Accountability imperative for Sri Lanka’s recovery

Sri Lanka was once one of the most successful economies in South Asia, boasting a higher GDP per capita than any other sizable South Asian country.

46th UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meeting Global Heritage Conversation grabs attention

The following is a press release issued by the Indian High Commission in connection with the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee which is hosted by India.

Tarana Foundation’s Gift transforms lives: Sri Lanka’s first Hip Preservation Set brings hope to children

Lady Ridgeway Hospital has offered help to a mother during the process where her daughter is being diagnosed for an illness. The Restore Hope Project Co-Chair of Tarana Foundation, Ann Amaratunga, explained how the project was conceived when she took her daughter to the hospital.

MOH receives refrigerated trucks from UNICEF supported by government of Japan to boost immunisation services in SL

Ministry of Health has received nine refrigerated trucks procured by UNICEF, funded by the Japanese government to further improve the delivery system of vaccines to all children across Sri Lanka.

Merrill J: Fernando A Friendship Remembered

My earliest recollections of Merrill are of his consulting me at the Ratnam Private Hospital when I was a young and energetic surgeon.

Postal stamp to commemorate Gangodawila Soma Thera

The Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts, Postal Headquarters, Colombo, recently issued a new postage stamp in the denomination of Rs. 50.00 to commemorate the Most Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera.

Sri Lanka seeks all foreign manuscripts to complete chronicled history

A version of the Maha vansha has surfaced in Germany and it is alleged to have been written by the priests of ‘Uththaramaha....

Six Rotary Clubs join forces: ‘SERVICE through ENTERTAINMENT’, a fundraiser for LRH

Rotary for Little Hearts ‘SERVICE through ENTERTAINMENT’ Rotarians are extraordinary people of action, turning....

Prof. Karunasekara to talk on AI at Pulimood oration

“The 33rd Pulimood Memorial Oration” will take place on Tuesday, July 23, from 5:15 pm onward at the Jeremias Dias....

Life on a powder keg

Paradise can be a fragile thing. In Vakarai, a Sri Lankan village where turquoise water laps against pristine beaches....

boasters in politics and American Trump

European countries are supposed to hold parliamentary and presidential elections before the end of 2024. Sri Lanka too is preparing....

Significance of ‘Esala Maha Poya’

The significant ‘Esala Maha Poya’ falls in the month of July. Beginning from the month of January, 12 monthly full moon days are named as: Duruthu, Nawam, Medin, Bak, Vesak, Poson, Esala, Nikini, Binara, Vap, Ile, and Unduwap respectively. Buddhist devotees signify ‘Esala Maha Poya’, almost in per ‘Vesak’ and ‘Poson’ due to its multifaceted values. Firstly, on an Esala Poya upon the pleading of Maha Brahmma and the host of Thusita world deities,

Pulimood Memorial Oration of Visakha on July 23

The 33rd annual Susan George Pulimood Memorial Oration of Visakha Vidyalaya will be held on July 23 at 5.15 p.m. at the Jeremias Dias Hall at Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo 5. The oration will be delivered by Prof. Shanika Karunasekara, Deputy Dean (Academic) of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne, Australia. The theme of the oration will be ‘Artificial Intelligence: The Dream, Nightmare and the Reality’

Empowering Green Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka’s ambitious initiative for mangrove restoration

Sri Lanka is embarking on an innovative journey to fuse environmental conservation with economic development through the ‘Green Entrepreneurs for Mangroves in Sri Lanka’ (GEMS) programme. This initiative, collaboratively driven by the Initiative for Livelihood Education and Development (iLEAD) International Academy, Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) and Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry

Former Aussie Premier Morrison here for Human Capital Summit 2024

Former Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison and Mrs. Jenny Morrison were welcomed on arrival in Sri Lanka yesterday (July 17). Morrison is a distinguished invitee who will attend the Sri Lanka Human Capital Summit 2024 which will be held at Temple Trees on July 18 (today). The Summit will be inaugurated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Morrison is scheduled to attend several other business and corporate events to discuss trade and investm

A rosy picture but uncertain future

I refer to your excellent editorial of July 3rd which exhibits courage and honesty in exposing the objective reality hanging over our country. Referring to the debt-restructuring agreement signed by the government with Paris Club, and India and China you refer to the dawn of some breathing space to pay our loans and a sigh of relief for the government in its ability now to provide essential services to the people as well as the opportunity to def

‘Low female workforce hinders economic growth’

Women constitute 52% of Sri Lanka’s population, yet their participation in the labour force has stagnated at around 30% for several decades. Amidst the country’s emigration challenges and a male labour force participation rate at a saturation point of 96% within the most productive age group, it is crucial for Sri Lanka to address the underrepresentation of women in the workforce to sustain targeted investments as the country gradually rises from

One year down, Muthu Raja gradually recovers in his home country

Exactly a year ago, Muthu Raja, the Thai elephant gifted to Sri Lanka two decades ago, was in the news following a spat over the animal’s alleged mistreatment in the country. Finally, the elephant was flown back to the animal’s home country. The animal’s condition drew public attention both in Sri Lanka and Thailand.

