Horton Plains National Park plants and wildlife endangered by invasive plants

Horton Plains Naional Park, a world heritage environmental zone rich in biodiversity is now endangered by fast spreading invasive alien plants, much to the alarm of the environmentalists and those depending on tourism. Jinapriya Gallage, a reputed envioronmentalist and wildlife photographer, said these pose a threat to the park’s sensitive biodiversity, and plants and animal species endemic to this highly sensitive enviornmental zone would b

Need to revive eye care in Sri Lanka A nation losing sight!

Sri Lanka currently faces two parallel eye health crises— a backlog of cataract surgeries and a rise in unaddressed vision problems among schoolchildren.

Are uniforms involved in the Wilpattu timber racket?

Officers of the Eluwankulama Wildlife Office raided a large-scale timber smuggling operation that had been ongoing for some time in the buffer zone along the border of Wilpattu National Park, and seized a stockpile of timber worth nearly one million rupees from the site on May 1.

The next God: Could AI redefine divinity and humanity?

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just changing the way we work, shop or our interactions with each other. As AI grows in quantum leaps, we must ask whether we are prepared for a future where machines challenge not just our labour but something far deeper; our very sense of the scared and maybe even the way we understand God? For most of human history, we’ve looked up to the heavens, to scared texts, to something beyond ourselves for answers.

The fizz, fuss and sugar in a flat BEER!

The Excise Ordinance was introduced in Sri Lanka on January 1, 1913. The title of the ordinance states: “An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the law relating to the import, export, transport, manufacture, sale, and possession of intoxicating liquor and of intoxicating drugs.” This ordinance is referred to as the Excise Ordinance. Section 2 of Chapter I states: “In this Ordinance, unless there be something repugnant in the subject or context—’be

More students exposed to universities’ sadistic rag culture

“He was stripped naked in public and they kept banging his head on one wall and the other. They have pricked him using a safety pin. Then he was thrown inside a cupboard.

Honouring Sivaram’s Legacy: Journalists Unite for Justice and call for investigations

It has been twenty years since the assassination of veteran Journalist and media activist Dharmeratnam Sivaram, popularly known as ‘Taraki’.

Tribute to dear Brother Louis Benedict

In 1989, 36 years back, Louis Benedict joined the “Holy Trinity Community”- Charismatic Renewal Movement within the Catholic church.

The Success Story of St. Joseph’s College, Col-10

An inexplicable joy fills my heart as I write down my thoughts on the “Hall of Fame, Educational Institute in our Motherland”.

Brigadier Bhathiya Jayathilake, RWP, RSP, IG War Hero who paid the Ultimate Sacrifice, 25 years ago

We studied together at Royal College. He was two batches senior to me, but we were in the same Royal College Cadet Platoon. He was our cadet Sergeant in the 1978 Platoon. Bhathiya was a very cheerful person.

AAUPPC elects office bearers for 2025/2026

The 34th Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya-Colombo Chapter (AAUPCC) was held on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the Main Auditorium (Sanhinda), Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), Colombo 07.

Upcoming LG polls: Both candidates and voters need political literacy

The upcoming Local Government election is crucial for many reasons. Apart from the fact that it is being held after a hiatus of seven years, local government bodies play a crucial role in engaging the public in the local governance system. Sri Lanka witnessed a turbulent period in its political history since the last local government election in 2018. Lack of funds to hold elections in subsequent years, lack of finances to print ballot papers an

In memory of Premadasa’s 32nd death anniversary The Premadasa development model

Thirty-two years have passed since the death of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa. The terrorist attack targeting him on May 1, 1993, undoubtedly remains in the memory of many people. To anyone studying recent political trends in our society, it is true that he can be valued as a distinguished politician who made a significant development contribution that cannot be overlooked. Beyond this, President Premadasa’s political activities demonstra

Remembering A. E Goonesinha He was the founder of May Day in Sri Lanka

Writing about a historical figure is no easy task. Readers could tire of reading about the same feats year after year. However, every year there are readers who could gain knowledge of facts and changes in history created by our own men and women.

