s Bank, concluded successfully with the finals and presentation ceremony held recently at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, bringing together some of Sri Lanka’s most promising young basketball talent.

The championship provided a competitive platform for schoolchildren from across the country to showcase their skills, determination and sportsmanship, while gaining valuable experience through high-level inter-school competition.

In the U13 Boys’ Division A – Tier I, Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa emerged champions, while Royal College, Colombo secured the 1st Runner-up position. St. Peter’s College, Colombo and St. Benedict’s College, Colombo finished as the 2nd and 3rd Runners-up respectively.

In the U13 Girls’ Division A – Tier I, Holy Family Convent, Colombo clinched the championship. Lyceum International School, Nugegoda was named 1st Runner-up, while PDS Kularathna Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda and Mahamaya Girls School, Kandy secured the 2nd and 3rd Runner-up positions respectively.

The championship also featured several categories across the U13 Boys’ and Girls’ divisions, with schools from different parts of Sri Lanka recording notable performances.