‘Privatise CGR!’ Cart-tracks, Waterways, Railroads and History of Transport Strikes

In 1807, Revd. James Cordiner, Chaplain to Colombo Garrisons observed, “Strictly speaking there are no roads in the island...” However, he failed to propose any solutions and was unaware that waterways and cart tracks already existed. The Hamilton Canal, named after Gavin Hamilton, the Government Agent of Revenue and Commerce, had been completed three years earlier, in 1804.

Spotlight on Pada Yatra Rigorous pilgrimage threatened by festival atmosphere

Regulations are necessary to prevent the loss of religious and cultural values associated with the ‘Pada Yatra’ (Pilgrimage by foot) to Kataragama and to safeguard Yala and Kumana national parks from destruction.

Road in Digana, Kandy not repaired in 34 years!

The 1 Km long road from Wijayasirigama Co- operative Junction (Samupakara handhiya) in Digana New Town-Aluthwatte Road to Ambakote ‘Sri Pushparama’ Temple ‘Y’ junction has been repaired only once in 1990. That was when the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa held the Pallekele Gam-Udawa integrated rural development project encompassing the Kandy district.

Need of political stability and economic growth in Nepal

On Monday, Nepal saw another change of government – the second in two years. This is not new as Nepal has seen 12 changes in Premiership in 16 years.

Mishandling sensitive information Leaked Video confessions threaten dignity, privacy and respect

The Sri Lanka Police came under scrutiny for allowing the media to release sensitive information relating to the assassination of a night club owner during the confession made by the owner of the tattoo shop. On numerous instances, CCTV footage and other sensitive information are leaked to the media; even before the law enforcement authorities conclude their investigations. On Friday, Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksha slated the cops for rel

Decapitated skeleton near Colombo Fort Does the discovery link to Sri Lanka’s dark past?

Discovery of the remains of a dead body in a place other than in a cemetery always leads to a mystery and a crime. With two youth uprisings- in the South and a 26 year long war in the North- Sri Lanka’s history is tainted with incidents of disappearances, unlawful killings and even mass graves. Nearly 30 mass graves related to alleged illegal killings over several decades have been found in the country since early 1990s. It was in this backdrop t

K.C.Vignarajah (1940-2024): An Ode to a True Leader and Advocate

I have known Kangasu Chelvadurai Vignarajah, known to many by his initials K.C., for over....

Approval of the government triples to 24% in July

Over three times as many people approve of the government and feel better about the economy....

Undergrads from SLUCSM follow a spiritual programme

A group of 100 students from the Sri Lanka University Catholic Students Movement (SLUCSM) took part in a two-day residential exposure and spiritual program at St. Anthony’s Church, Colpetty, coinciding with the annual church feast. The students were able to prayerfully participate in the vespers, festive high mass and the procession and shared their experiences about university life with youth of the parish. We would like to extend our sincere gr

Naomi de S. Wijeyeratne An angel who gave love and light

We give thanks for the life of our little angel Naomi on her 1st death anniversary. She was the beacon of light in our world. Naomi’s life was a dance of innocence, a symphony of laughter, a treasure of love. As a family we grew, learned, and loved, all through Naomi’s grace. She was our teacher, our inspiration, our guiding light. Her innocence taught us the beauty of simplicity and her gentle smile taught us the joy of living. Her love taught

‘Kithu Dana Pubuduwa’ Nine Days of Worship for Mother Mary

The Annual Feast of Pentecost 2024 was celebrated as a rally by associates and membership of the ‘Kithu Dana Pubuduwa’ – The Apostolate of Renewal, recently. It was held in the Prayer Stadium of Sri Prasansaramaya at Walpola, Ragama. All who came had followed a preparatory novena (a devotion consisting of prayers or services on nine consecutive days) in their various communities. Each of the nine days contemplated different ideas related to the

A loving tribute to Fr. Aloy on His 90th birthday renowned scholar and good shephard

Jesuit Fr. Aloysius Pieris (affectionately called Fr. Aloy) celebrated his 90th birthday on April 9, 2024 and I, as the editor of our Oblate Journal, ‘THE MISSIONARY OBLATE’ had gone to press by that time. Immediately, I decided to publish an article, appreciating the untiring selfless services he continues to offer for Inter-Faith dialogue, the renewal of the Catholic Church, his concern for the poor and the suffering Sri Lankan masses and to me