New publication alert. We are thrilled to share that our colleagues, Deepanjalie Abeywardana, Director, Verité Media and Politics, and @rochel3241, Programme Lead at @VeriteResearch, have co-authored Chapter 8 of the newly published Routledge book, Democracy, Protest and Resilience: Reflections on the Aragalaya Uprising in #SriLanka. Titled “Analysing Aragalaya Through the Lens of the Mainstream Media,” the chapter explores how the mainstream Sinhala-language media reported on and shaped the trajectory of the aragalaya between March and August 2022. Drawing on insights from Verité Research’s publications and public-service platforms including the Macro-Media Political Analysis, The Mood of the Nation, and Ethics Eye, the authors examine how media framing evolved across four distinct stages: emergence, expansion, climax, and decline. 🛒 Now available on Amazon: amazon.com/dp/104103329X?lv=… Read more about how media reporting both reflected and shaped public discourse during this pivotal period.

On 29 September 2026, @VeriteResearch, together with @OpenBudgets and the European Union (EU), presented the findings of the Open Budget Survey (OBS) 2025 to the Department of National Budget. The discussion highlighted #SriLanka’s improved OBS score and the gaps that remain in budget transparency and public participation. Officials expressed interest in further improving Sri Lanka’s OBS performance and welcomed Verité Research’s Budget Proposal Hub as a means of bringing more public input into budget decisions. The discussion marked a positive step towards a more transparent, accountable, and participatory budget process. #OpenBudgetSurvey #BudgetTransparency

Who benefits from economic decisions and who bears the costs? At “Beyond Disclosure: Making Fiscal Governance Work for People in Asia and Pacific” in Bangkok, Verité Research Executive Director Dr @NCdeMel argued that fiscal transparency must go beyond publishing budget decisions. People need the information, independent analysis and public discussion necessary to shape those decisions. He outlined three priorities for democratising budgeting and economic planning: 1. Open up the data behind decisions: Give people access not only to what is in the budget, but also to the underlying fiscal and economic information used to design it. 2. Strengthen independent analysis: Equip civil society and think tanks to assess policy options and their consequences—including effects on poverty and inequality, rather than economic growth alone. 3. Enable genuine public debate: Bring these consequences into public discussion, allowing society to weigh whose interests are served, who bears the costs, and which outcomes it is willing to accept. Dr de Mel proposed assessing the social impacts of policy decisions, including their effects on inequality through a separate social diagnostic. Every policy decision creates winners and losers, and democracy requires a genuinely public conversation to balance these interests. The event was held on 13 October 2026 as part of the Civil Society Policy Forum at the IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok. It was organised by @OpenBudgets, with @VeriteResearch among the co-hosts.

How can governments strengthen accountability and prevent public debt risks from accumulating? At the "Debt Governance 2.0" roundtable in Bangkok, @VeriteResearch Executive Director Dr @NCdeMel proposed five structural approaches to improve public finance governance and prevent fiscal risks from accumulating unnoticed. To ensure accountability before public liabilities materialise, Dr de Mel outlined the following mechanisms: Incentivise better governance: Use external commitments, such as governance-linked bonds, to create financial incentives for improving public finance management. Limit government guarantees: Require parliamentary approval for state-owned enterprise (SOE) borrowing to make potential public liabilities visible. Strengthen SOE transparency: Bring SOEs under stock-exchange disclosure requirements to ensure greater financial transparency and independent regulatory oversight. Make disclosure a legal prerequisite: Amend laws so procurement contracts only become legally valid after mandatory disclosures and feasibility assessments are fulfilled. Remove implicit guarantees: Allow SOEs without explicit government backing to face insolvency, forcing lenders to assess risks appropriately rather than automatically transferring liabilities to the state. The roundtable, held as part of the Bangkok Economic Festival 2026 on 12 October, was organised by @energyforgrowth, @IISD_news, @OpenBudgets, and the Sovereign Debt Forum. #DebtGovernance #PublicFinance #EconomicGovernance #VeriteResearch

