[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-shell":3,"taxonomy":3,"breaking":4,"article-cricket-identity-and-the-weight-of-national-expectation":18,"comments-cricket-identity-and-the-weight-of-national-expectation":51,"related-cricket-identity-and-the-weight-of-national-expectation":55},true,{"data":5},{"articles":6,"ticker":7},[],[8,12,15],{"id":9,"text":10,"link":11},"6a88f1671984b727d3b0b4a0","Parliament passes amended budget bill after marathon debate",null,{"id":13,"text":14,"link":11},"6a88f1671984b727d3b0b4a1","Central Bank holds policy rate steady amid inflation concerns",{"id":16,"text":17,"link":11},"6a88f1671984b727d3b0b4a2","Sri Lanka clinches series win over Bangladesh in thrilling finish",{"data":19},{"id":20,"lang":21,"title":22,"subtitle":23,"slug":24,"excerpt":25,"html":26,"readingTimeSec":27,"seo":11,"type":28,"status":29,"primaryCategoryId":30,"categoryIds":31,"tagIds":32,"authorIds":36,"coverMediaId":38,"galleryMediaIds":39,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":40,"isBreaking":41,"isFeatured":41,"isPinned":41,"allowComments":3,"visibility":42,"location":11,"stats":43,"relatedArticleIds":50},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a59189","en","Cricket, Identity, and the Weight of National Expectation","A columnist reflects on what the national team means beyond the scoreboard.","cricket-identity-and-the-weight-of-national-expectation","A columnist reflects on what the national team means beyond the scoreboard. Figures shared with reporters show a 11% change compared to the same period last year.","\u003Cp>Figures shared with reporters show a 11% change compared to the same period last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news comes as public interest in the Opinion sector continues to grow across the island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>The numbers are encouraging, but there is still a lot of work ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>Independent Analyst\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Similar programmes are being considered for other districts\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>A follow-up review is scheduled within the next few months\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Community groups welcomed the announcement\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cfigure>\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fee344cfc-f9e8-4be0-9980-5cf9a0c02bfd\u002Foriginal.jpg\" alt=\"Opinion illustration\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Opinion — file photo\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Cp>More updates are expected in the coming weeks as the situation develops.\u003C\u002Fp>",30,"standard","published","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad22",[30],[33,34,35],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad32","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad39","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad37",[37],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad43","6a88f165ae8b28c3f2a5905e",[],"2026-08-08T00:46:30.180Z",false,"public",{"views":44,"uniqueViews":45,"shares":46,"comments":47,"likes":48,"trendScore":49},1346,1128,14,0,26,139,[],{"data":52,"meta":53},[],{"total":47,"page":54,"limit":27,"hasMore":41},1,{"data":56},[57,76,96,117,137,158],{"id":58,"lang":21,"title":59,"subtitle":60,"slug":61,"excerpt":62,"html":63,"readingTimeSec":27,"seo":11,"type":28,"status":29,"primaryCategoryId":30,"categoryIds":64,"tagIds":65,"authorIds":67,"coverMediaId":38,"galleryMediaIds":68,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":69,"isBreaking":41,"isFeatured":41,"isPinned":41,"allowComments":3,"visibility":42,"location":11,"stats":70,"relatedArticleIds":75},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a59190","Lessons for Sri Lanka From the Region’s Green Transition","Neighbouring economies offer a mixed but instructive model to learn from.","lessons-for-sri-lanka-from-the-regions-green-transition","Neighbouring economies offer a mixed but instructive model to learn from. Figures shared with reporters show a 22% change compared to the same period last year.","\u003Cp>Figures shared with reporters show a 22% change compared to the same period last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officials say similar initiatives elsewhere have produced encouraging early results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Community groups welcomed the announcement\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Similar programmes are being considered for other districts\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>A follow-up review is scheduled within the next few months\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Officials confirmed the details in a press briefing on Matara\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cfigure>\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fed1fa8ff-504a-4e1a-8f56-7db6c2aa98b4\u002Foriginal.jpg\" alt=\"Opinion illustration\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Opinion — file photo\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Cp>More updates are expected in the coming weeks as the situation develops.