Turning ‘green deserts’ into natural ecosystems

Due to the lack of maintenance of company-owned tea lands and the declining productivity of older plantations, rainforests are being rapidly cleared to establish new tea plantations and increase yields, fueling the expansion of tea cultivation. To raise public awareness of the resulting issues, we have created two posters. Furthermore, efforts are underway to convert tea plantations into multi-crop systems based on agro forestry and ecological f

The diary of a prolific author and man for all seasons

Journalist Sugath Moragahakumbura is a man for all seasons. From writing stories to the tabloid newspaper ‘‘Nawaliya’’ (Still in publication) he went on to try his hand at like drama, photography and even authoring books with considerable success. This attempt is to write about his contributions to society as an author. He has over 80 books to his credit.

Samangala pre-historic graveyard indicates well-developed culture

A pre-historic graveyard has been found in Samangala jungle monastery in the Uhana division, Ampara district.

Letters to the Editor A collection of selected letters by M.R. Pathirage

A collection of selected letters covering a diverse range of topics pertaining to social, political and economic issues and crises that prevailed in our country which ultimately affected adversely the majority of citizens, as never before, during a specific period from 2020 to 2024, has been compiled well into a book and aptly titled “Letters To The Editor” by its author M. R. Pathirage.

Poson, the dawn of plenty and prosperity

On a resplendent ‘Full Moon Day’ in the month of June, Poson festivities are celebrated in Sri Lanka. This splendid occasion is to commemorate and pay homage to the wonderful appearance of Maha Samana Arahant Mihindu, accompanied by a spiritually advanced six-member Royal emissary, sent by the great emperor Dharmasoka of Jambudeepa, on a similar Poson Poya day 2013 years ago.

Reality of impermanence in Buddhism

Impermanence refers to the temporary and uncertain nature of much of what people perceive as reality. People often cling to the illusion of stability and permanence in their lives. Still, a deeper examination reveals that everything is constantly changing—even those things they perceive as solid and unchanging. This assumption of certainty sharply contrasts with one of the fundamental insights of Buddhism. Despite the reality of continuous cha

Iranganie Serasinghe: Longevity and success in a world of films, theatre and trees

Iranganie Serasinghe packed a number of careers, projects and issues into her long and eventful life, but still looks serene as she celebrated her 98th birthday, just two years short of a century. Is her signature serenity the secret of her longevity?

Siam Daham Pada Yathra 2025 Foot Pilgrimage from Kataragama to Ahangama

A group of Buddhist monks arrived in the country on Saturday (June 7) to conduct a foot pilgrimage (Pada Yathra) in view of Poson full moon day. The Pada Yathra would commence from Kirivehera, Kataragama and continue on consecutive days as follows:

Pelwatte, Sevanagala sugar factories in a crisis due to mismanagement

Sevanagala and Pelwatte sugar factories, owned by Lanka Sugar Company Ltd, were established in 1986 with the aim of meeting 100 percent of the country’s sugar requirement through local production.

Court of Appeal Considers Petitions: Elephant-Train Collision cases heard on World Environment Day

On June 05 2025, coinciding with World Environment Day, the Court of Appeal, in a division comprising of His Lordship Justice Karalliyadde, heard two writ applications bearing nos.

World Environment Day 2025: Climate Change A wake-up call for action

humanitarian emergencies caused by heatwaves, wildfires, floods, tropical storms, and hurricanes.

Eid - ul - Adha: Emphasising National Harmony and Shared Humanity

Eid - ul -Adha,the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, is one of the most significant and sacred celebrations observed by millions of Muslims around the world.

Sri Lanka women turn tide on plastic

A powerful, women-led recycling movement in Sri Lanka is successfully combating plastic pollution and empowering communities through innovative waste management and a new factory.

Helpless state authorities fail to control paddy prices

A rice crisis has recently emerged in Sri Lanka, and the government has failed to provide a solution. Rice is our staple food, and as a nation we consume it three times a day. Since ancient times, Sri Lankan kings were focussed on making the country self-sufficient in rice. In the 1960s, 40% of the country’s rice needs were met through local production, while the remaining 60% was imported.

Sri Lanka reaches a milestone in a decades’ long conservation effort

One of the most significant conservation initiatives taken by the government in view of the World Environment Week was the declaration of the Nikkandupola stream in Galapitamada in the Warakapola Divisional Secretariat as a conservation zone and sanctuary. This is because a 2.5km stretch of stream in this area is home to the Bandula Barb (Pethiya bandula or Jayanthiya), a tiny freshwater fish species that is found nowhere else in the world.

Climbing Mount Denali Mountaineer Johann Peries sets out to conquer final summit in Seven Summits Challenge

Sri Lankan mountaineer Johann Peries is set to leave the island on June 8, heading to Alaska to take on Mount Denali (also known as Mount McKinley), the final summit remaining to complete the Seven Summits Challenge. Considered the most coveted mountaineering achievement, the challenge involves scaling the highest peaks on each of the seven continents.

