‘Aluth Pola’ to raise funds for destitute animals

A year has passed by and here we are again bearing witness to the dissipating turmoil that is animal welfare in Sri Lanka. We’re aware of full-fledged pet encagements and abandoned litters of newborn strays in plastic bags. However, during the passing time, little has changed. During the challenge that was 2020 the spike in compassion and the growth in Sri Lanka’s sense of community took me pleasantly by surprise. As the animal welfare awareness

A tribute to a friendly dad from his son and family

January 28 marks the first death anniversary of our beloved dad E. T. Eusiri De Silva. It is also the birthday of my eldest son, his eldest grandson, who we all thought was his favourite.

A true friend and a gentleman

I first met Gamani Jayasinghe in the office where my (prospective) husband Sachi and I were working for an absentee senior lady lawyer. Our office had become a meeting place for many of our friends, to have a cup of tea in between appearances in Court and chat cheerfully on subjects veering from pleadings and practice to politics and gossip. Two frequent visitors were carefree Suranjith Hewamanne and serious Gamani; both quite jovial a

SLMA hosts Founder’s Day 2021

On January 22 the Sri Lanka Malay Association (SLMA) conducted the Founder’s Day, an event held annually in January to commemorate the inauguration of the SLMA. The SLMA was established on January 22, 1922. Therefore, the Founder’s Day held this year at the Padang in Colombo marked 99 years since the establishment of the SLMA in Sri Lanka.

AAP celebrates 15th anniversary

Academy for Administrative Professionals (AAP) celebrated its 15th Anniversary at Taj Samudra recently. It was a three in one felicitation that comprised the Convocation of Batch 18, Recognition of Founder Members and Christmas Splendor. The three Cs, Convocation, Crystal Ball & Christmas Splendor were splendid with the ruby colour depicting fifteen years of sustainability.

SL Girl Guides Association conducts 63rd AGM

Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association (SLGGA), counting 103 years in existence, is the oldest and largest voluntary movement for girls in the country with over 100,000 members island-wide. SLGGA affords the opportunity for girls to develop physical fitness and health, intelligence and character, skills and handicrafts, fellowship and service.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

The social aspect of sharing a movie with friends, family and strangers is such a strong part of our tradition.

Incidents of violence against Buddhist monks: When commercialism clouds the meditative mind

Buddhist scripture condemns violence in every form. But exactly a month after Ven. Olande Jinarathana Thera’s body was found floating in the Rathgama Lagoon....

Violence against Women and Girls: Initiate Solid Preventive Action says DCS

The ferocity of the Violence against Women and Girls (VAW) has historically predominated mankind. “On April 24, 2020....

A Handful of Leaves

The Gautama Buddha’s Dhamma is phenomenal. Once, he was giving a sermon to his monks. They were in a forest with many trees.

Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya History behind the colourful Duruthu Perahera

Annually during the month of Duruthu (January) the most colourful Duruthu Perahera is held at Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya premises to commemorate Gautama Buddha’s third visit to Sri Lanka.

Was there Buddhism in early Sri Lankan history?

The ancient chronicles have documented the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in 236 BCE as the dawn of the Buddhist era when the seed of Buddhism were sown; implying that the period prior to the advent of Arahant Mahinda this Land was bereft of Buddhism. And that the early inhabitants were unaware of the teachings of the Buddha.

Sinharaja Elephant Corridor: Destruction continues nonstop

Two powerful businessmen have combined forces to block the main elephant corridor within the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. An elephant corridor running from Morning Side to the Dellawa, Walankanda forest through the Handapan Ella has been cleared to construct two hotels by a couple of businessmen.

SLAF AOW repairs aircraft in SL

The Aircraft Overhaul Wing (AOW) at the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Base in Katunayake, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, has already been able to secure a large amount of foreign revenue by repairing Chinese made aircraft in Sri Lanka.

Partnership formed to Bring women’s and Girls’ issues to the forefront

Pandemics such as COVID-19 affect women and men differently, further exacerbating existing inequalities faced by women and girls and other marginalised groups....

Most Ven. Kotugoda Dhammavasa Thera turns 88

It was in the year 1803 that there was a renaissance within the Maha Sangha (the Great Community of Buddhist Monks) in Sri Lanka thereby adding a fresh chapter to the history of the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka. This was when the Most Ven.

’’Perils of a Profession’’ Plight of the Police after 1977

There is great concern in the country regarding the ever-changing nature of our Constitution and the implications for all of us.

Aartzy offers futuristic platform for artists

This was an artist who made his living by selling his paintings on the street and most of his business depended on tourism”. After this encounter Perera, who has years of experience in business administration and marketing, identified a dire need that’s there in the Sri Lankan market for a proper platform for the local artists to sell their work.

Celebrating the life of Ven. Pannila Ananda

It gives me great pleasure to wish my dear friend, Ven. Dr. Pannila Ananda Nayaka Maha Thera, a very happy 73rd birthday.

Wijeratna was an exemplary dual citizen

Sunil Wijeratna, my beloved cousin, passed away in Zurich, Switzerland while recovering following surgery in Colombo.

Hype Sri Lanka: Path to Youth Empowerment Advocacy

Hype Sri Lanka is the Youth Empowerment Incubator in the country and the organization is celebrating its first year anniversary on January 25. Currently, the organization is involved in formulating a suitable Youth Policy for Sri Lanka which would highlight practical measures the government could take to design inclusive and fair recovery measures that leave no one behind.

A race battling anxiety

“We are a vanishing tribe in Sri Lanka. The first paternal ancestor of my father’s family who arrived in Sri Lanka in 1774 was Pieter Scharenguivel. He was a Quarter Master in the service of the United Dutch East India Company which ruled the maritime provinces of Sri Lanka from the middle of the 17th century to 1796.

Fastest growing ageing population in S. Asia and COVID-19

Although all age groups are at risk of contracting COVID-19, older people face significant risk of developing severe symptoms if they contract the disease due to physiological changes that come with ageing and potential underlying health conditions.

Can conscription establish a disciplined society?

Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (Retired) Sarath Weerasekara recently proposed in Parliament that youth above 18 years should be conscripted into military service.

Are tea workers still not at the ‘tea party’?

Tea plantation workers in Sri Lanka have long been demanding a salary hike to make their income on par with labourers of other sectors....

Military Training for Youth, Explained

As news broke out about Public Security Minister (Rtd) Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara’s proposal for military training for Sri Lankan youth....

Pfizer, Moderna, Astrazeneca - what do they mean?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 64 vaccines are currently in clinical developmental stage while 173 vaccines are in the pre-clinical developmental stage.

House Hit by Sea and Family by Bureaucracy

Fisherman K. N. Sujith Fernando (42) and his family with two sons and daughters lived happily until July 18, 2019 the day on which a massive sea erosion caused and sea water almost seeped into their house. Experts, envi

Conflicting demands from Sri Lanka pose a serious challenge to UNHRC

While the Tamils have upped the ante considerably, Colombo has resolved to stick to its stand against foreign interference

Two simple solutions to Human-Elephant conflict

Elephants are intelligent creatures that live long lives (60 years +)