Youth suicides Why educational institutions need to think beyond academics

Every time a life is lost to suicide, it indicates a collective failure within the system. In Sri Lanka, a death by suicide is another statistic, but it points to a larger problem that needs to be addressed. While there is no one single factor that could trigger suicidal thoughts in individuals, a spate of incidents over the past few months, particularly with regards to youth suicides, paint a different picture.

SAC ART Amsterdam Bridging Europe and South Asia with contemporary and modern art

In the heart of Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, lies a cozy art space dedicated to South Asian Contemporary Art.

Deepa Mehta’s personal journey Filmmaker’s exploration of city, gender and identity

In celebration of the storytelling and films of Oscar-nominated director and producer Deepa Mehta, several of her works, including I Am Sirat and Funny Boy, were screened in Sri Lanka recently.

Abeyratne Attanayake A Heartfelt Farewell to a Dear Friend and IT Pioneer

It is with profound sadness, yet with hearts full of cherished memories, that we bid farewell to my dear friend and compatriot, Abeyratne Attanayake, “Atta” to all who knew and loved him. His sudden passing on June 9, 2025, at his residence in Pitakotte, just two days after returning for a visit from his home in New Zealand, has left a void that is difficult to comprehend. For me, it feels like losing one of the last remaining pillars of a shared

Five Decades of unwavering commitment to workers’ education

The Institute of Human Resource Advancement (IHRA) of the University of Colombo celebrates a significant milestone this year: fifty years of unwavering commitment to accessible, practical oriented education for the working population of Sri Lanka.

A tribute to Prof. Arjuna, who reaches 60

When I first met Professor Arjuna De Silva, as his patient, I was immediately impressed by this consultant physician, especially by his considerable knowledge, remarkable efficiency and commitment.

Book Review The Limits of Love by Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha

The Limits of Love, the final book of Professor Rajiva Wijesinha’s trilogy that began with ‘Act of Faith’( 1983), is an underrated great piece of literature.Perhaps the answer to why it is underrated could be found in the long, self-absorbing monologues of the first-person narration, which could be quite taxing for the reader.

Joel Fernando: Medical maverick and great humanitarian

Joel Fernando was born in 1940 in the ancestral home of his maternal grandfather, lawyer Thomas Matthew Fernando JPUM, in the Colombo suburb of Mount Lavinia. He was the fifth in a family of ten children.

Sri Lankan peace builder awarded ‘Rotary Alumni Global Service Award’

Pushpi Weerakoon has been awarded the ‘Rotary Alumni Global Service Award’. The achievement is sure to contribute to the many international accolades achieved by Sri Lankans this year

Sri Lanka’s pharma ambitions take shape, the largest plant set to take off

In the post-independence era, Sri Lanka achieved a lot in terms of social development compared to other countries in the region. Sri Lanka is way ahead of countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal in South Asia in this regard. The country can be proud of its achievements in terms of its progress in quality healthcare and high literacy level.

Saving Lives in Maternal Cardiac Care: A Novel Approach to Safety and Excellence

Dr. Sanath Akmeemana, President of the Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, awards the oration medal to Dr. Gamini Galappatthy, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, who delivered the prestigious Professor D.E. Gunatilleke memorial oration at the Samson Rajapaksha auditorium of the SLCOG House on May 25, 2025. The oration was titled ‘Heart Disease and Pregnancy – The Crossroads Well Signposted Will Prev

Sriyani Nonis: In Memory of My Great Friend

Two decades have passed since we lost our dear friend, Sriyani Nonis, on June 13, 2005, but her memory will always linger. Our friendship of nearly half a century was very close, not demanding, but genuine and dependable. We first met at St. Joseph’s nursery school, where our two sons were taking part in a concert.

Sri Lanka gripped by Dengue, Chikungunya outbreaks’

Sri Lanka is currently facing a grave public health crisis as the country has been witnessing a surge in the number of Chikungunya and Dengue cases during recent months, particularly in Colombo and Gampaha districts. Medical experts have stated that dengue has now reached epidemic proportions, with over 23,000 cases reported nationwide so far this year. This surge is largely attributed to adverse weather conditions, especially the onset of the mo

Mrs Susila Samaranayaka’s birth century fell on June 10 A century of grace remembered

June 10, 2025 marks the 100th birth anniversary of our beloved mother Mrs Susila Gunadari Samaranayake. Our devoted Ammi, was born on 10th of June 1925 and passed away on 11th of March 1997 after a brief illness at the age of 72.