\u003C\u002Fp>",[30],[34,66],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad23",[37],[],"2026-08-22T00:46:30.190Z",{"views":71,"uniqueViews":72,"shares":73,"comments":54,"likes":74,"trendScore":71},277,168,2,3,[],{"id":77,"lang":21,"title":78,"subtitle":79,"slug":80,"excerpt":81,"html":82,"readingTimeSec":27,"seo":11,"type":28,"status":29,"primaryCategoryId":30,"categoryIds":83,"tagIds":84,"authorIds":87,"coverMediaId":38,"galleryMediaIds":88,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":89,"isBreaking":41,"isFeatured":41,"isPinned":41,"allowComments":3,"visibility":42,"location":11,"stats":90,"relatedArticleIds":95},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a59185","Rethinking Sri Lanka’s Approach to Renewable Energy","Ambitious targets mean little without grid investment to match them.","rethinking-sri-lankas-approach-to-renewable-energy","Ambitious targets mean little without grid investment to match them. The initiative is expected to reach roughly 4165 people across the country in its first phase.","\u003Cp>The initiative is expected to reach roughly 4165 people across the country in its first phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officials say similar initiatives elsewhere have produced encouraging early results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>The numbers are encouraging, but there is still a lot of work ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>Independent Analyst\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Community groups welcomed the announcement\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Officials confirmed the details in a press briefing on Ratnapura\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Similar programmes are being considered for other districts\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>Authorities say progress will be reviewed again before the end of the year.\u003C\u002Fp>",[30],[66,85,86],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad24","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad29",[37],[],"2026-08-18T00:46:30.175Z",{"views":91,"uniqueViews":92,"shares":73,"comments":47,"likes":93,"trendScore":94},1153,833,45,415,[],{"id":97,"lang":21,"title":98,"subtitle":99,"slug":100,"excerpt":101,"html":102,"readingTimeSec":27,"seo":11,"type":28,"status":29,"primaryCategoryId":30,"categoryIds":103,"tagIds":104,"authorIds":108,"coverMediaId":38,"galleryMediaIds":109,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":110,"isBreaking":41,"isFeatured":3,"isPinned":41,"allowComments":3,"visibility":42,"location":11,"stats":111,"relatedArticleIds":116},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a5917b","Why Sri Lanka’s Tourism Recovery Needs More Than Numbers","Arrival statistics look strong, but the columnist argues quality of jobs matters more.","why-sri-lankas-tourism-recovery-needs-more-than-numbers","Arrival statistics look strong, but the columnist argues quality of jobs matters more. Figures shared with reporters show a 21% change compared to the same period last year.","\u003Cp>Figures shared with reporters show a 21% change compared to the same period last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news comes as public interest in the Opinion sector continues to grow across the island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>This is a meaningful step, but sustained effort is what will make it count.\u003C\u002Fp>Ministry Official\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>A follow-up review is scheduled within the next few months\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Community groups welcomed the announcement\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Officials confirmed the details in a press briefing on Nuwara Eliya\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>Authorities say progress will be reviewed again before the end of the year.\u003C\u002Fp>",[30],[33,105,106,107],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad38","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad35","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad28",[37],[],"2026-08-10T00:46:30.160Z",{"views":112,"uniqueViews":113,"shares":114,"comments":54,"likes":54,"trendScore":115},3057,2301,17,335,[],{"id":118,"lang":21,"title":119,"subtitle":120,"slug":121,"excerpt":122,"html":123,"readingTimeSec":27,"seo":11,"type":28,"status":29,"primaryCategoryId":30,"categoryIds":124,"tagIds":125,"authorIds":127,"coverMediaId":38,"galleryMediaIds":128,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":129,"isBreaking":41,"isFeatured":41,"isPinned":41,"allowComments":3,"visibility":42,"location":11,"stats":130,"relatedArticleIds":136},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a59182","What the New Budget Really Means for Working Families","Beyond the headline figures, the columnist unpacks who actually benefits.","what-the-new-budget-really-means-for-working-families","Beyond the headline figures, the columnist unpacks who actually benefits. The initiative is expected to reach roughly 4604 people across the country in its first phase.","\u003Cp>The initiative is expected to reach roughly 4604 people across the country in its first phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news comes as public interest in the Opinion sector continues to grow across the island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>The numbers are encouraging, but there is still a lot of work ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>Independent Analyst\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Officials confirmed the details in a press briefing on Trincomalee\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>A follow-up review is scheduled within the next few months\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Community groups welcomed the announcement\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>Authorities say progress will be reviewed again before the end of the year.