Sri Lanka Scout Association supports disaster relief activities

The Sri Lanka Scout Association is actively involved in disaster relief activities during these troubled times and its members have arranged collection centres in more than 20 Scout Districts across the country.

Aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah Focus on disaster-risk preparedness, relief and rescue operations

Sri Lanka is facing one of the worst catastrophes in recent history. Authorities claim that the impact of heavy rainfall, sometimes exceeding 400mm in Central Highlands and other parts of the country, contributed to a devastating flood situation along low-lying areas. With over 150 recorded deaths and over 190 people still missing, demand for relief and rescues amidst ongoing evacuation attempts, the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah is worrying.

Battalangunduwa Tourist hotspot an eyesore for struggling islanders

Battalangunduwa is an island situated off Sri Lanka’s northwest coast, belonging to the Kalpitiya archipelago. Although its serene beauty has made it a popular tourist destination, daily life is far more complex and arduous for those who call the island home. Beneath the facade of this breathtaking landscape lies a dark reality as the island’s inhabitants constantly grapple with limited resources and harsh environmental conditions.

Sri Lanka Press Association honours ten media veterans at 70th anniversary convention

Sri Lanka Press Association felicitated ten media veterans at its 70th Anniversary Convention and the D. F. Kariyakarawana Memorial Journalism Awards held at Hilton Colombo - Grand Ballroom on Wednesday evening. Founded on October 9, 1955, the country’s oldest functioning journalist association conducted its convention under the aegis of Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr Kaushalya Ariyaratne. The ten veterans who were also gifted with a special ca

LCME Ambassador underscores the value of professional music

Parents should allow children to get a balance of creative areas such as literature, drama and music, says John Howard, Professor of Music at the University of West London and Ambassador for London College of Music Examinations (LCME).

147th Battle of the Blues Thomian Saddlebreds get ready for a fun-filled cricket big match

One of the key events of the inter-school big match calendar, the Royal-Thomian cricket big match will take place from March 12 to 14 next year at the SSC grounds in Colombo. In connection with the annual cricket big match, an announcement was made to the media about the relaunch and sponsorship exchange of the Thomian Saddlebreds Tent. This media briefing was conducted by the officials of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia Old Boys’ Association a

Public Speaking Accelerator 2025 A Transformational Seminar Public Speaking Accelerator 2025 to take place on December 12 in Colombo

The Rainbow Institute of Communication will host its Annual Public Speaking Seminar, Public Speaking Accelerator 2025, on December 12 at the Sofia Hotel in Colombo. This year’s program features enhanced digital and interactive methods to strengthen communication skills, build confidence, and help participants deliver compelling speeches in professional and public settings.

SL’s Fruit Farmers see 300% Yield increase through China Partnership; FAO

A South-South Cooperation initiative between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) of China, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture of Sri Lanka has delivered results in strengthening Sri Lanka’s fruit value chains, FAO notes. The two-year project, which ended this year, was implemented in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) and

Youth must take the lead in climate affairs – Sri Lankan tells UN Climate conference

Jayasanka Sandun Jayasuriya, a 25-year-old undergraduate from Rajarata University, has seized the global stage, delivering a high-impact address at the UN Climate Conference (COP30) in Brazil. Selected as the sole speaker worldwide on Climate Change Adaptation and Youth Responsibility in the Global South, Jayasuriya stressed that youth are the most vulnerable and yet the most capable community for change. His core message, that educated youth mus

VIPUL BOTEJUE IS NO MORE….. Sri Lanka has lost a remarkable soldier, sportsman, and leader.

Vipul was an international swimmer and an equally accomplished water polo player. A proud product of Royal College, Colombo 7, he joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1969 and was enrolled in the 2nd Intake of Officer Cadets at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa.

Brigadier Vipul Boteju (Retd) The Enduring Legacy of a Patriot and a Gentleman

The nation mourns the departure of a true officer and gentleman, a stalwart figure whose career in the Sri Lankan Army spanned more than two decades, leaving an indelible mark on the institution he loved and served. Brigadier Vipul Boteju (Retd), a name synonymous with disciplined command, uncompromising integrity, and quiet patriotism, passed away on November 25, 2025, at the Military Hospital Narahenpita, concluding an illustrious life that ser

The fifth annual Sinhala poetry compilation Sankalpana poetry compilation launched in Brisbane

‘Sankalpana’, the annual poetry compilation done by Dr. Nimal Sedera in Australia, bringing together Sri lankan poets there, was successfully launched in Acaciaridge, Brisbane, on November 23. Picture shows the five poets that joined the publication from Brisbane: Thisara Srimal,

cinema portraits from 1948 till now Know your stars: Who’s Who of Lankan cinema

‘Cinema Ran Potha’ by veteran film journalist Ernest Waduge is a picture gallery of Lankan film stars from the earliest – the Jayamanne era, starting with a still from our first ‘talkie’ feature Kadavunu Poronduwa with Rukmani Devi and B. A. W. Jayemanne. For those who may not know it, Kadavunu Poronduwa was directed by Indian director J. Singh, and his picture is there.