Turning ‘green deserts’ into natural ecosystems

Due to the lack of maintenance of company-owned tea lands and the declining productivity of older plantations, rainforests are being rapidly cleared to establish new tea plantations and increase yields, fueling the expansion of tea cultivation. To raise public awareness of the resulting issues, we have created two posters. Furthermore, efforts are underway to convert tea plantations into multi-crop systems based on agro forestry and ecological f

The diary of a prolific author and man for all seasons

Journalist Sugath Moragahakumbura is a man for all seasons. From writing stories to the tabloid newspaper ‘‘Nawaliya’’ (Still in publication) he went on to try his hand at like drama, photography and even authoring books with considerable success. This attempt is to write about his contributions to society as an author. He has over 80 books to his credit.

Samangala pre-historic graveyard indicates well-developed culture

A pre-historic graveyard has been found in Samangala jungle monastery in the Uhana division, Ampara district.

Letters to the Editor A collection of selected letters by M.R. Pathirage

A collection of selected letters covering a diverse range of topics pertaining to social, political and economic issues and crises that prevailed in our country which ultimately affected adversely the majority of citizens, as never before, during a specific period from 2020 to 2024, has been compiled well into a book and aptly titled “Letters To The Editor” by its author M. R. Pathirage.

Poson, the dawn of plenty and prosperity

On a resplendent ‘Full Moon Day’ in the month of June, Poson festivities are celebrated in Sri Lanka. This splendid occasion is to commemorate and pay homage to the wonderful appearance of Maha Samana Arahant Mihindu, accompanied by a spiritually advanced six-member Royal emissary, sent by the great emperor Dharmasoka of Jambudeepa, on a similar Poson Poya day 2013 years ago.

Reality of impermanence in Buddhism

Impermanence refers to the temporary and uncertain nature of much of what people perceive as reality. People often cling to the illusion of stability and permanence in their lives. Still, a deeper examination reveals that everything is constantly changing—even those things they perceive as solid and unchanging. This assumption of certainty sharply contrasts with one of the fundamental insights of Buddhism. Despite the reality of continuous cha

Iranganie Serasinghe: Longevity and success in a world of films, theatre and trees

Iranganie Serasinghe packed a number of careers, projects and issues into her long and eventful life, but still looks serene as she celebrated her 98th birthday, just two years short of a century. Is her signature serenity the secret of her longevity?

Siam Daham Pada Yathra 2025 Foot Pilgrimage from Kataragama to Ahangama

A group of Buddhist monks arrived in the country on Saturday (June 7) to conduct a foot pilgrimage (Pada Yathra) in view of Poson full moon day. The Pada Yathra would commence from Kirivehera, Kataragama and continue on consecutive days as follows:

Pelwatte, Sevanagala sugar factories in a crisis due to mismanagement

Sevanagala and Pelwatte sugar factories, owned by Lanka Sugar Company Ltd, were established in 1986 with the aim of meeting 100 percent of the country’s sugar requirement through local production.

Court of Appeal Considers Petitions: Elephant-Train Collision cases heard on World Environment Day

On June 05 2025, coinciding with World Environment Day, the Court of Appeal, in a division comprising of His Lordship Justice Karalliyadde, heard two writ applications bearing nos.

World Environment Day 2025: Climate Change A wake-up call for action

humanitarian emergencies caused by heatwaves, wildfires, floods, tropical storms, and hurricanes.

Eid - ul - Adha: Emphasising National Harmony and Shared Humanity

Eid - ul -Adha,the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, is one of the most significant and sacred celebrations observed by millions of Muslims around the world.

Sri Lanka women turn tide on plastic

A powerful, women-led recycling movement in Sri Lanka is successfully combating plastic pollution and empowering communities through innovative waste management and a new factory.

Helpless state authorities fail to control paddy prices

A rice crisis has recently emerged in Sri Lanka, and the government has failed to provide a solution. Rice is our staple food, and as a nation we consume it three times a day. Since ancient times, Sri Lankan kings were focussed on making the country self-sufficient in rice. In the 1960s, 40% of the country’s rice needs were met through local production, while the remaining 60% was imported.

Sri Lanka reaches a milestone in a decades’ long conservation effort

One of the most significant conservation initiatives taken by the government in view of the World Environment Week was the declaration of the Nikkandupola stream in Galapitamada in the Warakapola Divisional Secretariat as a conservation zone and sanctuary. This is because a 2.5km stretch of stream in this area is home to the Bandula Barb (Pethiya bandula or Jayanthiya), a tiny freshwater fish species that is found nowhere else in the world.

Climbing Mount Denali Mountaineer Johann Peries sets out to conquer final summit in Seven Summits Challenge

Sri Lankan mountaineer Johann Peries is set to leave the island on June 8, heading to Alaska to take on Mount Denali (also known as Mount McKinley), the final summit remaining to complete the Seven Summits Challenge. Considered the most coveted mountaineering achievement, the challenge involves scaling the highest peaks on each of the seven continents.