How the idea of Italian Cuisine Week was born

The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World is one of the longest-running thematic reviews promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Founded in 2016 to carry forward the themes of Expo Milano 2015—quality, sustainability, food safety, territory, biodiversity, identity, and education—the event annually showcases the excellence and global reach of Italy’s food and wine sector.

Four new PCs accept posts with digital signatures

Four attorneys currently serving as Additional Solicitors General (ASG) at the Attorney General’s (AG) Department were sworn in as President’s Counsel (PC) yesterday (November 20) during a ceremonial sitting of the Supreme Court.

Urban Transformation in Chinese-Style Modernisation

Since the reform and opening-up, China has undergone the largest and fastest urbanisation process in the world. By the end of 2024, China’s permanent urban resident population had reached 940 million, accounting for 67% of the total population. In recent years, China has continued to promote people-centred new-type urbanisation, adhering to the principle that cities are built by the people and for the people. This has led to historic achievement

Unheard voices of the night

A landmark wildlife survey in Sri Lanka’s central highlands has uncovered two rare free-tailed bat species,

Celebrating and supporting ‘Palmyrah Stories from North’

Over 35 women artisans from Jaffna, Mannar and Mullaitivu were celebrated at the Sri Lanka Design Festival, where “Palmyrah Stories from North” highlighted their craft, resilience and cultural heritage. Supported by the Embassy of Switzerland, the exhibition shifted the spotlight from products to the women behind them, showcasing traditional skills transformed into contemporary design and meaningful livelihood opportunities

Faithful to the End The Valor of Lt Cdr Sadun Gunasekera

Lt Cdr Sadun Gunasekera’s life was marked by loyalty, bravery and quiet strength. Serving as Flag Lieutenant to Admiral Clancy Fernando, he remained at his commander’s side until both were killed in the 1992 suicide bombing in Colombo. His legacy endures as an example of honour and selfless service.

Supreme Court Commands Accountability in Wake of Ragging Death

In a powerful demonstration of judicial oversight, the Supreme Court took decisive action to confront the persistent problem of ragging in Sri Lankan universities, following the tragic suicide of Charith Dilshan, a Sabaragamuwa University student, who ended his life in April 2025 after enduring alleged severe physical and sexual abuse.

The Crossroads

It was late in the evening. The sun was now trying to hide behind the mountains as the moon slowly began to rise. He was tired; he had been visiting pubs all day, looking for a job. He was a worn-out folk guitarist with an old guitar that had been passed down from his grandfather. Although he was not a maestro on the guitar, he could still manage to play a few good melodies. He was rejected by every pub he went into. He felt miserable; he was bro

Kandy town shivers at the sound of a downpour

The people in Kandy town who have been facing a health hazard created by a dumping ground collapse have been further burdened with a severe flood threat.

Disused trawler gets new lease of life Galagedara school gets a unique library

It is unusual to find a library inside a trawler. This feat was achieved by the principal of a primary school who established a library inside a forty seven and a half foot long trawler named “Uthara 04” valued at Rs 82 lakhs that had remained idle for three years in Cod Bay, Trincomelee, after the owner’s son had died suddenly.

Spreading the message of breast self-examination: The first national level Triathlon Series in Sri Lanka

Breast cancer has been identified as a disease that claims the lives of three Sri Lankan women every day. Accordingly, the main objective of this competition was to spread the message throughout Sri Lanka that every woman above the age of 20 should perform a breast self-examination once a month in order to save the lives of mothers, sisters, wives and daughters whose lives are shortened daily by breast cancer.

Restoring Mannar’s eroding heritage

One of the most historically and archaeologically important towns in Sri Lanka at present is Mannar. This is because its history dates back to over 1500 years, especially with its role as one of the most prosperous maritime trading hubs of yesteryear.

Tarana Foundation targets 4,000 rural students in annual schools drive

Nearly 4,000 rural schoolchildren in Ampara and Maha Oya districts will receive educational supplies worth Rs 5,000 each this December, as part of the initiative entering its eighth year.

Rapidly changing lifestyles cause sleep issues in Sri Lanka

Rapidly changing lifestyles, new work compulsions, soaring career and social ambitions and even daily chores like getting up early to send children to school, are depriving people of the required period of sleep in developed as well as developing countries, Sri Lanka included.

Martin of Sinharaja: The forest’s gentle guardian

Who hasn’t heard of Martin Wickramasinghe? The nation reveres him as a literary giant. But few know of another Martin — Martin Wijesinghe of Sinharaja — whose storytelling spirit bloomed not in bookshelves, but beneath the emerald canopy of Sri Lanka’s last and ancient rainforest.

Artillery in the Siege of Colombo:FOR TWO CENTURIES KEY TO PORTUGUESE SURVIVAL

Western colonial powers, starting with the Portuguese, ruled the coastal regions of Sri Lanka from the early 16th century AD to the early 19th century, when the British extended their rule over the entire country in 1815.

