Part I: St. Maximilian Kolbe ‘The Saint and Hero at Auschwitz’ and His Visits To Sri Lanka in the 1930s

The 84th anniversary of the death of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe—a Polish Franciscan priest who, during the Second World War, volunteered to die in place of a fellow prisoner, Franciszek Gajowniczek (a father of two, condemned to starve to death in the infamous “Death Bunker” at the Nazi concentration and extermination camp of Auschwitz), in order to save that prisoner’s life—fell on August 14, 2025.

Faculty of Visual Arts Only Albion press in Sri Lanka restored to pristine glory

At a day and age where we live with the idea of ‘out with the old, in with the new’, the Department of Printmaking, Faculty of Visual Arts, University of the Visual & Performing Arts undertook the task of going the other way around.

A Palestine journalist’s parting words in besieged Gaza

Under it’s a well-established policy to mislead the world of its barbarity, the settler-fascist colonial state of Israel massacred Anas al-Sharif, one of Al Jazeera’s most recognisable faces in Gaza, Mohammed Qraiqea and five others in an attack on a tent for journalists in al-Shifa hospital in Gaza.

Travelling history museum reaches Colombo!

It’s About Time, a travelling history museum, made itself mobile to the public from the 19th to the 23rd of August at the Colombo Public Library.

‘Laso Diyawena Boomiya’ (Land of Melting Sorrow) Poetry as an act of political and creative solidarity

The 26-year-long conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the state security forces has left an indelible mark on Sri Lanka’s history.

Dr. Sanath Hettige - new president of the Independent Medical Practitioners’ Association

Dr. Sanath Hettige, renowned family physician, researcher, lecturer, and entrepreneur, was formally inducted as the President of the Independent Medical Practitioners’ Association (IMPA) at a ceremonial event held on August 22 at Water’s Edge.

New project by Suranga Katugampala: Blue Prince to be unveiled at the Venice Film Market

Sri Lankan-born filmmaker Suranga Katugampala, long based in Italy, presents his upcoming work, co-written with Darshana Vidya Aravinda.

A Night Of Legacy And Leadership: Celebrating 20 Years Of BCIS Toastmasters Excellence

The 20th Installation Ceremony of the BCIS Toastmasters Club was held at Hotel Janaki, marking a significant milestone in the club’s enduring journey of excellence recently.

Opposition Leader Calls on Prince William to Support Wild Elephant Conservation

In the letter, Premadasa emphasised the escalating human–elephant conflict, which results in over 400 elephant fatalities and more than 150 human deaths each year, and highlighted the urgent need for a science-based national conservation strategy.

sri lanka Politics: heroes, hypocrisy,

Ranil Wickremesinghe’s political journey highlights the struggle between principled leadership and the complex realities of Sri Lankan governance, where minor infractions can overshadow systemic corruption and eroded public trust.

There is a big pressure on us now over trees’ CMC

The experience of living in Colombo and walking down a street shaded by trees during the afternoon heat, is a blessing that many of us take for granted.

Dr. Ray Wijewardene Memorial Oration Remembering a pioneer among inventors

The annual Dr. Ray Wijewardene memorial oration for the year 2025, was held on August 20 (which also happens to be Dr. Ray Wijewardene’s 101st birthday), at the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) Auditorium. Organized by the Agriculture and Plantation Engineering Sectional Committee of the Institution, the topic for the oration was on, ‘The Conservationist in Ray Wijewardene’ and was delivered by Engineer Lalith Seneviratne. Dr. Wijewarde

Attempts to drive out Sigiriya folk in guise of diverse projects

The Sigiriya the rock fortress, which was built during King Kasyapa’s reign, is a world heritage city. However this heritage city has turned into a squalid town much to the dismay of the residents of the area. Those who are affected by this environmental hazard include thousands of people who are depending on tourism and allied trades.

‘The Muslim Heritage of Sri Lanka’ A ground-breaking study on Sri Lankan Muslims, life and times

This work is a pioneering study of the Muslim archaeological heritage of Sri Lanka. Although much has been written about early Arab and Muslim settlements in the island as attested by the existence of Arabic inscriptions scattered over various parts of the island, this study takes into consideration not only the epigraphic evidence, but also incorporates pottery, coinage, folklore, monuments and mosque architecture and the varied influences it ha

Tribute to Victoreen. M. Hassan She was a caring person and a blessing for all

It was 17 years ago on an August 25th when God looked around his garden and saw an empty space. Then looked down from heaven and saw Victoreen’s tired face. He put his arms around her and whispered come and rest. God’s garden must be beautiful because he only calls the best.

