Someone had to say it

This week served up a mix of heat, hype, and a whole lot of heartburn. A globally beloved cooking show finally lands on Lankan soil. Shah Rukh Khan is touching down on our island again, and if you heard a collective gasp across Colombo, now you know why. And while the government promises our online orders will resume “soon,” Sri Lankans are stuck watching their shopping carts turn into luxury-taxed nightmares. Let’s get into it.

Sri Lanka, You've Been Chosen.

For years, Sri Lankans have watched MasterChef with the same energy we reserve for cricket finals and political scandals. We've cheered for the odd Lankan contestant on MasterChef Australia, claimed them as national heroes, and tweeted “that’s our girl” when they made a perfect dish.

Now? We don’t have to squint at someone’s last name and guess their ancestry. Because MasterChef is officially in Sri Lanka, and it’s bringing heat to a kitchen near you.

This isn’t just another Sunday afternoon cook-off. It’s the global MasterChef format — rights bought, standards upheld, drama included — and it’s finally giving Sri Lankan home cooks a shot at fame. Traditional recipes passed down from achchis to TikTokers, sambols that slap, and curries that cure heartbreak? They're all about to hit primetime.

And in a country where reality TV has long been stuck on a loop of singing competitions and sob stories, this feels like a fresh plate of something we actually ordered.

Last Word: We’ve been MasterChef stans for years. Now it’s our turn to turn up the heat, and serve.

King Khan Comes to Colombo

Shah Rukh Khan is officially on his way back to Sri Lanka, and honestly, we never thought we’d see the day. After what happened the last time he performed here (let’s just say it ended abruptly and for very valid reasons), it felt unlikely he’d ever return. Understandably.

But now, nearly two decades later, he’s headed back for a high-profile, invite-only event, and Lankan fans are buzzing. For a country that’s long adored King Khan (and still quotes DDLJ like it came out last week), this feels like a second chance at a proper welcome.

Last Word: We may not all score an invite, but just knowing SRK’s on our shores again? That’s enough to make the island swoon.

Where Did My Cart Go?

People were convinced Sri Lanka got ghosted by AliExpress, Amazon, and Temu. But plot twist, they’re technically still shipping here. It’s just that your orders now come with a side of chaos, a stack of forms, and a tax bill that makes you question your life choices.

Thanks to Sri Lanka Customs tightening its grip (in addition to a new 18% VAT slapped on non-resident digital services), that ₨700 lip liner is now being treated like a high-end import. And here’s the kicker: it’s not even about regulating big business anymore. The crackdown came because people were bulk-importing Temu finds and dodging taxes, so now even your single pair of fuzzy socks is being treated like a black-market operation.

What used to be a small, satisfying joy — kitchen gadgets, obscure tech accessories and everything in between — is now buried under HS codes, shipping delays, and surprise customs charges. And people are understandably frustrated. Not just because it's inconvenient, but because it feels unfair. Online, people are saying it plainly: only the poor get taxed in this country.

The rich stay loophole-lubricated and untouched, while everyday consumers pay the price, literally. Once again, it’s the small joys that are being stripped away.

Last Word: Sri Lanka didn’t lose access to e-commerce. We just made it exhausting. So unless you’re ready to pay a “just because” tax and gamble with customs, maybe keep those Temu hauls in your cart... and in your dreams.

Until next week, stay curious, stay crispy, and may your VAT never outprice your wishlist.
— Rihaab