When ‘Labour isn’t working’ Will AI shame labourers and give value to an old British slogan?

In 1978 when the British Conservative party, under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher, ran an advertising campaign titled ‘Labour isn’t working’ it was punning on the word labour. The campaign was against the ruling Labour Party over the rising unemployment rate. Posters were put up with the slogan along with the image of a long line of people waiting to collect the dole that was offered to the unemployed.

In conversation with Gabriela Ramos MEXICO’S FIRST FEMALE CANDIDATE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL TO BECOME NEXT UNESCO DG

With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Gabriela Ramos is an inspiring international leader who has dedicated her life to building a more prosperous, fair and sustainable world.

International Day to End Corporal Punishment A call for change in how children are disciplined

When Menuri was just six, she woke up excited to take flowers to school; it was homework assigned by her teacher the day before.

Love letters from the past: Dead maybe, but not buried

The late Lakshman Kadirgamar, Sri Lanka’s foreign minister assassinated by the LTTE in Colombo in 2005, is revealed to be a romantic judging by his letters written to wife Angela long ago, and quoted by daughter Ajitha Kadirgamar in a recent article.

Gravel mining in Sigiriya sanctuary – who authorised it?

Environmental organisations and residents of the area expressed concern about the massive gravel mining project within the Sigiriya sanctuary causing extensive environmental damage.

Louis Benedict He had a passion for the written word

“Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime and departing leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time,” – A Psalm of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A conversation with Dhammika Gunasekara Timeless Curves and Unconventional Colour

Dhammika Gunasekara has worn many hats over the years. From engineer and entrepreneur to artist, his talents are boundless.

Allied Health Science Graduates In A Dilemma Over Controversial Recruitment Test

The Government Physiotherapy Officers’ Association (GPOA) recently opposed the double standards maintained by the Health Ministry when recruiting Allied Health Science graduates into the state healthcare sector.

Remembering Prof. Harshana Rambukwella:Scholar, Teacher and Father

Prof. Harshana Rambukwella, a distinguished academic and literary scholar, passed away unexpectedly at his residence in Abu Dhabi on April 21. He was 50.

Suren Wilson: Gone but never forgotten

It is one year since Suren went to his Eternal Rest, and is face to face with our Heavenly Father.

Traditional New Year folk games at Kesbewa

The third annual New Year celebrations of Lakmali Dancing Academy were held at Kesbewa, Walawwa premises recently.

Due to lack of support in Sri Lanka Tug of war officials at the end of their rope

Many sports activities take place during the Sinhala-Hindu New Year in April. Among some of the robust sports activities on the cards during the festive season is tug of war. It is also considered as one of the traditional sports activities in this island.

Social media ‘solves’ aviation’s unsolved mysteries

The history of aviation is riddled with mysteries, but there are two which stand out—the disappearance of American aviator Amelia Earhart and her navigator in 1937, and the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 in 2014.

Kumana National Park: A haven for leopards

Kumana National Park is known to be home to the world’s second-largest population of leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya)

Taxila stands with Dalada Maligawa in housing the Lord Buddha’s Sacred Relic

The exposition of the Lord Buddha’s Tooth Relic evoked awe and reverence from Buddhists across the country. Devotees, from all over, thronged the Kandy city, and waited for days in snaking queues, to pay homage to the Sacred Relic, which was exposed for the first time since 2009 for public veneration. Some even had to turn back desperately since the city administration imposed restrictions on entry because it was unprepared to handle such a

Sacred Exposition of the Tooth Relic A Historic Event for Sri Lankan Devotees

The Temple of the Tooth has begun the public exposition of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha, taking place from April 18th to 27th. This veneration is being held at the request of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with the primary aim of overcoming the economic and social problems and deepening the devotion of Buddhists.