Chevaan’s journey with Apollo Consulting Group “When people hear ‘Apollo’, they should think of a Growth Consulting firm” Chevaan Wickremesinghe, CEO of Apollo Consulting Group

With Sri Lanka’s IT Industry’s hopes of transforming from $1.2 billion to $5 billion by 2030, a new wave of entrepreneurs are not just trying to be part of this transformation, but be transformers themselves. Amongst them is Chevaan Wickremesinghe, Founder and CEO of Apollo Consulting Group, who took the bold step by leaving a promising legal path to shift to business and technology. The Daily Mirror sat down with Wickremesinghe to talk about en

Launch of Sri Lanka’s first livestock insurance scheme launched

In a bid to reduce the human-wildlife conflict and safeguarding the endangered Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, under its Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), together with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), and LOLC, under the guidance of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, launched a pioneering Livestock Insurance Scheme. The launch event was hel

Navy fights kidney disease spread

Navy installed over a thousand low-cost Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment plants to fight CKD, while successful in slowing the disease’s spread, the project’s long-term sustainability now requires government maintenance and centralized control.

Sigiriya among other towns threatened by North-central Maha Ela Project

It is common for countries to launch development projects while they achieve economic growth. Such projects bring both benefits and drawbacks. Although various development work has been undertaken in Sri Lanka to minimise these drawbacks, some have still had adverse effects on the population. Maha Ela Project in the North Central Province is one such initiative. Implemented under the Ministry of Irrigation, it is estimated to cost 210 million US$

Looming conservation crises threaten Arugambay

Apart from braving the waves and surfing on the pristine beaches of Arugambay, crowds are now attracted to observing wildlife on the East Coast. But from the point of view of conservationists, respective authorities need to pay more attention to safeguarding several forest patches in the area, which are home to many herds of elephants. During a recent visit to Arugambay, the Daily Mirror witnessed how illegal encroachment, rave parties in a

Memorial Oration in Honour of the late General Deshamanya Denis Perera

The traditional Memorial Oration in honour of the late General Deshamanya Denis Perera was held on August 11, 2025, at the Faculty of Graduate Studies Auditorium, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). The solemn occasion brought together a distinguished assembly of military veterans, dignitaries, and members of the diplomatic corps, who gathered to honour the memory and legacy of one of Sri Lanka’s most revered military leaders.

‘World Indigenous People’s Day’ Intruding Vedda jungles in the guise of providing modern facilities

August 9 has been declared the ‘World Indigenous People’s Day’ and Sri Lanka has been celebrating this day in a grand manner every year under state patronage.

An anatomy of a leadership

The ancient Chinese military strategist and philosopher Sun Tzu famously wrote: “The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.”

Twentieth-century famines:Human folly, a bigger cause than drought

Famine is defined as extreme and widespread hunger, often leading to death. Ancient Sri Lanka experienced at least one famine, recorded as ‘Baminithiyaseya’ in the Anuradhapura period, when monks ate tree bark and leaves, fearing the oral tradition of Buddhist scriptures would vanish if they perished.

In conversation with Maheli Mudalige: Finding trust in art that was missing in software engineering

Maheli Mudalige is a self-taught artist making waves in the contemporary art scene in Sri Lanka. Having recently been placed among the top 15 winners at the Pearl Protectors Art Competition celebrating ‘World Ocean’s Day’, Maheli’s story is a testament to how a leap of faith is all that it takes to realise your dreams.

A tribute to Dr. Sarath de Silva on his 80th birthday

In one lifetime, we encounter innumerable people. They touch us in many ways. We remember them and are grateful, of course, but then there are individuals who leave a profound and indelible mark on us. They transform us. Such an individual is Dr. Sarath de Silva.

Elephant Free Elephant Walk: A Cultural Revolution for Climate Justice and Wildlife Protection

On a quiet Sunday afternoon in Ibbagamuwa, something extraordinary happened. It was a perahara like no other. Instead of majestic elephants adorned with glittering decorations, giant puppets crafted from discarded plastic bottles glided down the streets.

Sri Lanka’s New Analogue Film Developing Lab

Artist and photographer Lojithan Ram will open doors to Mount Studio’s Analogue Film Developing Darkroom Lab tomorrow (August 17)

An Ode to Memory: In conversation with Lojithan Ramanathan

Parilojithan Ramananathan, better known as Lojithan Ram, held his solo art exhibition ‘Arra Kuļamum, Kottiyum, Āmpalum’, at the Paradise Road Saskia Fernando Gallery from May 23rd to June 23rd. Borrowing its title from the verses of Tamil poetess Avvaiyar, the exhibition touched on powerful themes such as memory and remembrance against a rich tapestry of literature and mythology.

