95 YEARS OF RUSSIAN PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

The All-Union Society for Cultural Relations (AUSCR) was created in 1925, aimed at “the establishment and development of scientific and cultural ties between institutions, NGOs and cultural figures of the USSR and abroad.” Olga Kameneva, sister of Leo Trotsky and wife of the first head of the Soviet state Leo Kamenev had become the chair of the organisation.

To my brother, who left an imprint on our lives

My brother passed away five years ago, but still, I feel that he is living. He left behind a set of children who are like him three sons and a daughter. Though he passed away, yet his thoughts for his kith and kin is embodied in them. That is what should be of people, when they pass away, to leave their imprint, at least among his or her near relatives.

A COUNTRY’S FUTURE IS ITS YOUTH

“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future,” 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D Roosevelt said in an address to the University of Pennsylvania on September 20, 1940.

POWER MAFIA EMPOWERED

In a surprise move, President’s Secretary P.B. Jayasundera on December 1 wrote to Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle instructing him to take steps....

Govt. needs to reveal its vision in framing the new Constitution

In the wake of President Gotabaya’s much-publicized intention of introducing a new constitution to Sri Lanka, the National Peace Council....

Health Ministry, FAO launch dietary guidelines for Sri Lankans

The Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched the Sri Lanka Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) at an event held in Colombo recently.

Dismay as highway set to run over RAMSAR Wetland!

Home to a plexus of sensitive ecosystems and a birds’ paradise, Thalangama comprises the few remaining green patches in Colombo’s wetlands.

SOS call from SOS Children’s Villages

Children are invaluable assets to any nation. It is the rightful duty of any parent to ensure their child is brought up well so he or she may successfully....

Prof Sampath Amaratunge A great teacher, listener and coach!

It gives me a great pleasure in penning this felicitation message to my colleague and friend, Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunge at the request of his students and well-wishers from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Even though I h

Asian-Mideast women break combat flying gender barriers

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) made headlines recently by commissioning two women pilots to fly military aircraft – a first in the island.

Another first in Sri Lanka

For the first time in Sri Lanka, a one-and-half-year-old girl, whose cancer-ridden humerus bone has successfully....

Child abuse in SriL lanka: is reform enough?

A 15-year-old girl was burnt when she was 5 and sexually abused when she was 12 by his stepfather. Her case was filed in 2018, but it’s still in its early stages.

He came … I saw … We conquered

Whenever I meet someone for the first time and he or she connects me to Clarence and the Moonstones I am amazed for the simple reason that never in my plans was there an item to CREATE A SUPERSTAR out of a helpless youngster! To me, the grooming of Clarence Wijewardena to be a household name is like in my marketing career, turning an unknown product to be a market leader!

FIRST LADY BEYOND COMPARE

It is the birth anniversary of the late Elina Jayewardene , a first lady beyond any compare and that memorable day will fall on December 15. Her youngest grandson Amrit shares the same birthday.

A true patriot with a farsighted vision

The 17th death Anniversary of Mr H. P Gooneratne fell on the 9th of December 9,2020 and it is with deep gratitude that we remember him, the Founder Chairman of HelpAge Sri Lanka.

Conserve our Wildlife Heritage for present and future generations: Conservationists appeal to President

The Wildlife Department was established in October 1949 but the first attempt to stop the destruction of Sri Lanka’s wildlife resources was made in 1889....

State of the Opposition: Self-righteous anger and sour grapes

One year and an ongoing pandemic later, the dust seems to have settled and the euphoria seems to have subsided.

Do Burials of COVID-19 victims cause ground water pollution?

Burial or cremation of COVID-19 victims is a WHO recommendation for the disposal of those who die from this disease.

Remembering Sri Lankan Hero Keppetipola

Keppetipola Day (November 26) was not held as in previous years, but Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela placed a floral bouquet at the Memorial at Maha Maluwa in Kandy.

“Human trafficking incidents will spike due to the pandemic”- Khadka

Human trafficking has become a global crisis that has questioned the worth of being human. Victims are exploited as commodities....

Combating COVID-19: Desperation stares in the face of mason turned ‘doctor’

The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) seems to be in extreme desperation in dealing with the current COVID-19 pandemic, going by the unofficial recognition....

NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT FUNNY BOY

Deepa Mehta’s ‘Funny Boy’, a Canadian drama film shot in Sri Lanka, is to be released on Netflix today. Based on acclaimed writer Shyam Selvadurai’s book of the same title, the coming-of-age film follows a young Tamil boy who explores his sexuality.

The “Z-Score” and the fate of A/L students

Currently the University Grant Commission (UGC) uses the “Z-Score” as the basis for selecting students to universities. At G. C. E. (A/L) Examination, students sit for three subjects. Marks for each subject is given on a scale of 0-100. Thereafter, the Z-Score is calculated as follows.

Act now to address shadow pandemic of violence against women

Urgent action is needed across the World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region to strengthen efforts to protect women and girls from violence and to support their health needs amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Virtual Ride Event Promoting Cycling as a Prime Mode of Mobility, for Work and Utility   

Purposeful bicycle rides will take place all over Sri Lanka on Friday, December 11 with individual rides being published on social media platforms.

One hundredth Ariesen Ahubudu Commemoration

The one hundredth birth anniversary of Kalasuri Ariesen Ahubudu, a great poet (Maha Kavi), outstanding lyricist, and eminent scholar and linguist of the country falls on March 18, 2021.

Reopening of the Yakkure - Manampitiya road Silent villagers spurred on by arrogant minister

On November 30, between 10 and 11 I contacted a close associate of Uncle Simon, known as a ‘walking library’ of the last Yakka Generation. Here is a part of our conservation on the Yakkure - Manampitiya Road.

Threatened biodiversity hotspot on the road to destruction

The Neluwa-Lankagama-Deniyaya Road that is being built via the Sinharaja Forest Reserve – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sans a proper plan and an Environmental....

We will continue to struggle for justice and the right to bury our dead

20 civil and human rights activists have stated in connection with the recent Supreme Court judgement related to cremation of Covid-19 dead bodies.

Uncle Rama willingly extended a helping hand

Uncle Rama was my father’s friend, my mother’s friend and my friend. Yes, I came to know Uncle Rama as a toddler. He endeared himself to Malli and me, and became our mentor, friend, and a role model.