The Mina Disaster 3,500 Sri Lankan Pilgrims Betrayed in Substandard Tents

What was supposed to be a lifetime spiritual pinnacle—four days of sacred devotion in the tents of Mina—has collapsed into a living nightmare of systemic neglect for 3,500 Sri Lankan pilgrims.

Shavendra Silva Calls for balanced global security system

Former Army Commander and Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva, has called for a more inclusive, balanced and resilient global security framework, emphasizing the need for stronger multilateral cooperation and strategic restraint among nations amid growing geopolitical uncertainties.

Meningitis outbreak in Sri Lanka Patients advised to wear masks, public urged not to panic

As many as 243 meningitis cases have been reported from several areas in Matara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Badulla Districts.

Sri Kalyani Vesak Zone 2026 initiated ceremoniously

Sri Kalyani Vesak Zone 2026 came under the guidance of Venerable Emeritus Professor Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangarakkitha Nayaka Thero, the Chief incumbent of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya & Chanceller of the University of Kelaniya.

Cybercrime Safe Havens in Colombo: A National Security Failure

The increasing arrests of foreign nationals linked to cybercrime operations in Sri Lanka should no longer be treated as isolated criminal incidents. It has become a dangerous and deeply organised pattern. Almost weekly, reports emerge of Chinese, Korean and other foreign nationals being taken into custody for cyber fraud, online scams, financial crimes, cryptocurrency-related rackets and sophisticated digital deception schemes operating from luxu

Grace Asirwatham appointed Chairperson of National Commission on Women

Retired Ambassador Grace Asirwatham has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Commission on Women (NCW) by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Women in Rotary – Vital Voices of District 3220 Create History:Launch of Rotary’s First Holistic Wellbeing Purple Card Initiative

Women in Rotary – Vital Voices proudly created history with the official launch of the Purple Card Initiative, introducing what is believed to be Rotary’s first holistic wellbeing card dedicated to the empowerment and overall wellbeing of women in Rotary.

Protests staged island-wide demanding justice for victims of child abuse

An island-wide protest movement was organised on Thursday (28) and Friday (29) seeking justice for victims of child abuse.

‘Pandam’ lights up WeweYaya Vesak

As the soft glow of Vesak lanterns illuminated the evening skies and the timeless message of compassion, peace and selflessness filled hearts across the island, the WeweYaya Community Club in Panadura transformed an ordinary neighbourhood celebration into a powerful expression of unity, heritage, and collective spirit.

‘Bloom Together’ National Camp 2026: An evening that celebrated inclusivity, creativity and teamwork among Girl Guides

An energetic cheer echoed from the interiors of the MJF Centre in Moratuwa as this writer walked towards the ‘Bloom Together’ National Camp for Differently-abled Girl Guides of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association (SLGGA).

ESSENCE OF BUDDHISM AND ITS GUIDING LIGHT

Buddhism, as a profound philosophy and worldview expounded by Gautama Buddha—who lived in northern India between the mid-6th and mid-4th centuries BCE—has garnered an estimated 500 million followers worldwide at present. The impact of Buddha’s teachings, collectively known as dhamma (meaning reality), has shaped countless civilizations and individuals throughout history. The Buddha’s insights remain profoundly relevant in the contemporary world,

POLICE VESAK BAKTHI GEE TO CALM THE MINDS ON MONDAY

As Sri Lanka marks the sacred Vesak Full Moon Poya Day on May 30, 2026, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and Parinirvana of the Buddha, the Sri Lanka Police are mobilizing extensive cultural and security networks across the island. Beyond establishing high-visibility “Police Vesak Zones” and community-wide dansals to foster public relations, the service continues its storied tradition of spiritual outreach. Driven by the Police Band and Cu

BUDDHIST CITY PANADURA TO LIGHT UP DURING VESAK

The upcoming Vesak season is a time that people feel deeply spiritual in Sri Lanka. Especially, the majority of Buddhists in our country use this auspicious season for many religious activities. Therefore, every province and city in Sri Lanka naturally shines with this Buddhist splendour. Among them, Panadura, which has a historical heritage, holds a special place during this year’s Vesak festival. Panadura is world famous for the ‘Panadura Debta

‘Gilampasa’ offering at Sangharama built by D.R.Wijewardene

A ‘Gilampasa’ pooja (an alms giving comprising languids) was held on Monday at the ‘Sangharama’ at the University of Peradeniya to bring blessings to all and especially to the family of Newspaper Magnate D.R.Wijewardene and mark Wesak Poya. The Gilampasa Pooja was held before the ‘Bhoodi’ Pooja which was held at the Bo-tree near the Library. The late D.R.Wijewardene bought this eleven acre land which once belonged to the ‘Kehelpannala family’ wit

Hajj: Pilgrimage to the house of Allah

Tens of thousands of pilgrims from all colours-from blue eyed blonds to black skinned Africans- throng the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia during the eighth to twelfth or thirteenth of Dhu of al-Hijjah, the last month of the Muslim calendar. Pilgrims do this to clean their souls from the worldly sins; which connotes both outward acts of a journey after death and outward acts of good intention.

