India Distributes Solar Lanterns among Indian-origin estate workers

The Indian High Commission distributed solar lanterns to the Indian-origin estate workers in the Central Province. The distribution will now continue to cover all the 4,000 beneficiary households under Phase III of the IHP.

Central Asia Forum 2024: Prioritising Connectivity and Economic Engagement

The Central Asia Forum 2024 organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, together with the Geopolitical Cartographer held at the Granbell Hotel in Colombo on August 21,

Spotlight on controversial recruitment test Health sector hampered by lack of physiotherapists

Physiotherapy graduates have not been recruited for employment in the state sector during the past 4-6 years creating a deficit of employees in service and inconveniencing patients as well. To add to the problem there is a scarcity of professionals in the field here in Sri Lanka. The Government Physiotherapy Officer’s Association, (GPOA) underscores that there is a shortage of physiotherapists in necessary units in state hospitals.

Bridging the digital tax divide: VAT and fair competition in Sri Lanka

The digital economy is experiencing remarkable growth globally, and Sri Lanka is no exception. Sri Lanka’s digital economy was valued at approximately USD 3.47 billion in 2021, accounting for 4.37% of its GDP.

Kotagala Wetland Endangered Due to Negligence

Kotagala wetland, a highly sensitive environmental zone in Nuwara Eliya district, has been endangered with ruin; much to the anxiety of the environmentalists.

Civil Society Appeal on the Abolition of the Executive Presidency

Several high-profile individuals in the civil society and reputed organizations have come together in making a call to whoever who wins the upcoming presidential elections to give an undertaking to the people to abolish the Executive Presidency.

Seven Summit Challenge Previewing peaks which Johann will conquer

Last week, Daily Mirror interviewed Johann Peries, the mountaineer who’s on a quest to become Sri Lanka’s first to achieve the ‘Seven Summits’ challenge–considered the world’s most coveted mountaineering achievement.

‘Silence of civil society, religious bodies over Gaza massacres is distressing’

President Ranil Wickremesinghe should forthwith recall all those sent to Israel against the heightened threat of a wider Middle East war prompted by the killing of Palestinian Hamas leader and peace negotiator Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 in Tehran followed by the massacre of a over hundred displaced Palestinians in a Gaza school and mosque on August 10.

Rs 860 million spent on global tea promotion campaign wasted!

In 2011, the Sri Lanka Tea Board made plans to launch a media campaign to establish a global promotion and marketing programme for the Ceylon Tea brand. Strategies were formulated for the promotion of Ceylon Tea, in line with Cabinet Procurement Process /11/2080/531/021 dated 01.12.2011. Approval for the necessary proposals to implement these strategies was also granted as per the Cabinet’s decisions.

Why medical practitioners support abortion in Sri Lanka

A leading medical expert attached to the JMO Karapitiya Teaching Hospital Dr. Rohan P. Ruwanpura has pointed out the need of permitting abortion in case of justifiable humanitarian, social and medical scientific requirements.

Kelani Young Men’s Buddhist Association turns 66

The Kelani Young Men’s Buddhist Association (The Kelani YMBA) was set up on August 3, 1958 under the name ‘Sri Kalyani Bauddha Samithiya’, (which was changed to “Kelani Young Men’s Buddhist Association” from 07.09.1958) as a result of initiatives, commitment and effective action of a team of social activists for social-cultural enhancements of the people in the area based on the key principles of the Buddhist philosophy.

The diary of an indefatigable ‘Renaissance Man’

There is only so much that a human being could do in his entire lifespan. But Philip Revatha Wijewardene, fondly known as Ray, challenged the conventional capacities of a usual human being.

Kandy Esala Perahera How the Sacred Tooth Relic made its way to Kandy

According to Dheeganikaya, various relics of the Enlightened One have been enshrined in stupas built in various countries.

Romeo and Juliet: Teaching the torches to burn bright in Sinhala

Quite by chance, you see a billboard advert for William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet while passing the Punchi Theatre.

