For all their faults the British left an amazing legacy of infrastructure that was ready for another one hundred years. However, those roads are now poor, the bridges crumble and buses and trains are delayed. Malinvestment since the end of the British occupation was a unifying factor of all governments since. However, things have now changed with the current regime. A slew of infrastructure projects are off the ground and others being lined up. What many of them now have in common is the lack of any debate on the need, or the suitability of some of them. Infrastructure is long term in nature and has to be backed by proven demand. In our lead opinion this month, we examine the infrastructure renaissance and its ego stoking pork laden directions.
New beginnings are more difficult in the former war zone and as the country celebrates another year of freedom from occupation, we have a story of remarkable resilience of a school in Killinochchi. While peace has settled quickly in many parts of the island, this school epitomises the challenges facing reconciliation and equality.
One time high profile BOI Chairman Thilan Wijesinghe, who is on the cover this month, is taking a new career path as an entrepreneur. Wijesinghe has shunned the quick riches of leveraged buyouts that are the rage. Instead, he is concentrating on start-ups capable of leading or dominating their chosen space. He is focused on creating pockets of excellence and some of the ventures where he is a director and minority shareholder are already achieving this.