Rising costs, multiple crises and Lankan doctors’ unconscionable demands

According to multiple sources Israel blackmailed US President Trump into entering its war with Iran. A war which the president’s advisors had warned him to back away from.

Energy conservation: Give strict orders

It has come to my notice that everyday, at night, bill boards, neon signs at restaurants and shops, are seen lit up, even after closing time. Most bill boards within the city of Colombo come under the Colombo Municipal Council.

Middle East War: neutrality is the practical option

The world is still witnessing a dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East. The confrontation involving major global powers and regional actors has pushed the international system into a phase of deep uncertainty. Oil prices have surged, global shipping routes face disruption, and financial markets are reacting nervously. For countries like Sri Lanka—still recovering from an unprecedented economic crisis—the implications are far from abs

Iran war mired in US-Israeli deception

The US‑Israeli war on Iran does not appear to be moving toward a ceasefire, despite United States President Donald Trump’s claim that talks are underway. The subtext of Trump’s speeches, however couched in arrogant rhetoric, tells another story—American militarism is no match for Iran’s strategy. Deeply mired in an unwinnable war against an enemy whose greatest strength lies in its strategic resolve to resist imperialist aggression and Zionist he

An urgent appeal to keep Beira Lake clean

While passing along Sir James Peiris Mawatha in Colombo 2, a strong and unpleasant odour—reminiscent of decaying organic matter —was noticed emanating from the Beira Lake, very close to Bishop’s College. This is an earnest appeal to the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to take immediate action to clean the lake or apply effective odour-control measures. The Beira Lake must remain clean and serene, especially as it surrounds the Seema Malaka of th

Are we ready to bear the environmental cost of war?

The world is facing multiple crises due to the Middle East conflict; one in terms of fuel price hikes and other essential items. Another unseen crisis that the conflict is contributing to is global warming. Statistics indicate that the US has launched more than 8,000 combat flights since “Operation Epic Fury” – the coordinated US-Israeli attack on Iran from late February. It has been estimated that the war has generated more than half a million

Getting under the skin of Trump’s conscience

As the ill effects of the present war still haunt us like memories of a serial killing, we must keep up hope on the thought of achieving permanent peace. This is because even in thought form, peace has the potential to be a healer and make a soldier put his gun away. Right now, American President Donald Trump believes that he is superior and that other national leaders are lesser human beings. Sadly, he doesn’t know that wars are often initiate

Power the Nation with Daylight: A Practical Step Toward Energy Security

In line with the call by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to strengthen national energy conservation through public participation, it is both timely and necessary to adopt innovative, practical measures that deliver real results. During discussions at the Presidential Secretariat, His Excellency emphasised the importance of reducing electricity consumption—particularly during the peak hours of 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.— through increased public a

The government’s foreign policy is positive; but its economic policy?

High-flown diplomatic verbosity and larger-than-life personal egos are not necessarily prerequisites for striking a principled foreign policy position and being recognised for it, though most leaders and policy pundits in this part of the world tend to think otherwise.

Fuel Crisis: Collective understanding is the key to overcoming challenges

The shockwaves of the Middle East war that was started by the US and Israel by launching unprovoked attacks on Iran on February 28 ripple through almost every country in the world.

Supermarket Trolley Etiquette

As we go about our daily lives, it’s the small actions that can make a big difference in our community. One such action is returning supermarket trolleys to their designated areas instead of leaving them scattered in car parks which is a common feature in our country. People are selfish and want to dump trolleys in car parks after loading their items to the car boot. This is grossly unethical and unacceptable.

Predicting a total disaster: US ground troops in Iran unlikely, but what if it happens?

In the volatile landscape of 2026, where conflict between the United States and Iran has reached unprecedented levels of aerial and naval engagement, one strategic axiom remains remarkably durable: a large-scale American ground invasion of Iran is not merely unlikely; it is practically unthinkable.

Fault Lines in Strategy: Did U.S. Intelligence Fail Trump?

Tehran has repeatedly caught Washington off guard, launching attacks on U.S.-aligned Arab nations, effectively blocking the Strait of Hormuz, and most recently deploying long-range ballistic missiles with a range of 4,000 kilometers, a stunning setback for U.S. and Israeli military experts, according to their own statements to Wall Street analysts.

Sri Lanka must finally learn to stand on its own feet

As tensions rise in the Middle East and global uncertainty becomes the new normal, Sri Lanka once again finds itself watching events unfold with a sense of helplessness.

