A Strategic Imperative: Restoring the Medical Backbone of the Sri Lanka Army

This article provides a critical assessment of the profound challenges facing the Sri Lanka Army’s premier medical facility, the Narahenpita Military Hospital. For sixteen years since the conclusion of the civil conflict, this institution has served as the vital medical hub for thousands of serving and retired service members, upholding a national commitment to those who sacrificed for the country.

Social media can make or break governments

Irrespective of the merits or demerits of the possible fallouts of regime change in Nepal last week following mass protests and violence, it provides a window of opportunity for every country, especially in the global south, to reinitiate the discourse on regulation of social media platforms.

Stop Milking Consumers Through Hidden Food Delivery Fees

Food delivery apps have become a lifeline for busy, middle-class families. But the final bill is often far higher than the menu price we first see. On top of delivery charges—which we accept—customers are hit with a barrage of extras: small order fees, handling fees, and even so-called high order fees. Why a handling fee? Isn’t handling part of the job already built into the cost? And why punish consumers during “rush hours” when more orders mean

The NPP’s Education Reforms: Missed Opportunity?

Education occupies a special place in the minds of the public in Sri Lanka, thanks to the free education system which benefits the people from all walks of life. No other singular reform agenda evokes such animated interest and vociferous debate as the subject of education.

Violence in the Buddha’s land of birth How Kathmandu and Colombo redefined politics

The uprisings in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka reveal a generational impatience with deep-rooted elites who treat the state as personal property. Across South Asia, young people—digitally savvy, economically pressured, and politically aware—have found common cause in demanding accountability from leaders they view as corrupt and unresponsive. The Nepal protests described above, which began with a social-media ban and ended in the resignation o

Muslim Congress Leader M.H.M. Ashraff and the course of Muslim politics

Mohammad Hussein Muhammad Ashraff, known to all M.H.M. Ashraff was one of the brightest stars to shine in the Sri Lankan political firmament.

Long history of failures Sri Lanka’s Lost Decades and Flawed World Bank Projects

Last week, the World Bank released two documents on Sri Lanka: A report titled, ‘Sri Lanka Public Finance Review’ addressing Sri Lanka’s painful fiscal adjustment over the last few years, and an appraisal document for a USD 100 million loan for its new ‘Integrated Rurban Development and Climate Resilience Project’.

A politically momentous month in Lanka

The month of September has been momentous in our country’s history. Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was shot on September 25, 1959, and died from his wounds the following day, September 26. On September 22, 2024, President AKD Dissanayaka was elected Executive President of Lanka.

No problem, can retire back to Madamulana

I read a news item in your newspaper that a Member of Parliament and a Rajapakse loyalist, the son of an unsavoury character, had said that there was no issue regarding former president Mahinda Rajapakse’s housing as he can come to Medamulana.

NPP’s balancing act in human rights issues

The National People’s Power (NPP) government has rejected the decade old recommendation by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to establish an international mechanism for accountability for human rights violations committed during the war between the armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Low quality products cost us our time, money and lives

Reports say that the terrible bus accident at Ella which claimed so many lives is the result of a brake failure. The conductor was heard yelling ‘no brakes, lie down’ just before the bus went off the road.

Trouble in Bangladesh, Nepal’s Gen Z and lessons for Lanka

Since 2022, three South Asian nations –Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal have seen their governments overthrown by street protests.

Qatar under attack: Is US still a reliable ally?

“With friends like these, who needs enemies?” Whoever first uttered those words, the idiom has gained more traction in politics than in any other field.

A performer has a copyright or a performer’s right only?

Firstly, we need to understand who a performer is; a performer is someone like a singer, actor, dancer, or musician. The performer has a performance right over their performance, but do they have a copyright? Performers eternally dabble with the question and want a copyright over their performance. In this regard, it is important to note how it breaks down when it comes to copyright and performers’ rights.

Nepal protests : A wakeup call for South Asia’s Nepo Babies?

Deadly protests in Nepal have so far claimed the lives of at least 19 protesters. What began as an outrage towards a government-imposed ban on at least 26 social media platforms has dragged the country towards a state of anarchy.