Woes of Malaiyaha Tamils: Tamil workers in Southern estates describe hellish working conditions, forced curfews

Malaiyaha Tamils working on private tea estates and smallholdings in Sri Lanka are being subjected to abuses that meet many of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) indicators of forced labour, while being denied access to the country’s strict labour protections, according to an Amnesty International (AI) report. The report is based on research conducted by Amnesty International between January 2024 and January 2026.

Conserving greenery in Asia’s Garden City

Once known as the Garden City of Asia, Colombo is a city blessed with an abundance of greenery. Successive regimes have drawn various plans to restore the beauty of Colombo, by adding the much needed green touch to a rapidly transforming urban landscape. But at present, while the authorities continue their efforts to maintain Colombo’s greenery, concerns are being raised about people’s safety around centuries’ old trees in some parts of the city

Sri Lanka even mediated 1962 Indo- China war, but current Govt has weakened that posture - GL

The famous maxim, “We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual,” originated from a speech by Lord Palmerston, who served as Foreign Secretary of the British Empire in 1848.

How Sirima strengthened the State to bear shocks

When the US Dollar wasn’t flying very high, those who supported the government spoke of reaching a ‘rich country to live a beautiful life’.

Chola Copper Plates of Leiden and connections to Buddhism

During the official visit to Netherlands by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recently, Netherlands leadership agreed to return Chola Copper plates of Lieden from Lieden University Museum.

Govt weighed down by economic issues, Opposition eyes presidential race

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Harsha de Silva recently put up a social media post highlighting, among other things, that he was prepared to take up any challenge in the greater interests of the country.

Playing with a cross bat:How Sri Lanka’s cricket went from zenith to nadir

In Sri Lanka, politics, cricket and religion have long occupied the national crease, shaping public consciousness and commanding immense emotional power.

Vice Admiral Wijayawickrama elected president of Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers

The Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers (ARFRO), held its 28h Annual General Meeting on May 21, 2026 at the Regimental Officers’ Mess, of Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police, Polhengoda.

Harmonising Josephian Oriental Orchestral Programme ‘2026

A musical extravaganza including an oriental orchestral programme, titled “Prathibha Prabha”, organised by the Josephian Oriental Orchestral Team, will be held on May 28, 2026 (Thursday), at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, commencing at 6.00 p.m.

‘Riverstone’ bags Best Cinematography Award at AAfF

Experienced filmmaker Lalith Rathnayake’s newest film ‘Riverstone’ brought yet another kudos for Sri Lankan cinema, winning the award for Best Cinematography at the Asian Art Film Festival (AAFF) in Macau.

DBS Jeyaraj: End of an Era in Documenting Sri Lankan Tamil Politics

The passing of David Buell Sabapathy Jeyaraj (72) on May 17, 2026, in Toronto, Canada, has snatched away a great personality not only from the field of journalism but also from the Sri Lankan Tamil community.

Return of the Oil Palm

For nearly two decades, Sri Lanka’s oil palm debate has resurfaced in cycles — often driven by economic arguments, plantation interests and changing agricultural priorities. But environmentalists argue that the current discussion over reintroducing oil palm cultivation is no longer simply about a crop. They say it has become a broader question of whether the country is prepared to trade forests, biodiversity and traditional plantation systems for

DBS JEYARAJ - JOURNALIST PAR EXCELLENCE

DBS Jeyaraj -- a name synonymous with ethical reporting, journalist par excellence and an excellent human being all rolled into one. The truth and nothing but the truth was his motto, although in this endeavour he was treading treacherous ground. He write a story without making a thorough check of the facts. For him it was paramount that whatever is written should be written according to one’s conscience. He was widely known for his in-depth writ

Authorities helpless PADUKKA ROCKED BY NARCOTICS TRADE AND ACTS OF EXTORTION

Padukka is a major town bordering the districts of Colombo and Kalutara. Located approximately 35 kilometres from Colombo, Padukka has also become an important geographical factor in the industrial trade in Sri Lanka. Around 25,000 to 30,000 people live in this area. As a result, Padukka has become densely populated. Its location among the towns of Ingiriya, Horana, Avissawella and Homagama as well as its proximity to the Meegoda Economic Centre,

Malwana and the danger of Frontier Justice

The recent occupation of a property in Malwana by a group of student activists does not bode well for Sri Lanka’s already fragile investment climate. Beyond the immediate question of law and order, it raises a deeper concern: whether property, contracts and institutional processes will be protected at a moment when the country is trying to rebuild economic confidence.