Facing the El Nino phenomenon and proclivities of the West

The Meteorology Department has warned that, while our country is currently experiencing the Southwest Monsoon season, the effects of a weather pattern known as El Niño are expected to become more pronounced in the coming weeks. It added that the developing El Niño will affect Sri Lanka through mid-2026 and beyond.

Dubai: The golden boy of make believe is in crisis

For twenty five years, Dubai was a never-never land for the upwardly mobile from all over the world-from business tycoons to engineers, tech professionals and speculators who wanted the best that money can buy, a futuristic steel-glass-concrete haven where they were immune to the world’s troubles.

The Silent Crisis of Elderly Safety in Sri Lanka

I am a regular reader of your English newspaper for the last 25 years. I find there are very important and timely news articles in the Daily mirror paper. One happens to be the above mentioned article which appeared in today’s Daily Mirror.

Sri Lanka’s joining the RCEP - opportunities and challenges

Media reports say that Sri Lanka is set to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest trading bloc, accounting for 30% of global GDP. The 15-member RCEP includes the ASEAN countries plus Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan and South Korea. Sri Lanka had sent its letter of intent to join the RCEP in 2023.

Easter attack: Who is telling the truth?

The Easter Sunday terror attacks of 2019 remain one of the most devastating tragedies in Sri Lanka’s recent history. It claimed the lives not only of Sri Lankans, but also of foreign nationals. Therefore, countries such as the United States also have a responsibility to determine the real culprits. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted an investigation and identified Zahran Hashim as the mastermind. The FBI reports, along with in

Whither peace efforts as Iran war escalates?

Although US President Donald Trump insists he is in control of the war, this week’s escalation — sparking fears of a resumption of the war— demonstrates that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has his say and way. Trump may be pressing for a deal to end the conflict, and Iran may be prepared to make concessions for peace, but Netanyahu knows how to scuttle it. If the war’s trajectory favours Israel, it not only secures Netanyahu’s politica

Is the country ready for extreme weather effects?

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chaired a high-level discussion on the possible impact of the forthcoming El Niño condition and institutional plans to mitigate its effects.

Fading standards and the deteriorating quality of goods and services

Nearly a week after the Horana elders’ home tragedy that killed 12 elderly persons following a fire, three more individuals succumbed to burn injuries following a fire that occurred at a restaurant in Thalawathugoda. One glaring similarity between the two incidents is the fact that there had been no emergency exits in both establishments. As a result, several individuals were trapped inside without any chances to escape.

Torture is illegal, but a norm in every country

Several political parties have been agitating against the arrest and detention of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) chief retired Major General Suresh Sallay over the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in 2019.

Private Sector Must Follow the Government’s Lead on Single-Use Plastic Bottles

President A K Dissanayake’s decision to ban single-use plastic water bottles, usually made from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), effective from June 1, 2026 in the state sector is a welcome step towards reducing plastic pollution and protecting Sri Lanka’s environment. However, limiting the ban to government institutions alone will have only a modest impact.

Can the Sri Lankan public sector be revived?

The question of whether the Sri Lankan public sector can be revived is one that has attracted significant attention in recent years.

Senior citizens must have a decent life and a peaceful passing

The death of 13 inmates of an elders’ home in Anguruwathota, Horana, in a fire on June 3 does not seem to have emotionally touched the people of the country much. No politicians from the ruling party or the Opposition have shown interest in expressing views on the welfare of the senior citizens of the country after the incident.

Twilight in the Shadows: The Silent Crisis of Elderly Safety in Sri Lanka

Whenever a child is born into a Sri Lankan family, everything changes. Parents, grandparents, relatives and neighbours gather around. Money is found, time is given, and every possible effort is made to protect that newborn life. We worry about the child’s food, health, education and future. We build a circle of protection around the beginning of life.

Do heart patients get genuine free health care?

As far as heart patients are concerned, it is difficult to claim that Sri Lanka provides a truly free healthcare service. In Colombo, there is a lengthy waiting list for angiograms, with some patients having to wait more than ten months for this essential diagnostic procedure. During such a prolonged delay, a patient’s condition may worsen significantly, and in some cases, the consequences could be fatal.

