Building Back Better: Lessons from Cyclone Ditwah’s Human and Economic Toll in Sri Lanka
In November 2025, Cyclone Ditwah hit Sri Lanka with unprecedented force, causing severe flooding and landslides in all districts. The disaster led to over 600 deaths, hundreds missing, and affected more than 2 million people, marking it as one of the country's worst emergencies. World Bank estimates put direct damage at US $4.1 billion, about 4% of GDP, mainly impacting infrastructure, housing, and agriculture. Total reconstruction needs may reach US $6–7 billion, prompting international aid. This paper outlines the cyclone’s human and economic impact, reviews responses, and discusses future resilience challenges
Addressing Disadvantage in the Future of Learning: AI's Impact, Issues, and Challenges
The integration of AI into education has transformed learning methods and outcomes, promising personalized learning and broader access. Yet, concerns are rising over exacerbating educational disparities, especially for disadvantaged students. This abstract examines AI's impact on learning's future, focusing on challenges for disadvantaged groups. Primary issues include the risk of deepening existing inequalities due to limited access to technology, digital literacy gaps, and unequal resource distribution. Algorithmic bias in AI systems may reinforce stereotypes and disadvantage certain student groups, while reliance on AI assessments raises ethical concerns regarding privacy and data security, particularly for vulnerable students. Addressing these challenges demands an inclusive, ethical approach prioritizing equity, inclusivity, and policy frameworks to ensure fair access to AI-driven education for all.
"Service Quality of Cellular Mobile Service Operators in Sri Lanka -A comparative analysis of customer satisfaction"
Sri Lanka has witnessed a substantial increase in mobile phone penetration, with a large portion of the population owning a mobile device. According to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), the mobile penetration rate reached around 134% by the end of 2021, indicating that there are more mobile connections than there are people in the country. Alongside mobile phone usage, internet penetration in Sri Lanka has also been increasing steadily. Mobile broadband has seen significant growth in recent years, driven by the expansion of 4G and 5G networks. According to the TRCSL, the number of broadband connections in Sri Lanka surpassed 11 million by the end of 2021. The adoption of smartphones has been a key driver of mobile internet usage in Sri Lanka. With the availability of affordable smartphones and improved network infrastructure, more Sri Lankans are accessing the internet and using mobile apps for various purposes, including communication, entertainment, and e-commerce.