Tourism in a perverse country

Another young man was arrested on Thursday (26) for harassing a female tourist. Even though major tourism campaigns have been launched to generate revenue to the country, there’s much more to be done in terms of hospitality. One cannot quite imagine being harassed in an unknown country when all that you wanted to do was to go on a vacation.

Alleged coal fraud: The government faces test

The government finds itself once again at a crossroads of public trust and governance integrity. What should have been a routine strategic fuel procurement to power the country’s largest electricity generator has instead spiralled into a political, economic and social crisis — revealing serious vulnerabilities in administrative oversight and accountability. Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has questioned why, in the backdrop of former Min

Distaste of the Union: The immoral march toward imperialism

Twelve days after United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a fascist, imperialist policy declaration at the Munich Security Summit, President Donald Trump unveiled what could easily be dismissed as an ego-driven distaste of the union.

SL Cricket on its deathbed

When Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996, that particular team may have never even dreamt of seeing the current plight of the national cricket team. The team is now in dire straits as a result of corruption, politicisation and bad choices. It is quite unfortunate that our team couldn’t secure a spot in the qualifying teams despite being the host country. They know the pitches, wind directions and everything on their home turf very well. But they

Ecocide in the guise of development

It is quite ironic to see the incumbent government showing interests to build an international cricket stadium despite the worrying performances by our own national team. Following pressure from environmental groups, the Government halted the construction of the proposed international cricket stadium in Mandaitivu, Jaffna. Mandaitivu Island is an ecologically critical, biodiversity-rich area in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, boasting significant mangrove for

Who pays for SOE dysfunction?

It appears that the latest procurement by Lanka Coal caused a direct loss of LKR 7,668.1 million to CEB. This is a floor, not a ceiling. The direct loss calculation excludes the additional costs that must be incurred to make up for the shortfall in generation caused by sub-standard coal and the remedial measures that may have to be taken to manage increased fly ash volumes.

The paradox of the two-thirds: Power without space

In the history of Sri Lankan democracy, few leaders have ascended with a mandate as mathematically absolute as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. With a two-thirds “super-majority” in Parliament, the Executive and Legislative branches are, for the first time in decades, a singular engine of potential change. Yet, in early 2026, the administration finds itself in a paradoxical chokehold: it possesses the power to pass any law, but lacks the polit

Memories of a British colony

When we celebrated 78 years of gaining independence from England this February 4, it gave us an opportunity to reflect on some of the cultures that the British taught.

Road bumps: A key point in road safety

I read a news item on the death of a woman pillion rider with a helmet by falling from motor bike at a road bump in Bandarawela. It is a serious situation, and brings up a crucial point on road safety.

Attorney-at-Law Weerarathna presented with literary award

All Sri Lanka Revival foundation for the Preservation of Global Hela Traditional Medicine has implemented a new literary award for the country in memory of late Prof. A.D.T.E. Perera, a veteran Buddhist scholar. The first award of it was presented to the book titled “100 years Das Buddhistische Haus” by attorney-at-Law Senaka Weerarathna, Secretary of German Dharmaduta Society, published in 2024. Ven. Olande Ananda presented the certificate and

Akuregoda double murder: A shift from ‘normal’ execution

A very disturbing aspect of the recent Akuregoda double murder – of a lawyer and his wife – is that the wife wasn’t spared by the killers.

Hypocrisy of the Tamil Diaspora

Every time a Sri Lankan leader lands in a western capital, a predictable yet hypocritical drama unfolds. A small but vocal segment of the Tamil diaspora gathers outside, waving the flag of the LTTE and chanting slogans about justice and human rights. But what they refuse to confront is their own silence and their own selective outrage, thereby only proving that they are nothing but hypocrites in their so called call for justice.

Regulation more sustainable than prohibition

Sri Lanka’s increasingly strict stance on passenger cigarette imports risks becoming counter-productive. Compared with regional norms, the policy is exceptionally rigid. Srilanka has banned totally any cigarette imports by tourists whereas India, Maldives and Thailand allow up to 200 sticks duty free and Singapore allow imports but taxed.

Disaster mitigation; No time to lose

Almost three months have elapsed since the disastrous Cyclone Ditwah swept the country claiming around a thousand lives, including those who are claimed to be missing. Those who sacrificed their lives in this calamity taught hundreds of lessons both to the people and to the authorities and some of them had been taught during the similar past disasters and repeated this time as well.

Ahead of Trump’s State of the Union address: Poll finds 60% Americans don’t support him

US President Donald Trump is to deliver the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress today (Tuesday), February 24.

