Week-20-2026

A fortnight ago, the rupee suddenly fell steeply, driven by higher fuel imports. The government and IMF stepped-in and the rupee recovered. But a cautious Central Bank jacked-up interest rates, and now the Public Debt Management Office is in the firing line.

Corrupt and lethargic, the mining bureau has locked genuine investors out of mines. Fraudsters and license traders, meanwhile, have been making a quick buck. The government is reviewing past licenses and re-thinking its mineral policy.

Today, in time for Vesak, Jayadeva Uyangoda launches his text on the “realist, philosophical, and social emancipatory orientations” of Martin Wickremesinghe’s Buddha book. Or head to Playtrix’s ladies night for the social emancipation