M U M Ali Sabry

Diplomacy is not about winning arguments. It is about finding solutions. It is about knowing when to stand firm and when to compromise, always guided by principles, not ego. In a world that is increasingly divided, the ability to build bridges rather than walls will define true leadership.

It is always easy to sell a dream, especially one that is sweeping, emotive, and detached from reality. The more ambitious it sounds, the less it is questioned. In opposition, promises become easy currency. They cost nothing, demand nothing, and carry no immediate consequence. But governing is an entirely different discipline. It is not about rhetoric. It is about responsibility. It is about choices, trade offs, and constraints. It is about taking difficult decisions, often at political cost, to secure long term stability and credibility. It is about execution, consistent, measured, and accountable. The moment a promise meets reality, its true weight is revealed. What once inspired hope quickly becomes a burden when delivery falters. Credibility erodes. Public trust weakens. The gap between expectation and outcome breeds frustration and disillusionment. A nation cannot be governed on aspiration alone. It must be anchored in honesty, realism, and competence. Because in the end, people do not live on promises. They live on results.

The #ceasefire (US-Iran) announcement marks a pause, but more importantly, it reveals where each actor now stands. The United States has stepped back from the brink it created. A deadline backed by threats of overwhelming force has given way to a conditional pause built around negotiations. That signals not strength alone, but recognition of limits: military objectives may have been met, but political end states remain elusive. Israel, for its part, finds itself in a more ambiguous position. Having driven escalation, it is now tethered to a process it does not fully control. Its objectives, particularly around regime change or long-term degradation of Iran, sit uneasily with a negotiation track shaped elsewhere. Iran emerges with a measure of strategic resilience. It has absorbed strikes, retaliated, and then shifted the frame from ceasefire to conditions for a broader settlement: sanctions relief, security guarantees, and regional de-escalation. In doing so, it has moved from target to negotiating actor without conceding core positions. Pakistan’s role has unfolded not as architect, but as conduit and catalyst. It has provided the channel through which messages travelled, deadlines were softened, and a narrow diplomatic opening created. That is not mediation in the classic sense, but it cannot be dismissed with stray witticisms either. What we are witnessing is not resolution of conflict , but repositioning. The war has not ended. It has entered a different phase, where coercion and negotiation now proceed together. For India, the implication is clear. Do not read this as de-escalation alone. Read it as a system under strain, where outcomes are still fluid. India should state its position with clarity: support de-escalation, safeguard maritime flows, and resist alignment with any one narrative of this conflict. This is not a moment for silence. It is a moment for calibrated voice. #WestAsia #IranUSConflict #MiddleEastCrisis #StrategicAutonomy #IndiaForeignPolicy #Hormuz #MaritimeSecurity

I have always considered the so-called midweek Wednesday holiday to be a misfit, an ill - conceived measure that disrupted the natural momentum of the working week. It imposed a significant strain on continuity, with adverse ripple effects on education, public administration, and the broader functioning of the economy. I therefore welcome the government’s decision to reverse it promptly, without prolonging its negative consequences.

“Warm wishes to all who celebrate Easter. A reminder that even in difficult times, hope endures and renewal is always possible. May we move forward with compassion and resilience.”

“Sri Lanka Overtakes Russia, Germany, United Kingdom, India, Australia, China, and Countries with Over One Hundred Thousand Tourist Arrivals in Just the First 18 Days of March, Demonstrating Unprecedented Growth and Solidifying Its Status as a Powerhouse. travelandtourworld.com/news/article/s…

Those who once thundered against cost-reflective pricing now defend it with equal conviction. Time has a way of educating us all. Reality, unlike rhetoric, cannot be negotiated. There are no magic wand solutions, only difficult, evidence based decisions grounded in facts, discipline, and long-term thinking. Perhaps lived experience is the most honest teacher.

#WATCH | Rajasthan: Members of the Hindu community, under the aegis of Hindu-Muslim Ekta Samiti, shower flower petals on members of the Muslim community who offered namaz at Eidgah in Jaipur, on Eid ul-Fitr.

If anyone wants to give any credit to anyone for developing the National Fuel Pass QR based system, it should be to Jayantha De Silva & his team at ICTA, Supun Weerasinghe & his team at Dialog Axiata, Shevan Goonathilake & his team at Millenium IT. Their teams developed the platform within 2 weeks of our first meeting and rolled it out within a month at no cost to the government. It was implemented with the assistance & dedication of many more stakeholders.

