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U.S. Embassy champions youth leadership and development at Youth Forum Leadership Summit 2024
The U.S. Embassy Colombo concluded its Youth Forum Leadership Summit 2024, an event that united 120 young leaders, change-makers and visionaries from across the region to facilitate dialogue on global challenges, foster a spirit of entrepreneurship and social responsibility, and promote inclusivity in society. The summit, a dynamic event designed to empower the next generation of South Asian leaders, welcomed youth from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan alongside participants from Sri Lanka’s five American Spaces in Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna, Matara, and Batticaloa.
Speaking to participants at the conclusion of the summit on March 7, U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung highlighted the importance of using their energy for positive change in their communities, noting: “This week has been a journey! From diving into diverse cultures to shaking up the status quo, you’ve shown that ‘doing something is better than doing nothing.’ The United States is proud to nurture such talent and invest in the leaders of tomorrow across the region. I’m eagerly anticipating the incredible impacts you’ll bring to your communities and beyond. A huge shoutout to all the speakers, mentors, and facilitators for making the Youth Forum Leadership Summit a success!”
On March 4, the keynote address was delivered by Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson, Group CEO of Hemas, who discussed her personal journey and embracing every challenge or failure as an opportunity. On March 5, “Embassy Day,” participants visited the U.S. Embassy and engaged with staff during mock visa interviews, self-defense sessions, and project management exercises. Throughout the week, the summit provided a platform for young leaders to present their innovative ideas and showcased a series of interactive sessions designed to hone critical leadership skills. From engaging discussions on public speaking, entrepreneurship, AI technology, and team management to workshops on embracing diversity, problem-solving and ethical leadership, the participants were equipped with the tools necessary for driving positive change within their communities and be successful in the modern world. The summit culminated in a service-learning project at Vijayaba Maha Vidyalaya in Colombo 14, where participants led an initiative to uplift the school’s library, science and music rooms, and planted an edible garden.
Highlighting the importance of inclusivity, this year’s summit also welcomed hearing-impaired Youth Forum members from Batticaloa and featured comprehensive sign language interpretation to ensure everyone’s full participation. Speaking through sign language interpretation, Jafry Hathim took the stage to express his thanks for the sessions on AI, self-defense, and cross-cultural communication: “This experience will bring me a great opportunity to go forward in in my life as a great youth leader.”
Finally, from Nepal, summit participant Sairus Sharma said, “As we reflect on our time together, we’ve realized something unique, something profound – despite our differences in cultures and backgrounds, we share a common thread that unites us beyond the man-made borders…Let’s continue to work together towards a brighter future for all, keeping in mind that South Asia’s collective efforts have the power to make a real different in the world.”
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 01 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended 11 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan of Kareinagar, Jaffna.
The Northern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, naval craft of the Northern Naval Command were deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off Kovilan.
Meanwhile, compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of one Indian fishing boat and apprehension of 11 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (11) were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
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Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Members of all ranks from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force have collectively donated a day’s basic salary to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Accordingly, the total contribution made by the Tri-Forces amounts to LKR. 372,776,918.28.
The cheques representing the financial contributions were handed over on Wednesday (31 December) at the Presidential Secretariat to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The donations comprised LKR. 250 million from the Commander of the Army, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo; LKR. 73,963,879.71 from the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and LKR. 48,813,038.97 from the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, was also present on the occasion.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) seeking an 11.57 percent increase in electricity tariffs for the first quarter of 2026, citing an estimated revenue shortfall and additional financial pressures, including cyclone-related damages.
According to documents issued by the PUCSL, the proposed tariff revision would apply to electricity consumption from January to March 2026 and includes changes to both energy charges and fixed monthly charges across all consumer categories, including domestic, religious, industrial, commercial and other users.
Under the proposal, domestic electricity consumers would face increases in unit rates as well as fixed monthly charges across all consumption blocks.
The CEB has estimated a deficit of Rs. 13,094 million for the first quarter of 2026, which it says necessitates the proposed 11.57 per cent tariff hike. The utility has noted that any deviation from this estimate whether a surplus or a shortfall will be adjusted through the Bulk Supply Tariff Adjustment (BSTA) mechanism and taken into account in the next tariff revision.
In its submission, the CEB said the proposed revision is aimed at ensuring the financial and operational stability of the power sector and mitigating potential risks to the reliability of electricity supply. The board-approved tariff structure for the first quarter of 2026 has been submitted to the PUCSL for approval and subsequent implementation, as outlined in Annex II of the proposal.
The CEB has also highlighted the financial impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which it said caused extensive damage to electricity infrastructure, with total losses estimated at around Rs. 20 billion. Of this amount, Rs. 7,016.52 million has been attributed to the first quarter of 2026, which the utility said has a direct bearing on electricity tariffs.
The CEB warned that if external funding is not secured to cover the cyclone-related expenditure, the costs incurred would need to be recovered through electricity tariffs in the second-quarter revision of 2026.
Meanwhile, the PUCSL has said that a decision on whether to approve the proposed tariff increase will be made only after following due regulatory procedures and holding discussions on the matter.
By Sujeewa Thathsara ✍️
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