The man who led the 1818 rebellion Keppetipola: The hero who defied the British empire

No one has been speaking about the son of the valiant freedom fighter Maha Adikaram Monarawila Keppetipola who was beheaded on November 26, 1818, after a ‘Kangaroo Trial’ held at the Kandy Audience Hall. The Maha Adikaram or chief minister was not arrested but surrendered to Captain O’Neill on his own, declaring boldly: “I am Keppetipola”.

A bottoms up approach: Transforming rural lives affected by poverty

Rural poverty in Sri Lanka is frequently highlighted, yet remains unresolved. According to experts, a large portion of the peripheral population continue to live in poverty or face a high risk of falling into it. The underlying causes are multifaceted, and addressing them requires long-term, multi-dimensional strategies

Guardians of the Wild: Why Protecting the Leopard Protects Us All

The Sri Lankan leopard is the essential messenger of the island’s ecological health. Its survival ensures the balance of forests, stabilizes watersheds, and keeps nature’s delicate machinery intact. For DFCC Bank, supporting leopard conservation is not a gesture, but a seventy-year philosophical commitment: that responsible progress must fundamentally coexist with the natural systems that sustain human life in Sri Lanka.

Resisting unplanned development Residents, experts continue fight to save Mannar Island

People of Mannar claim that they have been bearing the brunt of unplanned development in the guise of renewable energy.

The Great Tea Illusion: How We Lost an Industry and Didn’t Notice

For more than a century, Ceylon Tea was not just an export crop, it was the main foreign exchange earner for the country. It was a national inheritance—an agricultural engine left behind by British planters who, whatever one may say of colonial exploitation, built an industrial and managerial system of extraordinary discipline.

The Siege of Colombo 1630 - Part II War and diplomacy in the 17th century

As noted last week, following the destruction of Portuguese captain general Constantino de Sa Noronha’s army at Randeniwela, King Senarat surrounded the fortress city of Colombo in September 1630 with 15,000 men.

Celebrations from Dec. 12-14 Make Sri Lankan Day a Shared National Event

The government is proceeding with its plans to hold Sri Lankan Day celebrations on December 12-14 in Colombo as a national platform to bring every community together. The event, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, aims to promote unity.

GLOBAL EDUCATION PLATFORM MARKS 7 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

The Global Education Platform (GEP), a leading international education network, celebrated its 7th anniversary recently.

Spotlight on Hambantota Proposed management reserve to control ‘jumbos’ might worsen Human Elephant Conflict

The National People’s Power Government is moving away from science and repeatedly launching elephant-

GIJC 2025 A global gathering for the future of investigative journalism

The 14th Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC) co-hosted by the Global Investigative Journalism Network and Malaysiakini kicked off at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre with the participation of over 1500 attendees from 135 countries.

Rev. Fr. Michael Paul Rodrigo, OMI: Unique vision cut short by a bullet

Rev. Fr. Michael Paul Rodrigo, Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, stands as one of the most luminous figures in the story of the Church in Sri Lanka. His life was a song of love — love for God, for the poor, and for this land. He lived and died among the people of Waguruwela, Buttala, where his vision of education, justice, and faith found deep roots in the soil of ordinary lives.

Chief Commissioner of Sri Lanka Scouting movement appointed to triple positions

Janaprith Fernando, Attorney-at-Law and Chief Commissioner has been appointed as the Chairman of the Volunteer Support Sub Committee of the Asia Pacific Region and as the Membership Director of the Asia Pacific Evergreen Scouts at the recently concluded 28th Asia Pacific Region Scout Conference held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Twelve classics to be screened in France On the Roads of the Golden Age of Sri Lankan Cinema

Due to many reasons, known and unknown, some of Sri Lanka’s cinematic gems remained buried without getting noticed by the world. However, after several decades, the world-renowned French cinema has chosen to pay a tribute to some of these near-forgotten classics with a full retrospective featuring leading filmmakers, some of whom have passed away.

Participation is a right for each child – UNICEF Rep Brigham

Little Amaya; See Me, Hear Me – a children’s day exhibition using art and technology was inaugurated late last week at the Lotus Tower celebrating World’s Children’s Day on Nov 20.

YOUR PHONE IS NOW YOUR WALLET: ARE YOU READY TO TRUST GOOGLE PAY TAP-AND-GO WITH YOUR MONEY?

Google Pay is now live in Sri Lanka. And if you shop in Colombo, this could change your daily routine overnight. In partnership with Commercial Bank and Visa, Google has released the long-promised “Tap to Pay” convenience we’ve been waiting for.

45th Anniversary of 9th intake Cadets of Sri Lanka Navy

45 years ago, on November 1.1980, twelve youth selected from thousands who applied boarded the night mail train bound for Trinco to commence their training as Cadets at the Naval and Maritime Academy, except one whose travel was delayed by one week.

IDM Nations Campus Marks 17th Convocation; Over 750 Graduates Honoured

IDM Nations Campus International held its 17th Convocation Ceremony at the BMICH, recognising more than 750 graduates from the fields of Law, Management, Information Technology, and Teacher Education.