King Sasanka – Sri Lankan Writer & Retired Aviation Professional.

Our biweekly shopping routine is usually dictated by three factors: the availability of fresh morning produce, competitive pricing compared to wet markets, and a personal stake, as we are part-owners of this listed company. However, a recent experience highlighted significant gaps in service and system integrity that every shopper should note. 1. Pricing Errors and Staff Attitude Yesterday, I ordered local red rice (unpolished). While the weight was correct, the price was not. I was overcharged by Rs. 40 per kilo . When I pointed out the discrepancy, there was no apology—only a curt, annoyed acknowledgment before the salesperson relabeled the item. The Lesson: Always double-check the price-per-kilo on your labels before heading to the checkout. 2. Operational Inefficiency On multiple occasions, I’ve noticed that scales run out of label stickers during peak morning hours. This causes a 4-to-5-minute delay while rolls are replaced. In a fast-paced retail environment, time is m...

OPEN LETTER: A Call for Efficiency and Market Liberalization in Vehicle Plate Issuance To: The Commissioner General of Motor Traffic   Subject: Addressing the Chronic Delay in Official Number Plate Issuance To the Department of Motor Traffic, The current state of our roads reveals a glaring administrative failure: a significant percentage of newly registered vehicles are forced to operate using temporary or non-standard plates. While vehicle owners fulfill their legal and financial obligations immediately upon purchase, the state continues to fail in its reciprocal duty to provide the necessary identification plates in a reasonable timeframe. In an era of rapid digital transformation, it is unacceptable that a simple metal plate requires weeks or months of processing. This is not a matter of "Quantum Physics"; it is a matter of basic supply chain management. The Case for Market Liberalization   If the current centralized system is unable to meet the demand, th...

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Ceylon Shipping Corporation (CSC) was a symbol of national pride and economic independence. At its peak, the corporation operated a diverse fleet of 17 vessels, including eight conventional liners, eight container ships, and one oil tanker. Today, after decades of decline and the total disposal of that original fleet, the corporation operates just two modern bulk carriers. What led to the dismantling of a fleet that once commanded the sea lanes from Europe to Australia? The answer lies in a combination of "Beyond Economical Repair" (BER) status, radical shifts in global trade, and the unintended consequences of economic liberalization. 1. The "Golden Era" and the Fleet of 17 Following its inception in 1971, the CSC rapidly expanded. Supported by partners in Germany and China, the fleet included iconic names like the Mv. Lanka Rani and Mv. Lanka Devi . By 1980, the CSC became the first South Asian carrier to launch cont...

The fuel QR code and weekly quota system are currently in operation. Some users find it difficult to manage the week within their allocation, while others find the quota exceeds their requirements. Unfortunately, any remaining balance cannot be carried forward to the following week or collected in containers, a restriction largely based on safety and security concerns. I believe the application should include a feature allowing users to transfer their weekly allocation to another registered member. This could be done either as a bona fide gesture or through a marketplace where the recipient pays a surcharge (e.g., 5%) above the pump price. Alternatively, a bidding system could be implemented where the highest bidder secures the remaining quota. If the existing state-run application cannot support these features, a private platform could facilitate these trades, allowing high-demand users to refuel legally without hindrance. 1. Executive Summary The current National Fuel P...

For three decades, I worked overseas, sending hard-earned foreign exchange home during some of this country’s darkest hours. Those remittances weren't just personal savings; they were a lifeline for a nation embroiled in a civil war, a war we eventually won decisively. Now in retirement, I haven't sat back. We’ve taken steps to reduce our carbon footprint and ensure our own energy security. We bought a hybrid car and invested in solar panels for our roof. Today, we don’t owe the electricity board a cent; in fact, we produce what we need and sell the excess back to the national grid. So, when I hear calls for us to "switch off" our fans and lights to save the system, I find it hard to heed such requests. Our household is already a net producer. This isn't the late '80s. We are long past the era of "curfews by chit" and living in fear. Instead of asking citizens, who have already tightened their belts for a lifetime, to sacrifice more comfort, pe...