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# Where to go and what to read
- URL: https://www.examiner.media/where-to-go-and-what-to-read-14/
- Published: 2026-01-09T07:11:23.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-09T10:33:43.000Z
- Author: The Examiner
- Tags: Diary, maintag-Diary, Week-01-2026

After the season, do you really have energy for events, do you really, really? 

If you don’t, this evening, bargain with the devil for youthful energy. Lakmahal’s [book club](https://www.instagram.com/p/DTKxIAYALPC/?ref=examiner.media) is on The Picture of Dorian Grey*.* Music seems to be as much a family business as journalism: also this evening, at Bishop’s College, classical [Sinhalese music](https://mytickets.lk/events/6917111f5c065f5460143846?ref=examiner.media) from three daughters of the greats. You can also undo [Kuweni’s](https://www.towerhall.lk/en/more-event?ref=examiner.media) curse at the Elphinstone. 

On Saturday, wander across the river to Kelaniya. A [perahera](https://www.kelaniyaperahara.com/en?ref=examiner.media) commemorates the Buddha’s first visit to the island – when, apparently, he sorted out warring Yakka and Naga tribes. [Dotdotay](https://www.instagram.com/p/DTPCEAWiOzI/?ref=examiner.media)’s annual gig, where they also promise to release their new album. On Sunday, pop into [ArtnArtist](https://www.instagram.com/p/DTEySKKEkJv/?ref=examiner.media) at the Wendt (open all weekend). 

Ten wise OGs return on Wednesday, some from the grave, at Saskia’s [Legacies](https://www.saskiafernandogallery.com/exhibitions/160-legacies-sri-lankan-modern-and-contemporary-pioneers-lionel-wendt-george-keyt-richard-gabriel-h.a.-karunaratne/?ref=examiner.media)exhibition. 

On Thursday, the venerable Wildlife and Nature Protection Society asks [what they should do with sexy reptiles](https://www.instagram.com/p/DTAXzcpj1ab?ref=examiner.media), we ask what we should do with the speaker. Australian diasporics[ rise](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-rise-live-in-sri-lanka-tickets-1979654613239?ref=examiner.media) at the Galle Face. 

On Friday, an [exhibition](https://www.instagram.com/p/DTRrmmDCM5B/?igsh=a2k5YmM3dTJzNGRh&ref=examiner.media) by possibly the greatest photographic witness of 20th century Lanka, Stephen Champion. Next Saturday, the Bawa Trust has a [tour and workshop](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kids-tour-workshop-make-your-mark-tickets-1979510607514?aff=ehometext&ref=examiner.media) for the kids. 

Finally, we have our first event: a [book talk](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/lessons-for-sri-lankas-growth-with-arvind-subramanian-tickets-1979840658706?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep%5Ftld=1&ref=examiner.media) on what Sri Lanka can learn from India’s development experience on 21 January. It’s almost full already :(

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/56/2b/562b4f8e-9dd1-43bb-a213-bc1615650661/content/images/2026/01/6102516315_400e78834b_b.jpg)

*What to read*

Jayadeva Uyangoda, the insurgent turned Old Master, assesses the new government’s [first year](https://polity.lk/jayadeva-uyangoda-yr-one-of-the-npp-government-some-heretical-thoughts/?ref=examiner.media). Have we really ceased to be subjects and become citizens? If not yet, will we this term, or next?

The Central Bank’s [policy roadmap](https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/cbslweb%5Fdocuments/about/central%5Fbanks%5Fpolicy%5Fagenda%5Ffor%5F2026%5Fand%5Fbeyond%5Fe.pdf?ref=examiner.media), released yesterday, expects growth for the new year to come in at 4 to 5 percent. The IMF’s [post-Ditwah report](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/cr/2025/english/1lkaea2025003-source-pdf.pdf?ref=examiner.media) is less sanguine, expecting 2.9 percent. Meanwhile, upcountry activists highlight [short-comings](https://drive.google.com/file/d/15TJOdiCcIAecPMv5XMcnPymXgWrerck7/view?usp=sharing&ref=examiner.media) in the government’s Ditwah response. 

The energy ministry published a draft [national electricity policy](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VXtcE7hAqmINmgCdTDKbxuiZgMJaLIWl/view?ref=examiner.media) for public comment. You can also read the CEB’s tariff proposal for the next quarter [here](https://www.pucsl.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025-12-24-Frm-CEB%5FProposal-for-the-Quarterly-electricity-tariff-review-%5F-Q1%5F2026..pdf?ref=examiner.media). 

Most of Colombo’s children are spending too much time on their phones, finds this [study](https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12982-026-01343-0.pdf?ref=examiner.media). Apparently so do tourists: nearly two-thirds of free, independent travellers use ride-hailing apps, claims this [paper](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dharshana-Weerakoon/publication/399121167%5FThe%5FImpact%5Fof%5FTraditional%5Fand%5FApp-Based%5FTransport%5FConflict%5Fon%5FTourist%5FExperience%5Fand%5FDestination%5FBranding%5FA%5FCase%5FStudy%5Fof%5FSri%5FLanka's%5FThree-Wheeler%5Fand%5FRide-Hailing%5FSector/links/69508cfd27359023a01102f0/The-Impact-of-Traditional-and-App-Based-Transport-Conflict-on-Tourist-Experience-and-Destination-Branding-A-Case-Study-of-Sri-Lankas-Three-Wheeler-and-Ride-Hailing-Sector.pdf?ref=examiner.media).