Vision of President Xi for Sustainable, Brighter Future

At the recently concluded 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ meeting held in South Korea, Commander in Chief of world’s 2nd largest economy Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his vision for the Asia Pacific community. Though focused on the APEC it indeed is a lesson for the world.

Unless urgent action is taken: Hill country leopards face extinction

The Hill Country leopard (Panthera Pardus Kotiya) is a sub species of leopard native to Sri Lanka, and is now identified as a species facing the threat of extinction. Sri Lanka’s leopards, along with other leopard species in India, Jawa, Indo china (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia), Amur (between the Russian Far East and Northern China), Iran, the Arabian peninsula and Africa are considered as endangered.

2026 Budget: Bounty for some, disappointment for many

The 2026 Budget reading has been scrutinised by many individuals representing various sectors particularly due to the fact that it had either not prioritised on important issues or seems impractical. The government has also been blamed for not implementing proposals included in the 2025 Budget. While certain budgetary allocations, for example to improve physical infrastructure have been estimated at exorbitant amounts, certain other allocations f

Alliance Française De Colombo Celebrates 70 Years Of Cultural And Academic Excellence

The Alliance Française de Colombo marked its 70th anniversary in a vibrant celebration that brought together diplomats, academics, artists, and institutional partners, reaffirming its pivotal role in promoting French language, culture, and ideas exchange in Sri Lanka.

SOBHA-“A Floral Journey”

Priyadarshini’s passion for art first emerged during her undergraduate years, where she specialised in botany and developed an early appreciation for natural detail and organic structure.

2025 Presidential Gold Award: Billion-Dollar Breakthrough from Waste Coconut Oil

A pioneering Sri Lankan scientist has transformed the negative image of repeatedly heated coconut oil—once deemed unsuitable for human consumption—into a billion-dollar opportunity through an eco-friendly innovation that recently earned him the prestigious 2025 Presidential Gold Award for Environmental Excellence.

Celebrating the 96th Birthday of Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara: A Life of Healing, Writing, and National Thought

With the 96th birthday of Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara FDSRCS (Fellow of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England) being celebrated, we reflect on the extraordinary life of a man who has shaped the nation’s intellectual, cultural, and medical landscapes.

Google Maps Gets Smarter: Google’s Gemini AI Brings a Voice to Sri Lankan Roads

Have you ever been lost on the road, even after asking someone for directions or checking the road signs again and again? It’s something most of us have experienced, especially when driving through an unfamiliar part of the city or trying to find your way in a rural area.

Salt marshes: The unsung heroes of blue carbon conservation

Blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes and sea grasses absorb and store carbon, helping fight climate change. But unlike mangroves and sea grasses, salt marshes are lesser-known ecosystems with unique characteristics. Due to their seasonal variations, most salt marshes in Sri Lanka are mistaken for bare lands thereby increasing their vulnerability to anthropogenic threats.

‘Paradise’ wins three kudos at Kerala State Film Awards

Seasoned filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage’s film ‘Paradise’ won three awards- including the Best Story Writer Award- at the renowned Kerala State Film Awards. It’s significant that a Sri Lankan filmmaker has been awarded at the Indian film festival, which has been existing for the past 55 years.

Urgent appeal from parents Lifeline for one-year-old Sanumi suffering from end-stage liver disease

One-year-old Sanumi Imanshi’s life could end at any moment if urgent help does not come her way soon due to a critical medical condition she is suffering from. Sanumi has been diagnosed with end-stage liver disease resulting from a delayed presentation of biliary atresia.

UNESCO adopts SL–led resolution to commemorate International Day of Vesak annually

The UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand adopted by acclamation Resolution 43 C/22 on the Annual Commemoration of the International Day of Vesak at UNESCO, following a proposal initiated by Sri Lanka. Issuing a statement, the Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO, Paris, stated that the resolution, endorsed during the 43rd General Conference on November 6, 2025, marks a historic moment in recognising the global relevance of Buddhism an

The 16th National Cyber Security Conference 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka

The 16th National Cyber Security Conference of Sri Lanka will be held on November 12, 2025, at Water’s Edge Hotel, Battaramulla, bringing together national and international experts to address the rising challenges and strategic future of cybersecurity in the country.

Pradeep Nilanga Dela re-elected as Diyawadana Nilame: Diyawadana Nilame election highlights need for Buddhist Temporalities Act reform

Incumbent Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela was re-elected to the prestigious position of Chief Custodian of the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy on November 07, securing another 10-year-term that will see him serve in the post until 2035.

Your house number is more than just a digit!

Have you ever walked into a house and felt an inexplicable sense of comfort, or perhaps a sudden sense of uneasiness? You might be surprised to learn that something as simple as the number of the house, which I call house number numerology, can influence the dwelling’s energy.

