The Saga Of The Lamb In The Stable

It was a most unusual night.... An aura of celestial light..... Lit up the wide expanse Of grassland.....

The Birth of the Nazarene

It was the night of nights. Cold - freezing, bitterly, cold. The star-spangled inky blue sky had an aura of unsurpassed peace and tranquility that permeated the atmosphere. But in Bethlehem there...

A CHRISTMAS REFLECTION

Beyond the crib is the cross. The Child born in the manger when there was no room in the inn was born to be the Saviour of the World. That is why...

Nanda Malini’s poignant Christmas song continues to inspire

Sung first in the distant 1984, Sri Lanka’s nightingale singer Nanda Malini’s, Christmas song “Jesu Swami Daruwane” never fails to inspire us still. Moreover, it challenges those who seek to celebrate the yearly festival of Christmas lavishly. Composed by Maestro Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne and set to music by musician Stanley Peiris, the song questions our distorted attitude towards the birth of Lord Jesus in a stable.

May your Christmas be blessed by giving generously

Jesuits in Sri Lanka have worked through the organization called ‘Tireless Warriors of Compassion’ to raise funds and contribute to causes such as funding programmes for eight universities, preschools, montessories and teachers. The organization believes in wielding education as its weapon against ignorance and despair. It makes a humble request to open your wallets and support such worthy causes. The following is a release sent by ‘Tireless Warr

In remembrance of Nesaranee Rutnam

Wife, sister, mother, grandmother and mother-in-law, passed away two months ago (October 24th), but will always be in our minds and hearts.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATES THE INCARNATION OF JESUS

John 3:16 is probably the most well-known Bible verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This passage shows us how Saul (Paul) of Tarsus found room in the “whosoever” word the Lord used, and how he turned it into great zeal to proclaim the name of the Lord who saved him.

Short film ‘Christmas Gift’ A family reunion made possible through forgiveness

Author, journalist and stage drama director Sugath Shantha Moragahakumbura has made plans to release a YouTube video (short film) with the aim of sending a strong message to the society....

Can Kandakadu serve justice to drug offenders anymore?

Back in 2019, during one of his visits to the Philippines, the then President Maithripala Sirisena praised Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s approach to control the drug menace; an approach that had allegedly led to thousands of extrajudicial killings at the time. Sirisena not only said that it had set an example to the world, but said that he should consider adopting similar approaches to eradicate the drug menace in Sri Lanka. Since then t

Longest mountain in Sri Lanka: How Saliya-Asokamala shaped the history of Galgiriya Mountain

The 11 km long Galgiriya Mountain is known as the longest mountain in Sri Lanka. The mountain is situated in the Ahatuwewa Divisional Secretariat of the Galgamuwa Seat and comes under the purview....

Sri Lankan Elilini Hoole among delegates at COP28

The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) was held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12. The focus was on Climate Justice, Climate Finance, Climate Adaptation, Loss and Damage, Climate Technology, etc. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, accompanied by three ministers and two opposition MPs, was joined by twenty young participants. This was the largest-ever Lankan delegation at a climate summit. His technical delegation consisted of 15 negotiato

‘Sri Maha Bodhiya’ lay trustee families offer merit to ancestors

Descendant family members of the Nuwarawewa Suriyakumara Wannisinghe Bulankulame family, who are the lay trustees of the Sri Maha Bodhiya at Anuradhapura, held a Pinkama at the Adhahana Maluwa Gedigei of the Asgiriya Temple facilitated by the Upali Thera recently. This was to commemorate and offer merit to their ancestors who protected the sacred tree after the Bo-sapling was brought to Sri Lanka in 3rd Century BC by Sanghamitta Theri, the daugh

Lighting of a ‘Peace Candle’ for peace in Palestine

On December 11 the Embassy of Palestine held its traditional Christmas commemoration at the embassy premises. This year amid the ongoing ruthless mass-killing of Palestinian civilians, including women and children, the indiscriminate targetting of buildings including hospitals, schools and the destruction of even the oldest Church in Gaza, Palestine, the Ambassador, his staff and friends of Palestine in Sri Lanka felt it was not possible to celeb

“Christmas in the Air” by The Thomian Society

The Thomian Society held its annual Christmas family Get-together “Christmas in the Air” for members of their families and friends after a lapse of three years. The event was held under its new President elect Sudath Jayasundara at the Grand Oriental Hotel’ Rainbow Ballroom recently. Christmas carols were sung, there were prizes and surprises with fabulous prizes and music for dancing too with a sumptuous Buffet Dinner. Music was by “Ledger Line

