LGBTQ Tourism in India:India is ahead of Sri Lanka dealing with LGBTQ+ recognition and tourism

India, long known for its cultural diversity, is now carving a place for itself as an emerging LGBTQ+ tourism destination.

Foreign policy mistakes of JRJ and AKD’s tilt to the US

It is becoming increasingly clear that President Dissanayake is following the missteps of late former President J.R. Jayewardene in his approach to international relations.

The Changing Debate on Homosexuality and LGBTQ Rights

In recent years, debates on homosexuality and LGBTQ rights have gained momentum worldwide, drawing in not only activists and policymakers but also members of the clergy.

UN Inquiry Commission report:‘Israel is Committing Genocide in Gaza’

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, released its report on September 16, 2025.

Has the government mixed up its priorities?

It is not clear whether it is due to a mix up of priorities or ideological obsession of certain ministers, or genuine intentions, that the government has created controversies on the so-called LGBTQ tourism and the action against corporal punishment of children, at this stage.

Fiasco and hypocrisy at cricket’s ‘Asia Cup 2025’

Cricket was popularised in our country as in most other parts of Britain’s colonial empire by the English. While the British were not looked on kindly by local populations because of their boorish behaviour, cricket was and is, still revered as a sport in most of Britain’s former colonies.

Clean Sri Lanka – A Concept in Need of Renewal

The Clean Sri Lanka concept, launched with much enthusiasm about a year ago, appears to have lost its momentum.

Growth needs reform, not rhetoric

Sri Lanka, having endured a severe financial crisis that culminated in sovereign default in 2022, is now at a critical juncture. The country is under the care of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which offers some breathing space. But this is by no means a permanent cure. The real challenge lies in whether Sri Lanka can generate sustainable growth and become a prosperous country. The reason for the current stalemate is not purely external.

The trouble with Trump’s Gaza blueprint

Those who believe that US President Donald Trump’s so-called 20-point peace plan is a workable solution to end the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip understand neither the sinister designs of the Zionists and their partners in crime nor the root causes of the Palestinian question in its full complexity.

The government should maintain sensitivity in high-profile cases

The recent developments regarding the Wasim Thajudeen murder case involving a voice cut given by the son of Aruna Vidanagamage, alias ‘Kajja’, set a dangerous precedent about the sensitivity of the case. Contradictory statements given by his wife and later by his son indicate the nature with which certain elements are trying to manipulate investigations. Over the past 12 years, Thajudeen’s family members have been left in the dark with only dead

Tamil book publishers express concern over double standards

Tamil book publishers have raised concerns about being unable to secure a stall at the book fair currently underway at the BMICH. Out of over 100 stalls at the book fair,

Protecting state witnesses, a need of the hour

Recent revelations regarding the murder of former Havelocks Sports Club rugby captain Wasim Thajudeen are both shocking and disturbing. With missing information and various attempts to hide evidence, people were forced to believe that it was a mere accident caused as a result of drunk driving, until former President Maithripala Sirisena assumed power by reminding voters that he would do justice to the murders of Sunday Leader Editor-in-Chief Las

The NPP foreign policy in year one: Less damaging to the country than all its predecessors

One year since the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the NPP is still on a political honeymoon. The disunited opposition offers little challenge, and whenever Sajith Premadasa opens his mouth, Sri Lankans are reminded of why the NPP is in power.

Katchatheevu Navigating Choppy Waters

Whither LGBTQI tourism?

I am writing to express my views on the recent news about Sri Lanka Tourism endorsing the LGBTQI travel initiative. While I understand the importance of promoting tourism and inclusivity, I believe this decision warrants careful consideration. Dollar earnings “by hook or by crook” are not everything. I think export of Rilaw monkies for meat production is a better alternative to earn dollars than gay tourism. Or even special secluded beach hotel

Sri Lanka’s Judges: Retirement age under scrutiny as population ages

Since 1991, the International Day of Older People has been observed on October 1 each year, worldwide.

AKD’s neutral, not nonaligned, stance at UNGA

In his maiden speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Dissanayaka touched on topics including global poverty, the debt burden of developing nations, the drug menace and organised crime.

Digital Print-Outs: A Needless Burden on Parents and Students

In recent times, it has become a growing practice for teachers, particularly in Montessori and primary classes, to request computer print-outs via WhatsApp.

Child protection law: You can’t cut yourself just because the knife is golden

One cannot but commend the government’s intention to bring in an amendment to the Penal Code to protect child rights by making physical and non-physical punishment against children illegal. The Bill on the amendment is being debated these days in Parliament.

Tide turns against Netanyahu at home and abroad

Israel, a small but very plucky country backed by the superpower United States and Western nations, has had its way since it was established in 1948. But now, it finds itself in a spot, cornered by the turning of the political tide at home and abroad.

Who occupies Colombo’s high-rise apartments?

A recent news item highlights the growing concern about foreign fraudsters flocking to Sri Lanka to operate their cybercrime schemes.

Investment climate: U.S. flags urgent reforms for growth

The U.S. State Department recently released its 2025 Investment Climate Statements for each country. The statement on Sri Lanka is, once again, an eye-opener. It lays bare a stark reality: mere political will or rhetoric cannot deliver the desired economic growth. What is needed is a genuine improvement in the investment climate—strengthening regulatory mechanisms, removing bureaucratic hurdles, and making the country a truly competitive investme

A Champion for Change Projection of AKD as an agent of Change

The first part of this article published last week delved into the election campaign conducted by Anura Kumara Dissanayake when he contested the September 2024 presidential elections.

Education pressure cookers and contempt for ‘failures’

Winner takes everything and loser takes nothing? This seems to be the heartfelt conviction, if not the motto of many Sri Lankans. There is no place for losers in a country where so many are struggling to make ends meet.

San Trading Enterprises, IDSF & Fenesta Unveils the House of Trading, A showroom / Experience Center for all construction related needs under one roof

San Trading Enterprises (STE), together with its design and manufacturing arm, IDSF – I Design Studio Factory, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Experience Center in Colombo, featuring the first-ever Fenesta showroom in Sri Lanka.

The UN: A Waste of Money? Sri Lanka:Time for Professional Speechwriters

The UN General Assembly meeting showed a badly broken world order, with world leaders giving speeches that revealed deep splits on how to run the world, solve conflicts, and protect human rights. The assembly became a fight between those wanting countries to work together versus those wanting each nation to go it alone.

Cash strapped Lanka between a rock and a hard place

Gone are the days when Lankan leaders were able to hold their heads high and take principled stands on men and masters.

The Na Uyana Tragedy – A Wake-Up Call for Safety

The recent tragedy at Na Uyana, where seven Buddhist monks lost their lives, was a disaster that could—and should—have been avoided. Sadly, this is not the first such incident in Sri Lanka, and unless serious corrective measures are taken, it will not be the last.

Rich men in poor man’s party From Karl Marx to Wasantha Samarasinghe

Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe’s declaration of assets which has been published in the website of the CIABOC indicate his net wealth to be Rs. 275 million.

The government, monsoon rains, transport and the public

After a year in power, our new government now faces an age old problem. It’s nothing party-political, one of far greater importance than the nonsensical no faith motions opposition parties keep raising, in an attempt to embarrass the present regime of ‘poor little rich kids’ now in power.