33rd death anniversary of Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne

The Sri Lanka Army commemorated the 33rd death anniversary of Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne with a wreath-laying ceremony at his statue in Kiribathgoda on August 8, 2025. The event was led by the Commander, Security Forces Headquarters (West) and Colonel of the Gajaba Regiment, Major General U. K. D. D. P. Udugama, and was attended by family members, senior officers, and troops of the Gajaba Regiment. Major General Wimalaratne was the Commande

Focus on Arugambay : Locals alert authorities to protect Sri Lanka’s sole surfers’ paradise

Sri Lanka’s surfing paradise, Arugambay attracts many local and foreign visitors during its peak season from July to October. Over the recent few years, this stretch of land has gained much attention, mainly due to the presence of Israeli tourists as claimed in media reports. A popular Australian DJ, who recently visited Arugambay, published a video claiming whether Arugambay is becoming Sri Lanka’s Tel Aviv. For passive onlookers, this may be a

Elephant killings spiral as Sri Lanka battles poaching threat

Elephant deaths, a topic frequently discussed these days, have drawn widespread attention. It appears that elephants are being killed with the intention of removing their tusks. Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has confirmed that elephants are being killed using Hakka Patas (jaw-breaker bombs), Badina Thuwakku weapons and poisoning.As of mid-July this year, 219 elephant deaths have been recorded; 37 of them dying through shootings. In 20

Bellanwila Esala Festival Reaches its Climax with Randoli Perahera

Months of July and August hold great socio-cultural and aesthetic value for Buddhists across this resplendent island, as they are the time for the ceremonial commemoration of the significance of both Esala and Nikini Full Moon Poya phenomena, as documented in ancient Buddhist scriptures. The Seasonal Perahera festival (pageants) with the crowning one in the charming hill capital, Kandy, Sri Dalada Maligawa, is annually conducted at Kataragama, Ra

Spotlight on Sarvodayapuram open dump yard facility

The Sarvodayapuram open dump yard, located a few kilometres away from the popular Arugambay tourism stretch, is a looming environmental hazard. During our recent visit to the site spread over approximately four hectares of land adjacent to an environmentally sensitive area, the Daily Mirror observed how municipal solid waste had been haphazardly dumped on either side of the road leading up to the actual dump yard.

Mismanagement leads to crisis at Pelwatte, Sevanagala Sugar factories

The sugar industry in Sri Lanka has been facing an unprecedented crisis. The Pelwatta and Sevenagala sugar factories managed by Lanka Sugar Company PVT Ltd and the Ethimale Sugar factory in Siyambalanduwa, which is fully operated by a private company, are facing a threat of closure due to the poor sale of sugar and ethanol. The Hingurana sugar factory which is run as a semi-government enterprise is facing a similar predicament.

Bellanvila Esala Perahera: Sustaining Buddhist Culture for 75 years

For three-quarters of a century, the venerable Bellanvila Esala Perahera has gracefully processed through the streets, reaching its 75th year as a testament to enduring Buddhist culture and communal spirit.

‘Karunilam’ (Black soil) Mannar residents continue resisting ‘winds’ of change

‘Karunilam’ (Black soil) is the title of the ongoing protest staged by residents of Mannar which commenced on August 3. The protest has been staged against illegal ilmenite mining, wind power farms and prawn farms which are destroying the natural balance on Mannar Island. Mannar is considered to be the largest island made of sand which is in close proximity to India. Due to shortsighted decisions made during previous regimes, people of Mannar ar

75th Anniversary of an elephant who preferred death to captivity

That single Rifle shot, fired on August 10, 1950 reverberated around the world and tugged at the warm heartstrings of a grieving nation for a fallen indomitable warrior. For the local national newspapers it was front page headline news screaming “Preferred Death to Captivity” under a photograph of the warrior at the very moment of death, defiant and fighting to the end. In England, the national newspapers carried it in prominent details, while th

Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa The true soldier of might and father of a nation’s army

If Sri Lanka has produced a true soldier of might, a man whose character, integrity, and tactical genius stands as an enduring beacon of national service, he is none other than General Denzil Lakshman Kobbekaduwa.

Kandy Esala Pageant is an austere adherence to tradition

Have you ever thought of as to how this ancient ritual called the Esala Maha Perehera (Pageant) now called the Grand Pageant in Kandy has survived?

The Weaponisation of Hunger: Gaza’s Engineered Famine

On February 27, top UN leaders told the UN Security Council that massive starvation is about to happen in Gaza.

Reminiscing Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict

The Sinhala translation of a volume of selected poems written by Tamil Canadian academic, poet, playwright, and journalist Dr. Rudhramoorthy Cheran will be launched on August 12, 2025, at the National Library auditorium in Colombo at 3 p.m.

ACUCF Honours Unsung Heroes at Colombo Ceremony

The ‘Jathika Maha Kala Mangallaya’, a cultural event organised by the All Ceylon United Cultural Foundation, was held on July 18, 2025, at the Public Library Auditorium in Colombo, under the patronage of the foundation’s President,

Blood Donation Drive Unites Olaboduwa Community

A blood donation program was successfully held at the Olaboduwa Seven Row Reception Hall under the spiritual guidance of the Chief Incumbent of the Olaboduwa Raja Maha Viharaya, Venerable Karagaskandura Seelawisuddhi Thero.

PSA calls upon govt. to present clear document on new educational reforms

In a letter addressed to Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the National Executive Committee of the People’s Struggle Alliance (PSA) requested the subject minister to present a clear official document to the public on new educational reforms.