Another cycle of price hikes

The increase in fuel prices will most likely affect prices of essential goods over the coming days. But this is not a surprise given the prevailing situation in the Middle East. Bus fares are likely to be increased.

Vijay’s TVK Party faces Tamil Nadu elections alone

Elections to the Legislature of the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu has been announced by the Election Commission of India. Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23 to elect 234 members to it’s Legislative assembly.

Expect the unexpected

Following the Government’s announcement last week that Wednesday would be a holiday in order to reduce fuel consumption in the country in the face of escalating conflicts in the Middle East, certain health sector trade unions had demanded a holiday allowance for their members as they are not entitled to that holiday.

Trump’s Iranian Wild West adventure could end in nuclear disaster

The American Wild West, brings to mind of jeans clad cowboys shooting from the hip and gun-toting white Americans on horseback hunting down Native Americans armed with bows and arrows.

four-day work week: Smart step towards a productive SL

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has made a timely and pragmatic decision in proposing a four-day work week, with Wednesdays designated as a holiday for public sector employees.

Neutral waters, timeless laws Graf Spee, IRIS Dena and the enduring relevance of neutrality

The story of the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee in 1939 remains one of the most cited lessons in the law of neutrality. During her commerce-raiding mission in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean between September and December 1939, Graf Spee sank nine merchant ships totalling over 50,000 GRT. Her actions forced the British to deploy multiple hunting groups across vast oceans, culminating in the Battle of the River Plate, where Britis

Energy security: Time to move from rhetoric to action

Energy security is a topic that has been discussed for years, if not decades. It is sensible for any government, policymakers and independent analysts to engage in it. Indeed, reams have been written on the subject. Still, rhetoric has not been translated into action here, and Sri Lanka remains highly vulnerable to external shocks. With the Middle East war, triggered after the US-Israel attack on Iran, continuing to rage, Sri Lanka - which entire

Ceasefire killed, war of endurance escalates

The unprovoked and illegal war that the United States and Israel are unleashing on Iran is escalating, drawing a stern Iranian response and turning the conflict into a battle of endurance. The war launched by US President Donald Trump, at the behest of his alleged handler and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is unpopular not only in the United States but also across the world. A CNN report this week said US popularity worldwide had plu

Respect to citizens who continue to adjust

I just pray that one day our people will finally get the chance to live, not just survive I am 33 years old and honestly, I do not even know what kind of life this is anymore. From childhood until now, it feels like we Sri Lankans have never truly been allowed to breathe in peace. We went through a 30-year war, then came the 2019 bomb blasts, then the Corona pandemic, and the economic crisis. Then the fuel and gas queues in 2022, 12-13 hour power

Smoke screens and fake memes

Here we go again: another global crisis that cripples the average person’s life, regardless of which remote corner of the world they live in, if they depend on fossil fuels in daily life.

Has Sri Lanka learned from past mistakes?

It seems like Sri Lanka has a habit of repeating past mistakes, either intentionally or otherwise. Perhaps the Government wasn’t ready for a global conflict to affect its fuel supplies. Perhaps the Government thought they could negotiate obtaining fuel from other countries. But the rapid progression of the conflict has now thrown Sri Lanka towards another pandemic-like period. This is why it is important to prepare ahead of times, now that we dep

Waging war with Iridium and smart phones

The American-Israeli onslaught against Iran is now more than two weeks old. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected Iran to give in quickly under the sheer weight of bombs.

Fuel QR code quota promotes vehicle regulation

The Government’s introduction of the QR code-based fuel quota system can be seen as a timely measure, implemented as part of broader austerity efforts to manage limited fuel resources. In the face of ongoing global fuel instability, such a system is aimed at ensuring equitable distribution and preventing excessive consumption. While it is undeniable that this policy may disrupt the daily routines of certain segments of the population, it is impo

Outdated laws hamper women workers in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, significant progress in human resource development has not led to increased women’s participation in the workforce. Although the country has nearly closed the gender gap in education and health, only one in three women is active in the labour market.

Reflections on energy security in the fuel queue

For years, political agitators have opposed the joint development of the World War II British oil tank farm in Trincomalee. The pretext has always been defending energy security, although irony should not be lost on the discerning onlooker.

Can Sri Lanka afford additional holidays?

Sri Lanka has never had a shortage of holidays. From religious observances to full moon days, from national commemorations to long weekends that quietly stretch into unofficial breaks, we have built a culture that celebrates pause far more easily than it embraces productivity.