‘Cosmic Rays’ to perform on New Year’s Eve at Berjaya Hotel

The Popular musical band ‘Cosmic Rays’ which counts nearly 40 years of experience in versatile music and is enriched with pop, reggae, Latin American styles and modern retro music and blending with Sinhala and English songs of 60s and 70s and Baila will perform ‘Live’ on New Year’s Eve at a Gala Dinner Dance at Berjaya Hotel. Mt. Lavinia. There will be Baila competition and an entrance ticket draw with lavish prizes to be won. And of course there

Dr. A.N. Hanifffa Memories from the diary of two doctors

Dr. Ahamed NaszHannifa, who had a peaceful death recently, was my friend from 1956, when we entered the Faculty of Science, Colombo, of the University Ceylon for the first MB. We entered the Faculty of Medicine (the only Medical Faculty in Ceylon then) in 1957. We were seated next to each other throughout the six years of medical training. He was a soft-spoken helpful gentleman. He travelled by scooter. Whenever we had to go out of Colombo for o

Freedom of movement in Sri Lanka and Human Rights Commission

On December 8, 2023, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) determined that the Navy had violated my right to freedom of movement by blocking me from travelling to the remote Iranaitheevu island in Kilinochchi district on March 5, 2021.

An accomplished editor who didn’t lose the common touch

The curtain came down on Gamini Weerakoon, one of the last of the great English language editors of Sri Lanka in the sad month of November, 2023. Gamini Weerakoon’s passing ends a career that spanned 57 years of superlative journalism. He was 82 at the time of death.

When death denied us a dear friend

I first met him when I was doing my field work in Kandy and he was the Assistant Curate at St. Paul’s Church, Kandy.

Tribute to a loving wife and a precious mother

In the cradle of her tender embrace, A haven of love, an endless grace. A tribute to a wife, a mother dear, Whose presence brings joy, ever near

Christmas memories of an angel in heaven

There’s a special place Beyond the skies above Somewhere very peaceful That is full of light and love.

Prof. Stanley Wijesundera: Commemorating the life and times of an erudite scholar

Internationally renowned visionary educationist Prof. Stanley Wijesundera had been the livewire behind the setting up of the University of Colombo. His legacy has inspired many academics and....

Speakers at ‘Fight for our lives’ focus on dwindling HR practices

“The Northern part of this country was also a Palestine,” said Brito Fernando Chairman of the Families of the Disappeared at a public gathering titled ‘Fight for our lives’ which was held recently....

Rainforest Alliance: Championing sustainability in Sri Lanka’s tea sector

The introduction of tea as a crop to Sri Lanka transitioned the pace at which the country’s export economy was growing. However since the introduction of tea to the island since the 1800s....

Actor Hemasiri to be felicitated

Award winning actor Hemasiri Liyanage will be felicitated for his long contribution to Sri Lankan theatre, television, and cinema. A film retrospection and a book launch are organised on December....

20th Death Anniversary of Ven. Soma (on Dec. 12th) A virtuous Buddhist monk who won the hearts of youth

Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Nayaka Thera of Asgiriya stated, “Gangodawila Soma Thera always tried to correct the society. He explained the threat of extinction of the Sinhalese race, the great harm caused by political division and the opportunistic and hypocritical behaviour by them. He emphasised the strength of unity towards creating a righteous society and the importance of political truth in the ruling system.

Giant Black Bees guarding Aukana Buddha Statue

The Aukana Buddha Statue has been given ‘Natural Protection’ by a group comprising giant black bees. With these insects making hives, people have been prevented from acts that are detrimental to this standing Buddha statue. The Aukana Buddha Statue is said to have been carved by two brothers. But, the younger brother had not agreed with his elder sibling; hence he is reported to have left home and made another statue. In recent times, it is rep

Sri Lanka’s Kithul Industry Is Ailing, But Authorities Have Other Plans

K. Jayaratne (74) from Molkawa, a scenic village in the Bulathsinghala Divisional Secretariat has been a kithul tapper since....

Suminda Sirisena: The Sage of Kokilana

On 7th of December 2023, we bade farewell to our father Suminda Sirisena. He was, however, much more than the patriarch...

Deaf Children To Showcase Art Skills At Exhibition

The School for the Deaf, Ratmalana has organised an art exhibition titled ‘Nihanda Sithuwam’ (‘Silent Creations’) which will be held....