[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-shell":3,"taxonomy":3,"breaking":4,"article-the-case-for-reforming-local-government-finance":18,"comments-the-case-for-reforming-local-government-finance":51,"related-the-case-for-reforming-local-government-finance":60},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":37,"coverMediaId":39,"galleryMediaIds":40,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":41,"isBreaking":42,"isFeatured":42,"isPinned":42,"allowComments":3,"visibility":43,"location":11,"stats":44,"relatedArticleIds":50},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a5917f","en","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,"standard","published","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad22",[30],[33,34,35,36],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad37","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad30","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad36","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad31",[38],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad43","6a88f165ae8b28c3f2a5905e",[],"2026-07-25T00:46:30.168Z",false,"public",{"views":45,"uniqueViews":46,"shares":47,"comments":48,"likes":48,"trendScore":49},2646,1953,6,1,123,[],{"data":52,"meta":59},[53],{"id":54,"articleId":20,"parentId":11,"authorName":55,"body":56,"likes":57,"createdAt":58},"6a88f1661984b727d3b0b3df","Ishara Perera","Been waiting for news on this for weeks, glad to finally see it.",20,"2026-08-21T00:46:30.664Z",{"total":48,"page":48,"limit":27,"hasMore":42},{"data":61},[62,82,103,125,144,164],{"id":63,"lang":21,"title":64,"subtitle":65,"slug":66,"excerpt":67,"html":68,"readingTimeSec":27,"seo":11,"type":28,"status":29,"primaryCategoryId":30,"categoryIds":69,"tagIds":70,"authorIds":73,"coverMediaId":39,"galleryMediaIds":74,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":75,"isBreaking":42,"isFeatured":42,"isPinned":42,"allowComments":3,"visibility":43,"location":11,"stats":76,"relatedArticleIds":81},"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],[71,72],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad39","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad23",[38],[],"2026-08-22T00:46:30.190Z",{"views":77,"uniqueViews":78,"shares":79,"comments":48,"likes":80,"trendScore":77},277,168,2,3,[],{"id":83,"lang":21,"title":84,"subtitle":85,"slug":86,"excerpt":87,"html":88,"readingTimeSec":27,"seo":11,"type":28,"status":29,"primaryCategoryId":30,"categoryIds":89,"tagIds":90,"authorIds":93,"coverMediaId":39,"galleryMediaIds":94,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":95,"isBreaking":42,"isFeatured":42,"isPinned":42,"allowComments":3,"visibility":43,"location":11,"stats":96,"relatedArticleIds":102},"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],[72,91,92],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad24","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad29",[38],[],"2026-08-18T00:46:30.175Z",{"views":97,"uniqueViews":98,"shares":79,"comments":99,"likes":100,"trendScore":101},1153,833,0,45,414,[],{"id":104,"lang":21,"title":105,"subtitle":106,"slug":107,"excerpt":108,"html":109,"readingTimeSec":27,"seo":11,"type":28,"status":29,"primaryCategoryId":30,"categoryIds":110,"tagIds":111,"authorIds":116,"coverMediaId":39,"galleryMediaIds":117,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":118,"isBreaking":42,"isFeatured":3,"isPinned":42,"allowComments":3,"visibility":43,"location":11,"stats":119,"relatedArticleIds":124},"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],[112,113,114,115],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad32","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad38","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad35","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad28",[38],[],"2026-08-10T00:46:30.160Z",{"views":120,"uniqueViews":121,"shares":122,"comments":48,"likes":48,"trendScore":123},3057,2301,17,335,[],{"id":126,"lang":21,"title":127,"subtitle":128,"slug":129,"excerpt":130,"html":131,"readingTimeSec":27,"seo":11,"type":28,"status":29,"primaryCategoryId":30,"categoryIds":132,"tagIds":133,"authorIds":134,"coverMediaId":39,"galleryMediaIds":135,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":136,"isBreaking":42,"isFeatured":42,"isPinned":42,"allowComments":3,"visibility":43,"location":11,"stats":137,"relatedArticleIds":143},"6a88f166ae8b28c3f2a59189","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],[112,71,33],[38],[],"2026-08-08T00:46:30.180Z",{"views":138,"uniqueViews":139,"shares":140,"comments":99,"likes":141,"trendScore":142},1346,1128,14,26,139,[],{"id":145,"lang":21,"title":146,"subtitle":147,"slug":148,"excerpt":149,"html":150,"readingTimeSec":27,"seo":11,"type":28,"status":29,"primaryCategoryId":30,"categoryIds":151,"tagIds":152,"authorIds":154,"coverMediaId":39,"galleryMediaIds":155,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":156,"isBreaking":42,"isFeatured":42,"isPinned":42,"allowComments":3,"visibility":43,"location":11,"stats":157,"relatedArticleIds":163},"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],[153,33,71],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad25",[38],[],"2026-07-28T00:46:30.172Z",{"views":158,"uniqueViews":159,"shares":160,"comments":99,"likes":161,"trendScore":162},2435,1861,10,22,128,[],{"id":165,"lang":21,"title":166,"subtitle":167,"slug":168,"excerpt":169,"html":170,"readingTimeSec":27,"seo":11,"type":28,"status":29,"primaryCategoryId":30,"categoryIds":171,"tagIds":172,"authorIds":175,"coverMediaId":39,"galleryMediaIds":177,"videoUrl":11,"publishedAt":178,"isBreaking":42,"isFeatured":42,"isPinned":42,"allowComments":3,"visibility":43,"location":11,"stats":179,"relatedArticleIds":184},"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],[173,34,112,174],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad2e","6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad3b",[38,176],"6a88f1651984b727d3b0ad40",[],"2026-07-20T00:46:30.185Z",{"views":180,"uniqueViews":181,"shares":47,"comments":99,"likes":182,"trendScore":183},2200,1725,60,72,[]]