The Hijacking of BOAC flight 775 and internationalisation of the Palestinian cause The story of a Sri Lankan aboard that aircraft

The BOAC Vickers VC10 flight 775 coming from Bahrain via Bombay, was hijacked by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and brought to Dawson’s Field in 1970.

‘Inter-school House Cup IV-2024 Drama Competition’ Young Josephians steal the honours at drama

St. Joseph’s College Colombo emerged the victor at the ‘Inter-school House Cup IV-2024 Drama Competition’ held recently at the Lionel Wendt in Colombo. This drama competition was organised by Cold Theatre.

Inauguration of Bharat Sri Lanka Maitri Week

To coincide with Independence Day for India, the Indian High Commission handed over Bharath Kosh to authorities at the public library recently. Bharath Kosh is a variety of artefacts, and cultural treasures celebrating deep historical and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka.

Festivities held in Sri Lanka to mark India’s 78th Independence Day

78th Independence Day of India was celebrated in various parts of Sri Lanka on August 15. The main event in Colombo was held at ‘India House’, the official residence of High Commissioner of India. The independence of India is important in that it led to many other Asian countries gaining their own independence from the British ‘Empire’, including Sri Lanka in 1948.

LKI marks 19th death anniversary of Lakshman Kadirgamar

The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) held an almsgiving on August 12 at its institute to invoke merit to the late Lakshman Kadirgamar, PC, former Minister of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of marking his 19th death anniversary.

International forum highlights long trek by Malays

‘The International Forum on Diaspora and Sri Lanka Malays’ which was organised by the Sri Lanka Malay Association in collaboration with the World Malay-Polynesian Organization was held on August 3.

Presidential elections and perks! Is being an elections’ candidate akin to winning a lottery?

As in every other Presidential race, the public is expected to browse through a long list of candidates before casting their vote during the upcoming Presidential Elections. So far 36 candidates have placed security deposits to contest at the elections. Observers opine that there could be more candidates as the date to accept nominations approaches.

Mass protests in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh: striking similarities and stark differences

Mass agitations, originally initiated by students and later joined by the opposition parties, deposed former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-who fled the country- reminisce scenes that unfolded in Sri Lanka in July, 2022 when then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ousted from power through mounting public protests. There are striking similarities between the two countries in this regard though the circumstances that fueled unrest and en

An initiative to up-skill women in unpopular sectors

The People’s Forum for Reforms, a civil movement launched in May 2024, envisions a state where people would be empowered to shape the country’s future.

Shortage of seed potatoes

Potato farmers in Welimada have been in a predicament due to the shortage of seed c that resulted in a sharp drop in yield by 40 percent during the Yala season.

Violin-Piano Duo Recital for a worthy cause Sulara-Johann join to perform rare classical recitals

Interestingly the two young musicians have planned the programme with less-performed yet musically enthralling works of Western classical music including sonatas by Mendelssohn, Paganini and Hindemith as well as shorter works by Kreisler, Bloch, Debussy and de Falla.

Empowering Health Equity SLCPI pledges to support quality and affordable choice of medicine

The Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industries (SLCPI) held its 63rd Annual General Meeting recently, with the participation of its membership including leading pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers of the country.

The saga of Kandy Esala Perahera

The historic Kandy Esala Perahera will parade the streets of the ancient Hill Capital, from August 10-20 this year.

International Youth Day is today From Clicks to Progress

Youth not only represent the future of our nations, but they are one of society’s main agents of change and progress for any country.

Multi – cornered at beginning, three-cornered in middle, two-way duel last

The upcoming 2024 Presidential election in Sri Lanka is poised to be a unique and unpredictable multi-cornered contest because of the socio-economic and political context in which it is conducted and the presence of half a dozen of high profile candidates.

PRISCILLA SENARATNE: My marvelous mother

August 6 was mummy’s birthday. If she were alive she would be a 100 today. She really was an amazing woman and so ahead of her time. A professional woman who wanted careers for her daughters, not husbands, and she did not mince her words on this!