The US-Israel war on Iran:Crimes against Humanity and roots of the Middle East conflict

The Middle East has today turned into a global tinder box. It could explode at any time, engulfing not only countries of the region, but also dragging the whole world into a nuclear inferno. Israel, carved out of what was once undivided Palestine, is central to the crisis.

Equality Before the Law: A Call for Unity, Not Division

In recent days, a petition was submitted to the United Nations office in Colombo urging the immediate repeal of Muslim personal laws, citing contradictions with international agreements and Sri Lanka’s Constitution.

Crossover Ban: Democracy, Discipline or Political Survival?

The government argues that the proposed law is necessary to protect the people’s mandate and eliminate a political culture in which elected representatives switch allegiances for personal benefit. However, critics see a more immediate political calculation behind the move.

Time to fix our international airport

Sri Lanka has big plans when it comes to tourism. We often hear about attracting millions of visitors each year and becoming a top destination in the region. But there is one simple question we must ask ourselves. Are we truly ready to welcome the world?

Inconveniences at supermarkets

People go to a supermarket because it has been designed for the convenience of customers. But lately there seems to be delays at cashiers due to the deployment of trainees.

The Gods have not been kind to our rulers

During the heady days, in the immediate aftermath of its massive election victories –both parliamentary and presidential- our present rulers seemed destined to take the country out of the myriad of problems we had been facing since financial collapse of our nation. Mind you the Gods did not have anything to do with country’s financial ruin.

Hellfire in Horana

Thirteen vulnerable residents have perished in a horrific fire at a private care home in Batagoda, Horana, with eyewitnesses recounting the agony of watching restrained inmates burn alive.

What is more reprehensible; drug abuse or sexual abuse?

We are never short of scandals. The latest concerns a Buddhist monk – the chief prelate of eight of the holiest Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka, no less.

AFD marks 20 years of lasting partnership with Sri Lanka

France and Sri Lanka have been working together for more than 75 years, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. In 2005, following the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, France, through the Agence Française de Développement (French Development Agency or AFD) - the public development bank of the French government, came to lend a helping hand to Sri Lanka and other countries that suffered.

HelpAge receives new collection tills from Seylan Bank

Sri Lanka’s premier social service organisation, HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL), recently received new collection tills from Seylan Bank, a leading Bank in Sri Lanka. The tills are used to collect funds to provide free medical facilities to underprivileged elderly citizens across the country

Child Abuse Allegations Must Be Judged by Law, Not Religion

Child Abuse Allegations Must Be Judged by Law, Not Religion

Right of reply Response from the Hajj Committee regarding Mina arrangements

Our attention has been drawn to a series of articles on print and social media aimed at portraying the conditions provided to pilgrims at Mina as being well below what was promised. Let us address each of the issues mentioned in the various articles.

Pettah jewellers urge VAT overhaul, warn industry is on the brink of collapse

Jewellery traders in Pettah, Colombo, urged the Government to revise the tax structure imposed on gold, claiming that the local industry has shrunk by nearly 75 per cent as a result of high taxes that have driven prices beyond the reach of ordinary consumers.

British Tamils remember Mullivaikkal Day in London

Remembering those who died at the final stage of Sri Lanka’s ethnic war, Tamils in London organised several events including a protest walk and other events on May 18 2026.

Honouring Prince of Wales Distinguished Cadet Sergeants (1980–1986)

Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, is proudly approaching two historic milestones -- its 150th Anniversary and, the 125th Anniversary of its Cadet Platoon. The college has long been recognized for its proud cadet heritage, leadership tradition, and outstanding contribution towards producing distinguished personalities in both the Armed Forces and the corporate sector.

Beyond IMF dependence

Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, once hailed as a remarkable turnaround after the unprecedented crisis of 2022, appears to be entering a challenging phase again. The latest assessment by the International Monetary Fund indicates that economic growth is expected to slow to around three percent this year. While growth remains positive, the warning is significant because it signals that the easy gains from stabilisation have largely been exhausted. Th