Six years without elected provincial councils,calls for polls intensify

Is the prolonged delay in holding provincial council polls a matter of procedural deadlock or political calculation? With provincial councils dissolved since 2018-2019, the relevant bodies in nine provinces continue to function only through officials, with concerns being raised from across the political spectrum,

Chevaan’s journey with Apollo Consulting Group “When people hear ‘Apollo’, they should think of a Growth Consulting firm” Chevaan Wickremesinghe, CEO of Apollo Consulting Group

With Sri Lanka’s IT Industry’s hopes of transforming from $1.2 billion to $5 billion by 2030, a new wave of entrepreneurs are not just trying to be part of this transformation, but be transformers themselves. Amongst them is Chevaan Wickremesinghe, Founder and CEO of Apollo Consulting Group, who took the bold step by leaving a promising legal path to shift to business and technology. The Daily Mirror sat down with Wickremesinghe to talk about en

Launch of Sri Lanka’s first livestock insurance scheme launched

In a bid to reduce the human-wildlife conflict and safeguarding the endangered Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, under its Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), together with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), and LOLC, under the guidance of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, launched a pioneering Livestock Insurance Scheme. The launch event was hel

Navy fights kidney disease spread

Navy installed over a thousand low-cost Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment plants to fight CKD, while successful in slowing the disease’s spread, the project’s long-term sustainability now requires government maintenance and centralized control.

Sigiriya among other towns threatened by North-central Maha Ela Project

It is common for countries to launch development projects while they achieve economic growth. Such projects bring both benefits and drawbacks. Although various development work has been undertaken in Sri Lanka to minimise these drawbacks, some have still had adverse effects on the population. Maha Ela Project in the North Central Province is one such initiative. Implemented under the Ministry of Irrigation, it is estimated to cost 210 million US$

Looming conservation crises threaten Arugambay

Apart from braving the waves and surfing on the pristine beaches of Arugambay, crowds are now attracted to observing wildlife on the East Coast. But from the point of view of conservationists, respective authorities need to pay more attention to safeguarding several forest patches in the area, which are home to many herds of elephants. During a recent visit to Arugambay, the Daily Mirror witnessed how illegal encroachment, rave parties in a

Memorial Oration in Honour of the late General Deshamanya Denis Perera

The traditional Memorial Oration in honour of the late General Deshamanya Denis Perera was held on August 11, 2025, at the Faculty of Graduate Studies Auditorium, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). The solemn occasion brought together a distinguished assembly of military veterans, dignitaries, and members of the diplomatic corps, who gathered to honour the memory and legacy of one of Sri Lanka’s most revered military leaders.

‘World Indigenous People’s Day’ Intruding Vedda jungles in the guise of providing modern facilities

August 9 has been declared the ‘World Indigenous People’s Day’ and Sri Lanka has been celebrating this day in a grand manner every year under state patronage.

An anatomy of a leadership

The ancient Chinese military strategist and philosopher Sun Tzu famously wrote: “The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.”

Twentieth-century famines:Human folly, a bigger cause than drought

Famine is defined as extreme and widespread hunger, often leading to death. Ancient Sri Lanka experienced at least one famine, recorded as ‘Baminithiyaseya’ in the Anuradhapura period, when monks ate tree bark and leaves, fearing the oral tradition of Buddhist scriptures would vanish if they perished.

In conversation with Maheli Mudalige: Finding trust in art that was missing in software engineering

Maheli Mudalige is a self-taught artist making waves in the contemporary art scene in Sri Lanka. Having recently been placed among the top 15 winners at the Pearl Protectors Art Competition celebrating ‘World Ocean’s Day’, Maheli’s story is a testament to how a leap of faith is all that it takes to realise your dreams.

A tribute to Dr. Sarath de Silva on his 80th birthday

In one lifetime, we encounter innumerable people. They touch us in many ways. We remember them and are grateful, of course, but then there are individuals who leave a profound and indelible mark on us. They transform us. Such an individual is Dr. Sarath de Silva.

Elephant Free Elephant Walk: A Cultural Revolution for Climate Justice and Wildlife Protection

On a quiet Sunday afternoon in Ibbagamuwa, something extraordinary happened. It was a perahara like no other. Instead of majestic elephants adorned with glittering decorations, giant puppets crafted from discarded plastic bottles glided down the streets.

Sri Lanka’s New Analogue Film Developing Lab

Artist and photographer Lojithan Ram will open doors to Mount Studio’s Analogue Film Developing Darkroom Lab tomorrow (August 17)

An Ode to Memory: In conversation with Lojithan Ramanathan

Parilojithan Ramananathan, better known as Lojithan Ram, held his solo art exhibition ‘Arra Kuļamum, Kottiyum, Āmpalum’, at the Paradise Road Saskia Fernando Gallery from May 23rd to June 23rd. Borrowing its title from the verses of Tamil poetess Avvaiyar, the exhibition touched on powerful themes such as memory and remembrance against a rich tapestry of literature and mythology.