King Sasanka – Sri Lankan Writer & Retired Aviation Professional.

Aborting a Take-off vs. Engine Failure After Take-off: Which Is More Dangerous? Understand the risks of an aborted take-off and engine failure during the initial climb. Discover how airline pilots handle these critical aviation emergencies. Imagine a passenger aircraft speeding down the runway, preparing to take off. Suddenly, the pilots detect a serious problem. They must decide whether to stop the aircraft or continue into the air. Now imagine a different situation: the aircraft has just lifted off when an engine loses power. The pilots must respond immediately, with little time and limited height to work with. Both situations demand exceptional skill, but an aborted take-off and an engine failure during the initial climb are very different challenges. 1. How difficult is it to abort a take-off? An aborted take-off, also known as a rejected take-off, occurs when pilots decide not to take off and bring the aircraft to a stop on the runway. At lower speeds, stopping is genera...

Bridging the Cash Gap: Why Sri Lanka Lags in Digital Payments and How We Can Fix It   While global neighbours like India and Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam have transformed even the most remote street-side stalls and wet markets into cashless ecosystems, Sri Lanka often feels anchored to cash.   From vendors imposing a 3% surcharge on card transactions to rural shops refusing digital alternatives entirely, navigating the island as a consumer or traveller frequently requires carrying a heavy stack of physical currency notes. Why has Sri Lanka been slower to adopt a seamless digital payment culture, and what can everyday citizens do to accelerate this transition? Why is Sri Lanka Backwards in Digital Payments? Several structural, economic, and behavioural bottlenecks have slowed the adoption of a truly cashless economy in Sri Lanka: The Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) Burden: Historically, card payments and digital gateways subjected small vendors to merc...

France at a Crossroads: Sovereignty, Immigration, and the Echoes of History Explore how Paris's near-destruction in 1944 shapes modern debates on French sovereignty, border control, security, and EU membership.   Few cities carry the romantic and historical weight of Paris. Known globally as the "City of Light," its streets have witnessed revolutions, world wars, and remarkable cultural renaissances.  Yet, as France navigates the 21st century, public discourse increasingly revolves around a different kind of existential question—one focused on national identity, border security, and the future of European integration. The 1944 Legacy: When Paris Nearly Fell To understand the emotional intensity of contemporary French politics, one must look back to the scorching days of August 1944.  As Allied forces and the French Resistance converged on the capital, a cornered Adolf Hitler issued a devastating directive to German military governor General Dietrich von Choltitz: ...

Master operating margin analysis with our step-by-step stock screening guide. Learn how to calculate EBIT, identify positive operating leverage, and spot high-moat companies. Analysing profit margins is one of the most powerful tools in fundamental equity research. While top-line revenue growth tells you how fast a company is expanding, margins reveal how efficiently it converts that revenue into actual value for shareholders. Why Comparing Margins is Essential Unmasks Pricing Power: Companies with high or expanding margins possess strong economic moats—whether through brand loyalty, proprietary technology, or scale—allowing them to raise prices without losing customers. Exposes Cost Discipline: Comparing margins across multiple reporting periods reveals whether management can control operational overhead and cost of goods sold during inflationary cycles. Levels the Playing Field: Margins are expressed as percentages, allowing you to directly compare a small-cap niche player against...