Business

A ‘timely and courageous book’ that is also ‘a call to conscience’

Published

8 months ago

2025/07/22

Western Province Governor Haniff Yusuf (R) and writer Luqman Harees.

Western Province Governor Haniff Yusuf delivered a compelling speech at the launch of Muslims in the Dock, the latest work by author and human rights advocate Luqman Harees, on Sunday evening at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute.

Governor Yusuf described the book as “timely and courageous,” noting that Muslims in the Dock was more than a literary work—it was a mirror held up to society, a “political action” and “a call to conscience.” His remarks framed the book as a vital reckoning with the ways in which Islamophobia, both globally and locally, continues to shape and scar societies.

“This book is more than a personal reflection,” he said. “It is also a political action. And in many ways, a social reckoning for all of us. But above all, it is a call to conscience.”

n his speech, Governor Yusuf did not shy away from confronting the realities of Sri Lanka’s own troubled history with communal division and scapegoating. Drawing parallels between international Islamophobia and domestic episodes of ethnic violence, he reminded the audience that the marginalisation of Muslims in the post-9/11 world has echoes in Sri Lanka’s own past.

“We in Sri Lanka know too well how hatred can be demonised,” he said. “We saw it in 1983 when it was the Tamil community that was put in a dock. We saw it in Aluthgama. We saw it in Digana.”

He added that after the Easter Sunday attacks, “a group was hijacked and redirected to justify suspicion, violence, and exclusion of our Muslim community.”

Governor Yusuf warned that when identity is politicised and fear becomes policy, the resulting marginalisation “corrodes our sense of common humanity.” He said that societies that rely on suspicion and fear for governance are ultimately unstable and unsafe for all—not just for the minorities targeted.

Quoting Justice Salim Marsoof, who also spoke at the launch, Governor Yusuf observed that “the Muslim identity has been framed as a threat to societal harmony and used in full division for the political and economic gain of a few.”

“But this isn’t just a Western story,” he stressed. “This is our story too.”

Islamophobia, he said, is not a fringe idea—it is industrial, it is systemic, and it is global. Muslims in the Dock, he said, makes this clear with “meticulous research, grounded insight and moral clarity.”

“Br. Luqman has exposed the structural and psychological dimensions of Islamophobia while offering a mirror to all societies. He writes not only to defend Muslims, but to defend the very principles of democracy, dignity, and peaceful coexistence.”

In perhaps the most powerful segment of his address, Governor Yusuf moved beyond critique and into a vision for hope and national renewal. He reminded the audience of the Sri Lankan Constitution’s promise to secure liberty, equality, and justice for all, and said these are not “lofty ideas,” but sacred promises.

“And yet,” he said, “too often in our nation’s history, we have failed to live up to these promises. We have let politics trump principles. We have allowed fear to dictate policy.”

He called for a cultural and political shift—one that moves beyond mere tolerance to active solidarity. “Our goal should not only be to simply tolerate each other, but to uplift each other,” he said. “We must see our diversity not as a threat, but as strength—not a fracture, but a foundation.”

Governor Yusuf outlined four key steps to dismantling bigotry and building inclusive communities:

1. Speak Truth – “Call out hate wherever it hides, even when it is inconvenient and unpopular.”

2. Educate for Empathy – Invest in education that teaches critical thinking and compassion.

3. Build Solidarity – Go beyond ethnic and religious lines to connect across all margins where people feel unseen or unsafe.

4. Never Lose Hope – Even in the face of violence and prejudice, cling to the belief that justice and compassion can prevail.

Quoting Rumi, he ended with a poetic call for action: “The world is a place where life enters you.” He urged that Muslims in the Dock become the “light that enters our national conversation.”

“Let us be the generation,” he concluded, “that truly gets to know one another. For in knowing, we see. And in seeing, we hear.”

Muslims in the Dock by Luqman Harees is a sweeping and scholarly response to the rise of global Islamophobia. With over 900 references, it unpacks how a mixture of media distortion, political opportunism, and historical prejudice have converged to vilify Muslims. Yet, as Governor Yusuf and others at the launch made clear, the book is not just about Islam—it is about the shared human struggle for dignity, justice, and belonging.

By Ifham Nizam

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Business

Cargills adopts Crow Island Beach in partnership with Clean Ocean Force Lanka

Published

15 hours ago

2026/03/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Cargills Food and Beverage Ltd. through its brands KIST and Knuckles, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Clean Ocean Force Lanka (COF) to adopt Crow Island Beach for one year, reinforcing its commitment to long-term coastal conservation in Sri Lanka.

This pioneering initiative is designed to protect and preserve the coastal environment through several key measures, including the removal of plastic and other pollutants from the beach and surrounding coastal area. As part of the adoption programme, the beach will be maintained daily with the support of dedicated beach caretakers, while also supporting their livelihoods by providing meaningful income opportunities.

Marking the partnership and in celebration of World Recycling Day, a coastal clean-up programme was conducted at Crow Island Beach to remove plastic and other manmade pollutants. Volunteers from Cargills, Clean Ocean Force Lanka, the Interact Club of Colombo, the Colombo Municipal Council and the Women’s Force of COF Negombo (Sri Vimukthi Association) participated in the clean-up with support from the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), the Sri Lanka Police Environmental Division and the Ministry of Local Government and Environment as well as the Crow Island Beach Park Society.

