33rd death anniversary of Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne

The Sri Lanka Army commemorated the 33rd death anniversary of Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne with a wreath-laying ceremony at his statue in Kiribathgoda on August 8, 2025. The event was led by the Commander, Security Forces Headquarters (West) and Colonel of the Gajaba Regiment, Major General U. K. D. D. P. Udugama, and was attended by family members, senior officers, and troops of the Gajaba Regiment. Major General Wimalaratne was the Commande

Focus on Arugambay : Locals alert authorities to protect Sri Lanka’s sole surfers’ paradise

Sri Lanka’s surfing paradise, Arugambay attracts many local and foreign visitors during its peak season from July to October. Over the recent few years, this stretch of land has gained much attention, mainly due to the presence of Israeli tourists as claimed in media reports. A popular Australian DJ, who recently visited Arugambay, published a video claiming whether Arugambay is becoming Sri Lanka’s Tel Aviv. For passive onlookers, this may be a

Elephant killings spiral as Sri Lanka battles poaching threat

Elephant deaths, a topic frequently discussed these days, have drawn widespread attention. It appears that elephants are being killed with the intention of removing their tusks. Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has confirmed that elephants are being killed using Hakka Patas (jaw-breaker bombs), Badina Thuwakku weapons and poisoning.As of mid-July this year, 219 elephant deaths have been recorded; 37 of them dying through shootings. In 20

Bellanwila Esala Festival Reaches its Climax with Randoli Perahera

Months of July and August hold great socio-cultural and aesthetic value for Buddhists across this resplendent island, as they are the time for the ceremonial commemoration of the significance of both Esala and Nikini Full Moon Poya phenomena, as documented in ancient Buddhist scriptures. The Seasonal Perahera festival (pageants) with the crowning one in the charming hill capital, Kandy, Sri Dalada Maligawa, is annually conducted at Kataragama, Ra

Spotlight on Sarvodayapuram open dump yard facility

The Sarvodayapuram open dump yard, located a few kilometres away from the popular Arugambay tourism stretch, is a looming environmental hazard. During our recent visit to the site spread over approximately four hectares of land adjacent to an environmentally sensitive area, the Daily Mirror observed how municipal solid waste had been haphazardly dumped on either side of the road leading up to the actual dump yard.

Mismanagement leads to crisis at Pelwatte, Sevanagala Sugar factories

The sugar industry in Sri Lanka has been facing an unprecedented crisis. The Pelwatta and Sevenagala sugar factories managed by Lanka Sugar Company PVT Ltd and the Ethimale Sugar factory in Siyambalanduwa, which is fully operated by a private company, are facing a threat of closure due to the poor sale of sugar and ethanol. The Hingurana sugar factory which is run as a semi-government enterprise is facing a similar predicament.

Bellanvila Esala Perahera: Sustaining Buddhist Culture for 75 years

For three-quarters of a century, the venerable Bellanvila Esala Perahera has gracefully processed through the streets, reaching its 75th year as a testament to enduring Buddhist culture and communal spirit.

‘Karunilam’ (Black soil) Mannar residents continue resisting ‘winds’ of change

‘Karunilam’ (Black soil) is the title of the ongoing protest staged by residents of Mannar which commenced on August 3. The protest has been staged against illegal ilmenite mining, wind power farms and prawn farms which are destroying the natural balance on Mannar Island. Mannar is considered to be the largest island made of sand which is in close proximity to India. Due to shortsighted decisions made during previous regimes, people of Mannar ar

75th Anniversary of an elephant who preferred death to captivity

That single Rifle shot, fired on August 10, 1950 reverberated around the world and tugged at the warm heartstrings of a grieving nation for a fallen indomitable warrior. For the local national newspapers it was front page headline news screaming “Preferred Death to Captivity” under a photograph of the warrior at the very moment of death, defiant and fighting to the end. In England, the national newspapers carried it in prominent details, while th

Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa The true soldier of might and father of a nation’s army

If Sri Lanka has produced a true soldier of might, a man whose character, integrity, and tactical genius stands as an enduring beacon of national service, he is none other than General Denzil Lakshman Kobbekaduwa.

Kandy Esala Pageant is an austere adherence to tradition

Have you ever thought of as to how this ancient ritual called the Esala Maha Perehera (Pageant) now called the Grand Pageant in Kandy has survived?

The Weaponisation of Hunger: Gaza’s Engineered Famine

On February 27, top UN leaders told the UN Security Council that massive starvation is about to happen in Gaza.

Reminiscing Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict

The Sinhala translation of a volume of selected poems written by Tamil Canadian academic, poet, playwright, and journalist Dr. Rudhramoorthy Cheran will be launched on August 12, 2025, at the National Library auditorium in Colombo at 3 p.m.

