S. Nadesan QC: an enduring legend Lawyer, humanitarian and a man of many parts

Somasundaram Nadesan, Queens Counsel, who died on December 21, 1986, was an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, a Barrister-at-Law of Lincoln’s Inn, and an Advocate of the High Court of Madras (Chennai).

Attempt to create a tech-savvy workforce Skills Sector and Technical Education to Drive Sri Lanka’s Growth

In Sri Lanka’s renewed efforts to achieve a robust economic growth, and sustain a continuous development, the government has understood the need to build a skilled workforce equipped with the up-to-date knowledge, the technical know-how and the right attitudes.

Safeguarding and Pastoral Care Conference 2025 BSC takes lead in Safeguarding and Pastoral Care

The British School in Colombo (BSC) recently took an inventive step to ensure safety and protection of children with its inaugural “Safeguarding and Pastoral Care Conference 2025”, an event that is planned to be in the school annual calendar.

Before you lose your phone

In an era where the smartphone serves as wallet, diary, and identity, the split-second loss of a device triggers a crisis far beyond hardware costs. Experts warn that the “digital nightmare” of identity theft is often facilitated by user negligence.

President Chandrika, the strongest smile through silent pain!

Chairing the Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation, Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga recently donated 250 million LKR to bolster national resilience.

Kalutara students win British Sri Lanka Performers Awards

Students from Sri Lanka’s Kalutara District won multiple national honours at the British Sri Lanka Performers Platform, affiliated with the British and International Federation of Festivals for Speech UK, an organisation under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen. The awards recognise excellence in speech and performance across competitive categories held at national level in 2025.

Is Port Access Elevated Highway becoming another white Elephant?

The completion of the much awaited multimillion dollar ADB-loaned Port Access Elevated Highway (PAEH) which only needed finishing work has come again to a virtual stop with multiple issues including the Road Development Authority (RDA) announcing lack of finances for the year.

Is the ‘Christmas Star’ returning? Comet 3I/ATLAS will pass close to earth on Dec 19

Every December, as winter winds stir, the world remembers the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The Gospel of Matthew tells of the Magi—royal scholars from the East—who followed a mysterious star to find the infant King. That celestial sign, known today as the ‘Star of Bethlehem’, remains one of history’s great enigmas.

Sri Lankan Teams Shine at the World Robot Olympiad International Final 2025 in Singapore

The Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre became a theater of global innovation this week as the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2025 shattered records with over 3,300 participants from 100 nations. Amidst a field of 27,000 global hopefuls, Sri Lanka’s Burhani Serendib School delivered a formidable performance, securing two top-30 rankings and signalling the nation’s rising dominance in the competitive youth robotics circuit.

International Conference Highlights Circular Economy Pathways for a Sustainable Future

The Second International Conference on Circular Economy and Sustainable Ecosystems (IC2ESE 2025) launched in Nawala this month, positioning Sri Lanka as a regional hub for regenerative industrial strategy. Uniting global academics and policymakers, the forum addressed the urgent transition from “take-make-dispose” manufacturing to resilient, low-carbon systems. With a focus on energy transition and material recovery, the summit charted a vital co

U.S. initiative, Australia’s interest and Sri Lanka’s untapped mineral sector potential

If the 20th century ran on oil and steel, the 21st century is going to run on compute and minerals, and so we’re aligning our supply chains accordingly, Jacob Helberg, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs on AI Supply Chain Security, declared while delivering opening remarks during the Pax Silica Summit.

Spotlight on Diyagama Forest Last remaining forest patch in Homagama now under threat

A 50-acre forest patch located in Diyagama, a suburb coming under the Homagama Divisional Secretariat has become home to over 220 species of flora and fauna, including several endangered and vulnerable species.

Sri Lanka’s double helical idea for easing the parking crunch

Colombo’s daily struggle—marked by half a million vehicle entries and chronic parking shortages—is pushing Sri Lankan designers to radically rethink urban infrastructure. The traditional multi-storey garage, consuming valuable space with sprawling two-way ramps, is now deemed obsolete. A local architectural concept, dubbed the rectangular double-helical car park (ParkDense), promises a smart, low-tech refinement. By physically separating traffic

Sri Lanka’s forgotten fortune How ancient remedies could rewrite nation’s future

Sri Lanka at present is a nation struggling under the weight of debt. Yet beneath this economic crisis lies a hidden fortune— one rooted not in gold or oil, but in its ancient medical traditions. According to Prof. Pathirage Kamal Perera, Dean of the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine at the University of Colombo, the country’s herbal knowledge, validated through modern science, could unlock a trillion-dollar industry.

Annual Josephian Carols scheduled for December 20

The St. Cecilia’s Choir of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee with a carol service which is scheduled for December 20 at the College Chapel. The choir session will begin at 6pm. The event is titled ‘Dominus Spes Mea’ - “The Lord is my Hope”.