Jerome Fernando, Chairman & Co-founder of Clean Ocean Force Lanka said that, “Marine & Coast Conservation demands a unified front. Our unique Public-Private-People Partnership model is the cornerstone of our mission, and today, we are thrilled to welcome Cargills (Ceylon) PLC as a vital partner in this journey adopting the Crow Island Beach for the next one year. This collaboration will not only amplify our efforts to eliminate plastic and manmade pollutants from our beaches, but also reinforce our commitment to empowering marginalized communities through sustainable livelihood opportunities. Cargills’ deep-rooted dedication to environmental sustainability and community wellbeing perfectly aligns with our vision.”

Jagath Gunasekara, General Manager of MEPA added, “The Marine Environment Protection Authority consistently promotes active private sector engagement in marine and coastal conservation, as well as pollution control initiatives. This approach aligns closely with our Beach Caretaker Programme. We are pleased to collaborate with Cargills (Ceylon) PLC in the adoption of Crow Island Beach through our long-standing partnership with Clean Ocean Force Lanka.”

During the event, Knuckles also launched Sri Lanka’s first tethered bottle cap, introducing a packaging innovation aimed at improving plastic waste management and supporting recycling efforts. The tethered cap is designed to remain attached to the bottle after opening, reducing the likelihood of caps being discarded separately. Bottle caps are among the most commonly littered plastic items globally and frequently enter landfills and waterways due to their small size and low collection rates.

Speaking on the initiative, Arjuna Kumarasinghe, Managing Director of Cargills Food & Beverage Ltd., said, “Cargills has always believed in taking responsibility for the communities and environments around us. By adopting Crow Island Beach, we’re able to work closely with our partners and local volunteers to protect this part of our coastline. Launching the tethered bottle cap is another way we’re addressing plastic waste and making recycling easier for everyone.”

Business

CBSL adopts cautious stance in the face of economic uncertainties

Published

15 hours ago

2026/03/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe; focus on inflation stabilization

The Central Bank is keeping its overnight policy rates unchanged, adopting a cautious stance amid uncertainty over the inflationary impact of energy prices due to the Middle East crisis.

‘We maintained the overnight policy rate at 7.75 percent, considering low inflation and a restrained approach on the fallout of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Central Bank Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe said.

The Governor made these remarks yesterday at a press briefing held at the Central Bank head office in Colombo to announce the monthly monetary policy stance.

Dr Weerasinghe added: ‘Inflation is now expected to reach the Central Bank’s target of 5 percent in the second quarter of 2026, after Sri Lanka raised fuel prices by about 35 percent this month.

‘However, spillovers from the ongoing conflict could weigh on domestic economic activity in the period ahead should the conflict be prolonged.

‘The rates were steady since last May as the nation recovers from a 2022 financial crisis driven by a severe dollar shortage.

‘Supported by a US$ 2.9 billion programme with the IMF, Sri Lanka posted a strong economic recovery last year, growing by 5 percent and now targeting growth between 4 percent and 5 per cent in 2026.

‘What stands out is that they see space for inflation to rise because of energy prices but still stay contained.

‘From now to June, underlying economic momentum has the space to keep pace despite the disruption because domestic liquidity and credit has been quite substantial as well.

‘An IMF team will arrive in Colombo on Friday for the combined fifth and sixth reviews of the bailout.

‘Furthermore, Gross Official Reserves increased to US$ 7.3 billion at end February 2026 and the Central Bank purchased a substantial amount of foreign exchange from the market in the first two months of the year.

‘However, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East poses risks to Sri Lanka’s external sector outlook, particularly through energy, tourism, trade and remittance flows, although the overall magnitude of the impact remains uncertain.

‘While the Sri Lanka rupee remained relatively stable in early 2026, some depreciation pressures were observed following the onset of the Middle East conflict, similar to the exchange rates of regional peers.

‘Meanwhile, the Monetary Policy Board remains prepared to implement appropriate policy measures to ensure that inflation stabilizes around the target, while supporting the economy to reach its potential.’

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Business

Dialog Unveils Dialog Play Mini with Netflix and Apple TV

Published

15 hours ago

2026/03/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has announced the latest upgrade to its smart entertainment lineup with the Dialog Play Mini, featuring seamless access to global streaming platforms including Netflix, Apple TV and YouTube, alongside the Dialog Play entertainment ecosystem for a unified viewing experience. Previously known as the ViU Mini, the device has now been reintroduced as the Dialog Play Mini, reflecting the evolution of Dialog’s digital entertainment platform under the Dialog Play brand.

The Dialog Play Mini transforms any television into a smart 4K entertainment hub by enabling hybrid multi-platform streaming across leading global and local content platforms, delivering a smoother, more intuitive viewing experience. Whether enjoying Netflix originals, Apple TV exclusives, or local favorites, households can now experience world-class entertainment in one compact device.

The Dialog Play Mini brings a streamlined, user-friendly experience to any home setup. Its single numeric-keypad remote controls both the TV and the device, offering simplicity and convenience for everyday viewing. With multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi, hotspot, LAN, or wingle, the device ensures uninterrupted entertainment even in areas without smart TVs or advanced broadband setups.

Bridging the gap between entry-level set-top boxes and premium Android TV devices, the Dialog Play Mini offers a plug-and-play smart experience. Supported by Dialog’s nationwide service network, local warranty, and after-sales care, it delivers a reliable, feature-rich entertainment experience for Sri Lankan homes.

“With Dialog Play Mini, entertainment becomes more directly accessible for every Sri Lankan home – with or without a Smart TV,” said Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC. “By bringing Netflix, Apple TV, YouTube, and Dialog Play together in one compact 4K-ready device, we’re redefining home entertainment through simplicity, innovation, and the power of connectivity.”

The Dialog Play Mini is now available at Dialog Experience Centers and authorized retailers islandwide. To purchase online, please visit

https://dialog.lk/dialog-play-mini