Why no cashback system in supermarkets

You may not be aware of this cashback system as it has not been introduced to all our local supermarkets. ‘Cashback System’in UK supermarkets applies to a broad term that covers a couple of different ways shoppers can get money back. It’s a few methods designed to help people save on their groceries by way of discounts. Here’s a breakdown of main method how it works in UK supermarkets:

G.L. Peiris delves into ‘Protection of Occupants Bill’ during university lecture

The following is a lecture delivered by Former Minister G.L. Peiris at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo on February 16, 2026 regarding the ‘Protection of Occupants Bill (2026), introduced by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Justice.

Is JVP Gen-Sec Tilvin the power behind President Dissanayake’s throne?

“Power behind the throne” is a phrase that is generally used to refer to someone who doesn’t hold an official leadership position, but is actually the one who effectively wields control.

Billions of Party Funds & Legislators’ Perks, Privileges

Sri Lanka’s Parliament has embarked on an ambitious reform of long-standing political privileges, sparking intense debate over fiscal responsibility, fairness, and the future of the public service. In recent months, lawmakers have moved to abolish both parliamentary pensions and state-funded entitlements for former presidents, measures aimed at curbing perceived excesses and reshaping political culture.

Sri Lanka must prioritise climate change! It is urgent

Sri Lanka can no longer treat climate change as a distant issue discussed only at global conferences. It is unfolding before our eyes. From increased rainfall and stronger winds to deadly landslides and floods, the weather patterns we once relied on are changing rapidly. Lives are being lost. Homes are being destroyed. Yet as a country, we still seem to be reacting instead of preparing.

Are we really back to pre-Aragalaya period?

People are once again queuing up to obtain gas due to a shortage. Sri Lankans have had quite unfortunate experiences languishing in queues during the Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime.

MP’s pension issue; who benefits?

The Opposition seems to be not certain of their own stance about the Parliament Pensions (Repeal) Bill that was passed on Tuesday. They criticised the Bill, but did not vote against it. They had left the House when the Bill was put to vote, instead.

After bankruptcy: Where’s light at end of the tunnel

It is now four years since our country declared bankruptcy in April 2022 and a year and a quarter since the NPP Government was elected to power in our country.

Advising the tourists about wild jumbo attacks

The recent unfortunate incidents of tourists being attacked by wild elephants, have gripped the attention of the media.

Cutting MPs’ pensions - at what cost?

Few political promises generate as much public applause as cutting the privileges of politicians. In a country battered by economic collapse, tax hikes and austerity, any move to trim parliamentary perks appears morally justified. It is more so because the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) has portrayed politicians in a bad light, holding them responsible for all the ills the country is grappling with. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s de

War clouds over Iran-US talks: A Game of Chicken

The United States is adopting a dangerous strategy in its bid to force Iran to yield. Washington seeks nothing less than the total submission of Iran’s sovereignty. To achieve its objectives, it engages in talks while keeping a gun to Iran’s leadership—believing, mistakenly, that gunboat diplomacy will compel Iran to surrender. The dispatch of the USS Abraham Lincoln to the Persian Gulf ahead of talks in Muscat, Oman, was a clear signal of coerci

Begin teaching road discipline in the schools

The Police must enforce road discipline to counter accidents. The best is a very strenuous training in Prevention, Detection. and proper prosecution. These are the three main ingredients the Police should concentrate on if the police is to achieve desired success. The Police Department should have a long term plan and a short term plan in handling and creating road discipline. The long term plan should commence with the Schools and they must incu

‘Democracy dies in darkness’: Jeff Bezos vs The Washington Post

In a shocking development, the owner of the ‘Washington Post’ newspaper has fired thirty per cent of its staff. That owner is billionaire Jeff Bezos, who has owned the Post since 2013. The ‘Washington Post’ is 149 years old. Founded by Stilson Hutchins on December 6, 1877, it is the oldest and most widely circulated daily newspaper in Washington, D.C.

Justice Held Hostage: Why Lawyer Strikes Betray the Public Trust

The recent decision by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) to stage a nationwide boycott of court proceedings following the tragic murder of Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife has reignited a crucial debate: Do lawyers have the right to hold the justice system hostage to express their grievances, no matter how legitimate those grievances might be?

Bribery, the greatest enemy of a democratic nation

A recent news item read that an Acting Registrar of Births and Deaths attached to the Alayadivembu Divisional Secretariat in Akkaraipattu was arrested for allegedly accepting Rs. 500 as a bribe to issue a birth certificate. Incidents of this nature reminds people that the system hasn’t really changed even after all these years.