Eid-ul-Fitr greetings

The Arima website is delighted to extend heartfelt Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to all Muslims in Sri Lanka who celebrate this joyous occasion, joining millions of fellow believers across the world.

After a month of fasting and spiritual devotion, the Muslim community observes Eid-ul-Fitr as a day of prayer, gratitude, and togetherness.

May this blessed festival bring peace, spiritual fulfillment, and divine blessings to all.

Let this Eid be a celebration of love, boundless brotherhood, and deep friendships, strengthening unity and harmony among all.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous and blessed Eid!

Empowering Women in the 21st Century: A Call for Gender Equality and Social Progress

In the rapidly evolving 21st century, where technological advancements shape the world, women have long been celebrated as creators, nurturers, and even deities in various cultural traditions. Women have established themselves in diverse fields, such as art, politics, education, economics, culture, sports, science, entrepreneurship, law, and innovation, securing prestigious and respectable positions on an international level.

Gone are the days of female subjugation. Today, women are soaring high as pilots, leading groundbreaking science research, revolutionizing the IT sector, and excelling in countless other professions. The emergence of educated and empowered women is not only transforming households but also making a mark in governance, leadership, and tradition while maintaining familial and societal harmony.

2023-2024- A Year of Climate Extremes in the Amazon

1. Record-high temperatures and Droughts

According to Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the Amazon Basin recorded average annual temperatures exceeding 2°C above pre-industrial levels between late 2023 and 2024, marking the hottest year on record for the region. This extreme heat has intensified prolonged drought conditions, with major rivers—including the Rio Negro, a critical waterway in the Amazon—reaching their lowest levels in over a century (INPE, 2024).

Such droughts have severely impacted local communities, leading to water shortages, crop failures, and the displacement of thousands who rely on the rainforest’s ecosystem for sustenance. Fisheries, a staple food source, have been devastated as lower water levels and higher temperatures result in massive fish die-offs.

Batticaloa District’s Agricultural Potential: Why Are Farmers Still Struggling?

Introduction

Batticaloa, a key agricultural region in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, contributes approximately 8.5% of the country’s total rice output. Despite its fertile land and significant production levels, local farmers face numerous challenges that prevent them from achieving sustainable profits. Limited irrigation access, middlemen exploitation, poor post-harvest infrastructure, and lack of local processing facilities continue to hinder the agricultural sector's potential.

According to the Sri Lanka Department of Agriculture (2024), farmers in Batticaloa receive 35% less per kilogram of rice compared to millers in Colombo. Additionally, the Eastern Provincial Council (2023) reports that 45% of Batticaloa’s agricultural produce is processed outside the district, leading to economic losses for local farmers and reducing employment opportunities in the region.

This article examines the key challenges, government measures, existing gaps, and recommendations to improve the agricultural sector in Batticaloa.

Sri Lanka’s Economic Path: Reform or Repetition?

The National People’s Power (NPP) came to power with a vision of "a thriving nation, a beautiful life," promising a productive economy and the elimination of waste and corruption. However, a government’s first budget is a reflection of its policy direction, and unfortunately, the current administration's proposals fail to break away from the failed neoliberal economic model that has plagued Sri Lanka since 1977.

Rather than initiating a decisive shift towards economic sovereignty and long-term national development, the NPP government appears to be continuing within the restrictive framework of the 17th IMF programme—an agreement inherited from the previous administration and left unchallenged. The IMF's policies prioritize debt repayment and fiscal austerity over national development, locking countries like Sri Lanka into cycles of economic dependency and underdevelopment. Without a structural transformation that prioritizes industrialization, self-sufficiency, and economic modernization, the current policy direction risks deepening the country’s crisis rather than resolving it.

Development in Crisis- How the End of USAID Projects Threatens Third-World Economies

Introduction

For decades, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been a cornerstone of economic growth, humanitarian aid, and social development in developing nations. With billions of dollars in funding directed toward healthcare, education, infrastructure, and governance reforms, USAID has played a pivotal role in stabilizing fragile economies and fostering long-term growth. However, recent budget cuts, shifting geopolitical priorities, and donor fatigue have led to the termination or reduction of several USAID programs, raising concerns about the future of development in third-world economies.

The AI Revolution and Job Displacement: Who Wins and Who Loses?

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, enhancing efficiency, and reshaping the global economy. However, this technological shift raises a critical question: At what cost to human jobs? While AI-driven automation promises productivity gains and new economic opportunities, it also poses risks of job displacement, widening income inequality, and workforce disruption.

Governments, businesses, and workers must adapt to this new reality by implementing strategic workforce planning, upskilling initiatives, and regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with social equity. This article explores the winners and losers of AI-driven automation, its impact on labor markets, and key policy recommendations based on real-world data and publicly available sources.