If we look back dispassionately at 2022, Sri Lanka was grappling with the devastating aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic, further aggravated by the Russia–Ukraine conflict. Global prices of oil, gas, grain, coal and fertilizer surged dramatically. Economies like ours are particularly vulnerable to such external shocks. These were not issues that could be reduced to political slogans or partisan narratives. Ironically, many who fiercely opposed corrective measures at the time now find themselves defending and implementing the very same policies. Reality has a way of asserting itself. If the public begins to recognize that much of what is said in opposition is not always grounded in facts or workable solutions, that too is part of the evolution of a mature democracy. Sri Lanka will move forward through policies grounded in facts and responsibility, not through populism or political theatrics. Sometimes reality itself becomes the greatest teacher.

I also believe the Treasury must closely monitor foreign exchange outflows arising from vehicle imports. If circumstances demand, it may even be necessary to temporarily curb such imports, even though the measure may prove unpopular. If such restrictions are introduced, the government must issue clear and transparent guidelines on their application. These should address situations such as vehicles for which Letters of Credit have already been opened or shipments that are already in transit, so that genuine importers are not unfairly prejudiced. At the same time, safeguards must be put in place to prevent abuse. Experience shows that during periods of crisis, certain officials at points of control, including customs, may exploit the situation to extract undue gains under the cover of a national emergency. Such practices must be firmly prevented through strict oversight and accountability.

The implementation of the QR code system is a sensible and necessary decision. Sri Lanka simply cannot afford an escalating fuel bill or the further erosion of precious foreign exchange reserves. However, what could have been handled better was the prior integration of newly registered vehicles into the QR code system before the programme was put into operation. This gap now needs to be addressed urgently. If not resolved quickly, it risks creating unnecessary inconvenience and frustration among the public.

Unfortunately the crisis in the Middle East does not appear to be moving towards an early peaceful resolution. If the conflict prolongs Sri Lanka’s main sources of foreign exchange earnings could come under pressure. Exports, tourism and worker remittances may all be affected. At the same time our import bill may escalate, particularly for essential commodities such as oil, coal, grains and fertilizer. In simple terms, while our foreign exchange inflows may weaken, our outward payments may increase. This combination can quickly place serious strain on the balance of payments. We have seen a similar situation before. During the Covid pandemic and the Russia Ukraine conflict Sri Lanka was dangerously exposed to foreign currency shortages. The resulting pressure on the rupee and the economy ultimately culminated in the economic crisis of 2022. There are important lessons from that experience. The government should proactively run simulations under three possible scenarios. One month, three months and six months of continued conflict. Based on those assessments timely policy responses may be necessary. Prudent precautionary measures may include careful management of fuel consumption, reconsidering vehicle imports, curbing non essential luxury imports and closely monitoring foreign exchange inflows and outflows. The objective must be to preserve stability and prevent another balance of payments crisis. Sri Lanka has come a long way since the hardships of 2022. It would be wise to remain vigilant and prepared for external shocks. My sincere hope however is that the conflict is resolved quickly and that peace prevails in the region and across the world.

Sri Lanka’s decision to rescue the Iranian soldiers and grant innocent passage and docking facilities to the vessel reflects the finest traditions of our foreign policy. It is consistent with the proud legacy of independence and non alignment that has guided our nation for decades, and with Sri Lanka’s principled advocacy for the Indian Ocean to remain a Zone of Peace under the United Nations framework. At a time when many nations yield to pressure and expediency, this decision demonstrates courage, balance, and respect for international norms. Congratulations to the President for standing by these principles. Moments such as this remind us why we take pride in being Sri Lankan, a small island with a generous heart and a long tradition of principled diplomacy. 🇱🇰

The @UN General Assembly Res 2832 of 1971, declared Indian Ocean a "Zone of Peace" for all time. Initiated by @MFA_SriLanka & @MFATanzania , it called for halting military escalation, eliminating foreign military bases, and ensuring the area remains free of nuclear weapons

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon and Iran during this deeply troubling moment for the region. Ordinary citizens across these nations now find themselves drawn into a dangerous cycle of war, violence, instability and insecurity, largely through circumstances beyond their control or choice. It is always the innocent who bear the heaviest burden when tensions escalate. While Iran, like any sovereign nation, has the inherent right to defend itself, such a response must be directed only at those responsible for acts of aggression and not against neighbouring states that themselves seek stability and peace. The Middle East has endured far too many decades of conflict. What the region needs today is restraint, wisdom and renewed commitment to dialogue rather than further escalation. After all, nations cannot choose their neighbours. Geography is permanent, but peace is a choice. Let us therefore hope that statesmanship prevails, that tensions are de-escalated, and that this senseless cycle of violence gives way to a just and peaceful resolution. May peace prevail on Earth.

