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The material and human costs of war

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Book Review

A collection of war time memoirs published by the International Centre for Ethnic Studies; Translated by Miriam Naveendran, Reviewed by Lynn Ockersz

Although the financial and material costs of Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict have received a reasonable degree of attention by the Sri Lankan state and other relevant sections over the years, the same cannot be said for the human costs of the war. Approximate figures of war casualties have occasionally surfaced from concerned quarters but such statistics are no reliable pointer to the staggering suffering that the war entailed over those 30 years or more for the civilian public of North-East Sri Lanka.

The latter inadequacy could only be rectified by credible qualitative commentary and analyses on the emotional and physical pain those civilian sections that were directly exposed to the harsh realities of war endured, mostly in silence. ‘Memories from Kilinochchi’, an ICES publication translated by Miriam Naveendran fills this lacuna most adequately and admirably.

A special merit of this publication is that it brings together first person memoirs of the civilian survivors of the war from no less a district of importance in Northern Sri Lanka than Kilinochchi, where some of the bloodiest and concluding battles of the North-East conflict took place. The victims are allowed to speak for themselves and we are justified in stating that the singularly mind-numbing tragedy which is war is presented to us in the most engaging and graphic fashion in this timely collection of memoirs.

The collection could be described as a veritable mirror to the Longsuffering the people of Kilinochchi were made to endure for no fault of theirs. Their life was a heart-rending saga of aerial bombardments, displacements, hunger and homelessness and such harrowing experiences are driven home to the reader with a freshness and cogency hardly encountered in the discourse and literature focused on the civilian victims of war and their suffering; also insensitively and glibly referred to by some as ‘collateral damage’.

We are informed that families were bombed in bunkers where they were forced to take shelter. Children lose their parents in blitzkriegs and vice versa and in almost a split second, happy homesteads are reduced to embers. Survivors of such horrors are compelled to trudge long distances in search of succor. Likewise, livelihoods are dramatically disrupted along with the wrecking of the future of the young on account of the endemic destabilization that war brings. Simply told, their lives are reduced to a living-death.

Hopefully, this collection of memoirs would be read by particularly those governing sections that are on record that they are ushering in a Sri Lanka where national harmony and unity will be enduring realities. For, although the battles have ended and the guns have seemingly fallen silent, many are the minds in the North-East that have been brutally scarred. So much so, we are compelled to say along with a suffering survivor: ‘The war on the outside has ended, but the war in the mind continues…’



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SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure

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SLT-MOBITEL marks its triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026

Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development

In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.

Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.

Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.

“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.

Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.

However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.

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Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement

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The panel discussion at the engagement

Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.

The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.

In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.

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American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026

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The achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories.

American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.

Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.

For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.

Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.

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