Stafford International School Holds Successful Interhouse Athletics Event

On Thursday, November 6, 2025, Stafford International School in Colombo 07 hosted its annual Interhouse Athletics Meet despite overcast weather.

‘Sinhabahu’, ‘Nari Bana’ and ‘Jasaya saha Lenchina’ Evergreen plays go on board at the Lionel Wendt

Two-day theatre festival with evergreen stage productions-Prof. Ediriweera Sarathchandra’s “Sinhabahu” and Dayananda Gunawardena’s “Nari Bana” Samaga “Jasaya saha Lenchina” will be staged at 3.30 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. on November 14 and 15 respectively at the Lionel Wendt Theatre Colombo.

Letter to the Editor: The Commercialisation of the Ramayana Trail

In recent years, Sri Lanka’s Ramayana Trail has witnessed an extraordinary surge in popularity, drawing thousands of Indian pilgrims and travellers eager to explore the island’s mythical connection to the ancient Hindu epic. Once modest shrines and quiet hilltop temples such as Seetha Eliya, Divurumpola, and Munneswaram have transformed into major spiritual landmarks.

Why Some Countries Prosper, whilst Others continue to Remain Poor and in Chaos

Why do some nations thrive while others struggle with poverty and instability? The answer lies not in geography or luck, but in leadership, institutions, and the choices societies make. From Singapore to South Korea, prosperity has followed nations that invest in education, innovation, and good governance. For others, corruption, weak institutions, and poor leadership continue to trap generations in cycles of inequality and underdevelopment.

Thakshila Central- Horana wins the Overall title S. Thomas’ College marks 175th anniversary with schools innovation event

Thakshila Central College, Horana, emerged as the winner of the overall category at the first-ever All–Island Schools National Startup Innovation event which took place last Sunday at the S. Thomas’ School premises.

The 13th Asian Endometriosis Congress held in Colombo

Initiating the 13th Asian Endometriosis Congress here in Colombo, the Pre-Congress Pelvic Ultrasound workshop was held recently at the lecture hall of the Ninewells Hospital, Colombo. The Pre-Congress Workshop was one of the two workshops being scheduled to conduct before the 13th Asian Endometriosis Congress.

Kunming Biodiversity Fund approves $5.8 million in funding for FAO-led projects in seven countries

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has helped seven countries secure $5.8 million in financing from the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) to integrate biodiversity into agrifood systems and drive action under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

A New Era of Leadership: 36th Installation of Rotaract Club of Colombo East

The Rotaract Club of Colombo East held its 36th Installation Ceremony at the Akbar Brothers Auditorium. The evening brought together over 180 attendees, including Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, distinguished guests, and well-wishers, all gathered to celebrate the club’s achievements and welcome its new leadership.

Inside the World’s Largest Visa Application Centre

Inside Dubai’s Wafi City stands a place that quietly moves the world. The world’s largest visa application centre, operated by VFS Global, spans 150,000 square feet and processes up to 10,000 applications daily.

Value of STEM/STEAM education: Problems with proposed education reforms need to be addressed

Education is one of the main sectors that required immediate reforms for several years.Even though successive regimes harped on proposed reforms, the crises within the sector remained. What began as a free education system has now become an extremely competitive ground that favours the survival of the fittest.

Sunera Foundation presents Samanalayaya 2025: Empowering differently-abled youth through art

Celebrating 25 years of empowering disability inclusion through art, Sunera Foundation proudly presented Samanalayaya 2025, its flagship drama festival showcasing the exceptional talents of differently-abled youth. The grand finale was held on November 4th at the Lionel Wendt Memorial Theatre with the support of the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka. Through the transformative power of performing arts, Sunera Foundation promotes social incl

The International Day of Care and Support Giving recognition to Unpaid Care Work

The Asia Foundation and Women and Media Collective, with support from Global Affairs Canada, hosted the second National Convening on Recognising Unpaid Care Work in Sri Lanka last week at Waters Edge, Battaramulla.

Verité Media and Politics presents a proposal for ethical reporting on women

In a bid to usher in a culture of ethical reporting, Verité Media and Politics, via its Ethics Eye platform, has handed over recommendations to the Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyarathne, proposing a national media guideline on ethical reporting on women and girl-children.

Colombo Kandy highway Capt. Dawson: The man who died building a road

Governor Sir Robert Horton who succeeded Governor Sir Edward Barnes erected the 125 ft high Dawson tower with permission of the imperial government in appreciation of Engineer Capt. Dawson

MMCA Sri Lanka Conducts Fourth Edition of ‘Museum Intensive’

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka (MMCA Sri Lanka) conducted the fourth edition of their hallmark professional training programme ‘Museum Intensive’ in partnership with World Monuments Fund. ‘Museum Intensive 4: Documenting Modern Buildings’ focused on the critical methods of recording architectural history, with two parallel programmes for professionals and students interested in architectural heritage. These programmes include