Re RW’s visit to the University of #Wolverhampton; Sophie Esson, Information Rights Manager, acting under the UK Freedom of Information Act 2000, has reported to hv confirmed that the invitation extended to President #RanilW in year 2023 is “Authentic”.

When elephants fight, it is the grass that gets trampled. A widening conflict in the Middle East will inevitably have devastating consequences for countries like ours through no fault of our own. Escalating oil prices will strain our fragile recovery. Remittances from the Middle East could decline. Our tea exports may face disruption. Tourism, so vital to our foreign exchange earnings, will feel the shockwaves. Small and vulnerable economies are always the first to feel the tremors of great power confrontation. Yet Sri Lanka has endured storms before. With prudence, resilience, and unity, we must once again navigate turbulent waters and, as history has shown, find a way not merely to survive, but to emerge stronger.

The power of arrest is one of the most intrusive powers given to the State and must always be exercised within strict legal boundaries. In Piyasiri and Others v. Nimal Fernando, ASP, and Others [1988] 1 SLR 173, our courts affirmed that arrests based on speculative or vague suspicion without identifying a specific offence are unlawful, and that the law does not sanction arrest as a means of fishing for evidence. This principle is echoed in Dumbell v. Roberts [1944] 1 All ER 326, where Scott LJ stated: “The principle of personal freedom, that every man should be presumed innocent until he is found guilty, applies also to the police function of arrest. For that reason, it is of importance that no one should be arrested by the police except on grounds which in the particular circumstances of the arrest really justify the entertainment of a reasonable suspicion.” No one is above the law yet equally, no one is below its protection. Arrest must follow evidence, not precede it. The arrest of Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka remains a reminder of how the misuse of arrest powers can damage institutions and public confidence. Repeating similar mistakes 16 years later, or weaponizing law enforcement to suit political narratives, only weakens the rule of law and undermines justice. Using such mistakes to justify, current flaws only displays the level ignorance as it is basic norm two wrongs make a right. Law enforcement and investigations exist for lawful purposes not for advancing competing political positions. Those who sacrificed to defeat LTTE terrorism, like every citizen, deserve fairness, restraint, and the full protection of due process. When principle gives way to expediency, the nation ultimately pays the price.

A deeply troubling day for the Sri Lanka Army and its Intelligence Corps. The arrest of Major General Suresh Sallay, an officer widely associated with the dismantling of the LTTE’s intelligence network, intelligence operations that led to the targeting of senior leadership including Tamilchelvan, and efforts connected to the apprehension of KP, raises serious concerns about the direction in which our national discourse is heading. These were officers who once placed their lives on the line to protect the nation during its most dangerous years. Today, many feel that those same individuals are being drawn into a political battlefield shaped less by evidence and more by competing narratives. Accountability under the law is essential in any democracy, but it must be pursued with fairness, restraint, and respect for institutional integrity. The Easter Sunday tragedy deserved a professional, evidence based inquiry focused on justice for victims and national security. Instead, what we increasingly witness is the transformation of a complex investigation into a public spectacle. International cooperation, including the extensive involvement of the FBI and U.S. authorities, has already taken place with investigations, prosecutions, and assistance provided. When even external partners indicate that further probes may not yield meaningful new outcomes, continuing to weaponise the issue for partisan gain risks damaging Sri Lanka’s credibility and long-term security interests. National security institutions cannot become collateral damage in political contests. Undermining officers who once safeguarded the country may offer temporary political advantage, but it weakens morale within the armed forces and sends a troubling signal to those tasked with protecting the nation. Sri Lanka must pursue truth and justice, but through law, evidence, and responsible leadership, not through theatrics designed to mislead or divide. History will judge not only those who served in difficult times, but also those who chose to politicise matters that demanded unity and maturity.