From Charter to Chaos Sovereignty, Power and the Quiet Unraveling of the International Order

The international system we inhabit today is not an accident of history. It is the product of deliberate design, forged in the aftermath of the most destructive conflict humanity has ever known.

Numerology: What do these numbers mean to you?

From the time of our birth until we take our last breath, numbers play a pivotal role in our day-to-day lives.When a child is born, it does not come with a name but rather with numbers. What is meant here isthat, as soon as a child comes into this world, an identification number, ward number, and bed number are assigned to the child.

Fr. Aloysius Pieris: Departure of a True Human Being

It is with a heavy heart that I write these words when a true kalyana-mitra of ours who had the good fortune of associating with him has departed. Although the news I received in the morning was not totally unexpected with his recent illness and advanced age, one starts feeling a vacuum revealing thereby that, knowingly or unknowingly, you have been so much dependent on this man for guidance and light. And the light being no more, one does not h

Middle East war: Sri Lanka needs strategic autonomy, energy, food security

As the Middle East inferno jumps its tracks, Sri Lanka finds itself uncomfortably close to the heat. With U.S. Envoy Sergio Gor touching down in a region reeling from torpedoed warships and $100-a-barrel oil, the island nation faces a brutal reckoning.

Invasive plants pose threat to endemic wildlife in Kanneliya

Back in 2009, a team of researchers was assessing the threat status of amphibians in Kanneliya, a lowland rainforest in southern Sri Lanka.

Scholar and humanitarian Rev. Fr. Aloysius Pieris s.j. passes away

The Sri Lankan Asian Jesuit Theologian, Indologist and Buddhist Scholar Fr. Aloysius Pieris s.j., passed away at his Tulana, Gonawala-Kelaniya residence at the age of 90 years and 11 months on the morning of Sunday March 22 2026 after a long illness.

S.Thomas’ College Prize Giving: Thomian Warden Perera warns students of growing AI threat!

Warden of S.Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia Asanka Perera underscored the growing threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and emphasised on the urgent need for the schoolboys of the school by the sea to keep up with rapidly developing technology.

Sujata Jayawardene Memorial Oration postponed

The 19th Sujata Jayawardene Memorial Oration which was to be held on Saturday, 28 March 2026 at the BMICH has been postponed due to the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka.

Prof. G. L. Peiris honoured by International Institute of Rehabilitation

Prof. G.L. Peiris was honoured with an award of appreciation by academic colleagues at an awards presentation ceremony of the International Institute of Rehabilitation last week.

Francophonie film festival on March 27-28

The third edition of Francophonie film festival will be held on March 27 and 28 at the Alliance Française of Colombo (11, Barnes Place, Colombo 7).

Fuel Price Shock Does Not Have to be Passed on Fully to Consumers: Why and How?

The escalation of conflict in the Middle East has increased global oil prices above USD 100 per barrel, returning to levels last seen in 2022.

The Power of Purpose

The Sri Lanka Tamil Women’s Union will celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday, 22nd March 2026 at the Mahogany Hall, Cinnamon Grand, commencing at 6.30 p.m., followed by dinner.

Eid ul-Fitr: A Global Celebration of Faith, Community and Generosity

At a time when conflicts have become a norm in the entire world resulting in death, desperation and destruction, Muslims around the world mark Eid Ul-Fitr at the end of the Month of Ramadan, the sacred month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. It is one of the largest and most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar, bringing communities together in gratitude and festivity.

A Tribute of Respect and Appreciation

In loving memory of Kumara Mohotta Mudianselage Christopher Vijitha Lakshman Seneviratne (C.V.L. Seneviratne), Attorney-at-Law & Notary Public, J.P.U.M., of Ekala Walauwwa, Ekala, I take a moment to remember and honour his Birthday Remembrance on March 21, 1941.

Sapugaskanda Rajamaha Viharaya gets uplifted as a tourist attraction

Sapugaskanda Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient temple of historical value. It is believed that the temple has been built in the Kandyan era and dates back to the time of King Weera Parakramabahu Narendrasinghe. Currently the temple is preserved by the Department of Archaeology and houses many valuable statues and Buddha images.

162nd Remembrance Day of Police Heroes “Police Heroes, you shall be eternally remembered!”