\u003C\u002Fp>",[30],[126,35,34],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad25",[37],[],"2026-07-28T00:46:30.172Z",{"views":131,"uniqueViews":132,"shares":133,"comments":47,"likes":134,"trendScore":135},2436,1861,10,22,128,[],{"id":138,"lang":21,"title":139,"subtitle":140,"slug":141,"excerpt":142,"html":143,"readingTimeSec":27,"seo":11,"type":28,"status":29,"primaryCategoryId":30,"categoryIds":144,"tagIds":145,"authorIds":149,"coverMediaId":38,"galleryMediaIds":150,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":151,"isBreaking":41,"isFeatured":41,"isPinned":41,"allowComments":3,"visibility":42,"location":11,"stats":152,"relatedArticleIds":157},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a5917f","The Case for Reforming Local Government Finance","Councils cannot deliver services when their revenue base remains this narrow.","the-case-for-reforming-local-government-finance","Councils cannot deliver services when their revenue base remains this narrow. The initiative is expected to reach roughly 5559 people across the country in its first phase.","\u003Cp>The initiative is expected to reach roughly 5559 people across the country in its first phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officials say similar initiatives elsewhere have produced encouraging early results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Community groups welcomed the announcement\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>A follow-up review is scheduled within the next few months\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Similar programmes are being considered for other districts\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cfigure>\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F08\u002F08f65ade-fff6-418e-ad96-9613c85ebe1e\u002Foriginal.jpg\" alt=\"Opinion illustration\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Opinion — file photo\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Cp>Authorities say progress will be reviewed again before the end of the year.\u003C\u002Fp>",[30],[35,146,147,148],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad30","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad36","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad31",[37],[],"2026-07-25T00:46:30.168Z",{"views":153,"uniqueViews":154,"shares":155,"comments":54,"likes":54,"trendScore":156},2647,1953,6,124,[],{"id":159,"lang":21,"title":160,"subtitle":161,"slug":162,"excerpt":163,"html":164,"readingTimeSec":27,"seo":11,"type":28,"status":29,"primaryCategoryId":30,"categoryIds":165,"tagIds":166,"authorIds":169,"coverMediaId":38,"galleryMediaIds":171,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":172,"isBreaking":41,"isFeatured":41,"isPinned":41,"allowComments":3,"visibility":42,"location":11,"stats":173,"relatedArticleIds":178},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a5918c","Digital Literacy Should Be a National Priority, Not an Afterthought","Connectivity alone will not close the gap without basic skills training.","digital-literacy-should-be-a-national-priority-not-an-afterthought","Connectivity alone will not close the gap without basic skills training. The development was confirmed by officials in Trincomalee this week, following months of preparation behind the scenes.","\u003Cp>The development was confirmed by officials in Trincomalee this week, following months of preparation behind the scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news comes as public interest in the Opinion sector continues to grow across the island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>The numbers are encouraging, but there is still a lot of work ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>Independent Analyst\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Community groups welcomed the announcement\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>A follow-up review is scheduled within the next few months\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Officials confirmed the details in a press briefing on Trincomalee\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Similar programmes are being considered for other districts\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>Authorities say progress will be reviewed again before the end of the year.\u003C\u002Fp>",[30],[167,146,33,168],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad2e","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad3b",[37,170],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad40",[],"2026-07-20T00:46:30.185Z",{"views":174,"uniqueViews":175,"shares":155,"comments":47,"likes":176,"trendScore":177},2200,1725,60,73,[]]