ACUCF Honours Unsung Heroes at Colombo Ceremony

The ‘Jathika Maha Kala Mangallaya’, a cultural event organised by the All Ceylon United Cultural Foundation, was held on July 18, 2025, at the Public Library Auditorium in Colombo, under the patronage of the foundation’s President,

Blood Donation Drive Unites Olaboduwa Community

A blood donation program was successfully held at the Olaboduwa Seven Row Reception Hall under the spiritual guidance of the Chief Incumbent of the Olaboduwa Raja Maha Viharaya, Venerable Karagaskandura Seelawisuddhi Thero.

PSA calls upon govt. to present clear document on new educational reforms

In a letter addressed to Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the National Executive Committee of the People’s Struggle Alliance (PSA) requested the subject minister to present a clear official document to the public on new educational reforms.

exports face steep challenge: LRA

Sri Lanka’s export sector faces significant headwinds as the U.S. imposes a new 20% tariff on top of existing Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rates, effective August 7, 2025. This move, following an earlier provisional 30% tariff, will particularly impact apparel exports, which constitute nearly 70% of Sri Lanka’s goods shipped to the U.S. The combined tariff burden, now exceeding 30% for apparel, threatens the profitability of local exporters and cou

Sri Dalada Perahera Which Makes The Hill Capital Heaven On Earth

As recorded in the Parinibbana Sutta, Buddha Himself has sanctioned the worship of His corporal remains. This is one of the most important sanctions the Enlightened One has made on the verge of His passing away. According to the Digha Nikaya,

Why Are We Born Here? A Buddhist Explanation

The profound question of why we are born has inspired a myriad of religious theories throughout history. This inquiry is perhaps the most significant existential question faced by humanity. For millennia, philosophers and theologians have pondered this topic, yet definitive answers often remain elusive. Various religions propose differing interpretations, each attempting to clarify the purpose of our existence.

Govt. urged to regulate issuance of temporary driving licences to foreigners

Tourism industry professionals have expressed mixed reactions towards the government’s move to issue temporary driving licences to foreigners. For this purpose, an on-arrival licence issuing counter was recently launched at the Bandaranaike International Airport. However, foreigners have been inclined to hire a tuk tuk, bike or scooter in order to travel around the country for some time. Vehicle rentals in major tourist attractions are in high de

Climate Positive: An immersive exhibition inspiring hope and action for a climate-positive future

Two life-sized monsters made of fishing industry debris greeted visitors who stepped into the Barefoot Gallery. The two monsters were exhibits of an ongoing exhibition that made visitors experience a climate-positive future. The Climate Positive Exhibition presented by the Creative Catalyst Fellowship (CCF) made visitors pause for a moment and think about not only sustaining the environment they live in, but also what happens if it could be regen

Paradox of Progress ‘AI and agriculture’

While the Neolithic Revolution is often celebrated as an unequivocal triumph, its complex legacy of social hierarchies and unequal benefits offers a vital lens for our current era. This paradox suggests that the transformative power of AI is not guaranteed to be equitable. Understanding the unintended consequences of our first revolution is key to consciously shaping our second, and ensuring AI becomes a tool for empowerment rather than a n

Drop in pears harvest threatens thousands of families

Pears are popularly known as Sri Lankan apples. This is a fruit endemic to the Nuwara Eliya district. But it is now endangered and risks extinction from Sri Lankan soil, much to the anxiety of pears cultivators.

The Hidden Epidemic: Confronting Epilepsy in Sri Lanka

Epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures (fits), necessitates a comprehensive and individualised management approach. Effective epilepsy management aims to achieve seizure freedom while minimising side effects and optimising the patient’s quality of life. This article explores the multifaceted aspects of epilepsy management, encompassing diagnosis, pharmacological interventions, lifestyle modifications, and surgical o

Sri Lanka’s prisons overwhelmed by drug addicts

Despite intensified operations to curb drug-related crimes across the country, Sri Lanka is grappling with a growing crisis on two fronts, a surge in drug addiction and a critically overcrowded prison system that has far exceeded its holding capacity.

The Stigmatised “Barren Woman”: How Women and couples navigate invisible social rules on infertility

Tharani* (37) and her husband had finally opted for In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) after experiencing multiple miscarriages.

The Kadirgamar who molded us

Twenty years on, the legacy of Lakshman Kadirgamar, PC, continues to resonate with those whose lives he touched.

New SriLankan High Commissioner in Australia welcomed with Open Arms

The Federation of Sri Lankan Organisations in Queensland, Australia, organised a reception to welcome the newly appointed High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Australia, Yasoja Gunasekara, on August 2, at the Walkway to Ceylon Hotel in Brisbane.

Screen addiction causing social issues in kids Expert

Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera has raised concern that children are increasingly facing social and developmental challenges, rather than medical problems, due to excessive screen exposure.

Racketeers involved in large scale land grab in Dambulla

These racketeers operate a land kachcheri that enables them to create notarial deeds showing a transaction history of fifty years for any land. With the Divisional Secretary withdrawing the land from state ownership, they began to link the ownership of the state land to a praveni pangu of the Dambulla temple title plan