Lakshman Balasuriya Simply a top-class human being

It is with deep sorrow that I share the passing of one of my dearests and most trusted friends of many years, Lakshman Balasuriya. He left us on Sunday morning, and with him went a part of my own life. The emptiness he leaves behind is immense, and I struggle to find words that can carry its weight.

Major sustainable finance initiative Bank of Ceylon is opening the largest ever Sustainability Bond Issue to expand green and social lending

Sri Lanka’s financial sector is steadily moving toward instruments that meet both economic and developmental goals, especially as the country deepens its focus on environmental stewardship and inclusive growth. The Bank of Ceylon (BOC) is opening the largest ever Sustainability Bond issue on 22nd December 2025, intended to expand lending to projects that deliver measurable environmental and social impact while strengthening its capital position.

‘Poems from Galle’ on the cards Chandana Jayanetti launches second poetry collection

Poems From Galle, the new collection of poems by Chandana Ruwan Jayanetti, will be launched at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday, the 20th December, at Dakshinapaya, the Auditorium of the Chief Ministry, Southern Provincial Council, Labuduwa, Galle.

‘The Sri Lanka Peace Process: An Inside View’ Prof. G. L. Peiris offers rare insider’s account of GoSL’s peace talks with LTTE

As global attention focusses on high-stakes peace negotiations, a definitive Sri Lankan perspective on the promise and perils of negotiated conflict resolution comes to print At a moment when the world is closely watching peace efforts linked to conflicts in Thailand and Cambodia, Gaza and Ukraine, a new book by Prof. G. L. Peiris revisits one of the most closely scrutinised peace initiatives of recent times: the negotiations between the Governme

Human Rights and the Everyday Spaces We Live In: Workplaces, Schools, Homes, and Society

“The measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable.” — Mahatma Gandhi

Acoustics chorale dazzles at historic diplomatic ceremony

With an expanded combination of elegant young female vocalists, the youthful singers of Acoustics Chorale proved their worth at the recently concluded historic diplomatic ceremony at the Galle Face Hotel Colombo. This was to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and the Vatican. The grand event was graced by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher from the Vatican. It also included members of the diplomati

Colombo Public Library celebrates 100 years

Colombo Public Library that has assumed leadership in the field of public library services in Sri Lanka and has given an impetus to the development in cultural and educational spheres celebrates her centenary this year (2025). History of the Colombo Public Library dates back to 1925 when it started with only a Lending Library and a Reading Room. It has now expanded into a system with a network of branch libraries and mobile libraries, and a study

Kithul tapping inscribed on UNESCO’s representative list

Indigenous technology for tapping Kithul in Sri Lanka has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Announced at the twentieth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, this marks the third element on UNESCO’s Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage from Sri Lanka.

School teacher as an unsung hero Monumental struggle to keep a village school going

It is said that success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds. When Janaka Dhanuddhara, a teacher and a graduate with a special in economics, took over teaching Galamuduna Junior School with just 25 students situated in the Knuckles (Dumbara) Mountain Range 6 years ago, he knew that the challenges ahead of him were

International Anti-Corruption Day Was Observed on December 09 “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”

As the world marks International Anti-Corruption Day, the focus turns to young people as central actors in resisting bribery and restoring trust in public life.

Rage Bait: The Word of the Year and Its Reality in Sri Lanka

Oxford University Press named “Rage Bait” its 2025 Word of the Year, highlighting content designed to provoke anger for engagement. In Sri Lanka, rage bait extends beyond social media, influencing broadcast, print, and political discourse.

Sinhala and Tamil carols highlighted: A KING IS BORN: Trinity Old Boys Choir takes the stage on Dec. 16

I will extol the Lord at all times, His praise shall always be in my lips (Ps. 34:1)

Pera Alumni Colombo Chapter Commemorates its late members

The Social & Cultural Committee of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya, Colombo Chapter chaired by Mrs. Kumudini Kulatunga, together with the members, offered lunch, medicine, milk powder, sanitary items, pillows, bedsheets etc. to the forty-five residents of the Paramitha Elders Home, Wanawasala Road, Kelaniya on 23rd October 2025 to bestow merits on their late members and families.

Cyclone Ditwah catastrophe Accounts from the heart of the `storm disaster´

Sri Lanka is currently reeling from its worst disaster since the 2004 tsunami after cyclone Ditwah unleashed days of relentless floods and landslides across the island. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reports that the death toll has risen to 639, with over 200 people still missing as rescue operations continue. More than 86,000 homes have been damaged and over one million residents have been displaced, underscoring the vast scale of devastat

Tribute to Dr. Quintus Silva (Dec 12, 1937 – Nov 27, 2024) Remembering a doctor who did his duty with compassion

Dr. Quintus Silva-(MRCP (Lon), FRCGP (Lon), DCH (Lon)-was a distinguished Physician and Paediatrician whose influence transformed the medical landscape of Galle. His dedication, humility, and unwavering commitment to his patients made him a remarkable clinician and an exceptional human being. Every encounter with his patients was grounded in respect, compassion, and genuine partnership. Throughout his long career, the welfare of those under his c