Saudi Post issues commemorative postal stamp

Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia celebrate 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations and to commemorate this historic milestone, the Embassy of Sri Lanka designed a special commemorative “logo” and unveiled it at a diplomatic reception organized by the Embassy on 05 February 2025 at the Cultural Palace in the Diplomatic Quarters in Riyadh.

A Summit in the shadow of a burning planet

The most serious global crisis humanity faces at present — climate change — is advancing faster than we think. The final status report released by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2022 made it clear that the world is running out of time. Yet, since then, there has been no significant global action to reverse the unfolding catastrophe. Against this bleak backdrop, the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to

Dikkumbura’s ‘Kolam Karayo’ to take stage on Nov 21

Drama director and actor Sarath Dikkumbura keeps coming up with great ideas for dramas. This time, he has done an adaptation of the play ‘Marriage’ written by Ukrainian writer Nikolai Gogol. He has named the adaptation ‘Kolam Karayo’.

Exploring enchanting Anagimale Falls and Kanneliya Reserve

Anagimale and Kanneliya offer travellers a lush escape into two of Sri Lanka’s most scenic natural spaces. From cascading waterfalls to biodiverse rainforest trails, the reserves present a serene retreat for nature lovers. Visitors can explore rich legends, striking landscapes and a protected ecosystem that continues to thrive today.

84th AGM of SLFUW on Nov 29

The 84th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Federation of University Women (SLFUW) will be held on 29 November (Saturday) at 3 p.m. at the Auditorium of SLFUW, No. 96/25, Kitulwatte Road, Borella, Colombo 08.

The French Embassy hosts a free French film screening of The Wolf s Call

Directed by Antonin Baudry in 2019, The Wolf’s Call (Le Chant du Loup) will be screened with English subtitles, on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 3:00 PM at PVR Colombo, Wednesday, December 3rd at 5:00 PM at Skylight Cinema in Matara, and Friday, December 12th at KCC Multiplex in Kandy. All screenings are free and open to all (more suitable for people above 14 years old).

Third edition of Arisen Ahubudu’s ‘Lanka Nam Gam Wahara’ launched

The third edition of “Lanka Nam Gam Wahara” (Usage and origin of names of villages in Sri Lanka), authored by the late scholar, linguist, composer, and poet Kalasuri Arisen Ahubudu, was published recently as a Godage publication. The picture shows the first copy of the book being presented to the Chief Incumbent of Ratmalana Paramadhamma Chethiya Pirivena, Deputy Secretary of Sri Kalyani Samagri Dhamma Maha Sangha Sabha and General Secretary of

SLMA NCD Sub-Committee: “How to Protect Your Feet?” Seminar on prevention of Diabetic Foot Disease

The Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Sub-Committee of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), continuing its impactful “Healthy Living” initiative, launched its fourth dedicated practical seminar titled “Diabetic Foot Disease: How to Protect Your Feet”? which was conducted on Wednesday Nov. 12 at the Paa Saviya-Limb Salvage Centre – UCFM Tower, Colombo.

Big pharma exposure that earned media nomination!

I’m incredibly proud to be working for Daily Mirror! What an honour that out of eleven English newspapers and hundreds of writers, two from our paper, including myself, were nominated for Best Feature Article of the year, with my colleague triumphantly winning the award at last week’s Presidential Media Awards. It’s truly a momentous achievement for our team!

Sri Lanka named ‘GCM Champion Country’ for leadership in migration governance

Sri Lanka has long championed safe, orderly and regular migration as a driver of sustainable development. As one of the early endorsers of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), the country has consistently aligned its migration policies with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

That smug look on the face of the president and tea pluckers

Sri Lankans are used to ambling along the corridors of time during the penultimate month of the year. There could be two reasons for this. One is that they are very tired and are screaming for a break for the New Year.

Going Beyond Green Tapping the Human Soul to Heal Exhausted Minds

A senior professor’s sabbatical revealed the hidden cost of relentless achievement. Years devoted to work and recognition left her exhausted, disconnected, and facing health challenges. Reflection on this

Water crisis in Nuwara Eliya due to unchecked contamination activities

Nuwara Eliya holds a special place as a tourist destination. Two of the main attractions are the extremely cold climate and the picturesque Gregory Lake. Both local and foreign visitors flock to this town during the festive season to absorb the atmosphere. Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council is primarily responsible for ensuring the town’s safety and ensuring that the food, drinking water, and accommodation of tourists meet the required standards.

Weighing a win-win wind for Mannar

Mannar Island, historically a vital trade hub in the Indian Ocean and home to rich marine and cultural heritage, is entering a new era with the Mannar Wind Turbine Project. While the initiative promises renewable energy and national benefits, local residents, primarily fishing communities, have raised concerns over ecological, social, and livelihood impacts.