SriLankan Airlines welcomes first wide-body aircraft in seven years

SriLankan Airlines yesterday welcomed an Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft to its existing fleet of 22 aircraft, aiming to expand its services. The state-run airline expects to add at least two more aircraft by the end of this year.

“I faced criticism and negativity on social media But I endured it all for my country” Anudi Gunasekara

Anudi Gunasekara, who represented Sri Lanka at the Miss World 2025 pageant, in her maiden interview with the print media upon her return said that although she didn’t make it to the final four at the Miss World, she created history for Sri Lanka by becoming the first contestant to win in three different categories at the pageant, held in India this year- Head-to-Head Challenge (Top 20), Talent (Top 5 in Asia), and Multimedia (Runner-up). No

World Vision Lanka: NZ under-85s delivers a winning assist to youth and children in the North

The New Zealand Under-85s donated their sports equipment to Every Mind Matters—an initiative by World Vision Lanka aimed at uplifting the mental well-being of children in North, Sri Lanka, through sports.

Reflecting on the spirit of Bandung, 70 years later

Bandung 1955 was a historical marker that broke the ground for third-world internationalism to develop against the logic of cold-war geopolitical monopoly. It preceded the non-aligned movement that expanded Asian-African solidarity to Latin America.In view of its 70th anniversary, a two-day conference was recently held under the title ‘70 Years after Bandung: Challenges and Struggles on the Road to Self-Determination and South-South Solidarity’.

Celebrating the 191st Feast of St. Anthony of Padua at Kochchikade

St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade, a revered national heritage site, is often called a “shrine of peace” for uniting Sri Lanka’s beloved multiethnic and multireligious communities. Known as a sacred place of prayer and miracles, it draws pilgrims from around the world who come to ‘pray for the lost and the found’ and personal intentions, making it a lasting symbol of healing and devotion.

English Speaking Union of Sri Lanka Teaching English to underprivileged students

The English Speaking Union of Sri Lanka launched its new project recently to teach English to underprivileged students, without charging a fee. The event was held at Sugatha Dharma Ayathanaya in Mount Lavinia. Twenty-five students aged 14 to 16 were chosen for this course from the suburbs of Colombo. They were boys and girls from all religions and ethnic groups. This project was sponsored by the Soroptimist International of Colombo.

Geopolitics: Sri Lanka further under pressure to walk a fine line

Sri Lanka enjoys multiple advantages globally due to its strategic positioning in the region, with easy access to key markets and major shipping lanes that account for a significant portion of transnational trade worldwide. The country has the potential to be developed as a naval and air hub, and investments in the development and expansion of the country’s seaports and airports are farsighted moves. The country matters to the rest of the world,

Crucial medical equipment worth Rs. 6 million donated to Monaragala hospital

Under the guidance of the Director of the Hospital Services Board, Most Venerable Rajavelle Subhūthi Thero, a donation programme of medical equipment worth approximately 6 million rupees was held at the Handapanagala Regional Hospital in the Monaragala District. This programme was organised under the leadership of the Chief Incumbent of the Thanamalvila Kitulkotay R

A Whispered Dream: The Birth and Growth of St. John’s Girls’ School, Panadura

In 1885, as Amelia Jansz awaited her second child, she nurtured a vision she could no longer contain. One evening, she whispered to her husband, Cyril Arnold Jansz, the distinguished Eurasian Burgher educator who had led St. John’s College since 1879: “What of our girls? They deserve their own haven where minds can flourish”. Cyril acted decisively. He leased land opposite the Town Hall on Galle Road and built a simple cadjan-roofed structure. Wi

Tax Registration is vital for enhancing tax compliance

Taxes are very important in building a robust economy and play a vital role in implementing good fiscal policies. Government policies on taxation that are governed by any country play a key role in determining a country’s vulnerability in providing health, education, etc., for its public. Any government in the world, whether it is developed or not, needs sufficient revenue to overcome financial difficulties.

Sex education a must as cases of sexual abuse rise

The issue of sexual violence in the education sector has been gathering momentum and the incidents of sexual violence have been increasing in leaps and bounds. It has steadily moved up in the agenda of administrators, law enforcement authorities, child protection agencies and civil rights organisations.

Appreciation on Tissa Mannakkara The visionary who laid the foundation of CIMA

In 1985, ICMA London (which is now CIMA) had a competition for all the branches. At that time, the prominent branches were the ones in Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne, Dhaka, Mumbai, New Delhi, Calcutta, Madras and Colombo. There was an office in Toronto and, of course, several branches in England. The branches were asked to courier an illustrated report of the work it was doing together with a note on finance.

Esoteric Science A Path to Determining Success

It is unlikely that today you can meet a person who, at least once in his life, has not asked the question of what “esoteric science”, means, because this word is often heard on international TV screens.

Retired Flag Rank Officers holds 27th AGM

The Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers (ARFRO) held its 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently at the Regimental Officers’ Mess of the Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police, Polhengoda, Colombo 5.