The 162nd Remembrance Day of Police Heroes, on which the heroic sacrifice of police heroes is commemorated, falls on March 21, 2026. The first police hero’s name that appears in the annals of Sri Lanka Police is that of the officer Sabhan, who made his ultimate sacrifice on March 21, 1864, while performing duties with dignity as a full-fledged police officer. While making an attempt to apprehend Utuwankande Saradiel, the officer Sabhan was sho

Leadership, Legacy and the Spirit of a Nation Remembering Gamini Dissanayake in a changing world

Every year on March 20, my family and many Sri Lankans pause to remember my father, Gamini Dissanayake. For many, he is remembered as a national leader who helped shape modern Sri Lanka — through initiatives such as the Mahaweli Development Programme and his efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and economic reform. But remembrance is not only about history. It is also about reflection — particularly at a moment when both Sri Lanka an

Ehetuwewa Forest Reserve at the mercy of racketeers

The valuable ecosystem of the Ehetuwewa forest reserve has been left to the mercy of racketeers. Residents of the area and environmentalists who expressed concern about the ongoing wonton destruction here pointed out that a vast area of the forest has already been cleared, and huge trees including Palu, Weera, and Satinwood have been felled with heavy duty machinery and equipment. They said the wildlife and forest conservation officials

Marking a 30-year world cup win: ‘96 cricket legends present at SLCF-ICT MOU signing to support cancer patients

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s historic 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup victory, and to mark the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Sri Lanka Cricket Foundation (SLCF) and Indira Cancer Trust (ICT), a ceremony was held on March 17 (Tuesday) at the Indira Cancer Trust premises in Maharagama.

Cost effective alternatives to manage HEC, safeguard forest reserves

In addition to exposing weaknesses in Sri Lankan land management policy and practices in terms of irrigation and road infrastructure, soil conservation, crop-diversification, food systems and market logistics etc., the devastating ‘Ditwah’ has upstaged the elusive debate of urging decision makers to immediately rationalise our Elephant population and productively manage our now brittle and fragile small island of 65,210 square kilo metres disp

Maritime Law and Regional Security Naval hostilities off Sri Lanka and the need to preserve Indian Ocean as Peace Zone

Naval hostilities off Sri Lanka’s maritime approaches raise serious questions under international maritime law and neutrality doctrine. The issue is not only the legality of military operations at sea but also the responsibility to preserve the Indian Ocean as a region of peace, stability and secure global navigation.

How war, oil, and a new Asian Bloc reshaping global economy

Forget the usual headlines about interest rates and stock market jitters. A much deeper game is playing out on the world stage, one that connects the battlefields of the 20th century to the petrol pumps of Caracas and the ports of Colombo. The global economic order is undergoing its most significant transformation since the Bretton Woods system was established in 1944.

The SLFUW celebrates International Women’s Day

The Sri Lanka Federation of University Women (SLFUW) celebrated International Women’s Day on March 7 at its auditorium in the office premises in Kitulwatte.

Landmark cataract surgery programme gives sight to nearly 500

Sri Lanka witnessed an inspiring example of international collaboration and humanitarian service last week, as nearly 500 individuals regained their sight through a large-scale free cataract surgery programme conducted at the Lions Neth Setha Hospital.

TURNING COURT CASES INTO CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Written by Rukshani Weerasooriya Wijemanne in rhyming verse and illustrated by Nicole Parakrama, the Legal Tales series transforms legal history into playful, lyrical tales for children and families in Sri Lanka and beyond. The first book of the series, The Ginger Beer Snail, introduced to the public for the first time at the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival in Colombo last month, is derived from the famous case of Donoghue v Stevenson (1932)

France Commends Sri Lanka’s treatment of IRIS Dena - French envoy

The Middle East war is flaring up, with the world economy reeling under its impact in terms of surging fuel prices, disruption to navigation and air travel, etc. Sri Lanka, a country still with a fragile economy, has taken a major hit, with tourism revenue amounting to US$ 500,000 at risk. The spike in global fuel prices has resulted in the reintroduction of QR codes for the rationalisation of retail sales.

St. Joseph’s OBU, St. Bridget’s PPA unite: Blood donation organised in great compassion

A Blood Donation Campaign organised by the Old Boys’ Union of St. Joseph’s College, in collaboration with the Past Pupils’ Association of St. Bridget’s Convent, was held on March 15 at the premises of the school in Colombo 10.

Prof. G.L. Peiris addresses seminar at national university of Singapore

Prof. G.L. Peiris, former Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, addressed a seminar on current international affairs and the peace process of Sri Lanka last week at the National University of Singapore.

The new wildlife underpass at Galgamuwa: Solution for the Human-Elephant Conflict?

Unlike sky rise buildings that dominate the skyline in Colombo, it is electric fences of various shapes and sizes that dominate much of the landscape in Galgamuwa today. With frequently occurring encounters between humans and elephants, the former is taking all precautions to protect their lives and those of their loved ones, sometimes at the cost of jumbo lives.

From sacred duty to statutory right

Maintenance law reflects the legal and moral duty of spouses to support one another, ensuring that neither partner is left without the basic necessities of life.