Nepal erupts What happened in Nepal can happen to us, too

Nepal is unique among South Asian nations. Alongside Tiny Bhutan, landlocked Nepal was never fully colonised by the British, and its distinguished Gurkha soldiers were first hired by the British military as far back as 1815. Though poor (Per capita income USD 1,447) Nepal has room (147, 181 sq. km) for its 29.6 million people. Despite the poverty, the country looks blessed -- Nagarkot, a popular tourist spot in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, off

One Party rules on its way

Capitalist based political parties in Sri Lanka repeatedly warned the Sri Lankan voters at 3 elections (Presidential Parliamentary and local government) not to fall into the political ideological trap the JVP was setting up. The JVP rightly used the reality of corruption by capitalists to camouflage their bankrupt ideology and convince the voter to get rid of corruption, but did not have the backbone to take responsibility or be accountable for

Ice rain in Middeniya and... A multifaceted strategy to fight the underworld in Sri Lanka

The politico-underworld nexus propelling the illicit drug trade has come to the surface for yet another time, after the police seized two containers of substances allegedly used for manufacturing crystal methamphetamine, popularly known by its street name, Ice.

AKD’s Jaffna visit, the UNHRC sessions and justice delayed

From the beginning of this month, our president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has engaged in visiting the northern capital of this country. Dissanayake’s visit needs to be appreciated. No other head of state has visited the peninsula so many times as President Dissanayake has done during the short time since he was elected to power.

What happened to people’s compassion and kindness?

The harrowing case of an individual who was assaulted by villagers who mistook him for a robber was reported in the media. Having seen the footage of people assaulting him going viral on social media, this individual had later committed suicide.

Politicians, be responsible when accusing opponents

One would wonder if our politicians really want to eradicate crime, given the irresponsible statements they make about crime before the television cameras, irrespective of the party they are affiliated to. They always politicise the violent incidents or drug related incidents, implicating their political rivals or opponents.

Rethinking the Dress Code for Parliamentary Visitors

At present, visitors entering the Parliamentary gallery strictly on invitation are required to follow a dress code: ladies in saree and gentlemen in either the National Dress or a Lounge suit.

As if the US hasn’t fought enough wars: Trump’s bid to invest the US military with a killer instinct

Last week, US President Donald Trump renamed the Department of “Defence” as Department of “War” saying that change had become necessary because the US military had not been fighting wars to win

Cops and garbage collectors looking for uncles

In Sri Lanka, older people are commonly called ‘uncle’ or ‘aunty’ by those younger. This term denotes blood relationships, but is commonly used to as a term of respect when greeting older people, derived from the Sinhalese usage of ‘mama’ and ‘nanda’ (usually in rural areas).

New chapter in global diplomacy Putin, Modi and Xi Send Message to ‘Trumped-up’ U.S.

A private car ride with Vladimir Putin may not be the grand moment President Donald Trump imagined. Putin showed he had no shortage of companions, joining hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the backseat of diplomacy.

The UN offers help to resolve North-East land issues

OMG! The UN wants to help resolve land issues in the north-east of our country. Wow! sounds like something out of ‘Bob Ripley’s ‘Believe it or Not’.

Sweltering in Silence: A Call to Modernise Temple Trees Security

In light of the increasingly torrid climatic conditions, it is time to reconsider the current method of stationing Specail Task Force (STF) personnel at the entrance of Temple Trees.

Unity among Opposition, chasing a mirage?

The Opposition party leaders seem to be in a rude shock after the arrest and remanding of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe over allegation of using public funds for what the government leaders say was a private visit to Wolverhampton University in England where his wife Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe was awarded an honorary professorship in September 2023.

Who is ruling our country - - AKD, Netanyahu or the US?

Life in our country has been controversial since last month. On August 22nd, we witnessed our immediate past president (Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe) being handcuffed and bundled away in a prison van. He had to remain in remand custody for two days as the Magistrate’s Court did not sit until Monday, or so we were told.

Sri Lanka can follow Indian example on stray dogs

After a string of stray dog bites, The Indian Supreme Court on August 11, 2025 ordered the removal of all street dogs in Delhi to shelters.