How can governments, economies, and societies build resilience in a world facing multiple, overlapping crises? A polycrisis refers to a situation where several interconnected challenges, such as climate change, pandemics, trade tensions, and technological disruption, occur simultaneously. As these challenges become increasingly common, addressing them requires rethinking the core objectives of public policy. Join us for “Moving Beyond Bandaids: Navigating Through Polycrises,” a discussion led Sudharshan Canagarajah, a development economist with extensive experience at the World Bank. The session will explore how governments can respond to interconnected global challenges and what it takes to build resilient states, economies, and societies. Register now: forms.cloud.microsoft/r/KXEi…

Can #India build a more sustainable economic partnership in #SriLanka? In a chapter published in the book, Perspectives from and within India and its Neighborhood, @VeriteResearch International Economics team examines the lessons of past infrastructure financing in Sri Lanka. Co-authored by @Mathisha1234 and @MalindaMeegoda, the chapter—titled "The Paradox of Permissive Finance: Lessons for India from China’s “Win-Win” Engagement in Sri Lanka"—unpacks the balance between rapid capital flow, governance frameworks, and debt sustainability. As India steps up as a key regional economic partner, the analysis highlights why transparent governance is essential for long-term project success. @ChintanResearch #InternationalTrade #EconomicGovernance #SriLanka #India #VeriteResearch

We’re hiring a Senior Programme Coordinator for the Economics Research Team at @VeriteResearch, Colombo. In this role you’ll plan and manage research projects from workflows and budgets to vendors and timelines, track impact, and compile evidence-based reports for senior leadership. The position has the potential to grow into a strategic, team-leading role. We’re looking for 3+ years managing complex projects, a relevant degree, a structured and proactive work ethic, and excellent English. Sinhala or Tamil is an advantage. To apply, send your CV and cover letter, including a brief account of your past project management achievements, to [email protected].

Deepanjalie Abeywardana, Director, Verité Media and Politics of Verité Research, spoke at Ananda College, Colombo 10, during the "Nextgen Media Leaders 2026" workshop held on 2 October. The Department of Government Information and the Sri Lanka Broadcasters Guild (SLBG) jointly organised the event at Kularatne Hall. During her session, "Media Landscape 2026 – Why Main Line Media is Important?", she addressed students on #SriLanka's and global media landscape and current challenges such as AI, deepfakes, and changing audience behaviour.

How can stories resist power— and when do they reinforce it? Speculative fiction does more than imagine alternate worlds, Nishara argues. It can challenge dominant ideas, but it can also reinforce them — shaping how we think about empire, intervention, power and the “other”. When does fiction resist hegemony, and when does it help legitimise it? Dr. Nishara Mendis is a Visiting Fellow at Verité Research, and formerly an academic at the University of Colombo. Her research interests are mainly in Public International Law topics, as well as the interface of law with literature, popular culture and religion. Date: 8th October, 2026 Time: 4:30pm to 6:00pm Address: In person - 165/1 Park Road, Colombo 5 Register and save your seat using this link: forms.cloud.microsoft/r/2zrW…

From stability to real-economic progress. At the Sunday Times Business Club, Our Lead Economist @R_R_Prabu discussed the priorities for the upcoming Budget 2027. While macro-fiscal stability has largely been achieved, the focus must now shift to converting those gains into real improvements in poverty, employment, and living standards. He highlighted the necessity of a clear development plan and the need to approach revenue collection through a lens of equity and fairness. #SriLanka

Deepanjalie Abeywardana, Director, Verité Media and Politics of Verité Research, spoke today at a media awareness program titled "Sexual Violence against Women and Children: Responsibility, Ethics, and Challenges in Media Reporting". Deepanjalie is also a member of South Asian Women in Media (SAWM). The event was jointly organised by SAWM - Sri Lanka and the Parivartan organisation @SLPI. During her session, she addressed journalists on the critical importance of ethical media practices and responsibility when reporting on sexual violence concerning women and children.

Catch our Director, Law & Governance Division, @SankhithaG, live on tomorrow's Pathikada. #Governance #AntiCorruption